Even without heels, well. Lory had never been especially fast, and today was no exception. Even every fiber in her body crying run! could not defy Isaac Newton’s apple, and like the apple she tumbled.

“Let go!” she screamed, curling into herself, her skirts.

Anne gasped.

Ben didn't let go. But her reaction surprised him. She had seemed sober this time.

"Lory." He took her other arm and tried to straighten her to her feet. "Don't be scared, child. I'm sorry for how I behaved at the Pony. Will ye not stay and talk?"

When a man had grabbed a girl at the Diamond Pony, she had expertly whipped her wrist toward herself, kneed him in the nuts, and fled.

Uncle Ben might have been less of a groper, but he still had nuts.

Lory kneed him in the nuts and yanked, ready to shed her heels and bolt like a fox.

One moment Ben was holding Lory's arms, trying to talk to her. The next moment, there was a shriek from Anne, Ben had let go, was down on his knees, trying to find a position that offered some comfort to the damaged crown jewels, and actual curse word escaped his lips. He would never have thought that Lory could... Never mind, he was in too much pain to even think about it.