He was being laughed at now. That annoyed him and childishly, he was tempted to simply not go for that reason alone. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew it was dangerous to be so comfortable with the idea that he could pettily deny her his company because she was having fun at his expense.

She's a lady. You're still a lowborn, bastard name or no. You've no band of brothers here. Don't be stupid.

"I'll need your help," he finally admitted. "I don't want to look like an idiot."