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“Didn’t you know? My little cousin is sweet on her as well.” Gregory arched an eyebrow. “I thought dear Lady Katherine would have told you that she’s been in your friend’s embrace a few times.”
Rafe felt like Gregory might have gotten less of a reaction if he had just punched him. He turned to Richard, who was looking a little uncomfortable.
“Is this true?”
“I….”
Richard hesitated, but Rafe could see the truth in his eyes. He was courting Katherine as well. Rafe felt nauseous. Of all the people to hurt him like this, why did it have to be Richard?
Shock turned into rage, and Rafe reacted. He brought up his rifle and smacked Richard in the face with the butt. Richard yowled and stumbled back, clutching at his face. Almost immediately, Sebastien got in between them and held Rafe back as he started towards Richard.
“Don’t! How’s that going to solve anything?”
“It’ll make me feel better,” Rafe snarled. He glowered at Richard, wishing his brother would get out of the way. “You knew she was mine! You knew I was going to marry her! Why did you do this to me?”
Richard straightened up. He was bleeding from the mouth, blood dripping off his chin as he glared back.
“You think she was yours? She didn’t want to marry you, but she didn’t know how to tell you that she didn’t want to be with you. She was scared of how you would react.”
“You’re lying!”
“You think I would lie about something like this?”
Rafe gritted his teeth. He really wanted to throw Sebastien aside and attack Richard again, but moving his brother would be practically impossible, not when he was this solid.
“Why would you do that to me? You’re my best friend. Why?”
“Sometimes, we can’t explain why.” Richard brought out his handkerchief and wiped his mouth. “But I love her. And she loves me. She’ll never marry either of you. I’d marry her before that happens.”
Gregory was standing just off to the side, looking very pleased that he had caused them to fight. Rafe wanted to beat him as well for riling them up.
This was not happening.
“What is going on here?!”
The bellow made Richard turn. Blackmore was storming over to them, looking outraged. The sight of his father’s fury made Richard back down a little, but not much.
“I get to the stables, and I realise the four of you are not there anymore. Now I find you fighting.” He looked from one man to another. “What’s going on?”
“It’s nothing, Father,” Sebastien said before anyone else could speak. “Just a disagreement over something.”
“Then why is Richard bleeding?”
Richard wiped the last of the blood off his face and shoved his handkerchief into his pocket.
“It just got out of hand, my lord. Nothing more.”
Blackmore’s expression said he clearly didn’t believe it. He shook his head and focused his scowl on Rafe.
“I’ll be having a word with you later, Rafe. We need to discuss how we’re going to deal with that temper of yours. Now, let’s get moving. I don’t want to waste the day dealing with grown men arguing like children.”
He stalked away, and Sebastien gently moved Rafe aside.
“Don’t do it,” he whispered. “It’s not going to be worth it. Let it be for now.”
Rafe wanted to argue, but he knew his brother was right. This was not something to do now. But later, once they were alone, that would be a different story.
Rafe pointed at Richard.
