Page 79 of Avenging the Earl's Lady
“Queer as Dick’s hatband and almost ready to cast up my kidneys.”
“Penderbrook’s green at the gills, also,” Kincaid said, “and Shaw.The Major looks hale enough.”
“He’s a bull,” Charles said, his voice thin.
“A long negotiation, then,” Kincaid said.
Charles would collapse first, or pretend to, and then Penderbrook.Though Shaw looked ready to be the first to drop.
They would parley until the Major required a new second, until the Major’s own dosing took effect.He and his man might ask to postpone the match to another day, but Shaldon would not allow it.
“Good luck, Father,” Charles said.“I must go and throw up.”
The silver gaze still bore into him and finally, the man’s lips turned up in a sneer.
Shaw returned, blocking his view of the Duque.The Major’s second swallowed hard, took some deep breaths, and handed back one of the small swords.
“We accept the weapon, with one demand.First blood will not suffice for satisfaction.It must beà l’outrance.”
A fight to the death.“I expected no less,” Shaldon said.“Yes.That would give me satisfaction also.Kincaid?”
“Aye, my lord?”
“Send men to the magistrate and the guard.”
“Here now, Shaldon…” Shaw’s voice tapered off, his color fading, his hand going to his mouth.He turned away, taking deep breaths.
The Major must have noticed his man’s distress.He swaggered down from the heights, paler than he’d been at the musicale, his mouth grim.
“Good day, Major,” Shaldon said.“Shaw has given me your terms.A fight to the death, so it will be.But I will apprise you of ours: since only a hot-headed fool or a cold-hearted murderer would require this sort of Continental blood sport—à l’outrance, indeed—that man, if he prevails, and,” he nodded at Shaw, “the men who conspire with him, will submit to a trial for murder.”
“He’s sent a man for the magistrate,” Shaw said.
“Has he?”the Major growled.“We’d best hurry and finish up.Call your groveling puppy over, Shaldon, and let’s get on with it.”
“Furthermore,” Shaldon said, addressing Shaw, “if this murderous thugdoesn’tprevail, there will be no need for a trial, as his opponent may safely assert self-defense, based on his demand to kill.Now, Shaw, you’re rather green.Cast up your accounts, if that’s what you’re planning, and let’s talk about the rest of the rules of this fight.Major, you may go back to the sideline and bide your time, there’s a good chap.”
The Major’s lip twisted, and color flooded his jaundiced cheeks, turning them a sickly orange.He’d carried out his murderous duels in France and Spain, but he’d never faced official consequences.
And he wouldn’t now.The call for a magistrate was merely a fallback plan should the worst happen.
“Stop the nonsense, Shaldon.Bring yourboyout.Now.”
“We are not in France, nor Italy, nor Spain, Major.This is not battle, nor a street fight.You have accepted a gentleman’s challenge, and you must allow the seconds to discuss the terms.”
Shaw bent over and vomited.
“We’ll start with the location.”He eyed the ground at the other man’s feet, “Not here.Let us move to the carriage path when you are finished spewing, Shaw.”
Jane stood aside fidgetingwhile Graciela chattered through excited introductions.Graciela’s father, Captain Kingsley, was lean and hard as a privateer must be, and it was obvious he’d suffered on some occasion, no doubt battling for his life.A scar marred his handsome jaw, and he favored one side when walking, the way Shaldon sometimes did.
She knew bits and pieces of Captain Kingsley’s story, and she didn’t have time for the rest of it.Shaldon was seconding her son in a duel.
She needed to stop them.
“Papa,” Graciela said, “we must talk about Charley and little Reina later.For now, Lady Jane needs your help.”
Tears sprang to Jane’s eyes.Bless the girl.
