Page 82 of Holding Onto Love

“I doubt your shoulders are that broad.”

Hazard sniffed at him. “Have a glass of champagne before you choose a table. Just don’t get too bosky.”

Jasper went to the back and claimed a glass and a small mutton pastie. Then he sat down beside Mountjoy and Sir Penworthy.

“Winning or losing?”

Mountjoy sighed. “At this rate, I won’t have anything left to lose to His Royal Highness.”

“My luck has also been poor. Let’s see whose is worse.”

Penworthy said, “With that to recommend you, I will happily deal you in.”

They gambled desultorily, trading hands. About half an hour later, the two men who had allowed Hilyer to join them wandered in. Jasper could not hear what they said to Hazard, but they appeared amused. Jasper hoped Caro was cleaning Hilyer out.

Another half hour passed before a commotion was heard from the Subscription Room followed by a loud knock. Prinny tumbled in, two footmen in tow.

“Have I missed it?”

“Of course not. We waited for you,” Hazard said, smoothly handing him a glass of champagne which the man quaffed in a gulp.

Then things happened quickly. Hilyer thrust open the door. Hazard stepped around the Prince Regent and blocked Hilyer from entering.

“This is a private party.”

“Private?” Hilyer scoffed. “Half the damn ton is in here.”

“Half? Three-quarters, at least, I would say,” Hazard protested, as Hilyer tried to jostle his way in. “But exclusive nonetheless.”

Jasper rose and went to Hazard’s side. He was significantly taller and broader, and it gave him satisfaction to bar Hilyer as Hazard made room.

“Problem, Haz?” he said, letting his eyes droop and slurring his words.

Hilyer said, “Get out of my way. You don’t even belong here.”

Rather than argue, Jasper looked away from him and said, “Hazard, would you like me to summon the porter? I’m sure you don’t want to sully the evening arguing with this insignificant codger.”

“Go home to your whore,” Hilyer sneered.

Jasper knew how he should have reacted. He knew how he’d planned to react to such expected provocation. Instead, he hauled back and threw a punch into the old man’s jaw. Hilyer reeled. He was caught by Caro, who was just entering. Caro propped him, heavy though he was, with no evident effort.

“Fisticuffs!” Prinny shouted gleefully.

Hilyer said, “You will pay for that.” He spat on Jasper’s chest. Jasper clenched his fists but did not retaliate.

Hazard said, “Well, Hilyer! That is something we’d all like to see.” He smiled at Prinny. “Your Royal Highness, I promised you a match, did I not? Shall we clear a space?”

“I will not engage in—”

“Oh, fie, Hilyer!” The Prince Regent laughed. “Don’t be such an old man. Put up those fists.”

“Indeed not. We will meet like men. Not scuffling dogs.”

“Coward,” muttered Caro, loud enough to be heard.

“No good,” the Prince Regent complained. “Lord Haslet, you promised better.”

“I didn’t know the marquess would be so…reluctant.”