"It's nothing," she said, "It's my own fault. I stepped on a lady's gown." Her blush filled her pale cheeks. Pippa put her hand over her neck to hide the healing bruise. She sighed and looked down at her hand. "Thank you. I... I appreciate everything." She put distance between them, then, mostly because there was an awareness that niggled at the back of her neck. He was attractive in a way that she shouldn't notice...

"I frequent the library that is not far from here," she said, changing the subject so she would calm down. "I love to read. I wonder if I will find any books of recipes there." She didn't wish for him to spend money on manuals.