Before she could go, he caught her arm and turned her back gently. Immediately he released her and raised his hand to his chest almost like he’d been burned by the action. He cleared his throat. “No, I would say none of that. I’m taken aback, I admit, but I actually think ladiesshouldknow some basics when it comes to boxing. Men cannot be trusted on the whole and a well-placed punch can mean the difference between a fright and a horror.”
“That’s whatItried to say to him,” she said.
“But he denied you,” Sebastian said with a shake of his head.
She nodded. “He did. Strenuously.”
“He’s protective.”
It wasn’t a question, but a statement. Of course, Sebastian would know. She sighed. “I have no idea why. He thinks me dull and predictable, without enough spark to actually get myself in trouble.”
Sebastian stared at her a beat, then two, long enough that she felt heat flood her cheeks. Then he said, “I could teach you.”
Her lips parted in shock and she stared at him. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“I have a small practice ring in my home. If you came, I could show you some basics. For your own good.”
She moved closer to him and could hardly contain her wonder and excitement. Once again this man offered to ride to her rescue, guiding her through her list without even knowing he was doing so. “You would do that? Even though my brother obviously disapproves.”
That made him flinch and for a moment his gaze darted away. Then it returned and there was a hint of the heat she’d seen in him the previous week in her parlor. The heat she’d told herself she imagined and yet was there.
“He doesn’t have to know, does he?” he asked.
There was something so wicked about that question. But she found herself nodding regardless. “Very well. When should I come?”
“Tomorrow afternoon?” he suggestion. “One o’clock if you can escape all chaperones.”
“Easily,” she said. “Boring and predictable, remember?”
“Not recently,” he muttered, and then he bowed to her slightly. “I look forward to it. Now I should go mingle and try to avoid Lady Arabella and her mother as they set snares for the eligible gentlemen.”
“Thank you,” she said softly as he walked away, watching until he disappeared entirely into the little groups gathered around talking and sizing each other up.
There was a flutter in her chest as she made her way to the wall where she could have a moment’s peace. It was excitement that she would yet again be able to cross something off her list. And nervousness that it would be Sebastian who helped her do so. But it was right, wasn’t it? After all, aside from her own brother, he was the man she knew she could trust most in her life. The one who had no ulterior motives when it came to her.
Even if, in her deepest, hidden heart, she sometimes wished he did.
CHAPTER 6
Sebastian was nervous as he paced around his study, watching the clock on his mantel every time he pivoted. It was ridiculous. He didn’t getnervous. He’d trained that sort of weakness out of himself. And even when he’d allowed himself that feeling in the past, it had never been about a woman. A friend, no less! Not even someone he was pursuing.
And yet, knowing Marianne would soon arrive to his home and they’d be alone again, he still felt this odd, fluttery discomfort in his chest.
“Why?” he grumbled out loud.
He had no answer for that. Nor for why he’d been thinking about Marianne so much in the last few weeks. Looking for her at gatherings, tracking her as she stood along walls or moved through crowds.
“It’s only because you know Delacourt would be angry if he knew you were helping her with these odd requests,” he finally said out loud.
That had to be true. He valued Delacourt’s friendship above all others—they were almost like brothers. The worry about his friend’s reaction could be the only thing making Marianne come to his mind so often. Nothing else.
“My lord?”
Sebastian jumped, for he hadn’t heard his butler knock. He pivoted to face the older man. “Yes, Jenkins?”
“Lady Marianne is here,” he said. “I’ve shown her to the parlor, as you requested, and told her you would join her shortly.”
“Very good, thank you,” Sebastian said. When his servant had excused himself, he turned to the mirror above the mantel, straightening and fixing himself before he headed down the hallway toward the parlor. His heart was beating hard in his chest. He scowled as if that would fix it, but of course it didn’t.
