And the afternoon would have been perfect. But, oblivious to all but each other, they hadn’t realized they’d become the object of attention as they passed the fighting exhibition.
“That one. I want that one!”
The instant the words reached Jasper’s ears, he knew. And hell and damnation, he blamed himself for letting down his guard, for imbibing and imagining all the normal threats were subdued.
She was the most beautiful woman for miles. He should have locked her up in the chamber and fucking guarded the door himself.
Nia stiffened, and she clung to him so tightly that her fingernails dug right through his jacket.
“I’ll handle this,” Jasper said, turning. He didn’t need to shove her behind him; she did that herself. It had been one thing to face the highwaymen with Will and Peters for reinforcement. Quite another to face a mob of villagers alone.
Evaluating the massive beast who’d apparently been declared the winner, Jasper considered his options while Nia trembled at his back.
He could reason with her that the strong man, as champion, only wanted a kiss, before he just as quickly rejected such justification. If anyone was going to kiss her, it was going to be him.
His other option was to attempt to ignore them. See how far they were willing to go to award the giant his prize. But that scenario could turn ugly quickly.
But his third option… “I thought only the last man standing was awarded the kiss,” Jasper shouted back.
“I am the last man standing,” the giant declared. “I won fair and square. And I want that little one behind you.”
“You haven’t faced me.” Jasper folded his arms in front of him and cocked a brow. The man towered over him by more than a foot and outweighed him by at least five stones—likely more.
“No, Jasper, you mustn’t.” Nia’s hands were on his waist. “I’ll do it. I’ll allow the kiss. He’s too massive, too mean, he’s too… gah!” But Jasper wasn’t about to allow it. He’d faced bullies before and taken more beatings than anyone in his class until he’d learned how to subdue them. After that, he’d sworn he’d never suffer at the hands of one again.
And he’d be damned if Nia would either.
“Stay by me,” he said to her, walking toward the ring. And then louder. “You aren’t the last man standing until you’ve faced me,” Jasper declared. He removed his jacket and the crowd parted for him to approach the roped-off area where the fights took place. Nia had her hand in the waistband of his breeches, for once following his orders without him having to convince her of all the reasons to do so.
The giant laughed, and Nia took Jasper’s coat. She leaned into him. “How are you going to beat him?”
And damned if that didn’t add to his confidence. Because she hadn’t said he could not beat him, but asked how he was going to do it.
She believed in him.
Jasper clenched and unclenched his fists. He then rolled his shoulders, shaking off the effects of the wine. Ducking under the ropes, he approached the man standing in the center of the ring.
Facing the judge, he asked, “What are the rules?”
“First, you pay. That’s part of the prize. Not all of it, mind you. Half goes to the church. This year, we’re raising funds to replace the pews in the front row. Anything extra goes to the widows and orphans, of course.”
“Of course,” Jasper agreed. Because, of course, the seating at the front would be more important than feeding the hungry.
Jasper settled up, nodding, and then rolled up his sleeves. The money wasn’t the prize he cared about. His prize stood by stoically, giving him a nod of support.
“As for rules,” the judge continued, “Just leave a man’s bollocks alone. You’ll only get one warning. Everything else is fair game. First man to drop for a count of ten loses. You sure about this, mister? Pike hasn’t lost a match in three years running.”
“Pike?”
“Your opponent.” The judge tilted his head toward the beast who’d made the mistake of demanding a kiss from Nia.
“I’m sure,” Jasper confirmed.
“When I ring that bell over there, the fight is underway.” The judge returned to his seat, which had been placed on a platform about three feet off the ground.
When they’d stopped earlier that day, Jasper had imagined enjoying a restful afternoon. And just a few moments ago, he’d anticipated a night that no doubt would put all other nights to shame. He’d never wanted a woman so badly, and he’d finally decided to capitulate.
Perhaps this was fate preventing him from making a mistake of epic proportions.
