Page 46 of The Seductive Love of a Lady
‘Lord Framlington!’ The Marquis of Kilbride’s bellow rang out, his voice booming over the orchestra’s music. The conversations near them ceased.
Drew knew this scene would come, but he thought Kilbride would challenge him in private; he had not expected him to do so at a ball. It never occurred to him it would happen in front of Mary’s kin. This would add fuel to her family’s fire.
Setting a twisted be-damned smile on his lips, Drew faced his fate. Perhaps having this out in public was preferential. In private Kilbride would have brought his thugs and dumped Drew’s broken body in a back alley. He had made a will in case that should happen and left the cottage to Caro, so even if Kilbride killed him, he would not win.
Of course, Mary’s money had bought the cottage, so it should go to her, but he could not leave Caro unprotected.
Drew stiffened his spine, stretching up the two inches he had over his brother-in-law. ‘Is there something you want to say to me?’ he asked Kilbride.
‘You know there is!’ Kilbride bellowed at full pitch, speaking as though he were in the House of Lords.
‘Forgive me, but, no. You have me at a disadvantage…’ Drew let a smirk play on his lips, taking pleasure in watching Kilbride’s anger. Let him hit a man for a change, it would give Drew the chance to hit him back.
‘You have stolen my wife! You incestuous bastard!’ Kilbride’s words echoed around the room and now even the music had stopped.
Drew’s vision tainted red and his hands curled to fists.Lord!That was the last thing he had expected to be accused of.
‘It is no wonder your wife deserted you! She knew you for a wretch! She caught you in bed with my wife! Your sister!’
Drew’s control cracked. He lunged at Kilbride, grabbing his lapel with his left hand and striking with his right fist. He hitbone, probably breaking his brother-in-law’s nose. The noise about him was a vague sound as his fist struck Kilbride’s jaw. Kilbride threw a pathetic punch in return, which Drew dodged.
Someone pulled at his arm, and a voice growled near his ear, ‘If you kill him, you will hang.’ Peter.
The red mist faded as Peter’s words pulled Drew back to his senses.
He thrust Kilbride away so hard, the man fell to the floor and scrabbled around like a fish out of water. ‘I will see you swing for this and I will find her!’ Kilbride spat.
Drew dropped to his haunches and held Kilbride’s arm as though he was going to help him up. Instead, he held him down. ‘Do whatever you want, you will not find her.’
Drew stood then, and yanked Kilbride to his feet. A hundred faces swam about him as Drew let go of Kilbride’s arm. As he turned away women rushed forward to console Kilbride, while the men glared at Drew, and at the front of them, Wiltshire, and beside him Barrington and Bradford.
‘Incestuous!’ Drew heard the outraged word on someone’s lips. One woman spat at him.
His gaze caught on his mother’s. She stood towards the back of the crowd. His brother stood beside her, looking down his nose as though he smelt horse dung.
‘Incestuous…’ The word was repeated.
A wave of sound rippled through the crowd as the gossip spread.
‘For God’s sake, get out of here,’ Peter whispered, his hand pressing on Drew’s back.
Before Drew could move, someone grasped his left arm. ‘You have brought shame on my niece.’ Wiltshire. ‘If this is true, if you have tangled Mary up in this… God help me… I will kill you myself.’
Drew pulled his arm loose.
‘Let us have music!’ Barrington shouted from beyond Wiltshire, gesturing to the orchestra. Bradford was speaking with Kilbride. No doubt Kilbride was pouring poison into his ear.
‘Go back to your dancing!’ Barrington shouted at the observers who hovered.
Drew had been found guilty in Wiltshire’s eyes. Mary would know of this by the morning. But she hated Drew anyway. He shrugged off his anger. ‘Go to hell, Wiltshire,’ he hissed through his teeth then walked away.
Peter followed. ‘Expect to be called out by a dozen men in the morning. I would not go anywhere near White’s for a month or two.’
People looked at Drew as though he really was the devil, before turning their backs.
‘That will do no good,’ Drew answered as they reached the hall. ‘They know where I live.’
‘Then leave London.’ Peter was deadly serious. ‘Go to my country estate now.’
