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His fingers curled into fists. “I’m bigger than you.”
“I’m quicker,” Craven fired back. “And I’m in better shape. I heard you huffing up that hill.”
Raithe had to confess, most men would crumble under his fists, but not Craven. It would be a fair fight. His fingers itched to hit something and Craven’s face was as good a punching bag as any. Maybe that would help relieve the tension coiled within him. “I’d love to box you. In fact, it’s the best idea I’ve heard in days. But might I suggest we don’t do it on the side of a cliff?”
Craven smiled at that and his arms relaxed. “Not the worst point.”
“And I’d like you to know that my friend, Lady Rainsville, really will be travelling with Charlie this summer. She’s in need of someone well-connected to help her.”
“Why does a married woman need that sort of help?”
“She’s widowed and penniless,” he grimaced. “You know what society would think if I provided for her financially. She needs a new husband.”
“Why not marry her yourself?” Craven asked.
“She’s the closest thing to a sister I have in this world.” And he’d made that vow. And he’d asked her out of obligation. It would have been a marriage in name only, so it hadn’t seemed like a betrayal of his promise.
Craven eyed him. “So you’re alone with Charlie to help another woman?”
He supposed that did sound odd but it was, at least partially, true. “Yes.”
“And what does Charlie get out of all of this?” Craven asked.
The ladies appeared below them on the path. They’d catch up soon.
Raithe looked down as her brown hair shimmered in the sun. “You should ask her that question, but from what I understand, she’s lonely. Her brother and her cousin are married or about to be and her parents…” Something clicked. She’d been orphaned at the age of thirteen. And now her brother had left her to go on his honeymoon. Rathmore was marrying too. It was as if her entire family had melted away, leaving her all alone. How had he dealt with that loneliness? He’d chased every easy skirt this side of London.
And Charlie was doing the same. Prior to this week, she’d flirted only as much as society would allow her. But as she faced all sorts of changes, she’d committed a few acts she’d be ostracized for having done. With him. “Feck,” he swore running a hand through his hair.
“What?” Craven asked, giving him a sidelong glance.
“She needs to get married and start a family of her own.” He looked at the ground, kicking at a pebble.
“Of course she does. She’s a lady,” Craven’s hands went up as though Raithe had said the most obvious thing in the world.
He shook his head. “I mean emotionally. She’s lost her parents and now her brother and cousin, her only family are moving on with their lives. She’s hurting and needs love to fill her life.”
Craven’s eyes widened. “I hadn’t thought about that. Poor thing, losing her parents so young.” Then one side of Craven’s mouth turned down. “Odd. But after that comment, I feel less like hitting you.”
“Too bad.” Raithe stood straighter. “We’re definitely boxing. I need to hit something and soon. I’ve got to have some sort of release or—” He stopped, looking at Craven.
The other man notched his brows. “No release for you? That actually does make me feel better. But I’m warning you. I’m still watching, and at the end of the day, I’ll see her married to you before I see her ruined.”
Raithe started up the hill. “We’ll meet in the garden in half an hour. And in terms of behaving myself, I’ve been warned.”
Chapter Ten
Charlie stood at the window watching the men below. Craven and Raithe were stripped to the waist, hitting each other for all they were worth. She could hear the thud of flesh against flesh. “It sounds like it hurts.”
Ophelia smiled from her spot on the settee, her foot bandaged and raised. “Men are odd creatures. Interesting but odd.”
Bianca joined her at the window. “They are beautiful to look at though, aren’t they?”
Charlie had to agree. Even from here, she could see Raithe’s thick, rippling muscles, his more narrow waist, the bulge of his chest. “They certainly are.” Then she leaned closer to Bianca. “I’d like to have a better look.”
Bianca winked but she gave her head a tiny little shake of dissent. “I’m afraid we can’t.”
Charlie sighed. “Too bad.”
