Beauty's smile faded. A high blush crept swiftly across the pale column of her neck and suffused her cheeks with perfect rose. She took a breath. "Well," she said, trying to stay cheery. "Wellll..."
Her eyes slid across the area outside the residence again. There wasn't any sign of the ones who'd taken her the first time, and although she didn't consider herself safe, it was at least safer than it could be. Squeezing Horse's neck, she let go and reached out instead for Jo.
"Please," she said, this time very seriously. "You must think the worst. Please, come inside. Please let me make this right."