Page 35 of Only Scandal Will Do

“I assure you, it is my pleasure, my lady. But…” He paused and she caught a twinkle in his eye. “If I must not stand on formality, then I insist that you follow in kind. My name is Reginald.”

Kat’s smile grew deeper. “Reginald. I cannot thank you enough.”

Matthews’s eyes lingered on her face a moment before he bowed over her hand and grazed it with his lips. “Until tomorrow, Katarina.” He grinned at her and chuckled as he went down the front steps.

She shut the door and leaned against it. The stage now completely set, she need only wait for the morrow.

CHAPTER 15

The next morning Duncan was still in his dressing gown when Grayson tapped on his door. “Come.” He struggled to pull on a pair of buff colored breeches, well-worn from last year’s fencing lessons in Italy.

Grayson entered, and announced, “Lord Manning and his party have arrived, my lord.”

Duncan, who could already envision the coming confrontation with Katarina, broke from his contemplations to raise an eyebrow and inquire. “The staff...”

“Left at first light, as per your orders, my lord. Very happy they were, being given the day off.”

Duncan relaxed. “And they were told...”

“That your lordship was entertaining some gentlemen for the day and the staff was not required.” Grayson met his gaze, and flushed.

“And what do they suppose this ‘entertainment’ to be, Grayson.”

“From the comments downstairs last night, my lord, I believe they think you have now resumed your usual lifestyle. Speculation ran to the belief that this ‘entertainment’ might prove more...lively than most, if the staff was being got out of the way.”

Duncan sighed. “Very good, Grayson. You will be compensated well for your discretion, as always.”

The butler bowed and left.

How ironic that his past bad behavior would now disguise his current misdeeds. His bachelor entertainments were well known to his servants; no talk, at least none that approached the truth of the matter, would come from today’s meeting with Katarina. All parties to be present were gentlemen, or at least honorable men, so he had little fear the scandal or today’s wager would be exposed.

He pulled a white, loose-sleeved shirt, open in the front, over his head and tucked the tail into his waistband. Though attired in his normal fencing costume, he would be much less formally dressed than usual in the presence of a woman, but he felt no compunction to change. If his dishabille caused Lady Katarina to be uncomfortable, that was simply one more weapon in his arsenal. Not that he would need anything other than his considerable skill at swordplay.

Although he really must not underestimate the lady. She would likely have surprises of her own.

The clock struck ten as Duncan descended, his tread light upon the stairs, and made his way to the first floor ballroom. The spacious room was cleared of all furniture except for a long table set against one of the gold brocaded walls. This table held refreshments, not quite the thing for a normal duel, but this was hardly a normal duel. No man wanted to ply his opponent with food and drink, but he wanted amenities such as wine and spirits available after the match, in case Katarina was fatigued. He had ordered cook also to leave a supply of tea, chocolate, and a variety of pastries to fortify the party as well.

Tristan, Viscount Trevor stood just inside the doorway, eyeing the party opposite.

“Good of you to be here, Tris.” Duncan nodded and clamped a hand to his friend’s shoulder.

His friend waved away the thanks. “Glad to oblige.” Dressed in the casual elegance of buff and blue, Tristan observed the occupants of the room with a crooked smile that said he found these proceedings a great lark.

“Where’s Tommy? I haven’t seen him in almost a month.”

“Haven’t seen him today.” Tristan shook his head. “He cut quite a figure at Charbury’s last night, though. Drunk as a fiddler’s bitch when I left, and that was after two.”

“Christ!” Charbury’s was one of the rougher gaming hells in London. “Well, we can only hope he’ll find his way here momentarily. Will you come meet my opponent?” He grinned and led the way across the floor to where Manning stood beside Matthews, talking to a young man he did not recognize.

Duncan bowed to the men, as did Lord Trevor, but he darted glances about, looking for Katarina. Perhaps she was in another room with her maid, making last minute preparations. “Lord Manning, may I make known to you Viscount Trevor, my second. Lord Trevor, you have already met Mr. Matthews. Good of you to come. But will you be so kind as to introduce me to your friend here, Manning?” He gestured to the young man he had come up behind, but who had not turned to greet him. “I did not know you were bringing another witness.”

“I would say we have already been introduced several times, Lord Dalbury,” said the youth, finally turning. “Do you not recognize me, my lord?” Katarina smiled merrily as she tugged on her shirtsleeves, easing them down under the coat sleeves.

Duncan’s mouth slackened with shock. The well-fitting garments that, from the back, had hidden her form showed absolutely every one of Lady Katarina’s lovely curves. His attention kept straying to the fawn colored breeches. Neatly buckled below the knee, thank God. What would he have done if she had shown her knees? The breeches hugged her hips--her hips!-defining the curvaceous body he remembered so vividly.

He forced his eyes up, relaxing somewhat at the coat that resembled a lady’s riding costume. It was, however, a man’s garment, a sleeved waistcoat, in cherry-red worsted with silver buttons down the front, over a plain linen shirt. No evidence of stays. Sweet Christ, her breasts would be unconfined during the duel. What if he injured them?

Her magnificent auburn hair was pulled back from her face, but he’d seen no evidence of locks down her back when he approached her. “What have you done to your hair?” His uneasiness at her costume became full-blown panic. God, had she cut her hair for the duel?