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“Demeter, take the boy,” he ordered. “Now.”
He didn’t know if she moved when he did but he hoped so. He struck out quickly, punching the man in the nose. Bone cracked. The man howled, his eyes watering, and immediately put a hand to his nose. Blake didn’t wait to see if there was any damage.
Instead he turned, saw Demeter dashing off with the boy, and snatched up the dog. The scrawny creature weighed more than expected and fought his hold, yelping at the sudden contact. Teeth dug into his sleeve and Blake cursed aloud as he raced after Demeter.
They came to a stop at a well-lit corner of one of the streets where Blake’s carriage awaited. He’d never been so happy in his life to see a blasted carriage.
Demeter released the boy’s hand and bent double to take a breath. “I-I don’t think...he followed us.”
“Likely nursing his broken nose,” Blake muttered.
The boy grinned. “You sure taught him a lesson.”
“With any luck.”
Blake eased the trembling dog to the ground. It had at least stopped biting his arm, finally comprehending Blake was one of the good guys, but the damage was done. The fabric of his jacket and even his shirt flapped about.
“He’s a good dog, honestly.” The boy dropped onto his haunches to ruffle the dog’s ears. “That man tried to kick him and that’s the only reason he bit him.”
“He bit me too,” Blake snapped and Demeter put a hand to his arm with a warning look. “But I am glad you are both safe.” He sucked down a breath and inspected the tattered fabric. Apart from a few teeth marks, there was no real damage. “Do you have somewhere to go?”
The boy thrust a thumb down the road. “Home is down here.” He tilted his head. “You fight dirty, sir. I didn’t expect that.”
“Was it dirty?” He looked to Demeter who shrugged.
The boy rubbed his forehead. “I thought gentlemen were meant to slap a glove across a man’s face before fighting them.”
Blake chuckled. “Gentlemen get into many a fight without gloves, believe me.” He gave the lad a slight push. “Now be on your way before you get into any more trouble.”
They waited until the boy and his dog disappeared around the corner before getting into the carriage. Hobbs his driver remained silent thank the Lord, though Blake imagined he would have quite the tale to tell the rest of his servants.Our master was dashing about London like a madman with two boys and a scruffy mongrel.I think he’s lost his wits!
He supposed it was better than those rumors of convalescing and duels, at least.
Resisting the urge to aid Demeter into the carriage, he climbed in and seated himself opposite her with a sigh then tapped the roof. He twisted his hand over, peeled off his glove, and eyed his throbbing knuckles. The damage wasn’t great but they’d be bruised and painful tomorrow—and it was his writing hand. No letters of business in the morning it seemed.
Demeter shifted from her side to his, removed her own gloves, shoving them into a pocket, and took his hand in hers. He jolted at the touch as she lifted his hand to the lamplight streaming in through the window.
“You should put some cold meat on this if you have some.”
He jerked his hand back. His knuckles no longer bothered him.
No, instead it was her touch that had him reeling. His fingers tingled where her delicate hands had clasped his and it didn’t take much for his mind to trip down a more sordid path, imagining what those fingers might feel like in other places. He drew in a breath, closed his eyes, and leaned his head back against the cushions. Tonight had not gone as anticipated at all.
“I am sorry I got you involved but I could not let that dog be hurt.”
He opened his eyes and straightened. “I know. Nor could I,” he admitted.
“Do you have dogs?”
He shook his head. “I had one as a child but...well, it doesn’t matter.”
“I always wanted one but my aunt keeps a cat and I fear he would not adjust well to it. He’s incredibly spoiled.”
“Ah.”
She plucked the torn fabric of his jacket. “The dog did quite a bit of damage.” She peeled away the flap. “Though, at least he did not...Oh!”
Oh? He looked down and realized the tear had revealed one of the many follies of his youth.
