Page 26 of On the Ropes of Scandal (With Love in Their Corner #3)
“And I am headed to the Lords for the night,” the earl said as he crossed the room toward the office.
“Let’s graduate you to the punching bags,” Duncan said as he moved her toward those items. As he went, he snagged a pair of leather mittens and began tugging them on, using his teeth to tighten the laces. “We’ll start you with one filled with straw.”
“Do you think I’m ready?”
“It seems like it.” As he offered a grin, she gave him one in return. “I witnessed some of your punches as I came in, and they were quite impressive.”
“Thank you.”
He stood behind one of the leather bags and held it steady. “Just like you did with my brother, guide your punches but hit the bag. You can alternate your fists as much or as little as you’d like.”
“All right.” Slowly at first, Phoebe punched the bag. Her mitten-covered fists landed differently into the bag than they had in the viscount’s palms, but it was no less satisfying. “Where have you been?”
He frowned but was no less appealing, for a shock of his light brown hair fell over his forehead. “To be honest, I had to hail a hack since I haven’t got ’round to renting a conveyance yet, but I had the driver meander through Mayfair, which gave me time to think. Then I bought you the flowers.”
“Did your thoughts clear?”
“A bit.” Silence reigned between them as she continued to punch the bag. “Why are you here?”
“You told me to meet you here this evening.”
The sound of his chuckle sent tingles down her spine. “No, I mean why are you in mittens and indulging in boxing lessons?”
“Oh.” Heat filled her cheeks. “I wanted to understand the world you come from, and since boxing is in your blood, I thought I might find out why.”
Surprise jumped into his eyes. “You did that, for me?”
“Um, rather because of you. Since you immersed yourself into my world—not of your choosing—I wanted to put myself into yours, hopefully as a way to draw closer to you.” Was admitting that a weakness?
“I’m humbled you feel like that.”
The way he looked at her sent heat scudding through her blood.
Because of that, Phoebe missed a punch to the bag.
She lost her balance, tripped between two of the bags, and went on to land a mitten into his chest. “I didn’t mean to do that.
” Yet nearly being in his arms again was heady stuff indeed.
He was so close, so very close, she watched his eyes darken to the color of molten chocolate as he steadied her. “Defend yourself, Lady Frampton.” With each word, his lips brushed hers. “Let’s indulge in a bit of sparring.” Then he gave her a gentle tag on the shoulder with his right mitten.
“Oh, dear.” Her heartbeat accelerated, but she followed his lead and gave him an experimental tap to his chest with one of her mittens.
“Nicely done.” Duncan threw a punch that landed on one of her mittens. “Do it again.”
For the next several moments, they exchanged blows and punches.
“I know you have banked emotions. Use them to exert more force in your punches. Make me retreat. Go on the offensive,” he encouraged with a tiny nod.
“I will try.” As she thought over the events of the past two weeks, it was easy to summon the necessary energy to funnel into her fists. One powerful punch tagged him on the shoulder, and he looked at her with admiration and heat in his eyes. “Ooh. That felt… lovely.”
He nodded. “Keep going. It is one reason that I adore boxing. Usually, it keeps me sane.”
“I’m beginning to understand that.” Over and over, Phoebe threw punches, and when he taught her a more effective way to jab, she incorporated that movement into her routine.
At one point, she tried an uppercut, which was one of the things Alexander had showed her, and she clipped Duncan’s chin with the tip of her mitten.
“Nicely done, Lady Frampton.” A bit of awe wove through his voice, but he gave no quarter and made her defend herself.
Sweat formed on her brow and upper lip while she continued to lash out at him with her mitten-covered fists.
With each punch, she gained strength, and soon she was moving her feet in time to the movements of her hands.
So much so that he was forced to retreat even as he blocked her blows and gave some of his own.
“That’s it. Keep yourself steady and don’t use all your stamina at the beginning of the fight. Bank it for the final round, for that’s when you’ll need it most.”
The sound of leather slapping against leather filled the immediate space around them.
And still Duncan retreated until a wall at his back prevented further movement. They came to a halt near what appeared to be a broom closet.
Elation rose in her chest. “Does this mean I’ve won?”
“I rather think you have.” With a grin, he unlaced the laces with his teeth then pulled off the mittens. “Do you have any other questions about boxing?”
“I do.” So much happiness flowed through Phoebe’s veins that she had a difficult time not hopping about like a rabbit.
“Why do you do it? Your brothers told me you are scheduled to fight in a bout this weekend. It’s so soon after your last injury that I can’t imagine why you would take on an additional risk. ”
“Ah.” Shadows filled his eyes as he shrugged.
Then he tossed his mittens to the floor.
“I suppose there is a certain rush or madness to it. I gain strength from the roar of the crowd who come to watch.” While he spoke, he prowled toward her.
“Boxing is an art form, but it is also exercise and a way to earn funds. Beyond that, practicing the skills and doing bouts is a way to continue my father’s legacy. ”
She nodded. “Will you tell me about him some day?”
“I will.” The heat had returned to his eyes and fired her own.
“I think, as well, you like to win when you’re in a match.”
The grin he flashed had the power to weaken her knees. “Perhaps. I made a rather poor showing the last time, so this one I have to prove that I’m not a failure.”
“You’re not. At least I don’t think so.”
“Mmm.” It didn’t matter that he didn’t appear convinced, for he hooked a hand about her nape, pulled her against the strong, hard wall of his chest, and then treated her to a string of intense kisses.
And she melted further into him while clinging to his shoulders, the mittens she still wore behind his head.
There was something different about him this evening, as if he’d come to a decision with himself and had stopped wrestling with his thoughts.
There was a certain hunger, an insistence in this embrace that hadn’t been there since that seemingly long-ago night when they’d coupled in Surrey.
So glad was she that he was more like the man she’d known before that she nearly sobbed with relief, but instead, she kissed him back as if her life would depend upon it.
“Damn, but I want you,” he whispered against the shell of her ear before dragging his lips along the side of her neck.
“Would that we were alone.” The cheeky man cupped one of her breasts, teased the nipple into a stiff peak with the pad of his thumb through all the layers of her clothing, and chuckled when she softly moaned.
The clearing of a masculine throat had them both springing apart, even though they were married.
Though her brain was far too passion-fogged to allow an instant return of thoughts or even a verbal response, she glanced at Alexander as he stood off to one side.
“You know, Duncan, as a rule we don’t allow scandal in the salon.” The viscount winked at her.
Remarkably, her husband laughed, and the rich sound of it warmed her chest. “Oh, as if both you and Lewis haven’t been intimate with your wives here. And before you wed them, I might add.”
A flush went up Alexander’s neck. “I can’t argue with you.”
Despite herself, Phoebe laughed. “Oh, you men are so fortunate in that you have each other. I’m glad for you.”
Duncan looked askance at the viscount. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”
“Yes, home. In fact, I want to close the salon so I can spend time with Lydia. I’ll drive you both home if you’d like.”
“Very well. We’ll be right there.” Duncan nodded as he unlaced Phoebe’s gloves and then tugged them off her hands. He met her gaze while his brother walked away. “You seem at peace, relaxed. Are you?”
Phoebe nodded. “I am, which is surprising. The exercise is rather lovely, but it’s more than that.” She briefly bit her lower lip. “I adore having a family again. I’ve missed that so much.”
“Sometimes, my brothers are far too aggravating for their own good, but I wouldn’t give them up, even when I’m cross with them.
” He slipped a hand about her waist and led her over the salon floor toward the office where Alexander waited.
“Do you know what our cook has planned for dinner? I’m quite hungry. ”
“I don’t, but does it matter? You’ll probably eat whatever she puts in front of you.” Her husband had quite the healthy appetite.
“No doubt I will.” Again, he put his lips against her ear. “And I have a feeling food is not the only thing I’m hungry for tonight.”
“Oh.” Heat went into her cheeks, but she couldn’t help her smile. “I look forward to seeing where the rest of the night will go, then.”
Was it possible they’d moved past the hurdle of lies that had kept them apart? Dear heavens, she hoped so.