Page 38 of The Duke's Goddess

“Ahh….nature,” Sam exhaled roughly as he extended both arms out to his sides. “The beauty ofnaturecan’t be beat.”

“Drop it,” James urged, only causing a low rumble of a laughter to emerge from Sam.

“You owe me twenty pounds,” Sam called over his shoulder to Chris.

James stared straight ahead, but he heard the slap of hands and the exchange of money.

“It seems as though you can’t stay away fromnature. When did that happen?” Sam asked.

“I’m not sure what you mean.” There was no point in denying Sam’s question, but James didn’t really want to process all of his thoughts at the moment. He just wanted to be around Joan again.

“I’m not sure who you’re trying to fool, James. If you like the chit, just court her.” This coming from Sam, the man who was also a self-proclaimed bachelor. The most competitive man James knew. So if he was planning to do something, he committed to it. He made it happen. There were very few times Sam didn’t accomplish his goals. If he wanted to be a bachelor, then he would be one. If he wanted to interrogate James, he wouldn’t stop until he got the answer he was looking for.

Despite the knowledge of Sam’s persistence, James attempted to deflect him. “I can’t do that,” James finally answered. There was no way he would court Joan. She was a lady. He was a rake. She wanted love. He didn’t even believe it existed. They weren’t going to happen.

“Why not?” Chris asked.

“I’m never going to marry.” Saying the words he had always said felt empty this time. For far too long he had believed that he couldn’t have a family. Couldn’t perpetuate the neglectful childhood he had experienced. And still, he couldn’t imagine a wife, marriage, and children. But…something had shifted inside of him, leaving him frustrated.

“Then what are we doing here?” Sam challenged. James stared at his friend. A friend of too many years to count. And while he didn’t exactly want to punch him in the mouth, he didn’t exactlynotwant to either. It was one option to shut him up. But when James considered not only the bloody mess that would cause but also the unnecessary chaos, he opted out of punching.

“I have no idea. But since we’re here…” James strolled toward the targets. Less of a stroll and more of a magnetic force drawing him, pulling him, relentlessly, toward Joan. What was it about her that he found so intriguing? Certainly her affinity for daggers could be part of it. And of course, her kisses from last night…

But every woman could kiss…though not like her. And not every woman had such an inclination toward blades. So blades it was.

Then, to pull himself out of the rabbit hole he was falling down, he bellowed, “Hello!” Anything to quit the current conversation he had been having with his friends and then with himself. His friends knew nothing. Didn’t they know his past family life? He would make a terrible husband, never mind father.

He didn’t want to think about the future he couldn’t have. Wait. He meant, the future he didn’t want to have. All he wanted to think of was Joan. And there she was. Nearly black hair, soft tresses escaping her coiffure, floating softly in the breeze. Her eyes flew to him in surprise. Her hand was raised with a dagger. Yes, that was very intriguing about her.

Especially considering that she was aiming at him.

Chapter 14

“The greatest strength lies not in physical might, but in the strength of character.”

—Joan of Arc

THWACK!

Joan had just let her dagger fly. Hitting the target smack in the middle of the bullseye gave her a sense of relief. Accomplishment. Control. This was one of a few places where she felt fully alive and herself. She had also been feeling that way with James lately, but she was trying to push those thoughts out of her mind. Her sisters understood her, and she knew she could always be herself around them. She was lucky to have them, though in this moment she was missing Boudicca. One day they might all be married and the family dynamics would change entirely. Joan hadn’t given that future thought much consideration until now, noting the impact ofBoudicca's absence.

How would she manage the changing dynamic? Would she have a husband? Would he fit in well with her sisters? It was hard to imagine. So instead, she threw another dagger.

“Nice throw,” Mimi cheered.

Nobi clapped softly beside her, warming up to throw her set next. Even though knife throwing was Joan’s strength, her sisters engaged in the activity. Over the years, Joan had provided some pointers so that each sister could throw a blade with decent accuracy. Given that it was Joan’s passion, she practiced more often and out threw her sisters every time. Today was no exception.

She and her sisters were eccentric. Joan knew that. The four sisters grew up quite aware of their precarious reputation. It was safe. Of that there was no doubt. They were invited to balls, routs, house parties, and the like. But Joan always felt that one wrong move could ruin them. Now that Boudicca had married Wes, it gave them an extra layer of security. Him being a duke and all.

A duke.

Joan wanted to throw another dagger. The damn duke dare. It was weighing on her mind again. How could it not after her…encounter…with James?

Never, ever, ever did she ever act so recklessly as she did last night. And never, ever, ever had she expected herself to have any…feelings…for him.

“Joan,” —Nobi cleared her throat— “Are you all right?”

“Hmm? Why?” Joan asked distractedly. Usually knife throwing focused her mind, but it felt as though she were thinking in a cloud. Only the bullseye looked clear.

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