Page 30 of Only Scandal Will Do

“I am in deadly earnest. Lord Dalbury, by his own admission, compromised your reputation. Ruined you, in fact, for any other man to consider taking you to wife. This breach of honor may be satisfied either by Lord Dalbury marrying you, an offer you refused, or by my challenging him. And if I challenge him, the scandal becomes public.”

“Then do not challenge him.” He wasn’t making sense.

Jack’s usually sunny face contorted into a snarl, making her recoil in her chair. She’d never had such a look from him in her life.

“Would you have me branded a coward, Katarina?” Anger stabbed through each word.

“Only a coward would refuse to uphold his sister’s honor.”

“But no one would know.” She barely mustered a whisper.

“I would know!” Jack thundered. “And he would know.” A curt nod indicated Dalbury. “And you and whoever else is involved in this whole damned business would know.” His stare

froze her in her chair. “Either you marry him, Kat, or I challenge him.”

CHAPTER 13

“You’re bluffing!” Kat’s outrage at her brother’s ultimatum overrode her fear at the thought of him dueling with Dalbury.

“Will you marry the man or not, Katarina?”

Her mouth opened, but no sound emerged. She closed it slowly, crossed her arms over her chest, and glared at Jack.

Jack’s mouth tightened, but he turned to Dalbury without hesitation and stood. “You will meet me, then, my lord?”

Dalbury rose to his feet as well. “I will, Lord Manning. As the choice of weapon goes to the challenged party, I choose rapiers. Your seconds?”

Shock blurred her vision and Jack became a pinprick of light surrounded by darkness. Her heart pounded as chills ran down her arms. Frozen, she could only listen, horrified, as they calmly laid their plans. She wanted to scream at them, to pummel Jack, to wound Dalbury again, on the other cheek this time. Anything to make them see reason.

Jack paused at Dalbury’s last question. “I’ll speak to Braeton. I assume one of yours is Tommy Redmond, or I’d ask him.”

“Yes, Tommy will stand my second, and Lord Trevor.”

Dalbury seemed as deadly earnest as Jack. Her building anger finally released her from the maddening inertia, and she shot out of her seat, ready to do battle with both men. “Jack, this charade has gone far enough.” Her vexation with her brother sounded loudly in the small room.

“You cannot do this. I will not allow it.”

He swung around toward her, his eyes aflame. “Then will you marry the man and be done with it?” At her silence, he made a sound of disgust. “Then kindly shut up, Kat. This is my business.” He turned back to Dalbury, the calm facade returning. “When, sir?”

“Tomorrow. Dawn is the accustomed time. St. James Park by the duck pond is a popular spot.” He paused. “I have fought there twice.”

Jack remained impassive but at the marquess’s words, her legs almost buckled. She grasped the back of her chair and somehow found the courage to ask, “Were they duels to the death, my lord?”

“One was. The other was to first blood.”

Kat gasped. “Then it need not be to the death?”

Dalbury shook his head, the look in his eyes enigmatic.

“Then you will fight to first blood, Jack. And there will be an end to this.”

Jack stood before her, his face like granite. “I told you this is my business.” He shifted his attention to Dalbury, who stood relaxed, ready, waiting. “I prefer to fight to the death, my lord.

So grievous was the offense, so grievous must be the remedy.”

“Nooo,” she wailed. “No, Jack, damn it. You will not do this. You cannot fight him to the death over me. It would be the same as if I killed you myself.”

“Many thanks for that vote of confidence, dear sister.” Jack’s tone dripped ice. “You’re so kind to give my opponent your assessment of my skills.”