Elizabeth eyed him dryly. “Hmmm, after a sound thrashing you’re still full of yourself.”
Collin laughed at that. “This was not a sound thrashing. It was merely a short fight.”
“One you lost.”
“One I walked away from,” he countered.
“Actually, it was one I dragged you away from, if we’re being honest,” Michael chimed in. “And if you’d have stayed and received that sound thrashing, we’d be sending for a doctor, and he’d be a far sight worse than the lovely lady who attended you.”
Collin turned his head fully and used his good eye to regard Michael. “It wasn’t that bad.”
“We clearly have different definitions,” Michael replied wryly.
Elizabeth smiled to herself, thankful for the normal dynamic between them. Maybe, somehow, it would all work out.
Elizabeth regarded Collin once more. “Keep applying honey. It will help it heal.”
“Yes, Miss Essex.”
“And don’t patronize me,” she replied.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he stated in a bland tone.
“Don’t lie either. I’m sure you already have enough sins to account for, so why add to them?” she challenged.
He quirked a brow, the effect decidedly awkward and not at all how he likely intended it to appear.
Elizabeth bit back a giggle. “You truly shouldn’t try to appear condescending. The effect is exactly the opposite.”
“Delightful.” Collin groaned, then stood. “Well, on that lovely disappointment, I’m going to find my way home.”
Elizabeth watched as he closed his eyes, as if waiting for the throbbing to subside. She wanted to invite him to her house, have her father inspect him, but she also didn’t want to say anything in front of Patricia and Michael. Her father intended to walk her home and should arrive shortly, so she debated on how to postpone Lord Penderdale’s departure for a few moments.
She followed him to the door. “Lord Penderdale,” she began, but there was a knock on the door, and she paused, stepping back as Michael made his way past them to open it.
“Ah, Professor Essex,” Mr. Finch greeted him.
Elizabeth released some of the tension in her shoulders. “Papa, you know Lord Penderdale.” She stepped forward, then gestured to the side where Lord Penderdale waited to leave.
Her father quickly assessed Lord Penderdale and, as Elizabeth had hoped, he took action. “You look terrible. You can tell me what happened on the way to my house. I’ll brook no argument.”He held up a hand as Lord Penderdale started to speak.
Mr. Finch bit back a grin, and Elizabeth noticed how his attention moved between her father and Lord Penderdale, likely thankful he wasn’t in the same predicament.
“Come with me.” Her father waved her and Collin forward, shooting a warning look at Lord Penderdale before he followed behind.
“We’ll hire a hack. It’s not far, but you don’t appear as if you should be walking any of it,” her father mumbled in a scolding manner.
“Professor Essex, while I appreciate—”
“Then appreciate it and do not argue about it,” her father cut in.
“If I ever wondered from where you inherited your wit, I now know,” Lord Penderdale said to Elizabeth as her father waved down a hack.
“Try to win an argument with him. I dare you,” Elizabeth returned, grinning.
“I’ve had enough battles for tonight, thank you,” Collin replied, wincing.
Elizabeth chuckled. “And have you won any of them?” she asked.
