Page 216 of Courting the Wrong Duke

“That is because you chose poorly.”

Gabriel managed to block another strike. “I was distracted.”

“By what?”

“You.”

The answer caught Isabella off guard for barely a second, but Gabriel noticed. His grin was immediate.

Unfortunately for him, Isabella recovered just as quickly.

She caught his branch between hers and knocked it from his hand. Gabriel stared after it as it landed several feet away, then looked back to find Isabella advancing on him with one branch pointed directly at his chest.

“I did warn you that I knew how to fence.”

Gabriel glanced down at the makeshift weapon pressed against him, apparently considered his options, and collapsed dramatically onto the grass.

Rosalind laughed aloud.

Neither of them seemed to hear her.

Isabella stood over her fallen opponent with unmistakable satisfaction. “Mr. Frost?”

Gabriel remained perfectly still.

“Gabriel?”

Nothing.

She nudged his boot with hers. “Are you dead?”

“I cannot reply,” he said without opening his eyes. “I am dead.”

“That is inconvenient.”

“Tragic, really.”

“A pity. I had intended to tell you that you may court me properly from now on.”

Both of Gabriel’s eyes opened.

He sat upright so quickly that Rosalind wondered whether he had learned absolutely nothing from William’s recent example.

“You what?”

Isabella examined one of her sticks with suspicious nonchalance. “I said you may court me.”

“I heard you. I merely wanted to make certain death had not affected my understanding.”

“It appears not.”

“In that case, I withdraw my previous statement.”

Isabella finally looked at him. “Which one?”

“I am no longer dead.”

“How fortunate.”