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‘I rather thought to keep it between us two. After all, you don’t want to know what she truly thinks of you.’ Cawburn kissed his fingers. ‘I knew there was a silver lining to your interest in her.’
‘You overreach, Cawburn. Blackmailing is a dangerous occupation. What’s more, Grace has been with us all this time.’
‘It is of no consequence—in my time, I have seen enough women who have been bedded. How they look and smile.’ Cawburn gave a falsely angelic smile. ‘I am doing you the honour, sir, of assuming it was you who bedded my cousin. However, if you are not the man, would you kindly inform me of the man who is?’
Robert stared open-mouthed at Cawburn. ‘You seek to blacken your cousin’s name? She has protected you all these years. She has looked after your mother while you enjoyed the fleshpots of London!’
‘Now, Montemorcy, do you or do you not intend to marry my cousin, Lady Thorndike, now that you have done more than kiss her cheek?’
Robert resisted the urge to connect his fist with Sebastian’s face. Cawburn had just given him the glimmering of an idea. He could engineer a convenient engagement with Henri. It would allow them some privacy and he could work on persuading her to accept him for ever. ‘If that was the case, I would intend to marry your cousin.’
Sebastian took another pint of beer from the innkeeper. A strange expression flitted across his face. ‘When is the date set for?’
‘It is not set,’ Robert admitted. The sweat started to drip down his neck. Henri had no wish to remarry, and not to do so left her vulnerable to bounders like her cousin. ‘And I merely said “if”.’
‘I suspected as much. Intentions count for naught, as you once said to me.’ Cawburn tapped the side of his nose. ‘For a considerable sum, I’m willing to forget the matter.’
‘I’m no more receptive to this sort of blackmail than the previous attempt.’ Robert leant forwards and caught Cawburn’s lapels. ‘Do I make myself clear?’
He let Cawburn go.
‘Nothing happened between Sophie and me. I had intended to wait until we were married. It was going to live in my mind as perfection itself.’ Cawburn wiped his hand across his mouth. ‘Now, she will live for ever in my memory as the one who thankfully got away. We would not have suited. Her golden curls blinded me and I mistook her lively manner for a pleasant disposition.’
‘You will keep a civil tongue in your head. Particularly in a public place.’ Robert resisted the primitive urge to smash Cawburn’s head in. How dare he seek to blacken Henri’s name in that way! It only served to show that Cawburn had no scruples.
Cawburn stood, swayed slightly and gestured to the innkeeper. ‘I require a private parlour. This gentleman is paying. When the women emerge from upstairs, kindly usher them there. Then we shall see who is right.’
The innkeeper tossed Robert a questioning glance. Robert nodded and handed the innkeeper a gold coin. The innkeeper led the way to a well-appointed back room where a low wood fire burned. The room would do. Robert allowed Cawburn in before he blocked the entrance.
‘Your private parlour, Cawburn,’ Robert said, bowing low. ‘What do you think Miss Ravel will say? How will she tell this tale?’
‘Do not try to change the subject, Montemorcy.’ Cawburn trailed his finger along the edge of a table and inspected it for dust. ‘Did you or did you not make love to my cousin?’
‘It is none of your business.’
‘I will take that as a yes.’
Robert finally lost control over his temper. He reached back and landed a punch square on Cawburn’s chin. The man crumpled to the floor. ‘You ought to hold your cousin in higher regard.’
‘I do hold Henrietta in high regard.’
‘Enough to know that she hates the name Henrietta?’
Cawburn fingered his chin. ‘You will regret that. Henrietta always takes my side. You will have lost her.’
‘Fairly hard to lose what I never had.’ Even as he said the words, Robert knew he would fight for her and her right to live her life how she wished it—and make damn sure he was going to be in that life.
* * *
‘God’s nightgown, Sebastian! What happened to your face?’ Henri asked, coming into the private parlour. The pair were seated at opposite ends of the room, glaring at each other. Robert appeared as she left him, but Sebastian was sporting a rather large swelling just below his right eye.
‘He encountered my fist,’ Robert said, rising to his feet. His face was far more shuttered than she had seen it. ‘But I believe we understand each other now.’
