Page 22 of The Duke's Hellion

A low moan trembled through the air in front of him where he saw Mimi. Face down in the ground. Well…wonders never cease. Her falling on her face had happened a mite quicker than anticipated.

He sauntered the few steps closer to her and squatted before her. All the others were much further ahead now, leaving them alone.

“You all right?”

“Yes.” Her head flew up and she blew a stream up her face to clear her hair from her eyes. Her palms were propped on the ground as she lifted herself just above hovering the ground. Hehad a straight shot down her dress. To explore the dark valley between her—

“I’m fine,” she grunted.

“Are you?” And he wanted to reach out and wipe the dirt off her cheeks. Of course he didn’t do that. He was being ridiculous. The chit was about to learn her lesson, and he needed to step back and allow her to do so. He shot back up, but before he could turn around and let her be, her voice stopped him. Though…not intentionally. She hadn’t called out to him. Hadn’t reprimanded him for his rudeness. It was just a little mumble. Barely audible in fact.

“I should have expected nothing less.”

And he couldn’t walk away then. He told his feet to keep moving, but they refused. And he told his mouth to stay shut, but it didn’t listen. Really, it had no ears. What could he expect?

“What did you say?” his mouth asked.

“I said,” she pushed herself up higher off the ground, and now one foot was beneath her body, “I should have expected nothing less. From you, that is.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” The sensation of a snake was slithering up through his organs, warning him that something was about to attack.

“If I have to explain it, there’s no point in saying it.”

“I rather think that’s a terrible way to live life. And more to the point, that’s a horrendous approach to arguing. How the bloody hell should I know what you mean when you string obscure words and sentiments together?” That snake was rearing its head, ready to strike.

Mimi glared at him while she appeared to be struggling to get her other foot underneath herself. Sam couldn’t determine the issue, but perhaps her foot was caught in the hem of one of her many layers of clothing. She grunted as she lifted her foot but made no progress.

“What’s going on with you? Have you got yourself a pair of new shoes?”

“Yes.”

Well, that was not expected. But perhaps it should have been.

“I’m borrowing a pair from a friend, if you must know.”

He must know. He really must.

“Why? Do you think that a glimpse of the toe of your boot is really going to secure you a husband?”

Her eyebrows raised at him. “Perhaps we could continue the questioning once I’m standing firmly on both feet.”

“That might take a while.” At his mocking her glare deepened, causing him to slightly rock back on his heels.

“Bah! Help me up, you idiot.”

He belted out a laugh. Rarely did anyone other than his closest friends ever talk to Sam in such a way.

If that was her strike, he could easily deflect it. He could just walk away and leave her in the dirt. She needed to learn. How else was she going to become a stronger person? He should just walk away.

But he didn’t. She looked so helpless lying there with dirt on her face. Helpless? No. Mimi was anything but helpless. All the same, he crouched down, extended a hand, and opened his mouth.

“I’ll offer my help. I’m a gentleman after all. But I’d strongly recommend that you reconsider who the idiot is between us, all things considered.”

“I’ve considered them all and have reached the same conclusion.” With a grumble, she took his hand and stood up. None too gently. In fact, she tripped on her hem, and her body stumbled into Sam’s.

Her plush body…plied completely against his. Rock hard. Everywhere.

Stunned. He was too stunned to speak. To even think for a split second. This was definitely a woman pressed up against him. A warm-blooded, competitive, competent woman who was about to botch everything up.

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