AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, thank you, I shall not be long.” Livvie handed over her coat and untied her bonnet. “See to it that we are not disturbed.”
“Yes, my lady.”
First she went into her father’s study and eyed the few foils he had arranged in a glass case. She searched for the keys in his desk and unlocked the case, selecting a fine foil. Gripping both foils in a death grip, she marched to the drawing room and entered without announcing her presence. She was very deliberate in her action as she closed the door, ensuring the latch turned, ensconcing them inside.
William’s head jerked around. “Livvie,” he breathed, a rare smile of pleasure and genuine affection lighting his eyes. “You have returned.” He lowered his tea and the sandwich he had been consuming and pushed aside some papers he had been reading.
He stood, his eyes devouring her. The wretched man was truly pleased to see her.
“I knew you would come to your senses.” A lascivious smile tipped his lips and bile rose in her throat. “Leave with me tonight for Town. I have reopened the town house in Mayfair, and we will be alone for the night save for a few servants.”
Livvie said nothing when the wretched libertine sauntered to the sideboard where decanters and glasses were arranged. He poured amber liquid into two glasses. He turned to her and hesitated when he finally spied the foils in her hands.
“What do we have here?” he murmured, raising an enquiring brow.
She held the foils even more firmly in her hands. “I will not—”
“We will need to be discreet,” he said, as if she had not spoken.
“William—”
“I will admit, your husband is reputed to be ruthless when crossed, so we must be careful. I’d prefer if we started our affair after you’ve whelped his heir, but it cannot be helped. I want you too much,” he said thickly, a bulge rising at the front of his breeches.
She held the foils in her hands out toward him. When his attention riveted on the blades, she strolled to the center of the room.
“What in God’s name are—” He gasped, the glasses dropping from his hands to the carpet, as she pressed the end of the pointed foil to his throat. William stared at her in shocked disbelief. “Livvie—”
“Do not breathe my name, you despicable cad,” she said with a calmness that she distantly admired. Her heart was a war drum in her ears, her stomach felt hollow, but her hand was steady, and that was all that mattered. “You have assaulted, insulted, and tried to dishonor me. You have no honor and I am here to defend mine. You promised, William, that you would have me before the month is out, and I promise you…I will kill you if you think to besmirch me and take what belongs only to my husband.”
His eyes widened in shock before fury darkened his blue orbs. “Do you believe this will stand?” he growled.
“Most assuredly. Do not think I have any fear about running you through.” Her stomach pitched and uncertainty tried to claim her, but she pushed it aside and pressed the blade firmer against his throat. “I have bruises on my arms! I am your sister…if not by blood, by law. I have known you for eleven years and have only thought of you as a brother. You have attacked me twice now, trying to steal kisses and touches that do not belong to you, and I can clearly see you have no intention of stopping your despicable behavior.”
“I—”
“You thought I would be so afraid of my husband’s reaction that I would not inform him of your licentious character. You are right, but nor will I allow you to incite fear in my heart.”
She stepped back and threw the other foil to him, which he deftly caught. He looked at it blankly.
“While it is appealing to run you through and flee, I will give you a chance to defend your honor, William. I challenge you
to a duel.”
He smiled a faint, derisive smile. “You are not a man, Livvie. And that has always been your problem. You do not know your place. I am going to teach you today where you belong, which is spread beneath me,” he growled, and before she could blink, he lunged at her.
She parried his thrust with nimble speed and skill, and deliberately nicked his chin, letting blood.
He swore viciously.
“That was for the first time you kissed me.”
Anger tautened his cheekbones, and he rushed at her without form. He was a brute of a man and as their foils came together, she felt the strength in him. She twisted away and lunged, slicing through his peach waistcoat and shirt, creating a thin line of blood across his stomach. He cried out in pain and stumbled back.
“Oh, do be quiet, it is nothing but a scratch.”
“You’ve scarred me,” he muttered faintly.
“That is for the terrible manner in which you assaulted me earlier. My honor has been satisfied. Do you swear, William, to never accost me again?” she demanded, pointing the blade at his heart.
