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“What is it?” he asked.

“Nothing,” she said hurriedly, but he saw the color that rushed to her cheeks.

“Tell me.”

She reached up and lightly rested her hands on his shoulders. “If I was not so … prim and proper, would you ever take me to watch you fight?”

Striving to ignore the powerful affect her unprompted touch had on him, he drew in a sharp breath. “You dislike the boxing tent,” he reminded her.

“Yes, but you said this was different.”

He winced. “It’s a good deal rougher, if anything. This fight’s in some barn and likely unlicensed.”

“You mean it is an illegal gathering?” Lizzie asked, drawing back.

“It’s in the middle of nowhere,” he reminded her. “I doubt there will be any trouble with officials.” When she continued to look alarmed, he added, “They only trouble with things like permits for the official fights. It’s a bigger purse involved for the fighters when they’ve paid less overheads.”

“I see,” she replied, though she still looked unconvinced.

To lighten the mood, he murmured, “Besides, you’re not prim and proper where it counts, Lizzie mine.” At her uncomprehending look, he added, “In my bed.”

“Benedict!”

He laughed and pulled her forward to kiss her soundly. “If I win, I’ll buy you a new ring,” he muttered as he drew back.

“A new ring?”

He caught her wrist and held her left hand up. “Aye, a gold one this time,” he said eyeing the brass ring with disfavor.

“I would rather we had curtains,” Lizzie replied, glancing at the wagon.

“Curtains?”

She nodded. “For the little windows.”

“If you want curtains, then we’ll get curtains.”

“I could sew them, if – ”

At this point, a piercing whistle interrupted them. They both turned and saw his brothers approaching. Lizzie made as though to stand, but Benedict’s clasp of her waist prevented it. He turned on the crate to face them, his grip firm about her.

“What have you decided?” Frank asked as they drew close.

“I’ll take you up on your offer,” Benedict answered. “You accompany Lizzie and see her settled at Putney, and I’ll go with Jack.”

Jack visibly brightened, rubbing his hands, and Frank looked relieved.

“That’s settled, then,” said Lizzie. “Shall I make another pot of tea?”

19

Lizzie’s biggest worry about the journey was how to get Sebastian up into the wagon. However, when he realized that it was Frank and not Benedict who would be sat up beside her, the dog was quick to force his way between them.

“I think you should point out I’m your brother-in-law,” Frank joked as Sebastian gave him a dark look. “I think his sense of propriety is offended.”

Lizzie was so relieved to get the animal up on the footboard that she laughed at this witticism, and Frank looked gratified. Hearing the sound of an approaching cart, he turned in his seat and glanced behind them.

“It’s Ma and Daphne. They’ll follow along behind us.”