To Nicholas’s utter astonishment, Theo rolled his eyes.
“Mother would recover,” he said. “Ignore her. If you wish to pursue Sophie then do it.”
“It isn’t that easy,” Nicholas gritted out. “I should have known you wouldn’t understand. You’re the viscount. The golden boy. I’m the one who has to hide his goddamn face under a beard and lay low for the sake of the family honor.”
Theo frowned. “Nicholas, I—”
“Sorry. Ignore that. I’m being dramatic. I need the stuffing beaten out of me.” He didn’t want to discuss emotions or their mother. If Theo tried to make him do so, he might scream. “So, will you indulge me, or do I have to walk the streets until I find someone willing to engage in a bout of fisticuffs?”
Theo rose slowly. “We can spar, but I do think we should talk about this.”
“Not now.” Or he couldn’t be held accountable for what he might do. At this instant, it was all he could manage not to get back in his carriage, return to the Duke of Arundel’s ballroom, and warn off Baron Sylvestor and that young pup Garfield.
“All right.” Theo rounded the desk. “But I refuse to drop the matter.”
“It seems like no one will drop anything lately,” Nicholas muttered, thinking of Kate’s insistence that he attend her ball.
It was as if they wanted to ruin his relationship with his mother. Yes, she was overly dramatic about the possible consequences of her prior actions, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t cut her sons out of her life if they threatened to reveal her secret.
She was his mother. He didn’t want to lose her.
But he was also so tired of always being careful.
He and Theo walked down the corridor and up the stairs. At the top, Theo went to his bedroom to change while Nicholas retreated to his own. He undressed quickly and pulled on a pair of loose trousers and a shirt.
His hand wraps had been washed, rolled, and neatly packed away after their last session, and he withdrew them and secured them around his hands, where they would provide much-needed padding.
He didn’t delude himself into believing he could defeat Theo. His brother was better than him. Perhaps not stronger but much more skilled.
He left his chamber and headed to the boxing room. The door was open, and light flickered from within. Theo sat inside, wrapping his own hands. The candles on each wall were lit, and the space was stuffy—probably because the door had been shut all day, and it had been, once again, unseasonably warm.
“Keep your strikes to half power,” Theo said, glancing up as Nicholas closed the door. “If I have to explain to my wife why I have a black eye, she won’t be pleased.”
Nicholas nodded. “I will.”
He wanted to burn off the restlessness riding him, but he wouldn’t injure his brother to do so. His frustration wouldn’t get the better of him.
When Theo finished tying off his wraps, he got to his feet, and they circled each other. Belatedly, Nicholas wished he’d thought to bounce on his toes a few times or punch the air so he was better prepared. Unfortunately, he hadn’t, and now his muscles were tight, and despite his nervous energy, he wasn’t mentally prepared to take on his brother.
He struck first, knowing that a swift action was the only chance he had at getting one up on Theo, even if he wasn’t ready for it. Theo evaded the attack easily and responded far more effectively.
Within minutes, Nicholas regretted insisting on this.
He was struggling to catch his breath, hauling in air like a dying man, and his torso ached where Theo had landed punches. His twin had held back, but even a half-strength punch still made an impact.
He held on for a few more minutes before conceding. He’d achieved his goal. He had absolutely no energy left and would probably fall asleep as soon as he hit the bed. Continuing would have only injured his pride—not to mention his body.
As they stripped off their now sweaty wraps, Theo kept shooting him strange looks.
“What is it?” Nicholas demanded when he couldn’t stay silent any longer.
Theo straightened, his wraps balled up between his hands. “A while ago, you urged me to consider remarrying. It would mean a lot to me if you’d think about marrying too. You and Sophie could be happy together.”
Nicholas groaned. Not this again. “Even if we pretend there’s a chance that Mother wouldn’t lose her mind and that there would be absolutely no possibility it would cause strife in the family with Sophie being Kate’s best friend, I get things wrong. It’s what I do. And I don’t want to hurt Sophie.”
Theo’s face fell. “Nicholas—”
“Don’t even try to deny it. I’ve created so many messes by being irresponsible and acting without thinking.”
