"I find you too charming by half." "And I find you too annoying by far. If you do not release me, I cannot be held responsible for your well-being." He chuckled at that. "A fiery little bundle,aren't you? I'll wager you like-" She brought her foot down hard on his instep. He yelped and released her, his face contorted in pain. Sophia stepped past him, but he grabbed her arm and yanked her back toward him. "You tease!" he gasped. She used her forward motion to shove him back against the settee. One moment, he was standing before her; the next, he was lying upside down on the rug behind the setee, his legs in the air. Sophia gathered her skirts and ran for the door. She was only steps away when it flew open and Dougal stood in the opening. He was dressed in his riding clothes, and she couldn't help but compare his elegance with Sir Reginald's flashy attire, with his exaggerated riding coat and gaudy gold-tassled boots-which were sill waving in the air."