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"Forgiveto her feet "I over-step" And then, because it was still there, she drained the rest of her brandy and rushed toward the door

"Aaaah!"

"What the devil?" Turner shot to his feet

"I forgot about the glass," she whilass"

"Oh, Christ, Miranda, don't cry" He walked swiftly across the roo scooped her into his arms

"I'm so stupid So bloody stupid," she said with a sniffle The tears were nity than for pain, and for that reason they were harder to stop

"Don't curse I've never heard you curse before I'll have to wash yourher back to the sofa

His gentle tone affected her ulps of air, trying to control the sobs that were hovering soently back down on the sofa "Let ht?"

She shook her head "I can take care of it"

"Don't be silly You're shaking like a leaf" He walked over to the liquor cabinet and picked up the candle she'd left there earlier

She watched him as he crossed back to her and set the candle down on an end table "Here noe've got a bit of light Let me see your foot"

Reluctantly, she let him pick up her foot and place it in his lap "I' that? You're the least stupid female I know"

"Thank you I- Ouch!"

"Sit still and stop twisting around"

"I want to see what you're doing"

"Well, unless you're a contortionist, you can't, so you'll have to trust er around another shard of glass and pulled

She stiffened in pain

"I've only one or two left"

"What if you don't get them all out?"

"I will"