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“It’s lovely.” The rich sapphire silk embroidered with silver swirls drew her attention to his flat abdomen.

“I do adore a man in evening attire.” There was a matching sapphire stick pin in the starched folds of his exquisitely knotted cravat.

What did it say about her that she wanted nothing more than to unwind that length of silk so she could kiss the skin she uncovered?

“Thank you. I’d hoped to look especially put together for you tonight.” Excitement twinkled in his eyes as if he had a secret that he refused to tell.

“Why? I vastly prefer seeing you either in a state of undress or stripped down to your breeches like you do before getting into the boxing ring.” It was useless to deny, even to him, that she found him handsome and far too attractive and tempting.

Those hazel pools darkened a bit, and his attention dropped briefly to her décolletage before he met her gaze. “That can easily be arranged before the night is over if you’re of a mind.”

Another wave of heat smacked into her. She fanned her face with a hand since she’d forgotten to bring her actual silken fan with the mother-of-pearl handles.

“Enough, Lord Wexley, else we’ll be for scandal right here near the wallflowers.

” With a furtive movement of her eyes, she indicated the young—and not so young—ladies sitting on the delicate chairs with gilt-painted legs who all wore the same expressions of longing as they watched the current set wind down.

“At least that would give them something of interest to watch,” he said in a whisper, “or something to strive toward,” he added with a wink. “It appears there will be a waltz next, so will you please partner me?”

“I will.” How could she not? As she laid the fingertips of one hand on his sleeve and he led her to an open space on the dance floor, she smiled.

Obviously, she enjoyed the exercise dancing provided, but he was so handsome that a selfish part of her deep down wanted the female population at the ball to know he was hers.

Additionally, she would have his undivided attention on the dance floor.

Since that last coupling, something had shifted within her and she might like him more than was good for her, but that didn’t negate that she was mildly annoyed with him due to feeling that he was holding something important back from her. Did not trust her with the information?

“I have long waited for a moment such as this,” he admitted in a barely audible whisper as they stood in the proper position.

“Why? It is merely a waltz.” Regardless of what her father had said that morning, she was still a bit frightened of having her wings clipped if she eventually consented to being with him for a lifetime.

“A waltz with the woman I admire above all others.”

Then there was no time for further conversation or even his charm, for the opening notes of the waltz broke upon the air, and he set them into motion, but flutters continued to bedevil her belly.

Of course he was everything a gentleman should be, and between his grin that made her want to indulge in scandalous things as well as the tender touch of his hand as it brushed along hers during the steps of the waltz, she couldn’t help but worry over the reason he’d chosen to hide whatever his secret was from her.

During the course of the dance, they were often obliged to switch partners, and each time that happened, she fretted that he was going to do something stupid… like asking her to marry him tonight. Was that the secret and the reason he was evasive?

Good heavens, I don’t need this right now. I’m not ready!

By the time she partnered with him again for the last steps of the waltz, she’d worked herself into a tizzy.

He frowned. “Why do you look like you’re ready to dump my body in the Thames?”

“That thought hadn’t crossed my mind, but if you don’t tell me what you are hiding, perhaps I shall.” But she smiled sweetly at him as the dance came to an end and a spate of polite clapping followed.

“I suppose this is what I’m in store for for choosing a woman with spirit and a backbone, hmm?” But he winked as he led her to the nearest wall. “There is a very good reason why I am holding something back from you, and I don’t wish for that knowledge to ruin our night.”

She crossed her arms beneath her breasts and narrowed her eyes. “Tell me.”

“Fine.” A sigh escaped his throat. “I, uh…” He cleared his throat. “I have filled a last-minute opening at a bare-knuckle match that’s set to take place just before dawn tomorrow morning.”

“Why would you be fearful to tell me that? You’ have always maintained that you’d enter more bouts, and I’ve told you I wouldn’t stop you.”

“This is true, but there is more.”

“I see.” Shock pummeled through her insides. “Why are you going?”

“One of the prize fighters dropped out due to a concussion he’d sustained at a tavern fight last night, so I was asked.

Thanks to Duncan.” Alexander shoved a hand through his hair, leaving it even more luxuriously flipped to one side.

“My brother has quite the talent for advertising matches and getting us Stapleton boys placement.”

“I have no doubts. One of these days, Lord Frampton will find his charm only goes so far.” But none of that made her happy. “Who is your opponent? Is he more skilled than you?”

“I should probably keep that to myself if I wish to remain in one piece ahead of the bout.”

“Ah, so you do have a secret. Who is it?”

“I don’t want to say.”

She tried to relax, but it didn’t help, so she lowered her voice. “Damn you, Alex, tell me this instant. There have never been lies between us, and I don’t intend to start now.”

For long moments, while another country reel assembled on the parquet dance floor, Alexander stared at her. Finally, he nodded. “Colin MacIntosh.”

“What?” She sucked in a breath, for it felt as if she’d been punched in the breadbasket and was winded. “Colin? My former fiancé, Colin?”

“Yes.” His Adam’s apple bobbed with a hard swallow. “Which is why I didn’t want to tell you in the first place… Until I’d won, of course.”

“How could you?” Fear played icy fingers up and down her spine.

“What? He’s an opponent who is known to you. I’m not worried. I’ve fought all sorts and sizes of partners.”

“But you haven’t gone against Colin. And he’s already threatened you!” When her voice began to rise, she quickly modulated it but couldn’t calm herself. “He’s going to kill you. In fact, he probably ‘encouraged’ that other boxer to drop out because he knew you or Duncan would fill in the gap.”

“You don’t know that.” Hurt jumped into his eyes. “Besides, with the prize purse, I can make strides into renting a townhouse, which is the first step in sorting my life so that I’ll look more attractive for a future. With you.”

Dear heavens , he was adorable and dedicated to the cause and the hope that she would marry him, but she couldn’t let that distract her.

“You are more of a nodcock than I thought if you go through with this.” If her tone sounded overly harsh, it was due to the fear and worry she held for him.

Why couldn’t he understand that she knew more about Colin than he did?

“Miss Tetford—Lydia—please listen to me,” he implored in a whisper as he laid a hand on her shoulder. “Let me do this. If I win, I’ll finally make my mark in the boxing world. Show that I can do this as well as my brothers.”

While she understood that drive, he didn’t take the danger seriously. “That is all well and good, but we both know you’re not a strong boxer. That’s not where your talents lie. We’ve had this discussion before.”

He frowned and the hurt in his eyes deepened. “I’m not that rubbish.”

“We shall discuss that later.” Then she propped her hands on her hips. “Please don’t do this.” Tears choked the whispered plea. “Please.”

“After everything, you don’t believe in me.” So much disappointment rang in his voice that it stabbed directly through her heart.

“No, that’s wrong. I believe you can do anything you want…

outside of a boxing ring!” When tears welled in her eyes, she made no move to stop them.

“When you are inside that ring, I’m nearly worried sick—and I’ve only seen you fight publicly once!

—and now that I know you’ll fight Colin, I’m ready to cast up my accounts right here in this ballroom.

” Her heartbeat accelerated and she pressed her lips together.

“I want so much to hide you away and protect you.”

He snorted. “That is my duty to you.”

“Perhaps, but it applies to the woman in a relationship too. Why can a woman not worry over the man in her life?” When he didn’t answer, she huffed out her frustration.

“None of this means I am not incredibly proud of you, Alexander, for I am.” Despite them being in a crowded ballroom, she briefly laid a palm to his cheek.

“Everything you’re doing? Everything that will affect your future—our future—makes me trust you even more, but this worry that I have for you?

It means I think you should be practical while you’re chasing dreams.”

“Did you ever err on the side of caution or concern when fighting the patriarchy in order to study medicine?”

Heat went into her cheeks. “We are not talking about me.”

“Coward.” But fondness softened the word. “Lydia, please.” He took her hands in his. “I must do this to prove to Duncan and Lewis I’m not the weakest link in our business.”

“They don’t think that, and if they do, I’m happy to set them straight.

” For it was more than obvious to herself now.

She loved him, quite desperately, and she would do anything to keep him safe and in one piece, but she also knew that if she didn’t want her wings clipped in a marriage, she couldn’t do the same to him.

That provoked a grin from him. “Well, then, I also need to prove to you that I have a future and am capable of being more than a bachelor with little to no responsibility.” One of his brown eyebrows rose in challenge.