“Willa!” she cried.

“Look what you’ve done!” While the gentleman assisted Willa, Elena gathered her belongings and stuffed them into the valise. The effort left her splattered with mud, and her temper rose in proportion to the abatement of her dignity.

As she attempted to brush off her dress, she became aware that the gentleman was staring at her. She faced him and his angry dark eyes.

“Madam,” he said coldly, “I do not know your city of origin, but if you are an example of its inhabitants, they are a heartless set of beings.”

Elena gave him an icy glare and pulled her eyes away, too shocked to reply. Hoisting her valise, she said, “Come, Willa,” and turned to move away. The gentleman, to her utter amazement, reached out and seized her arm.

“Will you have the goodness, madam, to take notice that this young lady has injured herself?”

Elena jerked her arm away, but she looked at Willa, who was on her feet but leaning heavily on the gentleman.

“Willa, are you indeed injured? I did not realize…”

“It is nothing, Miss Bellwood. If the gentleman could assist me to the boat, I’m sure I will be well in a few minutes.”