Page 61 of Fair as a Star

Another fellow exclaimed, “A leveler if ever I saw one!”

Priddy’s face bore the expression of a stunned animal. He’d plainly never faced any consequences for his violence—physical or otherwise. He struggled back to his feet. “Why, you—”

Mark didn’t wait for him to rally. He used the opportunity to take hold of Priddy’s outstretched arm and twist it behind his back. “That’s enough,” he said quietly. “We’ll be going now.”

Priddy fought and shouted, cursing Mark for all to hear as Mark marched him away from the fete. Mark had gotten no farther than the other side of the green when a familiar voice stopped him short.

“It seems you need a little help.”

Mark’s head jerked up to find his brother beside him. “I have things under control.”

“What’s he done?” Henry asked.

“He’s drunk—violently drunk. When he was last in this condition, he nearly killed his wife.”

Henry’s lips flattened. “I think a trip to the cells might be in order.”

Priddy objected strenuously. “I ain’t done nothing,” he cried, attempting to shake free of Mark’s grasp.

“I don’t look favorably on men who beat their wives,” Henry informed him.

“Nor I,” Mark said, tightening his grip on Priddy’s arm.

“You’re a tenant of mine, aren’t you?” Henry asked. “I thought you looked familiar.”

At that, Priddy hung his head. Some of the fight went out of him. He weakly asserted his innocence once more before falling silent.

Henry summoned two nearby villagers. “Take him to the gaol. Tell the constable I’ll be there directly.”

Mark relinquished Priddy into the custody of the two brawny men. Perhaps it was for the best. There would be no talking to him in his current condition.

Henry remained with Mark as the men led Priddy away. “That was a rather robust display of Christianity,” he said. “I don’t recall Venable ever ministering to his flock in such a fashion.”

Mark might have smiled if his face didn’t hurt so much. “I don’t intend to make a habit of it.” He withdrew his handkerchief to wipe the blood from his nose.

Henry watched with a strangely solemn expression. “Have a care in future, will you? You’re the only brother I’ve got.”

Mark was surprised by the ring of sincerity in his brother’s words. “After recent events, I’d have thought you’d be glad to be rid of me.”

“Give me some credit. I know enough to admit when I’ve been wrong.”

Mark dropped his hand from his face, his bloody handkerchief still clenched in his fingers. It occurred to him that Priddy’s punch might have rattled his brain loose. Surely Henry hadn’t just said what Mark had thought he did. “Wrong about what?”

“About you. About her.”

The admission sank into Mark’s soul. “I love her,” he said. “I’ve loved her for years, unrelenting. I know you thought it was something fleeting and foolish, but—”

“I was the one who was foolish.” Henry’s mouth twisted into a grimace. “I won’t say I’m completely at peace with the way things have transpired. But it isn’t because I don’t care for you. Despite what you might think, I do want you to be happy.”

Mark was deeply moved by Henry’s words. He hadn’t expected them. Hadn’t realized how much he needed to hear them. “Thank you. That means a great deal.”

Henry’s gaze was caught by something beyond Mark’s shoulder. “Speaking of your happiness…”

Mark turned his head. Beryl was walking briskly toward him, Ernest trotting along at the hem of her skirts. Her face was a picture of concern.

“She never looked at me like that,” Henry observed. He didn’t sound hurt by the fact, merely reflective.

Mark nevertheless felt a flicker of sympathy for him. “I wish I could say I was sorry, but—”