Page 7 of The Duke's Hellion

“Only the self-proclaimed bachelors then?” Chris supplied as a replacement.

“Yes, better. But second of all, that’s quite the statement to make.”

“What? That she’s the love of his life?”

“Yes.”

“Well, she is, isn’t she?” Chris queried.

“I suppose…if you must call it that.”

“I must. If James can believe in love, anyone can.”

Sam merely shrugged his shoulders in reply. It was true. James claimed to not believe in the existence of love, and then—poof—Joan, and the man was transformed.

“In fact, he doesn’t just believe in it, he found it.”

“Rather quickly, no?”

“Are you saying you question its authenticity?” Unflappable Chris gave him a side look.

“Not at all.”

“Good. His love happened quickly. Love can be like that. It isn’t always that way. Some love burns slowly. Takes time to build, catch, and blaze its path.”

“God, you’re speaking as if from experience.” Sam eyed his friend. Surely the words coming out of his mouth were not mere conjecture, but this time it was Chris who gave the noncommittal reply. He didn’t see much point in prying for further information, knowing Chris would share in his own time. “It’s a good thing we chose to come early as we have a chance to relax before the chaos of guests starts.”

Chris nodded along distractedly, already lost in his thoughts. Probably about some slow-burning love that Sam knew next to nothing about. He had an inkling…but…he wasn’t sure, so he allowed himself the pleasure of being in his own thoughts.

Being early meant Sam could get comfortable, surveille his surroundings, and take the offensive with newly arriving guests. Though it should be noted that the offensive he took looked rather more like a defensive… since he (and Chris) were essentially in hiding.

Unfortunately his hiding place—that of the library—was quickly discovered. No sooner had he closed his eyes to permit contemplation(or a short nap), than an interruption in the form of two ladies appeared.

Mimi and Nobi walked into the library unaware that he and Chris had already laid claim to the space. True, it was quite a large space, and two people really couldn’t claim its entirety. But they certainly made a valiant attempt.

“Oh,” Mimi scowled at him. Expected. “It’s you.”

“It is I.” Something about her caused an upset stomach, and he couldn’t help mocking her. “And that is you.”

Mimi crossed her arms. “What are you doing here?”

A scolding hiss flew from Nobi’s lips, “Mimi!” Meanwhile Chris’s shoulders shook in what Sam could only assume to be mirth.

Since Chris’s head was in a book, Sam was the one to reply. “We’re reading. I assume you have come to do the same thing.”

“As a matter of fact, we’re on our way to do some archery.” She tugged on Nobi’s arm before her sister could reach up and grab one of the books she was eyeing nearest to her. “We were just on our way out.” Mimi spoke matter-of-factly despite everyone’s awareness of the detour through the house they would have had to take if they were actually about to partake in archery activities.

What a silly chit to resent him so much that she would tell such a bounder.

Though…archery…he pondered, tapping his chin. That did sound tremendously more diverting than reading a book when it was such a nice day. As much as he enjoyed reading, he much preferred any and all competitive activities.

Chris sat next to him flipping the pages of his book. He didn’t seem all that interested in the conversation. Then again, now that Sam studied his friend’s movements, Chris was flippingthose pages a little too quickly to be reading and comprehending any text his eyes might be perceiving. Every so often Chris’s eye wandered up and over the edge of the page and caught a glimpse of Nobi.

Well. There was always that.

Sam needed the challenge provided by an archery activity, and Chris needed…whatever that was about. Ignoring Chris’s possible reactions, and with his mind made up, Sam stood and announced, “We’ll join you.”

Chris dropped his book. Nobi fumbled with the spine she was tracing. Mimi, the statue, didn’t wince.

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