Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 27

Larissa shrugged. “He came at me first. It was self-defense.”

“Larissa! You really are a savage from the backwoods! A vulgar thug!” Leopold snarled. “Let go of me, you uncultured brat! I swear I’ll break your hand—argh!”

Larissa ground her foot into his hand until his curses turned into a pained scream. Only then did she step back.

Honora rushed to his side. “Leopold!” she cried, grabbing his arm.

With Honora’s help, Leopold tried to stand, but the kick to his knee, which had seemed so casual, was agonizing. Coupled with the throbbing pain in his hand, he found he had no strength left. He made it halfway up before collapsing to his knees again.

“Thud.”

Larissa burst out laughing. “Well, Leopold, your knees certainly aren’t as tough as your mouth. You seem to enjoy kneeling.”

“Larissa!” he seethed, struggling to get up again, but failed.

Larissa looked down at his pathetic state. “Now that you know what a savage I am, maybe you’ll think twice before starting trouble with me again.”

Leopold glared up at her, his face burning with humiliation. “…Fine, Larissa. You’ve just lost any chance of me ever acknowledging you as my sister!”

Larissa laughed as if he’d told the funniest joke in the world. “Acknowledge you as my brother? I’d rather have a dog.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

“What’s Master Leopold kneeling for?”

“I don’t know, and I’m not about to ask.”

“Alright, Leopold, this might sting a little. Just bear with it,” Honora said, gently placing the ice pack on his knee.

Leopold’s face was pale, but he managed a soft smile.

“It’s fine.” He tried to act nonchalant, but the sharp pain made him wince.

As she carefully applied the ice, Honora whispered, “Should we tell Mom and Dad about this? Maybe it’s better if we don’t… I don’t want them to worry.”

A flash of anger and resentment crossed Leopold’s face.

“We can’t just let it go!” he bit out. “That country girl… I’ll make her pay for today’s humiliation, twofold! I won’t let her get away with this!”

Honora’s face clouded with worry. “…But that will only make her hate me more.”