Page 67 of Courting the Wrong Duke

“It was.”

They saluted one another before the first exchange of blades rang sharply through the hall. As always, Gabriel attacked first, driving William immediately onto the defensive.

“I heard rather interesting gossip on my way here,” Gabriel remarked, lunging again.

“I can imagine.”

“It concerns a certain Lady Rosalind Carlisle.”

William answered the thrust with an easy parry but offered no reply.

Gabriel's grin broadened. “Ah. That expression confirms it.”

“My expression confirms nothing.”

“It confirms everything.”

Steel met steel again before William finally relented. “The rumors are true.”

Gabriel immediately lowered his foil. “You've actually begun courting her?”

“We have agreed to pretend that I am.”

Gabriel stared at him. “I beg your pardon?”

William laughed, unable to help himself. “It is precisely what it sounds like.”

They resumed fencing as William explained the arrangement. Rosalind's damaged reputation. His mother's relentless campaign to marry him off. Their agreement to let London believe a courtship had begun while they quietly continued searching for Lord Eastmere together.

Gabriel listened with growing amusement, though it became increasingly difficult to determine whether he was concentrating more upon William's explanation or finding opportunities to score touches against him.

When William finally finished, Gabriel rested both hands upon the hilt of his foil and regarded him thoughtfully. “My dear fellow…”

“What?”

“You seem remarkably pleased for a man engaged in such an entirely practical arrangement.”

William frowned. “I am pleased because it solves several problems at once.”

“Of course it does.”

“It does.”

“I have no doubt.”

William narrowed his eyes. “You're insufferable.”

“So I've been told.”

They resumed, circling one another across the polished floor. Gabriel's attacks came quickly, forcing William back another step before he found an opening to regain the advantage.

“Algernon surprised me this morning,” William said between exchanges.

Gabriel deflected another thrust, one eyebrow climbing. “That is not a sentence I expected to hear.”

“He intends to call upon Lady Eastmere and Lady Rosalind.”

Gabriel stepped back altogether. “Voluntarily?”