Page 2 of The Duke's Hellion

“And because you’re upset with me?”

Mimi shrugged. Her sister knew herfartoo well. It was distressing how well Nobi could read her. There was no hiding anything.

“I know you’re not ready to take your turn, Nobi.” Mimi exhaled roughly, empathizing with the turmoil her sister was feeling. “I just wish you were.”

“Me too”—Nobi shook her head and a few dark tresses slid out of her coiffure to frame her face—“I wish I was ready, too.”

The ache in Nobi’s voice and the tremor in her shoulders rocked through Mimi. She may be harsh at times, but she wasn’t completely calloused, so she wrapped her arm around her older sister. “I understand. You have to do it in your time. And we’re all here for you.” And then to add some levity, she said, “Well, at least I am. Bodi and Joan may be a bit busy now, what with their new husbands and betrotheds and all. So you have me. For better or worse. And one day soon we shall both be saying those words to the loves of our lives.”

“I hope so.” The weariness in Nobi’s voice was not lost on Mimi.

“I know so. Trust me.” She pulled Nobi’s hand and opened the red door. “Now, let’s shop.”

It was an archery store, and the second Mimi entered it, she felt as though she had stepped into one of her very own fantasies. Bows of all kinds and sizes lined the walls. Arrows with varying arrowheads. Quivers of all colors and materials. This was a dream come true. Since the pirate was not here, at leastthis, she would take.

It took Mimi a moment to find her bearings. It was almost too much to take in at once. But as her eyes adjusted to the marvels before her, she slowly turned around.

And then her pupils surely dilated. All her dreamswerecoming true. Never in her life had she seen anything so perfect.Dark tan in color. Tall in length. Strong. Sturdy. Solid and thick enough to carry a full load. Could carry her load. That’s the one.

The golden quiver.

“Nobi,” Mimi spoke softly so as not to disturb the magical item.

“Yes?”

“Shh!”

“Why are we whispering?”

“Look.” Mimi pointed. That should satisfy Nobi’s question.

“What am I looking at?”

Apparently it did not satisfy her.

“The golden quiver,” Mimi said in reverence. “It’s the most incredible, singular piece of equipment I’ve ever seen.”

Nobi raised her brows in response and gestured toward the quiver. “That?”

Mimi struck her sister’s hand down. “Don’t point at it.”

“What are talk—”

“Shh. Don’t talk. Just let me be alone with it.”

“Oh my God, Mimi. You are so dramatic sometimes.”

Mimi didn’t respond. She couldn’t because it was one hundred percent true. But also, she had no inclination to respond because all she wanted was silence with the beauty before her.

“I’ll be browsing the book section, Mimi. Take your time. I know you’ve been looking forward to this.” With a pat on her arm, Nobi took off, leaving Mimi to stare.

Her eyes rested on the magnificent specimen of equipment. She could imagine herself wearing it already. And in her mind she was glorious. Lightweight. Accessible. Everything she could ask for.

And just as she reached out her hand to encircle the quiver of her dreams, a thicker, manlier, somewhat hairier hand beat her to it.

“Excuse me,” the voice reverberated.

And she looked up into a golden face framed with golden hair. The likes of which matched the golden quiver.

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