damn if she didn’t fit perfectly in his arms. Nearly as tall as him, with a long, elegant neck, sultry eyes with thick fair lashes, and lips meant to be kissed. But she was definitely not for him. She would need constant attention and adoration, as she was evidently already accustomed to, which he was not willing to provide.
He turned and spied his youngest sister, Kirsty, with a group including Alexander’s sister, Annabelle Pendergast, who, if he was not mistaken—and he didn’t believe he was—had developed an interest in him. He had no intention of encouraging her. She was a beautiful and bright young woman, but he felt ancient beside her, and she was in constant company with his younger sister, which didn’t feel right somehow. And she was Alexander’s sister. He was bored quickly when he’d stepped out with the same woman a few times, and he’d end up breaking Annabelle’s heart, and then Alexander would try and break his nose, and he’d have to beat his brother-in-law to a pulp, which would make Elspeth hate him for all time. No. He wasn’t going to risk any of that. He’d be politely distant.
“James! James!” Kirsty said as he approached. He could not help but smile at his her. She was a happy and loving young woman, if occasionally hasty in her actions and words, and she was dear to him. He kissed her cheek when he was beside her.
“You’re looking lovely tonight, Kirsty,” he said. “You haven’t sat out a dance as far as I could tell.”
“I haven’t! I’ve danced them all!” she said and turned to include Annabelle, who was red in the face and looking down at her hands. “Doesn’t Annabelle look lovely too?”
“Of course she does,” he replied and nodded to her. “All you young ladies look nice. That’s why all these young men are gathered around you.”
“Oh, James, but don’t you think Anna—” She jumped and closed her mouth when he pinched her arm.
Fortunately, a young man asked Annabelle to dance. She glanced up at James as if waiting for him to tell the man the next dance was his. He was saved when another of the men gathered around Kirsty and Annabelle asked him a question.
“Was that Miss Vermeal you were dancing with earlier?”
“Yes, I danced with her.”
“Who is Miss Vermeal?” Kirsty asked.
“Just the most beautiful . . .” one of the men began. “Present company excepted.”
“She has the bluest eyes.”
“And that dress she has on,” another one said but quickly closed his mouth.
“Gentlemen,” James smiled slowly, “you fellows just leave Miss Vermeal to me. She enjoyed our dance, I’m certain.” He winked.
There was a collective male sigh of jealousy, and maybe he’d said just enough to make Annabelle believe he’d set his sights on another woman. James bid them good night, found Alexander’s parents to thank them for inviting him, and slipped out a side door. He’d find MacAvoy and head to the tavern they frequented for a cold ale and any news of his upcoming opponent.
James sat at a table near the back of the Water Street Tavern. He watched the comings and goings, the men leaving with women, the women refusing to leave with men, and the barkeep making a coin on everyone, happy or sad. Daisy, the serving girl, leaned over him, putting one very fine breast within inches of his lips. He smiled.
“Not tonight, darling,” he said and kissed her neck with a loud smacking sound.
“Oh, James,” she said as she straightened and tilted her head at him with a smile. “When are you going to make an honest woman of me? You know you’d like to find me in your bed every night.”
He slapped her ass lightly. “Ah, Daisy, but I’d never know whose bed you’d just left!”
“There is that, James,” she said in a wistful voice and picked up her tray. “Men just love me. Another brew?”
James nodded and watched her walk away as MacAvoy slid into the chair opposite him.
“Where have you been?” James asked. “I thought we said eleven.”
The only man he trusted to work his corner of any boxing ring and his oldest friend blushed. “Eleanor’s been having trouble getting Mary into bed, and that darling little girl just loves me. She falls asleep in my arms.”
“You were at Alexander’s?”
“One of the maids was going to sit with Mary once she was asleep, and Eleanor and I were going to take a walk and maybe have some pie at the coffee shop. But once