“What a pessimist! And you are staying in Riverdell?”
“For a few days, yes; at the Roadside.”
“Riverdell should feel flattered to find that you prefer it to Stillhaven as a summer resort.” She gathered her skirts together with one hand and started to rise. Ethan jumped to his feet and enjoyed the intoxicating felicity of feeling her hand in his.
“Thank you,” she murmured, smoothing her gown. Then, with a return of that provoking, mocking little smile, “Would it be a terrible blow to your vanity,” she asked, “if I were to tell you that your guesses are all wrong?”
“Terrible,” he answered anxiously.
“Then I won’t tell you,” she said soothingly.
“But—but—they’re not wrong, are they?”