Page 38 of Until I’m Safe in Your Arms

“And I end up in some newfangled army corps that’s training soldiers in physical fitness.” He grimaced. “In Aldershot, of all places.” Alex looked at her sheepishly. “I know it’s a lot to ask, wagering your money, but I thought—”

“So no matter what happens with the wager, you’re not leaving for India?” She wanted to make absolutely certain that was correct. The money was a serious concern, but it had come from her uncle and the East India Company. If it could take away the possibility of Alex going to India, it was worth every penny.

“No, sweetheart. I hand in the papers tomorrow. I think if I tried to leave you, my entire family would grind me to a pulp.” He smiled ruefully.

“Alex, oh, Alex!” Emma threw herself into his arms, happier now than on her wedding day. “Thank you, thank you.”

“You can best thank me,” he whispered in her ear, “by remembering some more positions from your friend the Indian Princess.” Then he clamped his hand onto her mound, his fingers seeking entry to her wet, warm sheath.

Overwhelming happiness made her widen her stance, giving him easy access to her. His thumb brushed her mons, making her shudder, then he slid it down toward her opening and…stopped.

Straining toward him, so tantalizingly near to feeling him inside her, Emma hitched her leg up over his hip and thrust toward him. To her utter amazement, he backed away, a look of disgust on his face.

“Alex, what’s wrong?”

With a deep sigh, he shook his head. “I can’t. I promised Julius I wouldn’t…we wouldn’t be intimate until after the match with Uncle Jack.”

“Why not?” She almost screamed at him. They had every reason to celebrate tonight. And he was going to say no?

“Abstinence makes you fight better. All serious fighters abstain for several weeks before big fights.”

“You’ve never done that before when you were fighting with your uncle.” She reached out to him, and he stepped backward so quickly he almost stumbled. He really could not be serious about this, could he?

“I’ve never had so much riding on a fight before. The last time Uncle Jack beat me so badly, do you remember the night before the match? You had leaned over the bed wearing only your crinoline and pantalettes and I came up behind you and—”

“Yes, I remember that exceedingly well, thank you.” If he wasn’t going to take care of her needs, she certainly didn’t want to remember a time when he had done so—spectacularly. “So you’re not going to touch me for two weeks?”

He shrugged. “Two weeks of restraint for a home of our own is a small price to pay.”

This would be unbearable, did he not understand that? “When and where is this fight being held? If I can’t have intimate pleasures with my husband for a fortnight and must have my future decided by fisticuffs of all things, then I’m going to be there.”

Alex looked stricken. “But, sweetheart, you can’t go there. Women aren’t allowed in the boxing area. House rules. You cannot attend.” He reached out to her then snatched his hand back. “I’ll send you word the moment the match is over.”

Winding the towel around her at last, Emma nodded. House rules be damned. She would see about breaking those rules, no matter what the house said.

*

“I must tell you, my dear, I have never been so relieved in all my life.” Stirring her tea, Emma watched as the milk swirled around the cup, turning the dark brown brew a pleasant shade of tan. “Well, almost the most relieved.” She sipped the tea and sighed with contentment. “Uncle Jack is so very generous, Lucinda. We cannot thank you both enough.”

Lucinda took a sip from her cup, made a pinched face, then added two more lumps of sugar to the two already in there. “Jack should have given that estate to Alex outright.”

“Apparently, he tried to do just that, but my stubborn husband wouldn’t take it. He said he wanted to earn it on his own with this wager.” Emma sighed deeply. “I suppose he believes a wager can solve any problem.”

“Well, I can tell you I do not. This boxing wager is going to upset my nerves terribly.” She gave Emma a sly look. “I suppose Alex is in training these next two weeks as well?”

“Yes, more’s the pity.” His ultimatum about abstinence in the marriage bed was going to upset more than her nerves. “I was more than a little piqued last evening when Alex removed himself to the guest bedroom, ‘for the duration’ he said.”

“Jack has done the same thing.” Lucinda sounded aggrieved. “I’ve a good mind to begin a campaign to make him break that vow.” She glanced at Emma and blushed. “You must think me the most indelicate woman alive, Emma.”

“Not at all, my dear.” Emma patted her hand. “I’d do the same thing if so much weren’t riding on this silly match. I can’t imagine how lonely my nights will be until it’s over.” Best not to think about that. Last night had been such a trial, alone in their big bed. She took up a cucumber and dill sandwich and chewed thoughtfully. “To make it worse, Alex won’t even entertain the idea of me attending the match. With so much riding on it, I think I should be entitled to witness it, don’t you?”

“I do, but Jack has told me the same thing. Has forbidden me, in fact, to even mention attending the match because of my ‘interesting condition.” She glanced down at her torso, now almost seven months along with child. “I told him I’m not squeamish. I have six brothers, all of whom fought each other constantly just for the fun of it. I’ve helped staunch bleeding lips and noses for years.” Lucinda took up a sandwich and bit into it with gusto. “Still, he says it’s the house rules that women can’t attend.” She pursed her lips and frowned. “That is just silly.”

“Alex told me the same thing.” Emma picked up another sandwich but didn’t bite into it. “Well, if the house rules say women can’t attend, we won’t attend.” She gave Lucinda a sly look. “At least not as women.”

Lucinda’s eyes grew round and she leaned forward. “You have a way around the rules?”

“I believe I do, if you’re willing to be a bit shocking.” Emma wasn’t certain if Alex’s aunt would agree to the outrageous plan that had just popped into her head.