Samuel must have caught something in his tone or in his face because he followed up with his own interrogation. “How did you fall?”
“I was fencing.”
“Ah…practicing for the upcoming tournament were you? Do you think you can beat me this time?” Samuel was already digging for a bet. “Shall we place a wager on it?” He made a point to peer down at Wesley’s foot. “Or will your injury heal in time?”
“I’m fine.” Wesley straightened his spine. “I’ll be ready, and I’ll win. So you had better prepare to pay up if you’re planning to put a wager on it.”
Samuel laughed. “Right.” He looked around the table. “So, anyone in for one hundred pounds?”
James and Chris both bet on Samuel, the traitors.
“Where were you fencing?” Chris asked and then took a bite of his mint and fennel mackerel.
His friends were many things, but gossips they were not. So Wesley deemed it safe to divulge Boudicca’s secret.
“Where do you think? Who have I been with every morning since the bet we made?”
“Boudicca?” James’ eyebrows shot upward while Chris continued eating.
“Come to think of it…” Wesley turned to Chris. “You probably already knew this secret, didn’t you? With how familiar you are with the family.”
Chris neither confirmed nor denied the accusation.
“Are there any other secrets I need to know about?”
“Nothing that I know of.”
“Couldn’t be more helpful than that, I suppose?”
Chris smiled and shook his head.
“I appreciate that you’re a man of few words, but I could use a couple if you have any to spare.”
“Well, all I can say about Boudicca is that she’s always on guard.”
“Yes, I’ve noticed.”
“You know, she’s actually a lot like you.” Chris hugged one arm across his body. “You’re both competitive.”
“Yes, I’ve noticed that as well.”
Chris threw up his hands. “Well, what else do you want to know if you know it all?”
How to win her over. How to get a kiss out of her. How to beat her in a bout.
“Never mind.” He stuffed a piece of mackerel into his mouth. “I don’t know why I bothered asking.”
“Really, Wes. I don’t recall the last time I saw you this irritated.” James stared at him.
“Haven’t been sleeping the greatest.” He rubbed his back where his recent sleep on the settee had caused a small kink in his shoulder.
“You’re not usually easily rattled. There’s not a chance that the chit is getting under your skin, is there?”
“No. Not a chance.”
“Don’t say you’re backing out of the bet? She’s quite the kraken, but she can’t be too much for you to manage, can she?”
“I can manage.”
