She was conscious of a strong inclination to go with hint but said foolishly: “But I am not dressed to go out!”
“I imagine that might be mended.”
“True, but—” She broke off, and raised her eyes to his face, “Why do you ask me?” she asked bluntly.
“Why, from what I saw here last night, ma’am, it would appear to be impossible to be private with you under the roof.”
“Do you wish to be private with me, Mr Ravenscar?”
“Very much.”
She was aware of a most odd sensation, as though a obstruction had leapt suddenly into her throat on purpose to choke her. Her knees felt unaccountably weak, and she knew that she was blushing. “But you barely know me!” she manage to say.
“That is another circumstance that can be mended. Come Miss Grantham, give me the pleasure of your company, I beg of you!”
She said with a little difficulty: “You are very good. Indeed I should like to! But I must change my dress, and you will not care to keep your horses standing.”
“You will observe, if you glance out of this window, that my groom is walking them up and down.”