He nodded and lowered his gaze to the floor. He'd never been good dealing with women—not good, proper women, at least, even if they were spinsters—but he knew there was nothing he could say that would make the situation any less awkward.

He didn't respond to her and instead walked over to the fireplace and took the small jaw of floo powder off the mantle. He held it out, assuming she was ready to leave then and there, because he couldn't imagine a sensible woman would want to stay in a bachelor's lodgings for any longer than necessary.

"Be careful," were his parting words, though he wasn't sure what exactly he meant by them.

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