Page 14 of Wicked Rivals
The boy pressed his lips together in thought before replying.
“You missed an opportunity to gouge his eyes when he had you on the ropes.”
Charles burst out laughing. “That’s not how pugilism works, lad. This isn’t a street match, but of two men with honor.”
“Humph.” Linley grunted in clear dissent. “If he wasn’t fighting fair, why should you?”
But Charles was focused on Jonathan again. “Glad you got my note. We need to talk.”
Shooting a glance at Audrey, Jonathan nodded grimly. “That we do.” He planned to give Charles another black eye if he didn’t have a good reason for bringing Audrey to a match like this.
“Don’t you think we ought to send the lady home?” He jerked his head at Audrey.
Her eyes narrowed again, and she crossed her arms. “Oh no. I am staying here.”
“Absolutely not.” Jonathan eyed Audrey reproachfully and then looked to Charles. “Perhaps we ought to meet later?”
“I had a letter this afternoon that Ashton is in need of help at his estate. We ought to meet there this evening,” Charles suggested.
“Very good, I’ll see you tonight.” He turned to Audrey. “Now, you’re to come with me. I am going to escort you straight home, and you’d better pray your brother isn’t there so I don’t have to explain where you’ve been.” He grabbed her arm again.
“Charles! You can’t let him drag me out of here,” Audrey protested.
Jonathan shared an intense gaze with Charles, who smiled. “Well, you remember my advice.”
“I do.”
“Advice? What advice?” Audrey snapped.
“That I carry you out of here and put my hand to your backside if you raise another word of protest.”
Audrey bit her lip and tugged her arm, but Jonathan was adamant. She was not going to stay here where it was dangerous. Without letting her speak another word, he scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder. Ignoring the pounding of her fists against his back, he carried her out of Fives Court. She screeched like a little hellcat, spitting and clawing and drawing all manner of bad attention to the both of them.
“I’ll get you for this!” she vowed.
“I’m sure you’ll try, darling.” He smacked her bottom in playful punishment as he headed for a waiting coach.
“Curzon Street, please,” Jonathan told the driver and then opened the coach door and tossed Audrey inside. It was going to be a long ride, and he’d have to guard his loins from her little booted feet.
Chapter Four
Ashes drifted across the fields like snow. The sight was eerie in the middle of a sunny English afternoon. The ruins of his tenant farmer’s home were nothing more than blackened cinders and smoldering beams. It cast a strange contrast to the bright flowers in the field nearby and the contented bleating of sheep that dotted the roadside. A watchful sheepdog sat with them, his tail wagging in the dust. Several village children peered over the top of a waist-high stone fence along one side of the road, staring bleakly at the place that had once been someone’s home.
Ashton rolled up the sleeves of his shirt and loosened his cravat as he studied the ruins.
“How did the fire start, Mr. Higgins?”
The farmer stared in bleak anguish at the destroyed remains of his home.
“I don’t rightly know, my lord.” The man scrubbed at his eyes as though to hide any evidence of fresh tears. The Higgins family had lived on this land and in that house for seventy-five years. And now it was gone. Mr. Maple and his family on the neighboring farm had suffered an eerily similar fate. Ashton knew what the man must be feeling. A sense of loss and shame at not being able to provide a roof for his children and wife. There was only one thing to do be done.
Ashton clapped a hand on Higgins’s shoulder. “You and your family will be settled into quarters at Lennox House until we have new homes built for you and the Maple family.”
The farmer paled. “No, my lord! We couldn’t possibly—”
“Nonsense. I won’t hear a word against it.” Caring for his tenants was a matter he took seriously, and his prosperous financial situation would have a good purpose in rebuilding the homes. He would not allow them to go without shelter. It was a gentleman’s duty to see to the well-being of his lands and his tenants.
“Thank you, my lord,” Higgins said, glancing down as he did so.
