Page 45 of The Duke's Hellion

Mimi stood nextto Sally readying herself to go down the aisle. Her quiver from Sam slung over her shoulder, resting against her back. It felt right.

The ceremonies were going to happen together. Joan had already been by to express her shock that Mimi was getting married before her, but she was only delighted for her sister. They had all shared an embrace, and now Joan and Nobi were in the sanctuary waiting for her entrance. A twinge of guilt infused itself in her conscience. She should be happy, if not as overjoyed as Sally, then at least not as mopey as she felt.

Sam’s gift last night was more confusing than anything, but she didn’t want to burden anyone with her complaints. She knew how shallow they would sound.Poor me, marrying a duke. A handsome man with a good heart. Only, he hasn’t said he loves me.It sounded awfully ridiculous to her own ears, so she hadn’t yet voiced her thoughts to anyone.

The music started. It was their cue to start walking down, first Sally and then Mimi. But Sally didn’t budge.

“What’s wrong?” Mimi immediately put her worries aside to consider her friend.

Sally turned to face her. “It’s not me. It’s you.”

“Oh God, I’m sorry Sally. I didn’t mean to take over your wedding. Sam and I can marry on a different day.”

Sally reached out her hand, placing it on Mimi’s wrist. “It’s not that. It’s just…you don’t look happy.”

The music was playing, the people were waiting. It was Sally’s day. She had been looking forward to it for a while now, yet here she was checking in on Mimi’s feelings.

“You’re a good friend, Sally.”

“So are you. I wouldn’t be with Jacob if it weren’t for you and your sisters.”

That was true, Mimi wasn’t even sure if she knew the extent of effort each sister had put forth to ensure Sally and Jacob’s union.

“I can’t walk down this aisle with you in this state.” Her grip tightened. “I want you to be as happy as I am. I wish I could make it so.” A shimmer caught Mimi’s eye.

“You have a wonderful heart, Sally. I just don’t know if I can share in that depth of emotion considering the reason I’m getting married.”

“What reason is that?” Either Sally was feigning ignorance to the obvious incident that caused this budding nuptial, or she had somehow forgotten.

“The scandal.”

“You think you’re marrying Sam because of the scandal?”

“Of course.”

Sally let Mimi’s words cloud the air as she hummed out her consideration of them.

When she said nothing, Mimi prodded her, “You don’t agree?”

“I don’t know, Mimi. I never really considered you the type to just marry a man because society might try to shun you if you didn’t.”

“Well…”

“Are you really trying to tell me that you have no other justification in marrying him other than the scandal?”

“Well…” she repeated the profound phrase.

“And are you trying to convince me or yourself that Sam, the self-proclaimed bachelor for eternity, offered to protect you only because of this scandal?”

“Um…”

Sally clucked her tongue. “Really, Mimi. You must open your eyes.”

“It’s just that…yes, I like him.” Oh, it was more than like at this point, but she didn’t want to admit that aloud. “But he doesn’t…love me.”

More silence ensued, threatening to break Mimi’s sanity, or at least her resolve to await Sally’s reply.

“I saw the way he looked at you when you walked down the aisle to him.”

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