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“Oh, hell no.” Though he laughed, it held an odd note to it.

“I refuse to be tied down to any of that right now. However, I wouldn’t mind having someone to warm my bed, as is what’s happening to Lewis,” he said with a cheeky grin.

“The nodcock’s canceled plans on me twice in the last week and I’ll wager it’s because he’s using all that restless energy and anxiety to best advantage between the sheets with his new bride. ”

“Well, she is a looker.” They shared another laughter. “But do stop. I don’t want those imaginings in my head.” It was enough to know that his brother had married. He didn’t need anything else.

“There is that.”

Yet if Alexander was honest with himself, and though he wouldn’t admit to being jealous as well, he didn’t want the hassle or the change in his life that being wed would demand. When he’d told Duncan he needed to sort himself before he could ever hope to attract a decent woman, that wasn’t a lie.

“Lewis did have some luck when choosing Cecilia.”

“Oh? How’s that?”

“Well, the new Countess of Stapleton seems to enjoy boxing alongside him, or at least during sparring at the salon.”

They came to the salon a few times together for such exercise, wherein Lewis indulged her by using the leather training mittens so she wouldn’t be hurt or bruised.

It was a way for Lewis to continue being at the salon in a useful capacity since he’d retired from prize fighting during the last fight he’d entered.

Despite conducting private boxing lessons if a client wanted them, his gimpy knee and shoulder prone to being dislocated prevented him from doing much else.

In any event, it was entertaining and at times fulfilling to observe the two together; they were truly well matched, even in sparring, for the countess didn’t back down often.

“So she does. What difference does that make?” Duncan wished to know with a frown.

“She has fit into his life apparently seamlessly. Even in the boxing realm, Cecilia enjoys indulging in that with Lewis. That is quite fortunate, don’t you think?”

“Perhaps.” Duncan narrowed his eyes. “Is that what you want, then? A woman who has an affinity for boxing?”

“It would help.” Alexander heaved out a breath. “I don’t think I could give it or the salon up, even for a woman.”

Could he?

“Neither should you. Boxing is in your blood, and any woman who demands that you walk away from that life in any capacity is not the woman for you.” With a frown, Duncan cast a glance at the sideboard, but he didn’t leave his chair.

Perhaps the effort wasn’t worth it. “Wouldn’t that be something, though, if we were to all marry women who enjoyed some part of the sport? ”

“Except both you and I aren’t looking for matrimony.

” It was Alexander’s turn to glance with longing at the sideboard.

“Let us hope Mama is too busy settling into her new role as dowager to remember that we are still bachelors.” After having seen her bedeviling Lewis about his marital state, that was the last thing he wanted for his own life.

“You’re right! She does have other interests now.” Duncan’s grin was wide. “Perhaps she will even start hinting around for grandchildren.” He sounded almost giddy. “That leaves you and I clear to continue prowling about Town as we have before.”

Alexander snorted. “As you have. I don’t know I’ve ever seen you without a lady on your arm. Me, now, I can’t remember the last time a lady looked my way with interest… Unless it’s to ogle Lewis or you around me.”

“Poppycock. You’re not as ugly as you think.”

“Do shut up.” He tossed a house slipper that was on the floor nearby at his brother. “Ugly, indeed. I’ve got the best face of the three of you. Lewis favors Papa and you Mama, but I’m quite balanced.”

“Yes, just like a mutt on the street.” Duncan threw the slipper back, but the errant piece of footwear bounced off the arm of the chair. “Besides, your hair has this damned annoying bit of curl in it that won’t allow it to be tamed. Ladies like that.”

“Truly?” He’d never heard such a thing. “I thought they swooned for broad shoulders and tight arses or—”

“—large members?” Duncan supplied helpfully with an interruption and a cheeky grin.

“There is that.” Another snort left his throat. Though he wasn’t certain on how he fared in that arena compared to his brothers, for he knew his shoulders and arse had earned him more than a few covetous glances. One thing about boxing was it kept a man fit.

“Come. I want my dinner and there is supposed to be a French-style cabaret at the club tonight.” He stood up from his chair and then drew a pair of white gloves from a hidden pocket in one of the tails of his jacket.

“In any event, if Mama is distracted, I’ll wager it won’t last long.

She won’t rest until all of us Stapleton brothers are married, and not even happily.

Hell, she was ready to sell Lewis off lock, stock, and barrel to the highest bidder. ”

“Yeah, how he managed to weasel his way out of her clutches is still a mystery.” As Duncan pulled on his gloves, Alexander gained his own feet. “Of course, he was clandestinely stealing kisses from Cecilia well before we discovered his intent.”

“How does one man who is so clueless about flirting or romance just happen upon a woman who has so much in common with him?” Truly, he had no idea. “Must be the damned title.”

“Well, most women desire an elevation in society,” Duncan said as he moved into the smaller room Alexander used as a parlor.

“True.” Was that out of a need for security regarding the future or for the mere society position she could lord over her friends and acquaintances?

“It shouldn’t be like that, but I do understand.

” Damn, but he was glad he was born male, for his lot was better merely due to gender, and that didn’t seem quite fair.

“Say, have you ever given thought into the absolutely abysmal futures women are handed if they’re not fortunate enough to marry out of a first Season? Not much to fill one’s time, hmm?”

Why his thoughts had moved to such a topic, he had no idea, but ever since his father died and left his mother alone, he’d been pondering her fate.

“I have not.” His brother glanced at him with questions in his eyes. “Why are you?”

“No idea.” Alexander picked up his own pair of gloves, then donned them.

“Perhaps it’s because life is changing around us with Lewis married and Mama having moved houses, and me here now, as well.

” He shrugged and grabbed his top hat. “I suppose I’m just glad I don’t need to wait around for some fellow to come calling or for my parents or oldest brother to arrange a match for me. ”

Duncan chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’m sure Mama will turn her attention to you soon enough, and once you’re matched, she’ll practically demand grandchildren.” He gave Alexander’s shoulder a mock punch. “Hell, I wouldn’t put it past her to pit you against Lewis in who can impregnate their woman first.”

“Ugh. Don’t put that into my mind. Nor do I want you to rush my fences.” He set his hat upon his hair. “I am perfectly content in bachelorhood.”

Mostly.

“To misquote the Bard, methinks you doth protest a bit too much, though I suspect you will be a terrible husband,” Duncan said with a smirk as he opened the door.

“How do you figure?”

“You’re not dedicated, and you haven’t been to any cause, even boxing.” His brother shrugged as if it were obvious. “You only do things by half, especially when your heart isn’t in it, as evidenced in your win-to-loss rate in the ring.”

“Well, we all can’t be whores for attention like you,” Alexander shot off though annoyance rose in his chest in a hot wave as they followed the corridor toward the main staircase. “If that was ever taken away from you, I don’t know how you’d survive.”

“Speaking out of turn, brother. Don’t blame me because you don’t enjoy being the center of attention.

If you would learn how to feed off the energy of the crowd, you might do better during your bouts.

” Duncan shrugged. “And a bit of charm never hurts either. In fact, business dealings practically depend upon it.”

“I’ll bear that in mind.” Of course, he couldn’t fault his brother for what he was good at, but knowing that he was rankled.

It only made him feel his inadequacies all that much more.

By the time they arrived at the curb outside the building, their carriage was in sight down the street. “Do you think Lewis will join us?”

“Who can say?” Duncan raised a hand to hail the driver. “One would think Lewis would take a few weeks’ holiday leave from the salon and other things for a honeymoon of sorts, but he is quite stubborn and a touch controlling.”

“Indeed.” Relief slipped down Alexander’s spine as the carriage came to a halt in front of them. “If Lewis does end up taking a honeymoon, or God forbid a wedding trip, you and I need to figure out how to manage the salon and everything that goes with that, along with teaching his clients.”

“Then let us hope his stubbornness keeps him going. I would rather not have my days full of toiling.”

Once Duncan climbed into the carriage, Alexander followed.

“Agreed.” Yet the feeling that he might be good at managing the boxing salon wouldn’t fade.

How to broach the subject with Lewis and ask him to stand down without invoking his wrath?

It might be a tall order, but then, at least he wasn’t the earl and wasn’t weighed down with other responsibilities.

Thank goodness for being only the heir.