and always would, even though sometimes he disliked him intently.
“The thing about holding dark thoughts inside us, Daniel, is that they tend to fester, or so my wife tells me, and if you know anything about the woman I’m married to, it is that she rarely holds anything inside.”
That forced a laugh from Daniel.
“She has taught me a great deal. I was once a man who didn’t say much and liked to brood. Phoebe would not allow that.”
“I don’t brood,” he said, thinking that yet again a woman was behind what a man was saying. First Oliver, and then Ben. Now Finn was stating he’d changed because of Phoebe.
“For God’s sake, Ben, riposte!” Finn roared. “You are not using a club; bend your wrist!”
“Ouch!” Ben yelped as Alex jabbed him.
“Ben could pummel him in a boxing match, but there is no equal for Alex with a foil—except me, that is.”
Daniel turned in time to see the quick smile on Finn’s face.
“Move your feet, Ben!”
Turning back, Daniel saw William Ryder walk in. Men nodded as he passed, at ease with the title he carried, comfortable being here. Daniel had never really been at ease with the man he was. Strange how he’d not acknowledged that until now.
He’d been raised for many years to believe he’d enter the mines like his father, and then that changed. Yes, he’d been young enough to adapt, but he sometimes still felt like he straddled two worlds, not fully comfortable in either.
“Young Dillinger.” Will acknowledged him as if it was entirely natural he be here, then took the seat beside him, which pinned Daniel between the lords.
“I hope there have been no more encounters with the Deville brothers?”
“No.”
“You had an encounter with the Deville brothers and are still walking?” Finn whistled.
“Do you think Ace would allow anything to happen to him?” Will added.
“I can look after myself.”
“Of course,” Will said calmly. “And quite well, from what I hear.”
“What happened to have you encountering the Deville brothers?” Finn kept an eye on the twins as he spoke. Ben was being soundly beaten.
“It was a misunderstanding,” Daniel said.
“About their sister,” Will added, and Daniel wished he’d shut his mouth.
“Lady Abigail. She is a lovely lady, or so my wife tells me. But the brothers watch her every move, and any man who comes close is usually frightened away.”
“How did you get close to her?” Will asked Daniel.
“I didn’t. I met her with Thea while driving in the park. She said hello to me at the Smitherton floral display, and the brothers did not take kindly to the fact we talked.” It sounded plausible, even if it was a lie.
Until you’ve walked in my shoes, Mr. Dillinger, do not judge me.
He did not want to feel sorry for Abby, and yet Finn was not the first person to tell him she lived life in a protective cage.
“Those men are idiots to treat her as they do. She’ll rebel one day,” Will said. “I know these things, as I had a sister like that.” He winked at Daniel.
“Alex is just finishing off Ben, and then Daniel is opposing me,” Finn said.
“Oh no, I don’t think—”
“Thinking is vastly overrated,” Will said, slapping him on the shoulder. “Up you get.”
“I really don’t want to.”
“Of course you do. Ace told me you love fencing, so it must be the company. Are you not wishing to fence here?”
Daniel felt cornered.
“He’s adjusting to the fact he’s surrounded by nobility,” Finn drawled. “It’s making him itch.”
“I never said that,” Daniel denied.
“It’s written clearly on your face, Daniel. Now stop protesting and regain your feet. Ben has once again conceded.”
He soon found himself without his jacket, wearing gloves, with a foil in his hand.
“I thought you said you were getting better,” Alex said to Ben. Both were drawing in large breaths as they reached them.
“It would appear not,” Finn said, taking the blade Alex handed him. “I think he’s just going to be the boxer in the family.”
“I beat you the other day!”
“I was ill, and you made me fence left-handed.”
“You didn’t mention that fact,” Daniel said.
“Yes, well, let’s just see how well you do before you start in on me,” Ben grunted.
Daniel found a smile. It was small, but a smile nonetheless.
“En garde.” Finn bowed, and Daniel responded with the same gesture. Then he forgot anything but the foil in his hand and the man across from him, who he wanted to skewer.
Use your head, Mr. Dillinger. Pierre’s words slipped in and out of his head