Frederick too could see the danger in where this conversation went and their continued acquaintance. It wasn't easy they he knew she was around, but continuing to speak and running the risk of getting to know each other again, was just going to remind him of all the past regrets.
But then the weather seemed to intervene and change the subject for them entirely. Frederick had averted his eyes for the most part as the wind caught Anne's skirts, but he did notice one thing: she was missing a shoe. Her hurried explanation made sense of all his questions earlier, and he nodded understanding.
"Are you alright?" he asked because missing shoe aside, something had to cause the shoe from going missing. It also couldn't be easy to walk back on a stocking foot, especially if there was an injury as he suspected. "May I offer you assistance in getting back to the hotel?"