My chest tightened as I watched Sebastian, still standing, his chest rising and falling. Lord Chudley staggered to his feet, red-faced and humiliated. Sebastian, without a word, offered his opponent a cold nod before stepping away, ignoring the few jeers from Chudley’s supporters.
Edward finally loosened his hold on me, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Sebastian.
One woman cried out, pointing to the red rivulets seeping from his cheek.
“This is not how a gentleman fights!” someone called out from the back, and I felt a swell of solidarity among the onlookers.
Sebastian did not bow or salute. He stood rigid, shoulders heaving, while the earl brushed grass from his trousers and shirt.
“I wish I’d wagered on Mr. Sinclair,” Viscount Strickland declared. “Well done, gentlemen. A most entertaining exhibition.”
Lord Chudley’s grimace said he didn’t share the sentiment. It seemed as if a mask had slipped to reveal something ominous.
Edward finally released my arm, and I crossed the lawn, fumbling for my reticule. I brushed past Lord Chudley and reached Sebastian.
“You’re bleeding,” I said, well aware of how foolish it sounded with blood trailing down his cheek.
He wiped it with his fingers, then took the handkerchief I offered. “It’s only a scratch.”
“A scratch that needs stitches. We ought to leave, Sebastian. I’ve had quite enough exhibitions for one day.” His Christian name slipped free of my lips. His gray eyes widened at my mistake, but I could not take it back.
Lord Chudley stepped forward, a scowl twisting his features. “I owe you an apology. I sometimes let my temper get the better of me when I fence.”
Sebastian held his stare, pressing the handkerchief more firmly to his cheek.
The crowd began to disperse, the thrill of the match dissolving into a strained silence.
Lady Anne glanced between the two men, fingers fidgeting with her pearl strand. “A splendid match, all in good fun, of course. No harm done, I hope, Mr. Sinclair? I’ve never had so much excitement in one day. La!”
“The cut can be remedied,” Sebastian said, though the crease in his brow suggested he was not so easily appeased.
Had he been a fraction slower, he might have lost an eye or found his throat cut.
Shameful behavior.
The ton would cast a young woman from a ball for a misstep—how would they react to this? But the men said nothing further, much to my dismay.
I collected my shawl, keeping my eyes averted from Lord Chudley, my pulse still racing.
“Miss Grenville,” he said gruffly as I left without saying goodbye to our hosts. Terribly rude, yes, but I couldn’t bear to spend another minute within the garden.
“Miss Grenville, please. Allow me to explain—” A curse followed, but I kept walking toward the grand townhome.
When I entered the hall, I was relieved to see that Freddy, Sebastian, and Edward had kept rapid pace with me as I searched for Aunt inside.
I did not wish to remain at the garden party a moment longer.
16:Sebastian
All human discoveries seem to be made only for the purpose of confirming more strongly the truths come from on high and contained in the sacred writings.
JOHN HERSCHEL
“I’ve tended myself plenty of times,” I protested, pressing the sodden handkerchief to my cheek. A sharp throb pulsed beneath the cloth, a reminder that my pride hurt as much as the wound itself. Blood trickled down my neck, soaking through my cravat. The cut, as I had been informed, stretched from my cheekbone to my chin and was certain to leave a nasty mark. The other occupants of the Grenville carriage stared at me as the horses slowed in front of the townhouse.
“I’ll fetch thread and needle,” Kitty insisted, her eyes still wide. Since leaving the garden party, she had remained by my side, brushing away any concern that I might stain her gown.
The moment we stopped, she leapt from the carriage before I could object, followed by the other women.
