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“Just be thankful that I had. Otherwise, things would be very different for you. What were you doing, anyway?”
“I was getting a book.” Dorothy pointed at the top shelf. “It was just out of reach. I thought I could reach it, though.”
“And almost killed yourself in the process.” Dashwood went to the ladder and picked it up. “Go and sit down.”
“What?”
“Sit down, so you’re out of the way. I’ll get you the book.”
Dorothy frowned.
“You will?”
“If it will save you from trying to break your neck a second time.” Dashwood leaned the ladder against the bookcase. “Which one is it?”
Dorothy thought about protesting and that she would do it herself. But a part of her reminded her that she shouldn’t be up a ladder with a gentleman in the room. That was not a good idea.
Sighing, she pointed towards the book, half-sticking out of the shelf.
“It’s the one you can see there coming out.Art in Italy during the Renaissance.”
“Alright. I’ve got it. Just sit down and try not to fall off the settee.” He shot her a wry smile. “I won’t be able to rescue you if you fall off that.”
Dorothy groaned, moving to sit heavily on the settee.
“Fine. But I’m not coming to catch you if you fall off that ladder. You’re on your own.”
“I wouldn’t dream of hoping you’ll be there underneath me.”
He winked, and Dorothy felt heat pooling in her belly. She wrapped her arms around her middle and bit back a groan. Why did he have to say that?
God, what had she gotten herself into?
Chapter 7
Lucas could see the book poking out of the shelf, looking as if it was trying to escape from the tightly packed bookcase. He moved the ladder along and began to climb. He had no idea why any woman would think climbing the ladder was a good idea. In his house, the servants were the ones who climbed the ladder to get to a book higher up, so their masters didn’t get hurt. Ladies had it worse with their cumbersome skirts.
If Dorothy had fallen without anyone being there …
He didn’t want to think about that. It left him feeling cold.
Lucas reached the top and began to tug the book out. It was heavier than he expected, and he almost pushed the ladder away from the bookcase as he attempted to pull it out. Gasping, he grabbed the shelf and brought himself back with a thump, biting back a cry as his fingers got squashed between the bookcase and the ladder.
“Are you alright?” Dorothy asked.
“I’m fine,” Lucas said through gritted teeth. Slipping his hands free, he slowly eased the book out of its place. “Watch out; I’m coming down now.”
Dorothy grunted.
“As long as you don’t come down the same way I did. I’m not in a position to catch you.”
Lucas couldn’t help chuckling at that.
“If I used you to land on, I certainly wouldn’t complain.”
“It’s typical that you would say that.”
“Why typical?”
