Page 76 of The Lyon's Pretty Pugilist

Nicolas set Josie on her feet and held a finger to his lips. “Shh.” He pointed at his seed.

She peered down and giggled. Using the hem of her gown, she wiped away the evidence of their encounter as he stuffed his prick into his trousers.

Their visitor knocked again.

He tucked himself behind the corner of the wardrobe.

Josie hastened to the door and opened it.

“Can I come in?” Without waiting for a response, Bridget barged into the center of the room.

Nicolas internally moaned.

“I wanted to ask you some questions about your new pugilism school,” Bridget said. “I am thinking…” Her gaze landed on him, and she gawked. “Nicolas, why are you hiding behind the wardrobe?”

Exhaling, he stepped into the open.

Bridget’s brow furrowed as her gaze traveled back and forth between Josie and him. Red-cheeked, Josie stared at her feet.

“Do you need something, Bridget?” Nicolas asked.

As understanding dawned, Bridget’s confusion turned to elation, and she brought her hands together, clapping once. “I knew it. I knew you favored each other. I am so very happy.”

Nicolas placed his hand in the center of her back and escorted her to the door.

Grinning mischievously, she faced him. “You should both clean up before you come to dinner. As free-thinking as Lady Davenport is, I do not think she will be pleased that you are engaging in sinful explorations in the middle of the day.”

Josie whimpered.

“Bridget!” Nicolas glared at her.

Bridget waggled her finger at him and then at Josie. “I am wondering what else the two of you are up to. I am not a simpleton. The last few days you look at each other as if you are sharing some secret plan. As do the Davenports.” She put her hands on her hips. “Come to think of it, I believe everyone is up to something but me.” She tapped her finger to her cheek. “Now,thatis a bit ironic.”

Nicolas opened the door and nudged her into the hallway.

She shook her head. “I do not like it one single bit. I do not like being left out.”

He slammed the door on his curious, pain-in-the-arse baby sister.

“Should we let her in on our plan?” Josie asked.

Nicolas half-snorted, half-chuckled. “Bridget can’t keep a secret to save her life. We shall fill her in after we succeed.”

Somehow, their tup against the wall had infused him with confidence, and he no longer had any doubts. Together, they would succeed and fulfill every one of their dreams—an aristocrat with a career and a lady who was a champion, together forever and taking on the world.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Although Josie staredinto the mirror above her dressing table, she was too absorbed in her thoughts to see her reflection. Visions from the last few weeks floated in her memories like gossamer clouds.

Nicolas’s blue eyes, watching her every move.

His chest bared and heaving as he sparred with her.

His neck muscles tightening as he growled out his pleasure.

The sincerity in his toe-curling baritone when he said, “I love you, Josie.”

She shivered.