James blocked Anthony’s punch with his forearm and leaped back hastily to avoid the fist that Henry had aimed at his stomach. He wasted precious time looking over Henry’s shoulder, only tuning back into the fight when he saw that Edward seemed to be satisfied with yelling at Isobel— at least for now— and that George had been safely carried outside by Matthew and Simon. His brother was kicking and screaming, his tear-filled and scared eyes jumping between him and Isobel, but James was simply glad that Matthew had gotten the boy out of the stables.
His lack of focus earned him a punch to his face, and the taste of blood filled his mouth from where his teeth had scraped against the inside of his cheek. James spat at Anthony’s feet and struck out at his throat only to have Henry land a punch
