Page 8 of The Allure Of Lord Devlin
The crowd gasped, the challenge echoing throughout the ballroom. Lord Clayton, caught between the two, looked at Lord Devlin with concern.
“Devlin, you don't have to do this.”
“No, Clayton. It's time to teach everyone that the Devlin name is honorable.” Lord Campbell's smug expression faltered as he realized the gravity of the situation. He issued and Campbell accepted the challenge, and a duel at dawn would decide their fate. “Will you be my second?”
“Of course.” Clayton addressed Campbell. “Send your second to my house later tonight to make the arrangements.
With that, Lord Campbell and his friends decamped from the ballroom and the twittering behind fans and hands begun. Everyone focused their attention on Lord Devlin and her brother, but for her, the evening was ruined. She hadn’t minded making Devlin a tad jealous, but she would never wish him to face death like his father had. She had to get her brother to stop such ridiculousness.
As they reached her brother’s side, Devlin moved to stand beside her. Fencourt offered his greeting, “A most unfortunate occurrence, Lord Devlin. I’m sure no one here would think any less of you if you debunk, given what happened to your father.”
Devlin’s withering gaze said it all. Fencourt seemed to stammer and stutter for one moment before bowing over her hand and taking his leave. “Until tomorrow, Lady Dharma. I will hold you in my thoughts.”
“He seems smitten,” Tobin uttered out loud, and she wanted the floor to open beneath her.
“He’s but a boy,” Devlin said in disdain.
“True. He is a tad young to be seriously looking for a wife, but he is from an exceptional family with money.” Was that a dig at Devlin?
“You know nothing about him. He could have habits not appropriate in any husband.”
“That’s easy enough to find out,” her brother replied, his tone obviously showing he was trying to get a rise out of Devlin.
Dharma hit her brother’s arm with her fan. “Would you two stop it? We have more important things to discuss than who may wish to court me. Devlin, you must call off this egotistical display of idiocy.”
Before she could hear what Devlin had opened his mouth to say, Rosemary arrived back from… a stroll…on the arm of Lord Hawthorne. She hid her smile. Rosemary looked beautiful with a flush of color on her face..
“Good evening, Lord Devlin,” Hawthorne said, and then nodded at Clayton. “As Lady Devlin is not present this evening, may I enquire as to if I may call on Lady Rosemary tomorrow?”
Devlin looked the young man up and down. “Does your father know you’re paying court to my sister?” How odd, Dharma thought when she heard Rosemary’s indrawn breath, and noted the tension in Devlin’s jaw.
She watched as Hawthorne drew himself up to his full height and thought it wonderful that he was prepared to stand up to Lord Devlin. “I keep my counsel, as do you, I’m sure.”
Devlin studied him for a few seconds, getting the measure of the young man who appeared to be staking a claim to Rosemary, before finally nodding. “If my sister has no objection, then neither do I.”
With that, Hawthorne pressed a kiss to Rosemary’s knuckles and withdrew. Rosemary pulled her aside and gushed, “Isn’t he wonderful?”
“Well, his lordship obviously likes you. He didn’t bat an eyelid at Devlin’s presumption that he wished to court you.”
Rosemary’s mouth dropped open. “He didn’t, did he?” She twirled on the spot. “He’s wonderful. Charming. Handsome. And the first man to show any interest in the traitor’s daughter.”
“It would appear he does not care about the scandal surrounding your name. I think I like him for that alone. And did you see the way he did not back down from your brother’s thunderous stare?”
Rosemary’s smile faded. “Lord Whetton will not like his son’s choice in courting me.”
“Then Hawthorne must have feelings for you if he is prepared to vex his father.” He was the first man brave enough to take an interest in her. “Now explain to your brother how dueling with Lord Campbell could put all of this in jeopardy.”
Rosemary swung round to face her brother with eyes wide and frightened. “A duel? Please, dear God, no. I can’t lose you too.”
Dharma wanted to slap herself. How inconsiderate. Her father had been killed in a duel. “I’m sure Lord Devlin will not be so stupid as to go through with it, like…”
His eyebrow rose. “Like my father? Well, I certainly will not stand there and simply let him take a shot at me without defending myself.”
She was about to argue when Philippa, her sister-in-law, took both the ladies by the arm and drew them away. “This is men’s business. Besides, we are making quite the scene and I think there has been enough fodder for gossips delivered tonight, don’t you?”
She was about to state that Devlin could be killed, but when she saw Rosemary's pale face, she decided to remain silent.
They made their way out to their carriages.
