Page 39 of Ironvine

“Please tell me.”

He drained his glass. “Tomorrow morning at six. Hyde Park.” William described the specific spot for her as he tore off his dress coat and threw it on a chair. “Now leave us.” His hands tugged sharply at his neck tie, loosening it as his harsh gaze fell on his wife.

Georgina bowed her head as her stomach twisted tighter. “Mr. Treharne. Amanda, I wish you well.”

Amanda raised her glass. “And I wish you to hell.”

ChapterFifteen

Charles

When Hughand Charles returned to their house, William was waiting for them in their drawing room, slouched in Father’s favourite mahogany armchair, a pistol in his hand. “Shall I shoot you now, and we can be done with this? Both of you at once, now that I would enjoy immensely.”

Hugh began to growl and threaten, but Charles pulled him back and spoke calmly with William, the revolver sagging in his hand between his legs. They’d agreed on a duel, as gentlemen would.

Once again, he was cleaning his brother’s messes. Making them passable with language, with his own ease, with insinuation, double-dealing. Finally, a weary William left.

“Do this for me,” Hugh said.

“Do what?”

“The duel. In my place.”

“Are you mad?”

“Can you not see how delicate my position is? I am the Earl and I’ve just gotten engaged, and that wedding must happen. This can be no great sacrifice for you. What do you have—”

“You astound me, brother. This is your responsibility, your mess, not mine. And I will not pay for it with my life.” Charles’s heart raced in his chest. He had never said no to Hugh before.

“Oh, come now. You’re an excellent shot, always have been. Better than me and Father.”

Charles eyed him. Hugh only ever flattered him when he wanted something from him. “You’re damn good yourself, and you’ve been doing a lot of hunting up north with your friends, or so you told me. William has not left town for over two years now. I’ll bet his skills are not as fine as yours. Not to worry.”

“How can you be so selfish at a time like this?” Hugh exploded, his face streaked with red.

“Selfish?” His voice shook. “This is my very life you are playing with. The better question is, why are you so desperate?”

“Do this for me, and I will give you Penrose Park, or I swear I shall burn it myself, raze it to the ground.”

“Why, Hugh? Why can you not allow me this small happiness? I’ve always done whatever you and father have asked of me. Always. All I want is that house, and as the second-born son, it should be mine. What is Penrose Park to you? Nothing. Nothing!”

“But to you, it is everything,” he said on a snarl. “You must do this.”

Charles’s breath tightened in his chest as if he were on a mountaintop and couldn’t breathe.

Just like Father.Hugh had that same streak of ice-cold cruelty to make you bend to his will.

But Father was gone, and Charles would never bend again.

“I will not.” His low, deep voice resounded darkly in the parlour. “I will not sacrifice my life for your follies. How dare you ask it of me?”

Hugh let out an agonised roar, grabbed a porcelain vase, and flung it at him. It shattered at his feet.

* * *

The next morningthey rode to Hyde Park in silence. Charles kept his gaze fixed out the window.

While Hugh’s only consideration was his inconvenience, Charles’s greater consideration was Georgie. No, she was not some innocent doe who had been tickled by Hugh’s attentions. She said she was fully aware of the kind of man he was and had made her own choice to escape a worse marriage offer. He had to cling to that for now.

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