Tristan rose to his feet when Miss Zimmermann got up to leave and he gave her a respectful nod. He had just put on his hat when the vicious hiss was issued. He instantly realized that it was an insult, of course. The woman's cold demeanor changed to had turned to open disgust as soon as Miss Zimmermann was on her way. But it took a moment for the meaning of those word to sink in.

He trembled on the spot. He would have preferred to dash out of that place at once, into the night's cool air. But he forced himself to walk out slowly, so as not to 'confirm his guilt'. His movements were wooden.

That fresh air did not deliver on its promise. Tristan leaned against the outside of the inn, feeling his heart pound with frightful force against his ribs. He pressed his hand against his breast. Breathing was hard under the dizzying awareness that this situation with Pippa was not just messy; it was downright dangerous.

He didn't know how long he stood there. He noticed neither time nor people passing. But when he started moving at last, his heart rate was a little slower and his mind made up.