The small smile she cast in his direction brought the first indication that his feelings towards her may be more than friendship: his heartbeat sped up, followed by a feeling of dread. That feeling was certainly one he didn't get with other ladies he was friendly with (such as Miss Midford or Miss Gallivan), and the sudden image of Maddie in his mind brought him to the conclusion that he was feeling guilt. But why? What about Miss Woodcroft was so enticing that (and did he really just think that?) he'd forget for a split second that Maddie had his heart?

He didn't even realize he wasn't answering Miss Woodcroft's question, instead staring at her in complete silence, his brows furrowed and his lips in a straight line. Miss Woodcroft like MacFusty, and MacFusty was his friend. He had to shake that feeling, just in the event that MacFusty decided he did like Miss Woodcroft.

"I - uh - I'm getting tired just watching," he responded with an uneasy laugh. Yup, he was fucked. "Perhaps we should both retire for the evening and - uh - try tomorrow." Dammit, Whitledge.