Page 60 of A Hunter for Luna

“There’s nothing to excuse,” I replied demurely. “It’s good to meet you.”

“You are originally of the family de Spoleto, correct? I believe I’m acquainted with your father. He and my father have been friendly for years.”

“I was born to that family, yes.” Had he brought this up to try to be friendly, or was there an insult coming about my father’s scandals? Should I be slightly offended, and see if he tried to coax me into a better mood?

I could feel Benedetto’s eyes on us, as well as several others.

"You know," he reached out and touched my chin, cupping it and tilting my face, "from my father’s description, I see you look just like your mother must have. He mentioned she was quite the beauty in her day, before herunfortunateend."

A cold wave of pain and anger washed over me. Not even the rudest in Legnali had mentioned my mother and her execution. I struggled to keep my pleasant expression, but from the interested gleam in his eye I didn’t succeed. "How very kind of him."

I wanted to hit him, but he outranked me, and I’d only look like a fool.

Before I could say anything more, Benedetto appeared at my side, his expression cold and indifferent. He grabbed the young man by his pearl sewn collar, hauling him to his tiptoes. "You have insulted my wife, pig.”

The room fell silent, and I heard the clicks of several peals hitting the floor from the torn seams as Benedetto twisted the other man’s collar.

Everyone turned to watch the confrontation with unconcealed interest.

The young man gasped, "She doesn't have the rank to challenge me, and you can’t be a proxy for her. And I was just repeating a story I heard."

Benedetto's eyes locked on his, still as cold and indifferent as professional executioner’s might be. "You chose to recall my wife's mother’s death and compare their appearance?" he said. "All but accuse her of being a witch? Our children will have my rank and you’ve insulted them while yet unborn, and Icanmake you answer for that. It’s a happy coincidence you’ll also answer for insulting my wife’s honor. Let's take this outside where you won’t stain the carpet when you die."

The young man's face had gone red as he clutched Benedetto’s arm, trying to ease the pressure on his throat. He nodded, an enraged grimace distorting his face. Benedetto dropped him and turned on his heel.

I grabbed Benedetto's arm. "Husband, don't, please. It's not worth killing."

Also, it would make it incredibly difficult to get anyone to talk to me so I could gather information. A darker part of me hoped he’d proceed and beat de Galli to a pulp.

He patted my hand, a faint smile crossing his face. "You’re a gracious woman. But no one speaks to you that way. If his heart’s blood is needed for that lesson, so be it."

“I’ll second you,” said an older man.

“Accepted.” Benedetto strolled out into the garden, unsheathing his sword.

The guests whispered excitedly. Another young man, richly dressed, said, “I’ll second you, Luccio. He’s just fought in the provinces. You’ll kick his ass.”

De Galli straightened his clothing and gritted out, “Yes, I will. Only blood will satisfy me.””

The older man followed Benedetto into the garden, spoke with him a moment, and returned.

“He said, ‘with pleasure’.”

I glanced around the room, noting the speculative stares, the barely concealed eagerness for scandal. I had to stop this before it went too far.

Benedetto should not kill important people at our first official function.

I gathered my skirts and hurried into the garden, ignoring the murmurs and laughter that followed me, emerging into the cool night air where Benedetto flicked his sword, and a flower fell to the ground.

He picked it up and offered it to me, shaking his head. The symbolism was not lost on me.

Behind me, de Galli strutted into the garden, the two seconds trailing him.

He stared at Benedetto. “No quarter.”

Benedetto nodded.

My breath caught in my throat. Benedetto was really going through with this.

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