Page 28 of The Gentleman's Seduction
“Hold on!” The first man stepped between them, slapping a palm to each of their chests.
“We can settle this matter.”
“Can we?” Stamford laughed darkly. The smug look on his face made Martin feel wild and reckless.
“I’d be happy to settle this on the field,” Martin growled.
Stamford answered with a jackal’s grin. “As would I, Mr.…”
“Banks. Martin Banks.”
“You’re the fellow who bought the little chit.” Stamford grinned evilly.
“And I’m going to be the fellow who shoots you,” Martin warned darkly.
“Wait, Banks? I’ve heard of you!” the first man said. “You’re quite the fortune maker, I hear.”
Martin knew Stamford’s companion was doing his best to ease the obvious tension, but Martin didn’t care.
“Littleton Field. Tomorrow at dawn.”
“Agreed. Tomorrow.” Stamford jerked his head in a nod. He and his companion beat a hasty retreat into the gambling rooms.
Martin stormed in the reading rooms and threw himself into the nearest chair. He sat there, stewing over the encounter with Stamford for some time before someone handed him a glass of brandy.
“You look as though you may need this, old boy.” Rodney Bennett chuckled as he took a chair beside Martin.
“I suppose I do.” He accepted the brandy and took a long gulp, ignoring the fiery burn of the liquid in his throat.
“Let me guess. You and Stamford are dueling tomorrow?” Rodney asked.
“How on earth would you know that?” Martin grumbled.
“He’s boasting in the gaming rooms about it. Arrogant bastard.”
Martin winced as he felt his eye already starting to swell. He’d be lucky if he had good enough vision in his right eye to fire a pistol. “You’ll be needing a second, then?” Rodney’s tone was light and far too normal. But then again, he’d been through all this before. The last time had been several years ago when Martin had lost the last of his then meager funds to a man named Gareth Fairfax. Gareth had challenged him to a duel, and Rodney had been his second.
Only I never fought that duel. Helen did in my place.
And Gareth had fallen in love with her, the brave woman who’d fought a duel disguised as her twin brother. If she knew he was facing another duel, she would strangle him. But he had to do it, to protect Livvy, because he was the damned monster who’d put her in this situation to begin with.
“Martin, what’s the matter, old boy?” Rodney leaned forward, worry lines etching his face.
“Have you ever had the sudden realization that a course of action you took was incorrect and it may have caused more harm than you intended?”
Rodney’s lips tilted down in a frown. “Not sure I follow.”
“I challenged Stamford to a duel over him wanting to buy a woman to satisfy the debts of the woman’s father.”
“That was noble of you.” His friend grinned.
“It wasn’t.” Martin sighed, and the sound was world-weary, which was exactly how he felt.
“What do you mean?”
“Because I already bought the girl a few days ago for a debt owed by her father. I’m no better than Stamford.”
Rodney paled. “Youboughta woman?”
