Ford supposed he was lucky that this had come from someone so nearby and not been dropped on him from one of the upper areas of the ballroom, because the bracelet that had hit him was small enough and heavy enough that it might have left a real mark if it had the chance to pick up any speed. As it was, it had startled him, but it hadn't really hurt. Hopefully the same could be said of the young woman who'd approached him for it — startled but not hurt — since she'd evidently fallen with enough force to send it flying.

"No trouble," he said easily, holding it out for her to take. "I hope the slip wasn't too much of an ordeal. Though you look to be in one piece?" he continued with a playful smile. It was just the sort of casual playfulness he often affected at balls, nothing more, but she seemed like maybe she could have used it — he wouldn't have been able to say exactly what it was about her expression or her body language, but he didn't get the impression she was enjoying herself at the moment. Perhaps predictably, if she'd just nearly fallen — but if she was embarrassed about it, at least he could clue her in that he wasn't the sort to mind a bit of clumsiness.

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