A Perilous Journey

"Is there something on my face?" Atticus asked, arching one eyebrow in questioning. "Or perhaps there is another reason why you're seated so close?"

"Nothing!" Daphne squeaked, immediately scuttling back like a startled mouse. In her haste, she accidentally hit herself on the side of the carriage. It made a loud nasty bump, and Daphne winced. 

"Careful!" Atticus barked out. "Just sit down, will you?"

Daphne flushed in embarrassment. They haven't arrived in the first town and she was already showing Atticus that she couldn't look out for herself. For crying out loud, who would be foolish enough to injure themselves in the carriage while doing nothing? 

"Right. Of course." Daphne cleared her throat. This time, she gingerly got up and moved back to her seat, refusing to meet Atticus's eyes. There was no way she was repeating that humiliating experience.

Unfortunately, fate wasn't on her side!