She tried to rise, but his hands held her down.
“You are bleeding.”
“’Tis nothing.” Mary pushed his hand away. “Just a scratch.” She attempted to regain her feet once more.
Zach swore and lifted her. “Why is it you cannot ask for help?”
“Because I don’t need your help!”
“Really? The fact you’re lying in the dirt with my dog, clearly having been put there by those boys, doesn’t qualify as needing help?”
“He is Dimity’s dog, and I don’t like people helping me.”
“What?” Zach actually shook his head at her response.
To be fair, it was one of her sillier flaws. Mary did not like relying on anyone or owing them anything. She’d always been like that since she’d decided she wanted to be the exact opposite of Phillipa.
“Nothing,” Mary muttered.
“Lean on me,” Zach said, pressing a handkerchief he’d pulled from his pocket to her cheek.
“I don’t need to lean on anyone. I am fine. I simply stumbled and tripped.” She attempted to pry his fingers from her arm and failed. They simply moved to her waist.
“Is she all right?” Nathan Deville appeared with Aggie.
“I am,” she said at the same time Zach said, “No.”
“Stop being so bloody stubborn!” Zach roared.
“Me, stubborn?” Mary scoffed, holding the handkerchief herself. “The word was invented for you,” she spat at him. “And stop yelling at me!”
His arm was still around her waist, and it felt far too good. Mary didn’t like being this close to him. It made her stomach flutter as it had when he’d kissed her.
“I merely stumbled. Unhand me at once, Zach. The scratch was simply from one of the boys.”
“He attacked you?” Zach thundered.
“He wanted my reticule,” she added.
“She fell in the bookshop too,” Aggie said unhelpfully.
“You hurt yourself in the bookshop!” Zach’s voice rose once more. “I knew you had fallen.”
“It was a mere stumble, nothing substantial. Now, let me go,” she said, spacing each word. Pulling the handkerchief off, she saw it was bloodied so replaced it again before Zach noticed.
“May I be of assistance? I’m told I am quite the person to have in attendance in just such situations?”
Nathan stepped to the left and Aggie to the right, and there stood Lord Plunge in all his glory. Also known to Mary as Monty.
“What the hell are you doing here, Plunge?” Zach snapped before she could speak.
“I am visiting Madame Esmeralda’s. She is quite something at predicting my future. I do like to be prepared, after all.” This was followed by a simpering smile that she knew would set Zach’s teeth on edge. It made her want to laugh. Now was not the time for that, however, Mary reminded herself. She might have seen another side to Lord Plunge, but no one but her knew what lay behind that fancy facade.
Monty’s jacket was the palest emerald and embroidered down the lapels with gold. Lace hung at his cuffs. His hair was styled so it curled on his head like something Walter had lately excreted. He dressed as they used to many years ago and thankfully no longer did. Mary thought he looked like a popinjay.
“Are you perhaps here with your cousin?” Zach managed a polite, if chilly, tone.
“Cousin?” The man frowned as if the word was foreign to him.
