Page 2 of Snapdragons
No doubt plenty of others had done precisely that and had been humiliatingly disappointed. Niles refused to be discouraged so quickly. “Only offering my services as an aide-de-camp.”
“That’s the thing, though, Niles Greenberry: in our brotherhood, there are no subordinates, no underlings.”
Well, that was his luck running out, then. He wasn’t good for much else.
At that moment, Lord Jonquil happened to step into the courtyard. He was one of the most jovial people Niles had ever encountered, yet he looked completely downcast. That had been a jarring change in him since returning from Nottinghamshire.
“Lord Jonquil has taken your family’s tragedy very much to heart,” Niles said.
“My sisters are like sisters to him,” Stanley explained. “Losing Charlotte and nearly losing Julia has torn him to shreds.”
Niles hadn’t realized these gentlemen had endured a near-double tragedy. It was little wonder they were both so weighed down by it.
“My family is loud and domineering and often more than I can endure,” Niles said, “but I would be devastated if anything happened to any of them.” He looked back to Stanley once more. “I am sincerely sorry you both have had to endure such a loss.”
“Not everyone here has been so compassionate.” Stanley appeared to be watching Lord Jonquil, but when Niles looked as well, he spotted the actual focus of Stanley’s gaze.
Timothy Baker had proven himself a source of misery to any number of his Cambridge schoolmates. It was believed he hadcaused difficulty for local families and shopkeepers as well. Why were some people like that? Taking delight in causing people pain? And why did his group of lackeys enjoy taking part? All three were walking alongside their leader in disagreeableness.
“You’re not strutting around so much anymore,” Baker said to Lord Jonquil, walking alongside him, though he most certainly hadn’t been invited to do so. “It’s about time you were brought down a peg or two.”
Lord Jonquil didn’t say anything but continued his slow walk across the courtyard, his expression pulled in what could be described only as brokenheartedness.
Baker’s group kept pace with him.
“Everyone has decided you’re pathetic,” one of the group said.
Stanley set his book down on the wall, standing as he closely watched what was happening. Niles kept an eye on it as well.
Lord Jonquil still didn’t answer. He didn’t look annoyed or aggravated. He looked sad, grief-stricken.
Then Baker tossed in one more barbed comment. “She wasn’t evenyoursister.”
“She wasmine.” Stanley stormed toward them.
“Half sister,” Baker corrected with a smirk.
In an instant, a brawling bout of fisticuffs broke out. Baker’s group had two on one over Stanley and Lord Jonquil.
Niles rushed into the fray.
“You’ll get pummeled,” Stanley warned, ducking away from a coming fist.
“I won’t,” Niles said.
With ability born of years of secret effort, Niles landed two punches in quick succession, leveling one of Stanley’s attackers. Niles spun about and felled one of those going after Lord Jonquil. He turned and punched the last of Baker’s band in one fluid movement, then shoved him backward onto the ground.
He then rounded on Baker himself. What he saw was shock,and not merely on the face of Cambridge’s most dedicated and obnoxious tormentor. Stanley and Lord Jonquil looked just as surprised.
Niles motioned toward Baker with his chin. “This one deserves a facer.”
“Agreed,” Stanley said with a shrug. “But I’d settle for letting him and his little band toddle off looking... pathetic.”
And they did. Niles didn’t for a moment think they’d stop being utter nuisances, but maybe Lord Jonquil had gained a temporary reprieve.
“Lud, man,” Stanley said to him. “I hadn’t heard you were a pugilist.”
Niles stretched out the knuckles in his hand, working out the sting that a bare-knuckle brawl always caused. “I decided at Harrow that I needed to be able to defend myself.”
