Page 5 of Boxing With My Duke (A Sweet and Lighthearted Regency #16)

Late evening ~ Three days later

C atherine stared out the coach window at the passing scenery. A strange melancholy had come over her as they neared their destination.

Each day with the duke had been a new adventure. Carlton was the most fascinating man she’d ever met. A man who didn’t care what Society thought and lived by his own code. One might think such a man to be selfish and self-serving, but Carlton had surprised her at every turn. He was patient, kind, and thoughtful, and he made her laugh at her own foibles.

Carlton was knowledgeable and multi-faceted—at ease conversing on any topic, from managing a gentleman’s club to maintaining an estate to the purpose of pugilism to literature and philosophy to humorous stories about his many escapades in his youth. Not once did they discuss any mundane Society topics, such as the weather.

Catherine enjoyed his company, and he seemed to enjoy hers as well, asking about her childhood, teasing her into a smile when she fretted about Edward and Serafina , engaging in lively debates about social mores. He’d even read to her from Gulliver’s Travels , his deep, rich voice making the story come alive. Nor did he ever shy away from controversy; instead, he handled every challenge with calm, honesty, and directness.

Riggs clearly adored him, and Catherine had always believed dogs to be good barometers of a person’s personality. The pup enjoyed playing with Carlton before snuggling in the cozy bed the duke had fashioned for him at her feet. On one particularly dark and dreary morning as they traveled through heavy rain, she’d fallen asleep with Riggs in her lap and awoke cuddled against Carlton’s chest as he soothed the whimpering pup. Tears had welled in her eyes at his thoughtfulness. When the farrier pronounced Riggs ’ bones free of breaks, she felt a wave of relief. But the torn muscles and lacerated skin would take a while to heal. Catherine had been determined in her care of the pup. She’d cleansed, medicated, and re-wrapped his wound twice a day, and Carlton had assisted her each time. Thanks to Carlton’s help, Rigg’s eyes were brighter, and he had begun testing his weight on his injured leg.

Catherine had never spent so much time with a man other than her father and brothers. And she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to spend every day of the rest of her life with Carlton . She was positive it would never be dull. She was also positive it would be exciting, invigorating, and full of passion. That was the man Carlton was.

Stop it, you silly goose! Carlton was a sophisticated man who no doubt entertained many a mistress on that notorious third floor of his club. She doubted he was interested in marriage in the foreseeable future, and certainly not with someone like her.

“ We should arrive in Gretna Green tomorrow,” Carlton said, pulling her from her thoughts. “ The horses are exhausted and damn if I’m not as well. We’ll be stopping at a comfortable inn for the night. The innkeeper and his wife are charming hosts, and the food is excellent. I’m certain you’ll have a most enjoyable stay.” Carlton grinned.

Catherine could not help but smile back. She liked the way he handled things. He informed her about every part of their travel, making her feel special. “ That sounds wonderful,” Catherine said with a sigh. “ Although , I am concerned that we’ve yet to encounter Serafina and Edward . They couldn’t have been that much farther ahead of us.”

“ Don’t give up hope. We will find them.” He regarded her for a moment. “ I may not have another opportunity to say this, but…” He paused and cleared his throat. “ I’ve appreciated getting to know you, Catherine . Considering our initial meeting, I’d never have predicted such an enjoyable journey.”

“ Thank you,” she said, glancing down at the sleeping Riggs as the telltale heat suffused her cheeks. Carlton’s compliment filled her with a pleasurable warmth. “ I , too, have enjoyed your company, something I never would have predicted either,” she added. “ And thank you for helping me care for Riggs and the many stops along the way.”

“ I’ll admit, Riggs easily wormed his way into my heart. He’s a valiant fellow, trying with all his might to walk and never complains when he must go out for his business.”

The carriage slowed and pulled onto a bumpy drive. “ We’re here,” he said, tapping the ceiling. “ I’ll organize our rooms and order our dinner. Do you have any preferences in case there are choices?”

“ I’m generally not partial to mutton or boar but will eat it if it’s the only choice. Do you mind if I come along? I’m sorely in need of stretching my legs,” Catherine said, flexing her toes to return the feeling to them. Despite the lap blankets, she had been sitting so long they felt numb with cold.

He stepped out of the carriage and helped her down.

“ This won’t be like the last time you stretched your legs, will it?” he said with a smirk.

She swatted him playfully. “ No . Goodness ! It looks busy.”

“ I thought that myself,” he murmured.

The innkeeper and his wife greeted them warmly. “ Welcome , Yer Grace . It’s been a long while since yer last visit,” said the short, ginger-haired man.

“ Thank you, Mr . Bramble , Mrs . Bramble . It’s good to see you both looking so well,” Carlton said with a smile. “ We’ll require accommodation for one night’s stay.”

“ We’re pleased to have ye,” Mr . Bramble said, “ But unfortunately, we have only one room available.”

Catherine’s heart began to thunder in her chest.

Only one room? But that meant that she and Carlton would be together. All night long.

“ That is perfectly fine, isn’t it, my dear ?” Carlton gave her a charming smile as he slipped his arm around her waist. “ My wife and I will take it.”

“ Ye’ve married? Congratulations ! Did ye hear that, Martha ? The duke has married! And a lovely lass, she is, Yer Grace ,” Mr . Bramble said with a wink. “ As it ’appens, the room we have left is our finest. It ’as a larger bed and a fireplace. Will that suit?” he asked.

“ And I’ll be sure to bring up a nice hot bath for ye, Yer Grace ,” Mrs . Bramble said with a curtsy directed at Catherine before bustling off to ready the room.

Carlton turned to Catherine , that dark brow arched in a challenge. Catherine pasted a smile on her face and leaned into his side. “ That sounds wonderful, darling .” Two could play at this game.

Carlton turned back to the innkeeper. “ Thank you, my good man. We shall take the room. Ah …but there is one more thing. Our dog was injured the day before we departed, and we simply could not leave him behind. He means a lot to my wife. May he stay with us?” Carlton placed a stack of coins on the counter.

The man gave them a broad smile as he scooped up the coins. “ Usually , Mrs . Bramble does nae approve of animals in the rooms, but ye being newlyweds and all, I’m certain she’ll make an exception.”

“ Excellent ,” Carlton said, hugging Catherine close. “ Most excellent.”

Catherine did not know how she would get through the night. Dozing off in the carriage across from the duke was one thing, but spending the night in the same room with him was going to be more nerve-wracking than dealing with cutthroat highwaymen!

“ Welcome to Scotland , Richmond . I hear congratulations are in order.”

Carlton felt a hearty wallop on his back and turned to see Blake “ The Bull ” Baldwin , the Duke of Douglas , grinning at him from ear to ear.

Carlton had just escorted Catherine to their room and left to give her some privacy. He suddenly wished he’d stayed behind. Double damn! Running into Douglas made an already complicated situation ten times worse. “ Douglas , it’s good to see you.” Carlton shook hands with his friend. At six-foot-five, Douglas was the same height as him but two stone heavier. No one, except him, dared to face The Bull in the ring unless they were completely foxed.

“ Bramble just informed me that ye’ve recently married—and to a verra bonnie lass. I invite you to share a scotch and a cigar with me.” He thudded Carlton on the back again and handed him a cigar. “ Aye ! Mrs . Bramble mentioned you had just arrived with yer wife and took the room I just vacated. I just canna believe the Duke of Richmond is married. I thought if anyone would escape the wedding noose, it was you.” Waving to the innkeeper, Douglas ordered two Scotch whiskies. “ And what is yer lovely duchess’s name?”

The two men each downed their whisky and Carlton glanced heavenward, mentally asking for forgiveness for what he was about to say. Then he turned to Douglas . “ Catherine , formerly Lady Campbell , daughter of the late earl of Landon . It was rather a whirlwind courtship, so I would appreciate you not saying anything just yet. We plan on informing our families and having a reception in the near future.”

“ Of course, of course. You have my word.” Douglas grinned. “ Enjoy the honeymoon first, eh, Richmond ? Tis verra wise of ye. From what I understand, she’s a beauty she is—tall for a woman with curves made for a man, if ye ken my meaning.” Douglas laughed as he puffed on his cigar.

Carlton felt a jolt of jealousy shoot through him. He’d never been jealous a day in his life. But for some reason, hearing Douglas talk about Catherine’s figure made him see red. Suppressing his anger, Carlton ordered them a second whisky out of courtesy, reminding himself that Douglas was just being Douglas . They’d been friends for years. Blunt and gregarious, the man had a good heart and would fight to the death for friends and family.

“ I appreciate your discretion. Her Grace’s mother is in a bad way—still mourning the earl’s death and that of her eldest son. As I said, we plan on having a public ceremony and celebration when the countess is feeling better.” Carlton had always known Douglas to be a man of honesty and integrity. If he promised something, it would be much like the promises he carried out in the ring. You could count on it.

“ Yer secret’s safe with me,” Douglas said, clapping Carlton on the shoulder. “ I’ll swap you favors,” he added. “ I’ll keep yer secret if ye name yer ring after me. I like yer club and fancy myself being a loyal attendant whenever I’m in Bath . I’d even consider renting one of those apartments of yours. To have the ring named after me would keep up my image, and a ring named after me might provide enough press to keep people talking.”

“ The ring in my club? You want it called… The Bull Ring ?” It would certainly create a buzz among the ton, as well as the newspapers and scandal sheets. Carlton hadn’t named it anything as of yet. He certainly had no plans to name it after himself. It was just a sparring ring.

Douglas nodded vigorously. “ I like that. Aye . Do we have a deal?”

Carlton scrubbed his hands through his hair as he ran through a mental list of what he’d had to go through over the past four days since meeting Lady Catherine Campbell : he’d had to chase after her brother who’d absconded with his ward, he’d battled highwaymen and then had been forced to leave them with a note tacked to a tree for the Magistrate . A note! He hadn’t minded rescuing the pup. But worst of all, he’d spent the past four days in the confines of a carriage, seated across from the most vexing woman he’d ever met, trying to suppress every urge that thundered through his body with every smile of her pouty lips, every glance from those sapphire blue eyes, and every touch of those luscious curves. And now, he’d have to name his sparring ring after Blake “ The Bull ” Baldwin , Duke of Douglas . Double damn!

Carlton blew out a breath. “ You drive a hard bargain, but you have a deal,” he said, reaching out and shaking hands. Before he could say anything else, Catherine appeared by his side, looking lovely and fresh-faced in a pretty red gown that made her eyes look almost purple under the glow of the gas lamps. She must have borrowed the dress from Mrs . Bramble . “ I thought you were going to rest, darling ?”

“ I - I wanted to bid you good night, Your Grace ,” she said in a soft voice. Her cheeks pinkened as she glanced at Douglas and then back at him.

“ My dear, allow me to introduce you to the Duke of Douglas , an old friend and a member of the Carlton Club .”

“ Ah ! This is the bonnie lass I’ve heard so much about!” Douglas reached for Catherine’s hand and placed a soft kiss on it. “ Congratulations , Yer Grace .”

Catherine’s eyes widened for a moment, and she shot a confused look at Carlton , but she recovered herself and gave an elegant curtsy. “ A pleasure to meet you, Your Grace .”

Carlton felt another flare of jealousy as he watched his friend flirt outrageously with Catherine . And Catherine didn’t seem to mind at all. She was all sweet smiles and giggles. She’d never had that reaction to him, he thought morosely.

“ Well , my friend, I must be leaving, but I’ll stop by yer office next week and we can go over the details of our arrangement.” Douglas slapped him on the back once more and gallantly kissed Catherine’s hand again, then strolled out of the inn like a cat that just ate the canary.

Catherine spun to face him, her eyes showing fear. “ The Brambles are telling people we are married. Can’t you do something about it?”

“ Er —yes. But let us not discuss this in public,” he muttered. “ I’ll meet you back in the room.”

Her shoulders sagged. She looked defeated but nodded and gracefully made her way to the stairs, looking as regal and elegant as a queen.

Double damn! He’d had every intention of bribing Bramble to keep his mouth shut, which would not have been difficult given the innkeeper and his wife did not know who Catherine was, but how was he going to deal with Douglas ? Yes , the man had integrity, but what would happen when time passed and there was no celebration of the supposed nuptials?

Eventually , word might get out, and Catherine’s reputation would be ruined. She’d already risked a great deal by traveling with him without a chaperone. Carlton didn’t think he could keep a lid on things indefinitely.

Holy Hell ! What am I going to do now?