Page 25 of Bound to a Wicked Duke

“Careful, Tommy,” Percy quipped back, gently laying his mace across the billiard table. It was evident, their game was over. “I almost took that as an insult.”

“Do you know how hard it is to find a lady like Madeleine Gillett?” Thomas asked bitterly, ignoring Percy’s warning. “You have not been here; you do not know what London Ladies have become. She does not simper or chase. She is not arrogant or boastful. She is quiet, demure.”

Not as quiet as you may think,Percy thought to himself, recalling how quick and sharp her tongue could be when it came to banter.

“All admirable traits indeed,” he agreed. “So, this is jealousy then? That you could not woo her after an entire summer whereas it took me less than a week?”

Thomas was growing more agitated by the second, and though Percy knew he should be the bigger man and work toward a resolution, he decided not to. Part of him was yearning for a fight—an outlet for the alarm he felt upon seeing Laura talking to Madeleine in the park.

“She was perfect for me,” Thomas went on bitterly, “One of those fat, ugly girls that happened to grow into something pretty. My Father told me over and over that those were the best. Those were the ones that were most thankful and least inclined to complain.”

Percy’s jaw ticked as rage suddenly ate through his blasé attitude.

“What did you just say?” he asked.

Thomas was now practically swaying on his feet as he swallowed another mouthful of whiskey.

“Bacon face,” he said with a burp, studying the empty glass in his hand. “That’s what Cecil used to call her, yes? Hmm. Her fat seemed to slide somewhere else now that she’s grown, though. Her hips were perfect for bearing my children.”

The uppercut Percy delivered to Thomas’ jaw was not a premeditated strike, but it had the intensity of one as it sent the man sprawling to the floor. His stomach churned violently as if he was about to be ill as he stalked toward the laid-out Thomas. The man had talked of Madeleine as if she were some sort of breeding animal available for auction!

“She willneverbear your children,” Percy seethed, seizing Thomas up by the collar. “And if you ever talk of her in such a way again, I will end your family line with you.”

Thomas gripped his hands around Percy’s as a devilish smile spread, showing off bloodstained teeth. Percy’s hit had landed squarely on the man’s jaw, but the force of it had no doubt caused Thomas to bite his own tongue.

“You really thinkyouwill be the one to claim her hand?” Thomas asked. He let out a laugh that was so wicked that Percy nearly punched him again for good measure.

“I know about your curse,Your Grace,”Thomas continued, his words thick with venom. “You are more likely to claim her life.”

Percy delivered the second punch, this time with better aim, and the knock to Thomas’ nose put the man out immediately. Percy rose from his kneeling position, straightening his jacket as he did so, and took a wary look around the room. The moment he did, most of the other men quickly looked away while others only stared back and shook their heads.

“Good heavens,” the proprietor’s second hand man stated, walking up to the mess. “What do we have here?”

“You should truly consider having a cutting off point for some of your members, Charlie,” Percy said wryly as he pulled his billfold from his inner jacket pocket. “This one got so riled up, I had to knock him out for his own good.”

He smacked the wad of bills in Charlie’s hands.

“It really does speak poorly on your business when you let them get this out of hand. I would have your men take him outside before he comes to. He’s quite full of vinegar tonight.”

Without waiting for a response, Percy strolled past Charlie, past the room of other gentlemen staring at him, and left. He did not make it far before he heard his name being called in the street, and for a moment, he refused to stop and turn.

“Mercy Percy, I said slow down! God, are you tossed so already?”

Hearing Cecil’s old moniker for him, Percy stopped, let out a wry laugh, and turned to see his friend strolling toward him.

“There we go,” Cecil retorted, tossing his cigar into the street. “Did you not see me just now? I was heading into White’s when you nearly mowed me down to get out.”

“Sorry old friend,” Percy apologized, holding his hand out to shake Cecil’s hand.

“What did you do?” Cecil asked straightaway, grinning knowingly as he accepted the handshake.

“You ask me this as if something could be my fault,” Percy replied sarcastically.

Cecil smirked.

“It usually is,” he countered. “So, what happened?”

Percy nodded to a small alley, and Cecil followed without complaint, pulling out his flask as he did so.

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