Page 43 of The Duke's Hellion

“We could be caught at any moment.”

The slight stiffening of his body told her everything she needed to know. She had said the right thing, and now she needed to do the right thing. She needed to move her feet and leave—

“What’s going on here?” a voice boomed, splitting them apart.

Mimi gasped, looking up. Several pairs of eyes were staring back at her, stunned. It wasn’t just one person, or even a couple of people (ideally her sisters), no, it was everyone. Or at least enough of everyone to matter.

James and Joan. Sally and Jacob. Roger. Chris and Nobi. Sally’s parents. Where had they been this whole time? Of course they showed up now. Had the succeeding activity to archery been an investigative walk? This was the worst possible situation Mimi could have found herself in.

If it had only been Roger who discovered them, he probably wouldn’t have batted an eye, considering his dismissal of honor. If it had been her sisters, they would have been convinced to keep it mum. Buteveryone? There was not a chance in all of England that she would get away from this scenario without a forced proposal.

In a similar situation, Joan had been strong enough, independent enough, resilient enough to refuse to be pushed around by societal expectations. But Mimi was desperate. Her heart was already owned by Sam, and she knew she wanted him. If this was the way to get him, she wasn’t going to be a fool. She was going to take it. Even if she had to work that much harder to make him fall for her after marriage, she’d do it.

Sam cleared his throat. “I was just stealing a moment with…my betrothed.” If he hadn’t choked out the last two words, she might have been able to lie to herself about his feelings on the matter. But the look in his eye, the one which spoke of terror and dread, yes…that look was most unbecoming on a fiancé.

He stepped closer to her, back into her space. But it no longer felt comforting, it felt constrained. Was this really what she wanted? His arm snaked around her back, and she could relate to Adam and Eve wanting to hide in the garden. She felt exposed, and the snake at her back was not the ally she wished him to be.

This was her moment though. By his presence alone, she could feel him prodding her to say something.

She should release him from the obligation. She could be like Joan. She could be a strong, independent woman, braced, prepared, and equipped to manage her own mistakes. She should exonerate him from this ludicrous situation. She should be strong enoughfor herselfto take care of herself and her future. She didn’t need anyone. She should be strong enough, damn it.

And she was…

But she also knew what she wanted. And she felt the fool—or not fool—acting up in her. “Yes, just a quick moment alone was all we required.”

After the first few, Mimi stopped counting the raised brows, never mind the slack jaws. Apparently no one would have bet on the two of them getting more acquainted. But then Mimi caught a gleam in Nobi’s eyes…perhaps her sister saw something. She would have to speak with her later. For now, the emotions roiling through her were practically throwing her off balance. Regrettably, she leaned into Sam’s shoulder for support. His arm pulled her in closer.

“Well, I never—” someone started to say, but Mimi couldn’t make out who.

“Shall we have tea as planned and let the couple have their moment?” Ever supportive of her, Joan was indirectly instructing the group. “I shall remain as a chaperone with James.” Heads nodded and bodies turned. A few looked backto confirm that indeed they had witnessed what they were in obvious disbelief over: Sam and Mimi.

After everyone had left, besides family, Mimi blinked up at her sisters, quelling her tears. Twice in a few moments just would not do.

“Are you all right?” Nobi was at her side in a flash, her hand on Mimi’s forearm. Mimi only nodded her response.

“Take your moment, Mimi. We’ll be just over there.” Joan pointed to the other side of the roses. “We can discuss this afterward. This may be a scandal, but it’s nothing we can’t handle together. We will stand behind you no matter what you decide.” And she had this knowing look in her eyes as she voiced her support. As if she knew it was different between Mimi and Sam.

She watched her sisters walk away. Boudicca had Wes, Joan was about to have James, and Nobi would have Chris (surely, that would happen). They would have all married for love. And then there would be Mimi. Alone. Married by scandal. Rescued from ruin. She couldn’t save herself…not the way she wanted to. Her future had never before looked so empty. It made her furious to feel so constricted. Imprisoned. This marriage would shackle her just as much, if not more so than Sam. But she would have him…

Her heart pounded through her ears. This was everything she wanted wrapped up in everything that she didn’t want.

To hell with it all, there was only one way forward. Without even looking at Sam, she announced, “You’re marrying me, whether you like it or not.” And she stomped off.

Chapter Eighteen

It wasn’t enough,but it had to be. He knew he couldn’t give her what she wanted, what she deserved. She was a woman with a dreamer’s heart. She wanted love. She wanted the fantasy. He couldn’t give it to her, and he planned to tell her that. As a caution…a reminder…a way to set the expectation for their marriage. But he needed a buffer. He couldn’t simply visit her before their wedding and disclose his lack of love for her. And it had nothing to do with the inkling of a feeling that he wanted to go through with the wedding.

It was just a quiver. Again, not enough to make up for an empty ocean of feelings, but perhaps just enough to show that he cared. Because…well, he did care about her. He obviously couldn’t deny that he wanted to protect her. He just…well, he really could not allow himself to obsess over her.

Those were the reasons he stood in front of her door the night before the wedding and knocked quietly. He heard a soft shuffling and then the door creaked open slightly.

“Sam?”

“Let me in. I have something for you,” he whispered, squeezing his broad shoulders through the narrow slit she had left open.

“It’s after midnight,” she said sleepily, wiping her eyes.

He huffed. “I didn’t think it would take me as long as it did, but I had to do it.”

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