Page 18 of The Duke's Vice

At the mention of his sister his mind cleared, until he remembered she was married to the friend sitting in front of him. Ezra groaned with the thought of his best friend and sister together in the biblical sense.

He raised a hand. “Please, do not talk to me of your relationship with my sister.”

Frederic’s smiled widened. It was a well-known fact Frederic loved to tease Ezra with his very loving relationship with his wife.

“What? You tell me of your escapades with the opposite sex. What kind of friend are you if you will not allow me to offer my experiences?”

“The kind that is your brother-in-law and does not wish to think of his baby sister in that way.” Ezra took another sip of his water. “Enough talking. Are you ready for another round?”

Ezra made his way back onto the floor. He turned to see that his friend had not moved from his spot in the chair. He raised his hands to the side. “Well? Are you coming?”

Frederic sat back in the chair and crossed his legs at the ankles. “Not until you tell me what has gotten you so worked up.”

Ezra looked up to the ceiling in frustration. “Why does it matter?”

Frederic lifted a shoulder. “Because I bruise easily and my fragile skin can’t take much more.”

Ezra has seen this man walk out of brawls with two broken ribs and a sprained ankle only to go on a three hour hunt the next morning and bag the biggest kill. He was by no means “fragile.”

Ezra huffed a sigh at his oldest friend and put his hands on his hips. “Are you really not going to come back out here?”

Frederic cradled his side where Ezra’s last strike hit and frowned in pain.

“If I tell you what is on my mind can we get back to sparring?”

Frederic sat back up with interest.

So much for his aching side.Ezra thought with a scowl. With an exaggerated sigh Ezra rolled his eyes and tossed his sword down in defeat.

“Remember how I was late to the party the other night?” He asked as he pulled up a chair next to his friend.

Frederic replied with a blank stare.

“Oh, right. You’re an old married man who doesn’t know how to have some fun or go out any more.”

“Trust me, dear friend. I still know how to have a good time, just ask your sister.” Frederic licked his lips and winked to Ezra’s horror.

“What did I tell you about talking about my sister that way?” Ezra warned.

“Come on, man, you walked right into that one.” Frederic jested with a nudge to Ezra’s shoulder.

Ezra acquiesced. “You’re right, but regardless.” Ezra pushed out a breath. “Caddington was having one of his masquerade parties the other night.”

Frederic whined. “Oh, I used to love those parties. Always had fun there.” He raised his eyebrows up and down.

Ezra frowned. “Watch yourself. You’re married to my sister.”

Frederic laughed loudly. “There is no winning with you, is there? I’m not allowed to talk about being married to your sister, yet at the same time I have to be consciously aware of it at every moment.”

Ezra sniffed. “I don’t see the problem. Anyway, may I continue with my story?” He quipped.

Frederic leaned back and put his hands behind his head.

“As I was saying, I was on my way to the party and I ran into a young woman, one that should not have been wandering Water Street after midnight.”

Frederic smiled. “Sounds tempting.”

Ezra’s eyes flashed to Frederic. “I did not jump the poor woman. I have more sense than that”