Page 59 of The Viscount's Silent Pugilist

Damn it.

She needed to face the truth—she was falling head over heels for a self-proclaimed rake who did not do commitments. On top of that, he didn’t think she was of his class, and for the time being, she could not let him know that she actually was. Although the peculiar daughter of a despicable second son of an earl was hardly the charismatic viscount’s equal. She sighed against Horatio’s cheek.

And then there was her sweet, loyal pup. Giving Horatio a taste of an aristocratic life and then forcing him back onto the streets, where he had to eat uncooked rats, sleep on cold, hard pavement instead of soft cushions in rays of warm sunshine, and share discarded, rotting food with her, was abusive and cruel.

She couldn’t leave, but she shouldn’t stay.

Perhaps, after a night’s rest and taking out her frustration on a sandbag, she would know what to do. Until such a time, she would have to avoid being alone with Jonathan.

Closing her eyes, she tossed and turned until her brain quieted, her body became weightless, and she finally, at long last, floated off to dreamland.

Chapter Nineteen

There was nota single doubt in Jonathan’s mind that Gen was avoiding him. Confounding indeed, because typically, women sought out his company.

At first, he’d made excuses that soothed his pride, but continuing to do so after her many attempts to evade him was delusional.

This morning, he’d dragged his tired arse out of bed, dressed in warm clothing, donned his shite-for-running fencing shoes, and rushed down the stairs to find a note sitting on the chair by the door. A bloody large-lettered note! And a pithy one at that, as if she were mocking his reading difficulties.Went for run early. G

Double-checking his watch, he determined he was three minutes late, then berated himself for his tardiness. Upon further introspection, she could have waited three blasted minutes.

In his defense, the hour was ungodly.

It was just a few moments ago, as he sat in his carriage on his way to The Silk Knuckles, that it occurred to him his extra three minutes of sleep had nothing to do with her decision.Going for run earlymeant she’d purposely risen before the planned time and done her road work without him.

At breakfast, when he asked her how her run had gone, she’d refused to meet his gaze. She’d also played with her food, pushing it around her plate, barely eating anything.

“Gen,” he’d said in his most authoritative voice because he was both trying to get her attention and attempting to behave like an engaged benefactor, when the truth was, he didn’t know how to be a dutiful caregiver. “You have to gain a stone, or you will get hurt.”

Shoulders sagging, she’d shoved a forkful of eggs into her mouth. The mouthful was so large that she struggled to chew and swallow. He’d been certain she was going to gag.

You are overfeeding her,he’d convinced himself. So much so that she was sick to her stomach.

Knowing that he still had to respond to Gen’s declaration of affection, he’d sought out her company that afternoon. Despite her earlier dismissive attitude, he’d entered the drawing room with confidence in his swagger and a grin on his face.

His mother looked up from her book and smiled at him. Gen kept her gaze focused on the page she was reading.

“Gen, the sun is out this afternoon, so would you care to go for a constitutional?” he’d asked. “We must make the most of these clear days because winter will soon cast her cloudy days upon us.”

To his surprise, she’d writtenNoin big letters on her drawing pad, holding it high for him to see.

Since he couldn’t tell her how he felt about her in front of his mother, he’d gawked at her two-letter rejection while wondering what he could say to convince her to change her mind.

“I suppose you are still tired from your run,” he’d finally said, because why else wouldn’t she want to walk with him if she favored him? He was damn charming, and as fun as the dickens to boot.

Not to mention, most women of his acquaintance found him handsome, so there was that.

But she’d continued to stare at her book as she nodded.

“Do you want to go for a walk, Floppy?” he’d asked, trying to hide his dejection. The mutt hopped onto all fours, patching Jonathan’s wounded pride. “Come along then, boy.” Floppy’s tail wagged so hard, his bum wiggled as he rushed to Johnathon’s side.

Meanwhile, his mother had observed the scene with her lips pursed. Typically, a loquacious woman who loved to share her thoughts and opinions, she hadn’t said a word.

And then, the final blow to Jonathan’s hubris came when his mother informed him thatshewas taking Gen to the gymnasium. Apparently, without regard for his plans, Gen had arranged a late afternoon training session with Franny.

By this time, frustration oozed from him. “I would have taken you early,” he declared, his jaw tense.

“Gen didn’t want to inconvenience you if you had interviews today,” his mother had said.