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That made him smile. “Don’t be ridiculous. But I do think it best you walk from here. I’ll escort you to just before you’re home. That way no one sees us in the carriage alone.”
She gave a tentative nod as relief washed through her. But along with that relief was just a touch of disappointment. What had she hoped? He’d change his mind and offer marriage? She supposed she had wanted exactly that.
Chapter Nine
Chris walked back to the village, having sent the carriage on ahead. He couldn’t be still now. Not after what had just happened with Bianca.
Desire and irritation made his muscles twitchy and he quickened his pace. She wanted to marry. Of course, she did. She was a nice girl from a good family. But touching him was not part of her plan. Why did that feel like a rejection?
It wasn’t. She had every right to protect her reputation. But when he held her close, he forgot his stutter, didn’t remember how cruel his father had been, how mean the other children had acted. He forgot that he was dark and could never provide someone with a happily-ever-after. How could a man who had never been loved possibly make someone else happy?
He reached the edge of the square, his gaze fixing on the willow in its center. Perhaps he’d climb into its branches again and consider his feelings while he remembered rescuing Bianca.
How ridiculous that a grown man was about to go sit in a tree but he needed some clarity.
“Well look who it is,” a voice called from off to his right.
“Why, it’s Lord Craven.”
Chris looked over to see four men approaching. In the lead was a mussed-looking William, his clothing crumpled and dirty. An equally disheveled Fred just behind him along with two other men who were significantly cleaner.
“I see the two of you made up,” he said, straightening as they approached.
“Yeah, we made up.” Fred called. “And we realized the real problem that caused our fight.”
Chris stopped, his fists clenching. “You’re both assholes?”
“No,” William sneered. “You.”
Me?” Chris dropped his arms. “I made you treat a perfectly lovely girl like shit?”
William stopped. “We were just having a bit of fun.”
“She was the one who was silly enough to fall down at a dance.” Fred sneered.
Chris decided Fred would be the man he punched first. Right between the eyes.
William turned to Fred. “He’s right about that. She’s a Moorish and you’d best start leaving her alone.”
Fred’s lip curled further up. “She hit me right between the eyes.”
“You deserved it,” Chris answered. He knew the men were going to jump him at any moment. They had that cagey look, shifting, pacing. But he wasn’t afraid. He needed a good fight and taking on four men evened the odds. “You deserve worse and I…” He drove his fist into his palm. “Am just the man to give it to you.”
He didn’t need to say anything else, his words unleashed all four men. He didn’t care how many hits he had to take, he went for Fred first, popping the man right between the eyes. A cricket ball was heavy, but thrown by Bianca, it wasn’t likely to have done much damage. His fist, however, sent the man straight to the ground.
Chris exercised daily, including running and boxing. He was a head taller than all of them. One of the others got him with a good punch in the gut but he swung about, taking the fellow out with a strong uppercut.
A fist popped him in the eye and he knew it would bruise but he only bared his teeth, taking the other fellow down with a single right jab to the jaw.
Soon, only William stood in front of him. He had the decency to hold his fists up in front of him even if he did tremble with a bit of fear. “I liked her, you know.”
Chris dropped his fists down a bit as he scrunched his brow. “Liked her? Bianca?”
William nodded. “I only laughed when she fell because it was so cute. And then my friends started teasing her, so I thought I’d better join in or everyone would know how I felt.” The man’s hands dropped to his sides and his face fell too, his chin hanging down by his chest.
Chris’s gut did a flop and of all the hits he’d taken that might have been the worst. “You liked her?”
William scrubbed his scalp. “But you’re going to take her from me, aren’t you?”
