Page 52 of The Beastly Duke's Christmas Bride
Sebastian was caught unawares and went down fast and hard. He blocked the blows that rained down before finally dropping his arms––he gave up.
“Round two!” Stanley hollered for everyone. “To Casper!”
No one was watching. No one cares. It was not embarrassing. It’s only fair I give one to Casper… But what was Isabel laughing at?
“Ah, get yerself up!” Marcus called.
“Go, Vale, go!” Isabel cheered for him.
Grunting in irritation over the bruises he could feel already forming, Sebastian easily brought himself up to his feet. He fixed a loose bit of tape on his hands before nodding to Stanley to confirm he was set to continue.
One more round, he told himself. Perhaps he could go easy on the man… but then Isabel was betting on him and Sebastian didn’t want to disappoint her. Half a crown meant little to them. Marcus didn’t need it. But that wasn’t the point.
Sebastian rolled his shoulders back before lifting his fists. He moved around Casper to check for weak points. It only took a moment to find a potential opening as Casper was still tender from the first match on his right side.
The two men danced around the ring for a short time, testing and struggling to tire one another out. Sebastian gave him a few chances before brushing him off. And then he dove in, taking the next opening. He caught Casper on the side of the head––a tender spot but less likely to break anything from his experience––and the man went down.
“The winner is Vale!” Stanley hollered. Then the man knelt down to poke at the losing boxer. “I think you knocked him out.”
“Good,” Sebastian muttered.
A loud shout sounded from nearby. He jerked his head up to find Isabel beaming at him, clapping her hands. She winked at him before turning to Marcus with an open hand.
While Sebastian grabbed a drink and a towel, his friend reluctantly paid up for the bet. It only took him a second to reach them as Marcus playfully scolded her on the dangers of betting.
“It is only dangerous when I am taking a risk,” Isabel neatly corrected him. “It’s not my fault you accepted a bet that would clearly end in your loss.”
Chuckling, Marcus waved at her to Sebastian. “What a sharp tongue you have! You had best take your lady or I’ll keep her meself, Vale.”
“Don’t worry.” Sebastian glanced at his wife thoughtfully before offering a partial smile. “She’s only here when she wants to be.”
“And we’re finished now.” The question was clear in her gaze that softened when he nodded.
Elbowing Marcus for being an annoying person, Sebastian promised he would return momentarily after washing up. Usually he took his time. But today, he washed up quickly in the backroom before returning to his prior suit to make his way back out to them. Glad to see Isabel was still safe and content, he returned to her side.
“I hope you learned your lesson about betting against me,” he said as he arrived to the two of them. “Duchess?”
She accepted his arm and turned to Marcus one last time. “Thank you for your generosity and time today, Marcus. It was a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to seeing you again.”
“Indeed, Duchess.” He beamed. “And if you ever tire of this lad ‘ere, you know where to find me.”
“Indeed I do.”
“Watch yourself,” Sebastian muttered and started to lead her away. “Happy Christmas, Marcus.”
Their friend hollered as they reached the door. “Happy Christmas!”
A short chuckle escaped Isabel before she stifled it. He glanced at her for a moment, amused and yet annoyed, but didn’t want to give it time just yet. First, they needed to return to the carriage.
It wasn’t long before the driver located them, and made his way over to them. Soon Isabel and Sebastian were back in the carriage. They slowed to purchase some roasted walnuts and hot tea for the drive before taking back to the road off to Eastwynd.
“Thank you again for today,” Isabel ventured while she nibbled at her walnuts. She took the smallest little bites. “I enjoyed meeting Marcus. He seems like a very good friend to you.”
Sebastian considered that for a minute. “Yes, he is. And you enjoyed his company, I could see. What did the two of you talk about while I was in the ring? I heard you laugh.”
He didn’t mean to give away that last part. The way Isabel looked up, those eyes of hers shining, told him he was giving something away. So he lowered his gaze.
“Yes, we were talking,” she admitted slowly. “But it was between friends. He told me we are friends now as well, after all, so it is a secret.”
