“Pleasedon’t make that bet,” Asquith sighed.
“Shame on you both,” Neville snapped. “Especially you, Asquith. Her protection is your responsibility. If you’re worried, youshouldbe devising a plan to keep her safe.” His gaze moved to Blackwell. “And you, at the very least, should be refraining from gossip about your good friend’s wards.”
Blackwell blinked innocently. “If you’re so keen to protect, Millie, why don’tyouvolunteer?”
“Me?” Neville felt his cheeks heat. “I have neither feeling nor responsibility for any of the Misses Wainwright, especially Miss Millicent.”
Blackwell exchanged a glance with Asquith. “Especially,” he repeated.
Neville did, however, have a keen sense of impending disaster. “I was merely pointing out that young ladies are in want of protection.”
“I beg your pardon,” Asquith replied. “After last Season’s Almack’s catastrophe, I made sure Harbury at least pretended to court Cassie, and I had to threaten him to do so. I shudder to think what further misadventures lie in store for me. Then again…” He turned a speculative gaze on Neville. “Blackwell might have a point.”
“What point?”
“You.” He lifted his brows. “And Millie.”
“Don’t be absurd,” Neville scoffed. “Besides,youoweme, not the other way around. I didn’t have to volunteer to serve as your second in case Harbury accepted your challenge, especially since your challenge was to my own cousin.”
“Please,” Asquith replied. “You only came because you were afraid of the damage his actions could do to your family name. We both knew Harbury wouldn’t agree to a duel. He just needed a little nudge to act.”
Neville folded his arms. “Yes, well, that’s beside the point.”
Blackwell reached into his pocket and drew out a pen knife. “Asquith, your fob chain, if you will.”
Hesitantly, Asquith handed over the chain. Then, he and Neville watched as Blackwell cut a string off the tassel.
“Hey!” Asquith exclaimed.
“Frayed,” Blackwell said apologetically. “Been driving me mad all night. Do have a word with your valet.”
Asquith scowled down at the tassel. “He’slikely to want a word withme, thanks to you.”
Blackwell turned away. When he turned back, he held out his fist, which contained three lengths of gold string.
“I have cut the string into three parts. One piece is shorter than the other two. Time to take lots, gentlemen. The person who pulls the smallest string from my hand must keep watch over MillicentWainwright, either until the Season’s end, or until she is properly betrothed, whichever comes first. Neville, as you seemed the most concerned, you go… begin.”
Neville eyed his friend with suspicion, then glanced to Asquith.
Asquith shrugged. “I’m willing to abide by the result. And I’m willing to lend my flintlock to the poor sod who draws the smallest string.”
“None of us would turn a pistol on a lady!”
Asquith snorted. “What if the lady drew first? Millie is a crack shot, you know.”
Neville knew Millicent could be outrageous. She rather thrived on the condition. But a crack shot? Just how mad was she? He glanced over his shoulder, easily spotting the indecent frock. He had to admit, the effect was rather like staring down the barrel of a gun, and not just because of the dress.
That hair—brown, yes, but, in the right light, with an intriguing reddish hue. That statuesque,arrestingfigure. That slim waist. That…amplebosom. And that fire glowing in her green eyes…
That was a blaze which could well become an inferno, if not properly tended. Untended, she was a danger to humanity.Someoneneeded to tame her and that someone would be doing humanity a great service.
“Very well.”
As he reached for one of the tassels in Blackwell’s fist, his heart beat more rapidly than the situation should have called for. A second later, drawing a string less than a half inch long felt like fate.
“Well,” Blackwell said, “there’s no point in continuing. Clearly, you’ve drawn the shortest string.”
Neville stared at the tiny slash of gold between his thumb and forefinger.
