“Ethan,” Finn said in a low voice. “Lord Roxbury has always kicked your arse. He cheats. What are you doing?”
“The right thing.” Ethan stepped towards Roxbury. “Your son doesn’t want you as his father. Your wife left you. They both prefer my company because you’re a weak, pathetic man who can’t fight without cheating. You left the army because you were a coward, hiding behind your father’s title and power.”
“Shut up.” Roxbury twitched his hand over the pommel.
Ethan raised his voice so everyone in the hall would hear his official challenge. “I, Ethan Alexander Hertford , Marquess of Stark, challenge Jacob Wiley, Earl of Roxbury, to a fight.” Everyone fell silent and turned towards them. “The prize is David and this building. If I win, you’ll leave David alone and sell your part to me.” He faced Roxbury. “If you have a shred of honour left, you’ll accept the challenge.”
“He’s always been a coward,” Finn said. “Born a coward, die a coward. He might be a good fighter in the ring, but outside? A chicken.”
“We went to war,” Fraser said, “while he hid behind his father to stay safe at home.”
Roxbury’s eyes showed too much white as anger transformed his features.
“I’m so disappointed by you, Lord Roxbury.” Lady Kingsley shook her head. “I thought you were a gentleman. Instead, you’re a fraud. You use your charm to trick people. Shame on you.”
“At least your father was a man of his word,” Judge Quigley said. “Everyone revered him. The same can’t be said about you.”
Roxbury’s nostrils flared. Good. Ethan’s confidence grew. For a vain man like him, who put himself in the centre of the world and who loved only himself as Narcissus had, being confronted with society’s scorn and disdain hurt.
“Leave him be, Ethan.” Finn lifted his glass. “Lord Roxbury is a spineless worm, good at threatening people weaker than he is. He doesn’t have an ounce of courage. His father was a better man. David is a better man than Lord Roxbury.”
“I’ve never liked his eyes,” Mrs. Parker said. “Too cold and close to each other.”
“He’s a chicken.” Harry stepped in front of David. “He knows Lord Stark will knock him out with one punch.” He went around the room, imitating a chicken. “Nobody likes you, Lord Roxbury.”
If Ethan hadn’t been so tense, he would have laughed.
“Enough.” Roxbury beat his walking stick against the floor. The veins in his neck throbbed. “I accept the challenge.”
Ethan’s pulse beat a fast rhythm in his temples. Finally.
Finn pulled out his notebook. “Excellent. Let’s finalise the legal terms. Judge Quigley, if you will assist me, please. After that, may the best man win.” He winked at Ethan and raised a closed fist in encouragement.
“Ethan.” Cora cupped his face. The gold band of her ring was warm from her skin. “Are you sure?”
He kissed her inner wrist. “Very much.”
Harry tugged at his sleeve. “I can drop some marbles on the floor and make him slip.”
“Why don’t I have these ideas?” David sounded disappointed.
Ethan patted Harry’s shoulder. “There’s no need for that.” He removed his shirt and boots.
“Bets are on, ladies and gentlemen,” Harry said with his usual cheek. “Who will win? The ugly lord with the courage of a chicken, or the former soldier who got a Victoria Cross and gutted pirates?”
David sat in a corner, his expression grave. Papa. The word echoed in Ethan’s mind and gave him the strength to face the challenge.
“It’s done.” Finn asked Ethan and Roxbury to sign a hastily prepared document.
The others made space, pushing the chairs and the table to the edges of the room. Then it was time to start.
“He’ll hit your shoulder,” Finn whispered. “Anticipate his moves.”
Anger rose to the fore the moment Ethan stepped onto the improvised fighting pitch. Too much angry energy coursed through him. He ought to calm himself or the anger would become a disadvantage. He threw shadow punches while Roxbury stripped to his breeches and tossed an impatient glance towards Ethan.
Cora and David held each other. The sight was nothing new. Ethan had seen them hugging countless times in the past weeks. But both of them had a different meaning in his life. They were his family. His wife and his son. The word family filled him with pride and love.
Finn raised a hand. “Let’s start.”
