Page 16 of Coming for the Champion
“Settle down.” The door swung open and Rory, once again, was subjected to Mr Mardin buttoning up his trousers with no shame at all, while Bennington’s hair was decidedly messy. Had these two no shame? The ire built in his chest to a red hot fury, but it was jealousy not anger.
“I’m here to say that neither myself nor The Colossus will fight.”
Bennington glanced at Mardell then grinned. “Don’t want to ruin your perfect records, I imagine.”
“Yes, that.” Rory latched onto the excuse, grasping it with both fists, so to speak.
“I did wonder when you’d both come to your senses. Did it take all night to pull together the courage to tell me? And did your friend leave you to the task? Why is that?”
“Oscar darling, leave the man alone.” Lord Bennington grinned.
“Bennington.”
“Ah, now you see what you’ve done? He only calls me Bennington when he’s annoyed, and we can’t have my Mr Mardin annoyed at me, can we?” This conversation seemed to be a private one that didn’t concern Rory and he wanted to spin on his heels and leave them to it.
“Well, if that’s all, I’ll be going now.”
“Wait.”
Rory waited.
“Why agree if you were only going to refuse me later?”
“I didn’t have the full information earlier.”
“And now you do? What changed your mind?”
Rory shrugged. “It’s not my story to tell. I was willing to attempt to face my fears for the good of my land.”
“Your land? I thought this was about a girl?” Lord Bennington frowned.
“Where on earth would you get such an absurd idea? A girl?” Malcolm laughed. Malcolm? Rory spun around, almost colliding with The Colossus. He stared. When had he arrived? How long had he been here, listening?
Mr Mardin laughed, a booming jovial laugh. “Oh, How Delightful.” Somehow he managed to speak in capital letters. “The Colossus has been a long-time member of the King’s Book Club, but somehow I feel The Long Laird should be offered a membership too.”
“I see. I have been slow on the uptake,” Bennington sent a fond glance in Mr Mardell’s direction. “Oscar, how did I not know this?”
“To be fair, I’m not sure they knew it either. What a fabulous coincidence. Of course, you can’t fight each other. We must have two unbeaten Champions on our membership listing. It’ll bring in an entirely new crowd of members.” Mr Mardin winked.
“What about the charity match?” Bennington asked.
Rory cleared his throat, readying himself to admit that he didn’t have the answers.
“We will coach a boxer each,” Malcolm stated in a tone that took no prisoners.
“Team Colossus vs Team Long Laird.” Mr Mardin’s grin broadened. No wonder Bennington was dazzled by the man,while Rory was so messed up by the last day’s events that he couldn’t decide if Malcolm’s idea was genius or just another way to cause division between them.
“Best of three,” said Bennington. “And The Long Laird, let’s have dinner and talk about this land of yours.”
Could it truly be that simple? He swallowed then nodded. “Yes, my Lord.”
“Good. I think we are done here. You two sort out the details and inform Heider. He will send out the necessary flyers.” Bennington turned back to Mr Mardin and Rory supposed that he’d been dismissed. He turned around, brushing past Malcolm’s shoulder on his way out the door. He was half-way down the stairs when a heavy hand rested on his shoulder.
“Wait.”
He turned around and stared directly into Malcolm’s eyes. Their height difference was negated by the staircase with Rory standing a couple of steps lower than Malcolm and it put their faces level with each other.
“I’ve ...”
