Page 33

An hour before dawn

Somewhere between Borehamwood and Bushey

Hertfordshire, England

A lexander tried to take deep breaths to help circumvent his nerves.

He’d ridden in a traveling coach to the place where the bout would take place.

Accompanied by both of his brothers as well as the new countess, there hadn’t been much talking on the relatively short journey; it seemed they were all lost in their own thoughts.

After he’d had that series of quick lessons by Lydia and the kisses they’d exchanged in the square, he had borrowed his brother’s carriage and conveyed her home.

But when he suggested that she come to the boxing ring with him and his brothers, she refused, saying that she would arrive with her father.

When he’d momentarily let panic take control, she shaken his shoulders and demanded that he look at her.

“If you think I’m going to abandon you in this, your hour of need, then you don’t know me well at all.

” She’d held his hand between her hands while her gaze bore into his.

“I will be there at that ring, encouraging you, supporting you, pointing out what you’re doing wrong.

” Though she’d chuckled, it was a very watery affair.

“Now, I’m going to change my clothing, but I promise to be there, exactly when you need me. ”

That talk had the power even now to pull a grin from him. I need you now, Lydia. When he opened his eyes, Lewis and his wife were staring at him. “What? Are you already thinking I’ll fail out there?”

Oddly, it was Cecilia who answered. “No, of course not. I believe we are merely concerned about you, especially when discovering who your opponent is.”

He nodded. “I shouldn’t have agreed to enter the bout, but I have much to prove, to all of you.

” As he sent his gaze about the interior of the coach, saw the concern in his family’s eyes in the illumination from the carriage lantern, he sighed.

“Additionally, I would like to clean that man’s clock for what he’s done to Lydia, but regardless, I will give it my all. ”

Duncan jabbed him in the ribs, for they shared a bench. “I’ll wager you won’t make such a bad showing as Lewis when he had his shoulder dislocated.”

“Ha!” Lewis shook his head. “I still managed to win that bout as well as the prize purse.”

“You did, but you continue to have trouble with that shoulder,” the countess gently reminded him. “You can prove so stubborn at times.”

Alexander snorted. “We all can, but that doesn’t need to be a detriment.

Sometimes that is the only thing that keeps us motivated.

” He put a hand on the door latch. “Countess, no offense, but it would be in your best interests to stay in the coach. You are still dressed in your ballgown, and since you are a new countess, I’d hate for your reputation to be tossed in the gossip mill just to watch me fight. ”

She glanced at Lewis. “Do you wish for me to remain here?”

Clearly conflicted, his older brother bounced his gaze between her and Alexander. “He is correct. Will you be all right for about an hour? The driver will be around in the event you need something.”

“Yes. I have a book with me. Send Duncan back to the carriage with periodic updates, or if he’s the knee man, come yourself.”

“I will,” Lewis said while taking her hand and bringing it to his lips.

Her giggle filled the interior of the coach, but she slipped her regard to Alexander. “Best of luck tonight.”

“Thank you.” Then he pushed the door open, kicked down the steps, and finally exited the vehicle.

As Duncan removed the lantern from the outside of the coach, Lewis spoke in low tones to the driver, no doubt telling him to look after the countess.

The dark shadows of a wooded area that framed the meadow where the boxing ring had been roped off stood like silent sentinels.

At the horizon, the first faint illumination that would herald the dawn glimmered, but it would be at least a half hour before sunrise.

That didn’t matter, for there was a steady stream of not only carriage traffic leading toward the meadow but also foot traffic.

Crowds were beginning to form, and from what Alexander had been told, his bout wouldn’t be the only one that day, for the organizers had planned another after midnight.

Clearly, the sport was gaining popularity.

“Let’s go,” Lewis said as he came back into their group. “How are you feeling this morning, Alexander? You seem brimming with confidence.”

He nodded. “I’m good. Anxious to start, frankly.”

“Good. That’s better than your usual glum attitude and will take you much further.”

Duncan huffed. “Leave the poor man alone. He’s prone to nerves already.”

“Stop, the two of you,” Alexander hissed as they approached the roped-off area. “I am trying to quiet my mind before the bout begins.” He looked at Duncan. “Since the crowds are building, go see if you can find out the odds, or at the very least encourage them to throw their support behind me.”

“Good idea. I’ll be back before the bout starts.” Then he loped off in the direction of the crowds.

Lewis walked beside him until they found out which corner theirs would be. “I know why you’re doing this.”

“Because boxing is in our blood?” Truly, he didn’t wish to have a philosophical discussion right now.

“There is that, but you’ve fallen tip over tail for Miss Tetford and want to marry her.” It wasn’t a question. “I’m sensing that things have progressed in that quarter since last we talked about her.”

Since it was useless to deny, Alexander nodded. “This is true. If I win the prize purse, I’ll use it to put down a deposit on a modest townhouse to rent.”

“A noble idea indeed.”

Now was the opening he’d been hoping for.

“One thing more. If I win tonight, will you let me be the manager of the salon instead of the bookkeeper?” When Lewis said nothing, Alexander rushed onward.

“I believe I have a talent for management, and since I’ve been more or less doing that task along with the books in your absence, why not make it official? ”

His brother frowned. “Who would take the accounting position? Surely not Duncan. He’s the most careless person I’ve ever seen around coin.”

“No, of course not. God, that would be a mistake.” Alexander shook his head. “Why can your wife not do it? That is, until we can find someone else that we trust. Cecilia is amazing with a ledger book, if you’ve ever seen her work.”

“As a matter of fact, I have, and you’re not wrong.

” Lewis stroked his chin and finally nodded.

“If you win, I’ll formally give you the position of manager.

After the first of the year, for unless I miss my guess, if you manage to win Miss Tetford’s hand, she’ll practically demand a wedding trip, and then there are the holidays.

Best start everything with a clean slate after the old year passes. ”

“That makes sense.” Pride welled in his chest. “Thank you. I won’t let you down in this new endeavor.

” He might disappoint in the ring, but never in management.

“Also, there is this.” From the pocket of his waistcoat, he pulled out a silver filagree ring band with small square-shaped emeralds embedded in the metal.

“It is nothing magnificent, but Mama let me remove it from one of her collections. At some point soon, I hope to propose to Lydia.”

“Why did you bring it with you tonight?” Then Lewis’ eyebrows rose. “You were going to ask her at the ball.” Again, not a question.

“Yes, and when I saw her in that gown, I knew it was the right thing to do. And I especially knew it after she took me outside and gave me jujitsu lessons to help bring down my opponent tonight.”

“I know exactly what you mean. There is something extraordinary when we realize everything we’ve ever wanted can be found in one incredible woman.

” Lewis grinned. “I’m truly happy for you.

” He went beneath the rope, and when Alexander followed, he nodded.

“Then I hope you have all the fortune in the world this morning.” Then he glanced up, and nodded once more.

“It would seem there is someone else who wishes to have a word with you before the bout. I’ll just go and introduce myself to the officials and greet Dr. Tetford. ”

As soon as the name reached his ears, Alexander tucked the ring into the waistcoat pocket and glanced around. When he saw Lydia, he gawked, for she was either the most emboldened woman he’d ever met or the most scandalous.

Perhaps both.

Dressed in the garb of a young stable hand—and where the devil had she acquired such an outfit?

—not even the fiery hair scraped back from her skull and fixed in a tight bun beneath a cap could disguise the fact she was a woman.

There was no mistaking the large, green eyes or the way her curves were on display despite the gray tweed jacket and dark breeches.

“Lord Wexley,” she said in a low voice as she reached the rope.

He nodded. “Miss Tetford,” he greeted in a whisper. As of yet, there was no one within earshot, so the risk of scandal was at a minimum. “I’m glad to see you.” Knowing she was there pumped courage through his soul.

“I told you I would be.” She pointed to the black bag at her booted feet.

“And if you’re pummeled into the ground, I’m here to pick up the pieces and patch you up.

” Then her chin trembled as she raked her gaze up and down his person.

“Though I know why you’re doing this and why I need to let you, I still worry for you. ”

Daring much, he briefly took her hand. “Not only will I survive, but I’ll also thrive.”

“I believe that, but I will say a prayer for you all the same.” When the crowd became a bit frenzied, she turned her head to glance at the opposite corner. “Damn. Colin has arrived.”

“Keep your attention on me.” He would do well to do the same with her. “Just know that your being here has already helped tremendously. When he met her gaze, the emotions there nurtured the kernel of hope inside his chest. “I need to prepare for the bout, but will you stay close?”

“Of course. Papa is over there, but he’ll pace around the ring as he did before. I’ll keep my position in your corner, for there is no way I’m going near him .” She indicated Colin with her chin.

“Good. You can serve as my water boy if you’d like, else you’ll not be able to remain in the ring.” He nodded, for having her close would help keep his thoughts focused. “My brothers are nearly here.”

“I’ll do it, because I’m not leaving you to your own devices. We saw how that ended the last time.” But she tempered the words with a tremulous smile. “Be strong, be fast on your feet, and remember what I taught you last night at the ball.”

“I will.”

“And take this.” She dug into a pocket, then withdrew a lady’s handkerchief. “I put a bit of my perfume on it. The lavender will soothe your anxiety.”

“Thank you.” There was no time, nor the privacy needed to kiss her, so that affection would have to wait.

As his brothers came under the rope, Alexander began the task of undressing.

Once more, his nerves felt as if they were crawling through his body, but he lifted the handkerchief to his nose and inhaled Lydia’s familiar scent.

Just as she’d said, a bit of calm came over him.

He gave it to her. “Keep this clean for me. I’ll need it later. ”

Then Duncan stared hard at her. “Miss Tetford?”

“Yes.” She nodded with a tight smile. “I’m not leaving him alone or with the two of you. He needs someone with far more logic and a different perspective.”

Both of his brothers chuckled, but it was Lewis who responded. “Glad to have you aboard, Miss Tetford. It seems you’ll fit in just fine with the Stapleton connection.”

Into Lewis’ ear, Alexander hissed, “Don’t rush my fences. I still need to survive the bout.”

“You will. There is no doubt in my mind you’ll show both me and Miss Tetford for fools.” And he grinned. “Finish undressing. They’re almost ready to start.”