Page 54 of A Duke to Elude (Sherton Sisters 1)

Chapter Eighteen

James could feel Rosabel’s tremors even though her face was as serene as a ceramic doll. Her hand on his arm was clenched almost to the point of pain. He wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her, but that would do nothing to stem the scene that was unfolding before them.

“Is she your bit of muslin, Wexford? Is that why you’re taking her word against mine? She wasn’t nearly so friendly when I offered,” Prescott sneered.

A quick glance toward her assured James that Rosabel, so pale that even her lips were losing their colour, was deeply affected by the other man’s words. That was the last straw for James. He pulled Rosabel behind him and was about to plant the man a facer when he somewhat came to his senses. A quick glance around told him that while they were somewhat private and definitely out of earshot of others, there were enough people in the vicinity that a scandal would ensue if he were to strike the other man.

“Name your seconds, Prescott,” he said through clenched teeth, his voice coming out sounding more like a growl.

“What? No, Wexford, you cannot do this.”

The other man had paled, but he didn’t shrink back. “Listen to your lady, Wexford. Don’t do anything foolish.”

“You are the one who is a fool, Prescott. You have insulted Lady Rosabel, for no reason. I will have satisfaction.”

“Wexford, don’t do this.” He could hear the soft voice imploring him from behind, but James kept his focus on the man in front of him.

Prescott spat at his feet, adding insult upon insult. James’ nostrils flared, and it was all he could do to contain the violence within him.

“The doxy isn’t worth it, Wexford. But if you still want satisfaction. Send your seconds to meet with mine,” Prescott sneered before sauntering away.

The small but firm grip on his arm kept James from following after Prescott.

“Have you lost your mind?” Rosabel demanded as he finally turned his attention toward her. She kept her voice low, but her anger seethed through, nonetheless. “My reputation will be in tatters if you fight a duel with Prescott.”

“Why would you think that? How would there be an association?” James demanded before insisting, “Not that it would become known, of course.”

“Wexford, don’t be daft. Did you not count the number of avidly attentive eyes fixed upon us just now? It could hardly be missed that you had shoved me so delicately behind you. Even now, my family are rushing to see what is happening.”

“When I have the man prosecuted for his attempts to disrupt the government, there will be no question of your reputation.”

He could hear her sigh but had no idea what she was distressed about. She soon let him know as soon as she had tucked her hand back into the crook of his arm and prodded him into walking again. James noticed her worried glances at their family members who were watching them curiously.

“How long do you suppose that is going to take?” Her raised eyebrows informed him that she questioned his sanity. James would have laughed if the matter wasn’t so very serious. He could also see her point.

“I’m not sure how long it will take. Surely, no more than another week at the very longest.”

“By then I will be shunned from Society, and my sisters and I will be back home on our estate. I cannot say that I would mind overmuch if it were just myself. But I cannot allow you to do this to my sisters. I know you’re going to spout some nonsense about your honour as a gentleman now that you have challenged him, but Prescott is a rotten soul. Your honour will be more besmirched by harming my sisters than by not fighting a duel with the likes of him.”

“But what of your honour? He insulted you vilely.”

“They were just words, Wexford. You’re the only one besides me who heard them, and we both know they aren’t true.”

“What if he bandies them about elsewhere?”

“Then it will be my father’s duty to deal with them, not yours.”

“How is that better?”

“Because then it is a father protecting his daughter, not a gentleman involving himself in the matters of someone with whom he has no personal connection.”

Despite the fact that she was lecturing him fiercely, James suddenly realized that he very much wanted to have a personal connection with her. He had, in fact, wanted that for some time now, even though he had been trying to pretend otherwise.

“Very well, then, my lady. The only thing to do, then, is to become betrothed.”

For the first time since Prescott had come into view, Rosabel laughed.

“Now, I am certain that you’ve lost your mind. You would become betrothed to me just so you could fight a duel with Prescott? I had no idea you could be so very blood thirsty.”

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