The man's weight bore down on her, sending a surge of pain through her ankle and her calves. It was an awkward position to be in, even more so as he tried to collect himself and return to his feet, and with a red flush to her cheeks Grace realized, Oh Merlin, she'd just knocked down a man who already used a cane! And it was Mr. Echelon-Arnost. What a stupid, stupid, stupid girl she was. He must think so little of her, must have already reflected on the irony of her name. Even if she didn't say anything of the sort out loud, the thought must have been evident by the expression of embarrassment and shame etched so deeply into her features by the time she reached her feet. Limping. Naturally.
"I didn't mean to," she said somberly instead of the polite greeting she should have. It was a lost cause anyhow. "Are you alright?"
"I didn't mean to," she said somberly instead of the polite greeting she should have. It was a lost cause anyhow. "Are you alright?"
