“[Boyfriend #8] He left for an internship in Guatamala, a step towards his future career in international affairs. They both cried at the airport. He returned 6 months later and, didn't call. Last year, Jane heard that Bobby, 'Robert' now, was running for Congress. At a recent polling, he wasn't doing so hot in the 30-something-jilted-female demographic.”

“What are you doing?" "Ya!" said Jane, whirling around, her hands held up menacingly. It was Mr. Nobley with coat, hat, and cane, watching her with wide eyes. Jane took several quick (but oh so casual) steps away from Martin's window. "Um, did I just say, 'Ya'?" "You just said 'Ya,'" he confirmed. "If I am not mistaken, it was a battle cry, warning that you were about to attack me.I, uh..." She stopped to laugh. "I wasn't aware until this precise and awkward moment that when startled in a startled in a strange place, my instincts would have me pretend to be a ninja.”

“What are you doing?”Ya!” said Jane, whirling around, her hands held up menacingly.It was Mr. Nobley with coat, hat, and cane, watching her with wide eyes. Jane took several quick (but oh so casual) steps away from Martin’s window.Um, did I just say, ‘Ya’?”You just said ‘Ya,”’ he confirmed. “If I am not mistaken, it was a battle cry, warning that you were about to attack me.”I, uh. . .“ She stopped to laugh. “I wasn’t aware until this precise and awkward moment that when startled in a strange place, my instincts would have me pretend to be a ninja.”***Surely a young beauty like yourself is lonely, too. It can be part of the game, if you like.”Get off,” she said, thoroughly done with this.His answer was to lean in closer. So she kneed him in groin. As hard as she could.Aw, ow, dammit!” He doubled over and thudded onto knees.Jane brushed off her knee, feeling like it had touched son thing dirty. “Aw, ow, dammit indeed! What’re you thinking?”Jane heard hurried footsteps coming down the stairs. It Mr. Nobley.Miss Erstwhile!” He was barefoot in his breeches, his shirt untucked. He glanced down at the groaning man. “Sir Templeton!”Ow, she kicked me,” said Sir Templeton.Kneed him, I kneed him,” Jane said. “I don’t kick. Not even when 1m a ninja.”Mr. Nobley stood a moment in silence, looking over the scene. “I hope youremembered to shout ‘Ya’ when taking him down. I hear that is very effective.”I’m afraid I neglected that bit, but I’ll certainly ‘ya’ from here to London if he ever touches me again.”

“I think you just complimented me," said Jane. "You should take better care next time."The music had started, the couples had begun a promenade, but Mr. Nobley paused to hold Jane's arm and whisper, "Jane Erstwhile, if I never had to speak with another human being but you, I would die a happy man. I would that these people, the music, the food and foolishness all disappeared and left us alone. I would never tire of looking at you or listening to you." He took a breath. "There. That compliment was on purpose. I swear I will never idly compliment you again."Jane's mouth was dry. All she could think to say was, "But... but surely you wouldn't banish all the food."He considered, then nodded once. "Right. We will keep the food. We will have a picnic."And he spun her into the middle of the dance.”

“Finn, do you see the lias—whatever, the orange-haired girl?” Razo Gestured ahead. “Do you think she’s pretty?”Finn glanced Dasha’s way, then returned his attention ot his horse. “She’s all right.”“Really? Just all right?”Finn shrugged.Razo rolled his eyes. “What am I saying? He doesn’t think any girl is pretty but Enna.”“Are there any girls but Enna?” Finn called back.“There’d better be.”

“No, she wasn't going to go to Martin's, curse him, but she wasn't going to run back to her room either, if just to spite Mr. Nobley. The man deserved to be spited. Or spitted. Or both.”

“Isi, I’m trying to say that you’ve been… no, you’re so, you’re–” He stopped."You are,” he said. His hand found hers, and he held her finger tightly, as though he did not dare to do any more than hold her one hand, and look at her, and breathe deeply.”