He apologized, because that was an adequate solution to touching her breast without permission or invitation. He ought to have volunteered to marry her on the spot! Anything other than having the sudden fear that their encounter was being watched from above. Verity refused to have her first real season ruined before it had even begun.

Had she misplaced it sooner, though? Verity was now unsure. He wouldn't have crashed into her if she was illuminated though, would he have? "Of course I did," she said with more confidence than she felt. "You're the only person with whom I collided, an impossible feat at this event without some guidance." Verity stepped back again but didn't crouch down to look for her own light. With her luck, someone wouldn't see her hunched form and would trip, causing even more of a spectacle.

There was a soft glow coming from beneath the nearest table. "There. Is that it?"