Page 22 of Beware A Wallflower's Wrath
But they knew that, didn’t they? If Finlay was fourteen, both of these men knew who his father was. Were they goading him into a fight? Robert wasn’t a violent man, but the circumstances may call for it.
“And yer English son? What will ye do about him?” Lachlan leaned forward again. “Will ye leave him across the border or bring him with ye?”
How much had Aileen told them about Anthony? Were they worried he would be competition for Fin? “You’re assuming two things with such a question. First, that Annis would consider accepting my offer of courtship.”
“Miracles do happen on occasion,” agreed Lachlan.
“And that I would live in Scotland.” Or was this the true reason for the meeting with the MacNaughton men? “It would be a decision made by both of us—Annis and me, not the two of you.”
Colin growled. “Back to the English boy. Would ye bring him with ye?”
“If I moved to Scotland, I would. He’s in school now, but of course I would want him with me during his breaks.” He saw the cousins exchange glances. Anger burned in his chest. “Do you have a problem with my son?”
Lachlan smiled. “We dinna ken the lad. But why would ye want to bring another mon’s bastard with ye? Ye’ll be starting fresh. Leave the lad behind.”
Robert stood abruptly, his chair toppling backwards. “If you say another word against my boy, we’ll be taking this conversation outside.” To his horror, both men grinned as if they looked forward to such an event.
“We’re just asking. However, that might be a way to solve the problem. Challenge one of us, and whoever is still standing decides where the by-blow will live.” Colin rubbed his jaw and nodded. “Lachlan?”
“Sounds fair to me, but let’s up the stakes. If I’m still standing, he goes back to England and stays there.” He rose, slowly unwound his cravat, and removed his waistcoat. “Are ye mon enough to fight for my cousin?”
“This is absurd. We aren’t barbarians.” Even as he said the words, a voice in his head was urging him to take the challenge. Finlay was illegitimate, and they didn’t look down on him. Their argument was a test for him and had nothing to do with Anthony. So be it.
Robert picked the chair up, removed his waistcoat, and laid it over the back of the chair. “I’ll leave on my cravat if you don’t object.”
“All the easier to choke ye with, Sassenach,” said Lachlan.
“Why am I fighting him instead of you?” he asked Colin.
“Weel, we dinna hate ye,” answered Lachlan. “One punch from my cousin could end this conversation forever.”
“I want to be able to look Annis in the eye and tell her truthfully I dinna hurt ye.” Colin laughed. “We’ll see how much ye’re willing to take in the name of love.”
They walked to the alley behind the tavern, Robert following Lachlan and Colin taking up the rear. Behind them, a man cried, “A skelping in the alley!” The narrow lane began to fill with patrons.
Without warning, Lachlan turned and placed his fist in Robert’s stomach. With an oof! he bent over and caught his breath. “Ye dirty scallywag,” he mumbled.
Lachlan bent down and grinned at him. “Are ye quitting already?”
Without looking up, Robert sent a hard right into Lachlan’s jaw. The big Scot stumbled backward. Colin hooted. As Robert straightened, Lachlan smiled and rubbed his jaw.
“Weel, ye’re full of surprises.” Lachlan began circling him. “Let’s see what else ye ken.”
Robert ducked a punch and threw one of his own, catching his opponent in the belly. But the man only grunted. As they began exchanging punches, he saw the respect beginning in Lachlan’s eyes. His lip was split, and Robert’s left eye was swelling. He needed to end this. The next opening he got, Robert smashed his right fist into Lachlan’s cheek, sending his left under the jaw. Lachlan landed on his arse, shaking his head.
Colin walked over and peered down at the downed man. “Is that surprise enough for ye, Cousin?”
“Aye, and next time ye’re the challenger.” He offered a hand to Robert, who took it and helped the Scot to his feet. “Saints and sinners, where’d ye learn to fight like that?”
“I am, er was, a student of Gentleman John Jackson in London, though I admit I usually wear gloves,” said Robert, his fingers tentatively touching his left eye. “This wasn’t about my son, was it? Are you trying to scare me away?”
“In a way. We’re a clan who values family. If ye’d agreed to leave the lad behind, I would have been the one fighting,” Colin said, slapping Robert on the back. “We hadna really intended on fisticuffs unless that happened. And ye would have been sent back to England a wee incapacitated.”
“Then why are we out here?”
“We had a bloody audience. Couldna disappoint them without losing face, now could we?” asked Lachlan.
“Aye, and Aileen told Lachlan this morning that ye fancied yerself a pugilist. Lachlan thought we’d see if ye were just another arrogant dandy.”
