Page 36 of A Tenuous Betrothal
“I’m ready.” He held up his fists.
His brothers gathered around, and the others backed away to make space.
Lord Carmine fisted his hands in front of his own face, his eyes calculating. “What’s this about, anyway?”
“Just a nice round.” Marc’s voice betrayed his intense dislike. “I need the exercise, and your wager hastened my match with my brother. Let’s finish our work here, shall we?”
“You sure it has nothing to do with a certain woman?” Lord Carmine stepped forward and swung, but Marc dodged his obvious strike.
“Are you asking if I approve of your wager?”
“No.” He swung again. “Come, Your Highness. I know you want her off your hands. I’m making this as painless as possible for you and giving the other men a bit of fun while I’m at it.”
Marc’s fist went in fast and forceful, straight to Lord Carmine’s gut.
The man doubled over for a moment, then straightened quickly and came at Marc with his fists flying.
Marc had no way of knowing whether the room quieted or not, because all his focus was now on Lord Carmine. They circled, moving their feet swiftly, and swung again and again. The longer Marc was at it, the better he felt. One swing at a time, his tension lessened until the end, when Lord Carmine was on his back, bested, and Marc felt almost himself again.
His grin filling his face nearly to the point of laughter, he tugged Lord Carmine to his feet. “You’re a decent enough chap. I wish you the best in your pursuit.”
“You’ll not stand in my way?”
Marc shook his head. “I will not. Miss Davies will choose her own partner. That is our agreement.”
“Excellent.” Lord Carmine adjusted his shoulders.
“But she will not be easy to win. Fair warning.”
Lord Carmine’s eyebrows rose so high into his hairline that Marc again almost laughed, but he bit the insides of his cheeks instead.
“You doubt my ability to win this wager?”
“In every way.” Marc’s grin returned. “She’s not going to become immediately infatuated. She’s not like that. And she doesn’t seem to care about title or even wealth.” Except for the need to care for her servants. No, the woman who had until a few days ago planned to live out her days in an old hunting cabin would not care overly much about any of the typical desires of theton. The more he thought about her, the more he respected her courage.
But Lord Carmine did not look dissuaded in the least. “I have other attributes, I assure you, that she will find appealing.”
Marc could only nod, thank him for the round, and turn to find his brothers.
They were not far. He nearly ran into Henri, who’d been standing just behind him. They’d obviously heard every word.
“Good win, Brother.” Kristoff handed him a handkerchief.
“Thank you.” Marc wiped his brow.
They walked with Bartholomew toward the exit. Marc and Kristoff collected their jackets on the way and slipped them back on. Marc mocked Lord Carmine. “‘I have other attributes, I assure you, that she will find appealing.’” He snorted. “Did anyone else hear that?”
“Oh, we heard it,” Bartholomew muttered.
“Quite distinctly.” Henri exited first.
When the door was shut behind them, they all laughed. Kristoff shook his head. “But he’s not so bad a chap, really. Would it be so terribly wrong if she became enamored of him?”
Marc frowned, but he could think of nothing to say. If she chose Lord Carmine, she would have a secure life. He should be happy for her. He should congratulate himself for having narrowly missed an arranged marriage.
But he could do neither.
Chapter Thirteen
