Page 52 of Not Quite a Lady
‘Well?’ Randall demanded. ‘What do you want of me now? Not to chat of good old times at school, I imagine?’
One of the men, apparently his crony, sniggered. Jack let his gaze rest on the man and he subsided.
‘No. I came merely to inform you that I consider yourpresence at any civilised gathering offensive and to request that you remove yourself.’
‘Youfind my presence offensive?’ The colour was high in Randall’s cheeks. ‘I find you, sprawled in the arms of…’
‘You found me injured in the salon of a lady, whose name you are not going to mention as it is quite irrelevant, and you immediately put upon it a construction which was as deeply offensive to the lady as it was totally inaccurate.
‘When the lady attempted to explain matters to you, you addressed her in terms both immoderate and crude and, when I attempted to silence you, you knocked me out with a cowardly blow, despite the fact that I was barely conscious.’
There was a murmur around the room. Randall’s crony, who had obviously heard his side of the story before, sneered. The other gentlemen looked serious.
‘You allege you were wounded and Lord Randall struck you?’ It was the tall young man who had taken command outside.
‘Yes.’ Jack raised his hand to the scar on his temple. ‘I had been felled by a thrown cobblestone in the street outside. The lady had me brought into her house to await the doctor. I was barely conscious, blinded with blood. When Randall began to insult the lady I attempted to stand and was felled to the ground.’
‘Rubbish!’ Randall snarled. ‘I come into the room, find him clutched to the near-naked bosom of the lady who–’
‘Careful.’ Jack could feel his fingers curling and reined in his temper.
‘The scene was one of obvious intimacy. I was outraged.’
‘Well, you might be able to make love to a lady when semi-conscious, Randall,’ it was the tall man again, his voice contemptuous, ‘but the rest of us lesser mortals would find it a challenge. Lord Allerton appears to have a justifiable grievance. I would suggest you apologise.’
‘Apologise? To that coal-hewer’s son? Look at him, he is obviously a brawling drunk. See the bruises on him.’
‘You should see the other fellow.’ Jack could not resist the cheap jibe. ‘Lord Dovercourt’s rather ordinary looks have not been improved by the loss of his front teeth.’
‘Dovercourt?’
‘Indeed. He was foolish enough to repeat some of the offensive remarks you have made about a certain lady.’
‘For Heaven’s sake, Randall, apologise. And I suggest you give your word not to make any further remarks about the lady,’ the tall gentleman suggested disdainfully.
‘To hell with you and your meddling, Gledhill, I’ll do no such thing.’
‘Coward,’ Jack said softly.
‘I’ll not be insulted by the likes of you!’ Randall was white to the lips now. Even his friends were looking doubtfully at him.
‘Well, it certainly appears to be very difficult to achieve.’ It was also increasingly difficult to keep his hands off the man’s throat. ‘I have never attempted to insult a cowardly coxcomb before. I had no idea it would take such an effort. Apologise or name your friends.’
‘I’ll not fight a coal merchant. Gentlemen do not fight riff-raff.’
‘You can fight me here and now,’ Jack offered, regarding his clenched right fist with its grazed knuckles thoughtfully. ‘Or you can name your friends. Or you can walk out of here leaving five sober witnesses to your cowardice. Which is it to be?’
It seemed to Jack that the four onlookers were holding their breath then, ‘Damn you. Fellthorpe, Dunsford – will you act for me?’
They nodded, muttering their agreement, looking none too happy about it.
Jack realised he had landed himself in a fix with no-one to askto second him, then Lord Gledhill stepped forward.
‘I’ll act for you, my lord. Webster?’
The remaining man nodded curtly. ‘Aye. Bad business, best kept amongst ourselves. Give Gledhill your direction, my lord, we will call on you tomorrow.’
Randall swept out of the room without looking back, his seconds on his heels.
