Page 34 of Only Scandal Will Do

He glanced askance at Jack and chuckled, and she read his thoughts as if from a book. “Jack will stand as my other second. But as my brother has a vested interest in the outcome of the match, I fear he might interfere ‘for my own good.’”

“As might I, Lady Katarina.”

“But I dare to presume, sir, that you would be on my side rather than Dalbury’s.”

Matthews shot a look at Jack. “His lordship sides with Lord Dalbury?”

Kat smiled ruefully. “Yes, Mr. Matthews. The forfeit if I win is my freedom to return to Virginia. If I lose,” she waited for her heart to slow its pace--just thinking of the outcome if she lost sent her pulse racing. “If I lose, I have agreed to marry the marquess. My brother prefers the latter solution to satisfy my honor.”

Matthews sat, speechless. Kat had begun to believe that Dr. Pritchett should be called in, when he swallowed convulsively and shook his head. “Surely there is another alternative?”

She leaned and placed a hand on his arm. “The choice was that, or see Lord Dalbury duel with my brother. And possibly kill him. The fool would have fought to the death to avenge me.” She glanced sharply at Jack. “As if that would have solved anything. This way I have a chance to free myself from him once and for all. And if he prevails, at least his head may lie uneasily upon his pillow at night knowing what his wife is capable of.”

Matthews grinned at that, though his face sobered quickly. “You know, Lady Katarina, even though I am honored you would choose me for your second, you must know duels are frowned upon by English law.”

She smiled at him as if he had just made a jest. “And that is the reason, our little fencing match is made as a private wager, within Lord Dalbury’s own house itself. Merely a sporting wager among friends.”

“A duel in everything but name, my lady. Very clever. But with far-reaching consequences, would you not say?”

“In truth, sir. But there is nothing in the law to prevent a friendly match in one’s own home, is there?”

Matthews shook his head, though danger seemed to ride close to the surface in him. “No. Nothing prevents such a contest or wager. But I will take a sharp interest in this contest, for it touches on my investigation at Bow Street.”

“Then by all means, Mr. Matthews, I urge you to take a great deal of interest in our little contest.” She met his eyes. “Especially if you agree to be my second.”

His pale, moonlight blue eyes brightened. “It will be my greatest pleasure, my lady. The time and place?”

“Dunham House in Grosvenor Square at ten o’clock in the morning.”

“I know where he lives. And his seconds?”

“Mr. Redmond and Lord Trevor.” Jack spoke up.

“Then I am required to confer with Mr. Redmond to see if an agreement can be reached before the ‘wager’ begins.”

Kat’s laughter distracted Mathews. “Tell Mr. Redmond that I will be happy to abandon the proceeding if Lord Dalbury agrees to put me on a ship for Virginia within the week and never pursue me again for any reason. Otherwise, I will meet him at the appointed time and place.”

“I understand, my lady.” He rose, grinning. “I fear then I will see you fence at Dunham

House tomorrow morning.”

“I would wager my life on it, Mr. Matthews. Until tomorrow, then?” Kat stood and extended her hand, but when Mathews would have kissed the air above it, she took both his hands in hers and grazed his cheek with a kiss.

He drew in a sudden breath and froze.

“I am more grateful to you than you can ever know,” she whispered in his ear. “You have been my most constant friend throughout this whole ordeal. And you have not failed me even now. I would be honored if you would call me Katarina.”

Matthews’s brow wrinkled and he shot a questioning glance toward Jack. “My lord? You would approve of such familiarity with your sister?”

“Why ever not, man?” Jack asked impatiently, eyeing the older man before him. “You are our relation, after all. I see no reason why you shouldn’t call her by her first name, especially if you’re going to act as her second. I told Kat before, if circumstances had been different I wouldn’t have minded if you and Kat...”

“Jack!” Katarina flew in to stop her brother’s scandalous words. “Have you taken leave of the few senses you have left?” Hot blood rushed from her hairline to her toe tips. “Pay him no mind, Mr. Matthews. His wits have often wandered since his tap on the head that night.” She shot Jack a scathing glance; he returned it with a wicked grin.

Matthews smiled away her discomfort. “I will disregard his banter, Lady Katarina. I have an older brother who also thought it devilishly entertaining to tease me. I see older brothers must all be formed from the same mold.”

Although his words put her more at ease, she shot a disdainful glare at her brother before accompanying Matthews to the front door. “I thank you for agreeing to enter Bedlam today, Mr.

Matthews.”