Page 54 of Desperately Seeking Seduction

Mrs. Derry was putting up a good fight, but Philips was far stronger. He would get what he wanted from the woman if someone didn’t help her.

Win threw herself bodily into the fray, knocking Philips away from the woman. Win spared Mrs. Derry a brief glance as she scrambled away, hoping she was not too late. She turned back to Philips, noting his trousers were still buttoned. Yes, she’d prevented the worst but now what of tomorrow, or the next day?

“You stay away from Mrs. Derry!”

Philips swung out one arm, intending to knock Winston aside. “Mind your own business.”

Win dodged that arm and then grabbed it, turning Philips back to face her. “You leave her alone.”

Philips smiled. “She’s mine.”

“You gutter-born blackguard,” Win snarled, gesturing behind her back for Cook to get out of the room while she could. “No woman deserves to be pawed at by you.”

Philips curled his hands into fists. “You think you’re better than me?”

“Anyone is better than you.”

Philips suddenly grabbed Win by the cravat and lifted her up until her feet dangled above the floor. “A baby-faced boy like you wouldn’t know how to satisfy a woman.”

“Probably not,” Win conceded. “But I’m big enough to teach you some manners.”

“Hardly.” Philips smiled slowly. “You won’t win against me, you know.”

“Prove it then,” she dared. “Outside. Now.”

Philips barked a laugh. “It would be my pleasure to rub your nose into the earth and see you choke on it, but I think I’ll stay right here. She’ll be back.”

“You think you can best me,” Winston said, thinking quickly. She might not win in the end, but she could also not back down. A lady’s honor was at stake. “You think I won’t tell everyone what you’ve done and make sure you marry her.”

She wouldn’t tattle but he didn’t need to know that. Win could not condemn Derry to having this man as a husband. She just had to delay Philips here a bit longer, until someone came along and sent for the butler to put a stop to their argument.

Philips regarded her sourly. “Why you little…”

“Or are you too cowardly to face me,” Win taunted. “Can’t get a woman into your bed without forcing her there.

“You’ve a smart mouth for a skinny little fellow,” Philip’s said, puffing out his chest and clenching his fists. “I’ll enjoy wiping the floor with you right here and now.”

“We fight outside or be known as a coward, you great lumbering clod. If I win, you will never ever lay one finger on any woman at the palace,” Winston demanded.

“If I win, you leave. If you’re able to,” he finished. “Outside it is.”

Winston followed until they arrived at a lush patch of lawn.

“Are you ready?” she asked, rolling up her sleeves.

But Philips played by ungentlemanly rules and tackled Winston to the ground before she was ready.

“Bad form, sir,” Winston chided, wriggling out from under his bulk and bouncing to her feet.

Philips was slower to get up. “Who are you, the king of England?”

“The king lets others fight for him,” Winston retorted. “Don’t you know anything about the world, you great lumbering brute? Can you even read?”

Insults were customary, and Winston hurled her best at the other valet. If he was angry, he would strike out without thinking clearly, and Winston would make the most of those chances to strike back when he gave her any chance.

“What’s going on out there?” someone shouted out from somewhere above their heads.

Win did not dare answer.