The mere sound of her name from his lips caused her stomach to leap slightly. Here in Britain there were so few to call her by her Christian name that she found the sound of it more intimate then she had ever considered it before.

There was a moment where she thought he might try to kiss her, the barest of moments, as she looked up to him, inviting him to. She felt it would reassure them both of their intentions. Something for them both to look back on with a smile. But then the moment faded. Mr. Darrow was much too polite of a gentleman for that.

Instead he offered to escort her back inside. She knew she had been gone much too long from the assembled company, that their disappearance would be noticed, but she had no inclination to return. Return they must though. “If we must.” Caroline found herself saying, a small pout on her lips as she looked up at him. But she let go of his hand, her own gloved fingers falling to her side, as she moved so he could escort her. The British and their manners, she silently complained.