“Still not sure how you manage to run a proper gentleman’s establishment with a boxing ring in the back,” Oliver said, stretching his arms.
“You should not underestimate my abilities,” Alexander replied. “Regarding business or otherwise.”
“Oh, I would not dare to do such a thing,” Oliver laughed.
Alexander took off his coat, setting it to the side in anticipation of their sparring session. He loved moments like this, for it gave the clarity he needed in his mind.
“Get in.”
“You never ever ask nicely,” Oliver rolled his eyes.
Alexander just raised a brow. Moments later, they were both in the ring, gloves laced, circling each other with light steps. It started slow.
“So,” Oliver said between jabs, “how’s married life?”
Alexander didn’t answer at first. He ducked a punch and responded with a clean strike to Oliver’s shoulder.
“I’ll take that as complicated,” Oliver grunted.
“My marriage is just fine,” Alexander replied, not giving Oliver a chance to draw conclusions on his own.
“The fact that you even chose to marry,” Oliver grinned, “ still surprises me.”
“You and half of London.”
“She must be beautiful for you to fold like this,” Oliver said, teasing. “But how long do you think you can keep her hidden away?”
Alexander landed a soft punch just below Oliver’s ribs. “She’s not hidden. She’s being kept safe.”
“Ah,” Oliver said, retreating a step. “Overprotective of her already.”
Alexander didn’t deny it.
“You really think someone’s after her?” Oliver threw a lazy jab, which Alexander caught with ease.
“I’d be naïve to think otherwise.”
“Always with the worst-case scenario,” Oliver lowered his arms, frowning.
“You think the Viscount is the only one who wants to see me fall?” Alexander asked, “There are men I’ve crossed, outsmarted, turned down, embarrassed. They don’t let things go.”
“You’ve made enemies. That’s not news.”
“I’ve made enemies who don’t play by society’s rules,” Alexander corrected.
Oliver’s grin faded.
“You don’t keep a place like this running as a duke unless you know how to make people fear you,” Alexander continued. “And you already know I’ve had to do that.”
Silence fell between them for a moment.
“Does the new Duchess know this about you?”
“She knows enough,” Alexander replied.
“Does she know about your father?”
The question caught Alexander off guard for a moment, and he froze. It was an unwelcome reminder, for Alexander did not like to think about the late duke.
