AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Perhaps not. Emotions do not always need much ‘encouragement.’” As he ought to know better than anyone. “This is more a matter of fairness, of discharging one’s responsibilities properly. That is, if you flatter yourself by believing you are a responsible gentleman.”
Lynton’s face hardened. “What do you mean by that?”
“Allegra has never been your dependent. But she has unselfishly served your family, caring for your father before his death. You don’t mean to deny that, I hope.”
“I am well aware of the debt I owe her for her assistance to my father. ’Twas one of the reasons I sought to see her properly settled.”
“How can you have known her all these years and still understand her so little? Being married off to a ton gentleman of your choosing might be proper recompense for most girls of gentle birth, but it’s not right for Allegra. Surely you see she doesn’t belong in the ton by either temperament or inclination. If you truly wish to discharge your obligation in a way that is suitable for her, give her outright the sum you meant to pledge as her dowry so she may purchase the rural manor she has always wanted.”
“Give her money to buy property?” Lynton echoed. “Are you mad?”
“Has she never talked to you about this?” Will asked, incredulous. “Do you not even know that simple fact about the girl who is supposed to be your ‘responsibility’? Ask her, then. And do the right thing by her.”
“Ah, so that is your game,” Lynton retorted. “You have the effrontery to come here and try to insinuate you know better than I how I should discharge my duty? You, a reprobate who spends his time carousing in gaming hells and seducing other men’s wives? Well, your ploy will not work, Tavener. I won’t fund your misspent life by giving Allegra funds or property you might later be able to wheedle her into turning over to you.”
“You still don’t understand, do you?” Will said with exasperation. “’Tis not my life I wish to secure, ’tis Allegra’s. But perhaps there’s another way to convince you.” He assumed his stance and held up his fists.
After looking him up and down, Lynton sniffed. “Knowing you, I should have expected that if honeyed words failed, you’d try to start a common brawl.”
“Knowing me and the reputation you witnessed me building at Eton, you should have expected me to defend what I believe is right. As I once defended your friend Warley, you may remember, when those bullies in First set upon him. You were not so quick to stand up for him, I recall. Or do you only fulfill your ‘responsibilities’ when ’tis easy and the cost is not too great?”
Anger flared in Lynton’s eyes. “How dare you impugn my honor!”
“Oh, I dare impugn more than that. Are you too dainty to lift your fists against me…or just too much of a coward? As you were too cowardly to defend your friend at Eton?”
Will had the satisfaction of seeing he’d finally penetrated Lynton’s elephantine hide of superiority. Rage flushing his face, Lynton spat out, “I, who faced the charge of the Old Guard at Waterloo, afraid? Of the likes of you? Never!”
“Prove it,” Will said, and raised his fists again.
With a growl, Lynton swung at him. Dancing on his toes, the blood singing in his veins at finally forcing the fight he’d been thirsting for since Lynton’s first contemptuous glance at him in Lady Ormsby’s ballroom, Will easily sidestepped the blow.
“If you mean to prove your mettle, we’d best shed our jackets and secure the furniture. Unless you also wish to fail in your ‘responsibility’ to protect the Lynton estate’s possessions.”
In reply, Lynton tore off his coat and flung it on a side chair, then dragged that chair to the edge of the room. Grinning, Will stripped off his own coat and pushed the sofa and several small tables out of the way.
With them both down to shirtsleeves and the center of the room clear, Will raised his hands again. “So, you will settle an inheritance upon Allegra?”
Stepping sideways, Lynton threw a left uppercut at Will’s jaw. “Never, you licentious wastrel!”
Will ducked out of reach and came back to land a jab to Lynton’s kidney. “Attach the stipulation that the funds are meant to buy property. Name yourself as trustee to approve the purchase.”
Grunting at the blow, Lynton gasped, “Impudent wretch! As if I need you…to instruct me…on managing my estate!”
“Thought you felt responsible for seeing her settled before you brought home your bride.” Dancing past Lynton’s next strike, Will said, “So purchase her some good fertile land. Something on which to plant a kitchen garden and a few crops. She’ll manage it well.”
“What good will her having a country property do you?” Lynton asked, then landed a punch to Will’s side.
Moaning, Will ducked another blow, threw a hard left cross and missed. “I’d know she’s provided for. With an income and independence no one can ever take from her.”
“Supposing the idea did have merit,” Lynton said. “I’d set it up such that you could never touch a penny.” Following through Will’s feint, he scored a solid hit to Will’s jaw.
“Don’t want your money,” Will gasped, stars exploding behind his eyelids. “Just want her to be safe and happy.”
“You really do care about her.” A grudging respect dawned in Lynton’s eyes before Will’s left hook connected with his chin.
“Yes,” Will replied, swinging back hard with his right and missing.
“Regrettable,” Lynton said, staggering away before turning suddenly to slam Will with a blow to the torso.
Breath almost knocked from his body, Will rolled away. “Isn’t it,” he agreed when he could speak again, then closed to deliver his signature jab, uppercut and roundhouse blow to the side of Lynton’s head that sent his opponent careening into the massed furniture.
There was the sharp snap of a table leg followed by the shattering sound of ripping inlay and smashing glass. Lynton landed in a sprawl on the floor atop the disintegrated side table while Will, holding his jaw, sank to his knees and rested his head against the couch.
From out in the hallway they heard Hobbs clear his throat. “Is something amiss, my lord?” he called.
Breathing heavily, Lynton raised his head and called back, “Nothing, Hobbs. We’re having a…discussion.” Looking over to Will, he said, “I cede your point.”
Despite the pounding in his head, Will tried to focus on Lynton’s face. “You’ll make the arrangements?”
Lynton nodded. “I’ll make the arrangements.” Staggering upright, he came over and offered Will a hand.
Will struggled to his feet and shook it. “Good. But pray, lose no time in telling Allegra. She was distraught when she spoke to me last night. Proud and independent as she is, I dare not imagine what she might be planning.”
“Hobbs,” Lynton called. “Tell Miss Allegra I wish to see her here immediately.” Turning to Will, he said, “You might as well remain while I inform her, since she has you to thank for the change in terms. Oh, and Hobbs,” he called, raising his voice again, “send in James, please. There’s been a slight accident.”
WHILE THEY WAITED for Allegra to dress and come down, Lynton excused himself to repair his attire while Will did the best he could with his handkerchief and the cold water Hobbs provided. That task completed, Will accepted a glass of port and eased himself back on the sofa, rubbing his jaw where he knew a bruise was forming.
He’d have to avoid taking deep breaths for the next week, too, if past experience were any judge. Though the match had not lasted nearly as long as he would have liked, he had to admit that Lynton had acquitted himself well, once Will had finally goaded him into fighting. And at the end had finally, albeit grudgingly, accorded Will and his proposal the respect both deserved.
Will would have liked to have landed a few more of his blows—and to have absorbed two less—but he’d have gladly sustained a hundred more to have succeeded in convincing Lynton to provide for Allegra in a way that would leave her independent and happy.
Even though she would never be his.
Maybe he could visit her later, once he’d steeled himself to marry the heiress whose dowry would guarantee Brookwillow’s restoration. They could take tea in her parlor, talk about corn planting and turnips.
Before he bid her a goodbye with a proper bow and returned to his wife.
For a moment he let himself remember the impassioned goodbye kiss she’d given him last night. Longing and a searing pain that had nothing to do with Lynton’s skill at fisticuffs made him gasp.
Lynton reentered the parlor then, coat pristine and cravat expertly arranged, though he moved a bit stiffly and his cheek had already begun to swell. Before Will could compliment his adversary on his skill, the maid Will recognized as the girl who’d accompanied Allegra during their walk in the garden rushed into the room.
Hastily dipping a curtsey, she cried, “I’m sorry, my lord, but Miss Allegra won’t be coming down!”
“Not coming?” Lynton frowned. “Why not? Is she ill?”
