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“Cam let go of Evie and approached Sebastian as the room emptied. “You fight like a gentleman, my lord,â€� he commented.
Sebastian gave him a sardonic glance. “Why doesn’t that sound like a compliment?�
Sliding his hands into his pockets, Cam observed mildly, “You do well enough against a pair of drunken sots—�
“There were three to start with,� Sebastian growled.
�Three drunken sots, then. But the next time you may not be so fortunate.�
“The next time? If you think I’m going to make a habit of this—�
“Jenner did,� Cam countered softly. “Egan did. Nearly every night there is some to-do in the alley, the stable yard, or the card rooms, after the guests have had hours of stimulation from gaming, spirits, and women. We all take turns dealing with it. And unless you care to get the stuffing knocked out of you on a weekly basis, you’ll need to learn a few tricks to put down a fight quickly. It causes less damage to you and the patrons, and keeps the police away.�
“If you’re referring to the kind of tactics used in rookery brawls, and quarrels over back-alley bobtails—�
“You’re not going for a half hour of light exercise at the pugilistic club,� Cam said acidly.
Sebastian opened his mouth to argue, but as he saw Evie drawing closer something changed in his face. It was a response to the anxiety that she couldn’t manage to hide. For some reason her concern gently undermined his hostility, and softened him. Looking from one to the other, Cam observed the subtle interplay with astute interest.
“Have you been hurt?� Evie asked, looking over him closely. To her relief, Sebastian appeared disheveled and riled, but free of significant damage.
He shook his head, holding still as she reached up to push back a few damp amber locks that were nearly hanging in his eyes. “I’m fine,� he muttered. “Compared to the drubbing I received from Westcliff, this was nothing.�
Cam interrupted firmly. “There are more drubbings in store, milord, if you won’t take a few pointers on how to fight.â€� Without waiting for Sebastian’s assent, he went to the doorway and called, “Dawson! Come back here for a minute. No, not for work. We need you to come take a few swings at St. Vincent.â€� He glanced back at Sebastian and remarked innocently, “Well, that got him. He’s hurrying over here.”
― Lisa Kleypas, Devil in Winter