Page 2 of A Duke But No Gentleman
The two men circled each other.“To what precisely?I have committed numerous sins… ah, but you are only interested in the ones that involve your delectable wife.”
“Norgrave, cease provoking him!”Tristan pointed his sword at Briggs.“And you, back away.This duel is woefully unbalanced as it is.”
Has everyone lost their head this evening?
“You seduced her.”Caxton’s mouth twisted with misery and pain.
The marquess’s forehead creased in concern and disbelief.“Is that what she told you?”
If Norgrave had not spent several evenings regaling Tristan with titillating tales of his carnal exploits with the charming Audrey, he might have believed his friend was innocent.
Lord Caxton was also unconvinced.
The viscount shook his head.“She did not have to say a single word.I saw it in her eyes the moment you entered the ballroom.”
A low chuckle rumbled in Norgrave’s throat.“You poor gullible fool.You stand before me, willing to risk life and limbs for a duplicitous wench.”
Caxton dragged his gloved hand through his dark brown hair.“You are wrong.My lady—”
The marquess slashed the air, cutting off the gentleman’s words.“Cast her wiles in Blackbern’s direction first.Is that not true, Tristan?”
“What transpired is no longer important.”To Caxton, he said in apologetic tones, “It was a harmless flirtation.”
Unhelpful as ever, his friend snorted in disbelief.“Audrey and her family had high aspirations to ensnare a duke’s interest.Unfortunately for her, Blackbern was not attentive so she consoled herself in my arms.”
Tristan frowned at Norgrave.His friend’s retelling of last year’s events was not quite accurate.He had been mildly smitten by Lady Audrey.If given the chance, he might have pursued the lady in earnest.However, Norgrave had swept her off her feet with his seemingly limitless charm, but he doubted the viscount would find comfort in the truth.
Nor did he seem to accept the marquess’s half-truths.
“What are you saying?”The viscount lowered his sword as his fury increased.“That my wife seduced you?I refuse to believe such a preposterous claim.”
“Oh, I seduced her, Caxton.”The marquess closed the gap between them.“Did she claim that she was a virgin on your wedding night?Quite understandable since your valet is probably the only person who has handled your ballocks.Nevertheless, I can attest your devoted Audrey came to your bed with a bit of tarnish.I distinctly recall her crying out my name when I shoved my cock—”
Caxton bellowed, drowning out Norgrave’s confession as he rushed forward.He knocked the marquess’s blade aside as the two men collided, fell, and disappeared into the fog.
“God’s teeth and toes, this isn’t bloody mud wrestling!”Tristan jumped out of the way as the fighting men rolled too close to his boots, his lantern swinging wildly.The duel had been reduced to fisticuffs if glimpses of Caxton’s elbow were any indication.“Get up and show some dignity.The retelling of this over brandy will not be favorable for either of you.”
He raised the lantern higher, attempting to discern the health of his friend.Norgrave deserved a few bruises for taunting the viscount about his wife’s not-so-innocent past.However, it wasn’t Caxton’s face that was illuminated in the lantern’s light.During the fog-shrouded brawl, the marquess had gained the upper hand and was pummeling his opponent with his fists.Tristan wasn’t the only one who noticed.
With his short sword menacingly poised to strike, the viscount’s second was striding toward them.
“Put down your sword, Briggs, and help me separate them before someone actually gets hurt,” Tristan snapped, hoping the man was too used to following orders to ignore him.Without turning his back on the man, he sheathed his own sword and slowly set down his lantern.
“Stand aside, Blackbern.I have no grievance with you.Norgrave is violating the terms.He has no honor,” Briggs said, discarding his lantern as he prepared to skewer the marquess in the back.
“Bloody hell!”Tristan ruthlessly kicked his friend in the upper shoulder, knocking him off balance as he retrieved his sword.Briggs’s blade missed the marquess and found purchase in Caxton’s chest.
The viscount howled in pain.
Tristan blocked the man’s second attack.Sporting a visible bruise on his cheekbone, Norgrave gave him an appreciative lopsided grin.“Knew you couldn’t resist showing off your skills,” he said, before he scrambled to his feet to face his opponent with his sword in hand.
Fresh blood flowed like a sluggish spring down Caxton’s white linen shirt as he stood.His chest was heaving for air, but he seemed oblivious to his injuries.The viscount was too intent on maiming Norgrave to call an end to the duel.
In the fog with four small lanterns to shed some light on the evening’s violence, Tristan distracted Briggs while the other two men continued to battle.Norgrave was correct.He was eager to display his sword skills to a worthy adversary, but he preferred a less bloodthirsty setting.Usually, his reputation was enough to discourage most disgruntled rivals.However, Norgrave was driven to prove himself on the field of honor.He was never satisfied unless blood was spilled.His loyalty and longstanding friendship with the marquess placed Tristan at his side.
Briggs had some training, but it was apparent he had never faced a seasoned opponent.Although Tristan did not seek out battles, he had the skill to finish and win them.His persistent attacks and parries kept Briggs away from Norgrave, and it wasn’t long before the man began to tire.Briggs was sweating, while his lungs were working frenziedly like inefficient bellows.
With a look of disgust, Tristan swiftly disarmed his opponent and pressed the tip of his sword to Briggs’s throat.“I trust you have the good sense to sheath your sword.”
