Page 19 of The Lyon's Pretty Pugilist

“And I suppose you should call me Jonathon since we must pretend to be cousins,” Davenport said.

“And I will be Cousin Agatha,” Lady Davenport said. “That way it will come naturally at the ball.”

“Cousin Agatha and Cousin Jonathon,” she murmured, testing out their new names.

“And Nicolas.” Meddlesome said. “’Tisn’t anymore improper than Meddlesome.”

Until she accidentally called him Nicolas in public. Come to think of it, referring to him as Lord Meddlesome in front of other aristocrats wasn’t much better.

Josie met his gaze. His sapphire eyes twinkled in the chandelier light, tugging at her heart and plucking at her nipples. Suddenly, there wasn’t enough air in the room. She gasped, trying to take in a breath.

“Dear, are you well?” Agatha asked. “Are the leather straps too tight?”

“Do you need fresh air?” Meddlesome stood. “I could escort you outside.”

Alone with a man who both infuriated her and made her want. Hell, no. She’d rather be stuck at the stifling table in her backboard and stays.

She concentrated on steadying her breathing and regaining her voice. “Sit down. I’m fine, Meddlesome.”

“Nicolas,” he said.

“Nicolas,” she whispered. A wave of gooseflesh washed over her, tickling her skin.

He nodded and sat. “That is better.”

Not better at all. His name on her lips felt too intimate.

“Back to etiquette lessons,” Agatha declared. “Ladies are expected to eat a little bit of everything at once. Like this.” She forked a morsel of fish, a sliver of potato, and a tiny slice of carrot, brought it to her mouth, and daintily chewed. She washed it down with a sip of wine.

Josie imitated everything Agatha did, from the tiny bite to the sip.

Interestingly, Josie didn’t taste a thing—probably because she wasmuch too overwhelmed by the invisible bolts of lightning zinging back and forth between her and Meddlesome.

Make that,Nicolas.

Chapter Eight

Nicolas awoke withan excruciating ache between his thighs. The last few months, he’d been too stressed to miss a woman’s touch, but then he’d met a feisty pugilist who made him remember feminine magic. Although he was still overwhelmed, his cock was alive and ready. But, taking himself in hand while in a guest chamber felt depraved. And yet, how was he to dress and walk downstairs with this unseemly bulge?

It seemed unfair to berate himself further. He was a man of four and twenty, with needs and desires. And if he meant to face the lovely, feral Josephine Martin, he probably should take care of the throbbing.

Grasping his cock, he pictured Lydia’s willowy figure and small, bared breasts. He twisted his wrists in opposite directions as his palms slowly traveled up and down his length.

As his pleasure built, Lydia’s thin body morphed into Josie’s sinew and curves. Straight blond hair turned to thick dark waves. Soon, brown eyes, bespeckled with hints of emerald and gold, stared into his eyes.

A tingling sensation took hold of his groin and shot up his spine. His balls tightened as he recalled Josie murmuring his name.

“Josie,” he growled between clenched teeth as he erupted, his spend coating the blankets.

He stared at the ceiling, his limbs too relaxed to move. Conversely, his mind whirled, playing tricks on him, making him believe he’d developed feelings for a hoyden from the East End who thought him lower than maggot dung.

Looking forward tobreakfast, Nicolas sauntered along the corridor. There was no denying that the Davenport’s cook was splendid. But that wasn’t the only reason for his good humor. It seemed his private morning activity had relieved him of the randiness he’d developed since a certain female had entered his life.

Grinning, he entered the parlor to find three questioning gazes glued to him. He removed his timepiece from his pocket, checked the time, and winced. Dilatoriness was something he could not abide in himself or others, and guilt over his lasciviousness punched him in the gut.

“Forgive my tardiness.” He tucked his watch back in his pocket.

“Quite unlike you, Wentworth. But, forgiven.” Davenport extended his hand, inviting Nicolas to sit.