Page 5 of Boxing With My Duke
“There are more blankets in the drawer under the seat. Be careful, the foot warmers should be hot.”
“Thank you, that is most kind of you. You are right about the comfort of your coach,” Catherine said.
“Barring unforeseen difficulties, we should reach Scotland in about four days,” Carlton said.
“Four days?” she squeaked out.
“Yes. What did you imagine? That we’d be back before teatime?”
Her gaze dropped to her gloves, embarrassed by her naivete. “Forgive me, I wasn’t thinking. Of course, I understand it will take several days to cross into Scotland.”
The duke cleared his throat. “I don’t know your reading preferences, but I brought a few books from my library. And I brought a book that you might enjoy. It was to be a gift for Serafina.”
She glanced up, meeting his dark brown gaze. “That was very thoughtful of you.”
He inclined his head.
“Edward is usually so sensible,” she murmured. “I can’t understand why he’d behave so rashly.”
“I understand love is an emotion that can cause logic and sensibility to fly out the window,” Carlton said, lifting his carriage seat and pulling out a book. He handed it to Catherine. “Serafina specifically asked for this one. Have you read it?”
“Pride and Prejudice! No, I’ve not read it yet. But I’ve been wanting to. Where did you purchase it?”
“There’s a fine bookshop next to my club. They always seem to have what I’m looking for. If not, they’re most accommodating when placing orders.”
“Perhaps it’s because of its nearness to a gentlemen’s club—it allows for the quick gift for guilty consciences,” Catherine quipped, then immediately regretted her comment. As a child, her parents had often scolded her for blurting out her thoughts. She’d learned to curb that habit over the years, but given her anxiety under the circumstances, she’d reverted to that pesky old habit. “Forgive my comment. I too enjoy reading and I thank you again for the loan of the book.” She smoothed her hand over the leather-bound cover. “Er, what do you enjoy reading, Your Grace?”
“My name is Carlton. Given our close confines over the next few days, I think it would be more agreeable if we forgo formal forms of address when in private, don’t you?” He arched that brow again. This time, he seemed to be challenging her.
“Please call me Catherine.” She inclined her head. “I agree, Carlton, it would be agreeable to me as well, when in private.”
“Very good, Catherine.” He nodded. “I’m glad we cleared that up.” He leaned forward and pulled the shade down on one window and then the other, blocking the bright rays of the setting sun. “I enjoy reading a wide variety of subjects,” he said, leaning back against the seat. “At the moment, I’m reading a new edition of Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. My ward prefers romantic tales of love.”
“You don’t believe in love, Your—Carlton?” There I go again. Edward had teasingly called her Miss Blabber Mouth. She did not know why she’d asked Carlton such an outrageous question. But she could not help herself. She was most curious to hear his answer.
“I’ve never had a reason to,” he replied. “Men have done foolish things in the name of love. I’ve known several of them.”
“Do you think my brother is one of them?”
“I think your brother and my ward are both too young to know better.”
She nodded. He was right. Of course, he was right. Wasn’t he?
“You don’t think highly of my business, do you?” Carlton tapped the ceiling with his cane and the carriage surged forward.
“I don’t. It’s how my brother William got into trouble.” She blinked back tears. “I know it wasn’t at your club, but it could have been another gentlemen’s establishment. He became dependent on the vices that places such as yours allow. My father would still be here if William had not been killed. Edward would still be at Oxford. And our family would still be together.” Catherine couldn’t continue to blame others for what had happened to William. She knew it but couldn’t help herself.
“You know very little about my club,” he retorted. “We don’t have an entertainment floor…at least not as you seem to think. There are gaming rooms and apartments that members may rent. And we offer pugilistic training. That was started by my grandfather years ago…and my uncle made it a part of his club. When I inherited it, I expanded it and built a larger building—just behind the main one. It’s an enjoyable and healthy pastime for our members.”
“Forgive me. I’m afraid I’m blaming you and Serafina for my family’s shortcomings. William’s death had nothing to do with you. And while I am worried about my brother, I apologize for my rude and unfounded accusations about your ward. I will do my best to remind myself of that.”
“You know, life is not a constant battle between you and the rest of the world, Catherine.”
Her gaze flew to his. “I know that! I don’t consider myself doing battle with anyone. And I just apologized to you. The least you could do is acknowledge it.”
They passed out of Bath as the sun was setting, and Carlton pulled the shades down to cut out the extreme light. “I’ve been boxing my entire life, and I know when someone has a chip on their shoulder. You stormed into my club with guns blazing, so to speak. And you were looking for a fight.”
How dare he! She opened her mouth to retort, but the carriage careened to a sudden stop. “What happened? Why aren’t we moving?”
