Page 34 of Romancing the Rifleman
Marcus’s eye twitched.“Then what, may I ask, was the topic of conversation?”
Harrington tugged at the stock around his neck.“I am not at liberty to say.”
“Not at liberty to say?”Marcus snapped.“I should like to know what you mean by that.”
“Marcus!”Diana switched to German.“We discussed this.You promised you would give him a chance.”
Marcus answered in the same language.“How am I supposed to give him a chance when his behavior is so obviously suspect?”
“There is nothing suspect about his behavior,” Diana countered.“We were merely talking!”
Marcus remained unmoved.“A likely story!”
The words must have sounded harsher in German than they truly were, because Harrington stepped between them, his brow creased.“Don’t talk to her that way.”
Marcus rounded on him, scowling.“Oh, that’s rich, coming from you.”
Harrington bristled.“What are you suggesting?”
Marcus took a step forward.“That you are in no position to criticize the propriety ofmybehavior!”
Harrington’s hands clenched into fists.Diana could almost feel the frustration rolling off him in waves.“It’s not like that.I didn’t say anything untoward.”
Marcus made a sweeping gesture with one hand.“Then what, exactly, were you discussing?”
“I cannot tell you,” Harrington bit out.“I promised to keep the matter in confidence.”
Marcus’s voice started to rise.“Any topic that is appropriate for my sister’s ears you can have no qualms in speaking of before her brother.”
Now, Harrington looked annoyed.“Well, I can’t!Now, if you would be so kind as to sod off for five bloody minutes?—”
“This is your notion of appropriate language to use in front of a lady?”Marcus snapped.
Diana rolled her eyes.“Really, Marcus, you used that very word at breakfast this morning.And Aunt Griselda says the equivalent every time she opens her mouth.I’m hardly going to fall into a swoon.”
Marcus’s nose curled.“That is not the point.The point is?—”
He was interrupted by a feminine clearing of the throat.Lady Morsley stood before them, flanked by Izzie, Lucy, and Izzie’s husband, Thorpe.She smiled anxiously, clearly eager to diffuse the tension.“I believe everyone has arrived.Shall we play a few games before lunch?”
“That’s a fine idea, Anne,” Harrington said.He glanced at Marcus, his brown eyes sparking.“In fact, why don’t we lay some odds on the outcome?”
Marcus met his glower.“What are you suggesting?”
“A tournament,” Harrington proclaimed.“The winner shall receive a boon from one of the other participants.”
Marcus stepped forward so they were standing mere inches apart.“And whatboondid you have in mind?”
Harrington didn’t flinch.“Your sister.”
Other than Lucy’s gasp, there wasn’t a whisper of sound as everyone in the party stared raptly at the two men.
Diana felt a flush rising to her cheeks as several pairs of eyes shifted to her.It wasn’t really a declaration, but it certainly sounded like one.
She lifted her chin.Let them stare.And let them conclude that she and Harrington were courting.If she had her way, they soon would be.
Harrington blinked, seeming to realize the extreme impropriety of what he had just said.“That is… I should very much like to have the pleasure of Lady Diana’s company during the picnic.”He turned to face her, sketching an elegant bow.
Marcus smirked, practically radiating confidence.“Fine.But you’ll have to get through me.At swords.”
