Page 33 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke

The effects of the match were starting to take their toll on him and the throbbing in his side needed immediate attention.

"My name is Hector and I am a regular patron of this establishment," he answered. "I have seen many fights but none like yours. You were extraordinary to witness."

"What do you want?" Theo asked.

His effusive praise and attempt at flattery made unease swirl in his belly.

He had never been one for a barrage of compliments and even now, he could hardly hide his frown.

"I only came to acquaint myself with you," Hector answered with a smile. "I was told you were a prime talent and I can see such praise was not a false attempt at flattery. It is not every day one gets my attention."

Theo raised a brow at the man's confidence.

Surely he couldn't think that Theo, a duke, would need the attention of a mere commoner. The man, sensing his words had sparked ire, laughed softly.

"I see my words have caused offense," he stated with a smile. "Pardon me, Your Grace. I meant no insult."

He highly doubted that but he said nothing.

"You haven't told us your business, Hector," William said protectively, moving towards him.

"I am just very interested in the Duke of Emerton," Hector said with a smile. "Nobleman by day and boxer by night. That is a very interesting combination, is it not?"

"Certainly," Theo answered. "You seem to know much about me."

"Indeed I do."

"Then we are at an imbalance," he said rising to meet the man. "You know more about me than I do about you."

He stepped closer to the newcomer, ignoring how his body protested every move, just so he would wipe the smug grin on his face. But Hector, even though a head shorter than Theo, did not seem bothered in the least.

"Only because you are a most interesting man," Hector answered.

"You are changing the subject."

"Because tonight is not about me," Hector replied. "You will know about me in time."

"You seem very confident of that fact."

"I am. My intuition tells me that you and I will become very good friends and I have yet to be led astray. I believe you and I will be seeing more of each other very soon, Your Grace. Until then, I look forward to your future fights," he said with a smile and slipped out of the room.

Theo didn't like the sense of foreboding this man’s words brought. He sensed there was something underneath the charm Hector exuded, much like how he used charm to hide his true self.

He smiled to himself.

This was a most interesting turn of events.

If this man had set his sights on him, he would discover quickly that they were very much alike and he was no fool to be underestimated.

CHAPTER 12

"Iam positively bored," Lily complained with a frown, looking about the Keiton home.

Cecilia much agreed, but she could scarcely voice her thoughts as her eyes roamed the room for possible suitors. She, Lily and Eveline were at the Keiton ball and while the rest of thetonseemed to revel in the festivities, they had resorted to hiding by the refreshment table.

"The best place to seek out possible spouses,"Lily had said and she couldn't disagree even if the girl was yet to be married.

"I do not intend to tie my future to someone who needs someone to help him wear his shoes,"Cecilia said severely.