Elijah noticed the man Rue spoke of. He picked up his paste to be at Rue's side once again.
"You mustn't look for a fight. At the first sight of danger, I will place you over my shoulder and take you back to the carriage," Elijah said, looking around for anyone they passed more than once.
"Oh, please. Don't insult me. I can walk perfectly fine to the carriage and horses. I don't need to be treated like a damsel," Rue said, annoyed that he thought of her like the other ladies. "I was taught how to defend myself."
"I know that you were taught, but I must return you to your father without a scratch. I want to remain in the good graces of your father. Do not make it hard for me," Elijah pleaded.
Rue touched flower petals as she passed them and said, "My father already adores you. You don't need to try so hard. He travels all the way here to see the duke and his family for a reason."
