Only Scandal Will Do

by Jenna Jaxon

  She smiled and her spirits lifted. They were a team again. “Just leave me enough strength to surprise the marquess tomorrow at ten. That’s all I ask.”

  Chapter 14

  “You’re over-compensating again, Kat,” Jack said. “He’s going to come in under your guard and you’ll be saying your wedding vows before the sun sets tomorrow.” Jack apparently knew what threat would motivate her to heed his instructions. She drew her blade back and executed the parry again, this time with strength and precision. “Better. Now, in tierce.”

  Now in the third position, she began a sequence of parries and ripostes, pressing Jack backward down the upstairs hallway, the only place in the house with adequate room for fencing. Attacking him with a series of cuts to the arms, she then targeted his legs, narrowly missing his exposed left knee.

  “Kat! You weren’t supposed to do that. We’re drilling in attacks to the upper body.”

  Good. She’d caught him off guard for once. She grinned and bent over, breathing hard after two vigorous hours of training. Not having held a sword since coming to England, she was sorely out of practice. And tomorrow she would engage in the fight of her life. “Do you think if I did the same thing tomorrow with Dalbury, make him believe I was only attacking the upper body, I could surprise him with an attack to the legs? I just need one drop of blood, and I’m free.”

  “You’ll be lucky if he doesn’t cut you in the first thirty seconds of the duel. You said he was good.” Jack did not usually scoff at her skill with a sword, but she supposed he still smarted because she would be fighting instead of him.

  “I have not seen him fight, obviously. But I know his reflexes are faster than yours.” Kat hesitated, then plunged ahead. “I think he may be faster than Captain Perry.” Jack’s eyes widened. “Truly. I tried to get away from him several times and always his arm would come from nowhere, like a snake striking.” She shook her head. “I think my best chance is that he will underestimate me. If I’m truly lucky he will toy with me before trying to make the cut. If he does, then I have a true chance. It only takes–”

  “One drop of blood. Yes, I know, but don’t bet on it.” Jack’s tone held a measure of sympathy. “Dalbury wants you too badly. I believe he will try to get it over with quickly.”

  “You may be right. But who knows, he may be a bit...distracted. He’s never seen me fence, after all.”

  “Not planning to fight fair?”

  Kat grinned. “Who said ‘all is fair in love and war’? Well, this is definitely war as far as I’m concerned.”

  Simons appeared in the hallway. “My lady, Mr. Reginald Matthews has arrived,” he announced. “He said you asked to see him.”

  “Yes, thank you, Simons. Tell him I will be there directly.” She tossed her sword to Jack. “Will you go down to him while I change? Apparently I need a chaperone any time I am alone with a man, lest I be compromised.”

  Jack gave her a withering look, but handed the rapiers to Simons and hurried downstairs. Ten minutes later Kat entered the room and swept over to the fireplace, where Matthews stood in an elegant suit of brushed black velvet with a golden wheat-colored waistcoat, both cut extremely well.

  He immediately assessed her in her pale gold silk gown, and smiled. Perhaps because of the bounce in her step and her changed demeanor. She smiled warmly at him in return. “Mr. Matthews, how kind of you to come at such short notice. Pray do be seated, sir.” Kat waved him to the chair opposite hers. Jack claimed his accustomed place on the sofa.

  “I am, as always, at your service, Lady Katarina. Although, I must admit my surprise when I received your note. I thought by now you would have sailed for the colonies.” He took her hand as if to kiss it. His lips hovered an inch above the knuckles, then he seated himself, a more welcome occupant than the one seated there a scarce twenty-four hours before. “I am so very glad that is not the case.”

  “Plans change, Mr. Matthews. Like the March wind. My journey has been unavoidably delayed.”

  “I am sure all of London breathes a sigh of relief at your deferred departure, as do I,” he said. “But I assume this summons means you have remembered something more about your ordeal in March, my lady?” The eager hope in his voice gave her a twinge of conscience. The man prided himself on solving the cases assigned to him, according to Jack. It must gall him that hers remained unsolved.

  “Not exactly, Mr. Matthews. Although this meeting is connected to the events of that night. You are familiar with the Marquess of Dalbury?”

  Matthews sat up and leaned forward, alert to her every word. “I have indeed met the marquess, my lady. In connection with your case, in fact. The black cloak you stole from Madame Vestry’s belonged to him.”

  “Indeed,” was all she replied. When he made no move to continue, she relented, for she needed his help. And he already suspected what had happened. His outrage at Dalbury might actually make him more sympathetic to her request. She drew herself up and said briskly, “Lord Dalbury and I have agreed to a fencing match, a wager to settle a debt of honor.”

  Eyes widened to perfect circles, brows dipped in a sharp V and mouth puckered, Matthews’s expression would have made quick fodder for the newsheets that circulated caricatures. In fact, he seemed angrier than Jack had been, if that were possible.

  She continued before he could question her. “I would like for you to serve as my primary second.”

  A full minute elapsed before Matthews collected his wits enough to form a complete, if brief question. “Why me?”

  Expecting to hear, But women do not fence she was strangely pleased when he did not say that. Matthews was an uncommon man, and therefore a good one to have as a friend. “Because I trust no one else to make sure our wager plays out fairly, Mr. Matthews.”

  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 ‘duel’ is made as a private wager within Lord Dalbury’s house itself. 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.”

&n
bsp; “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.”

  Though 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.”

  “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. Although 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.

  Tristan 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?

  “It’s braided and tucked under her jacket, my lord.” Jack’s voice broke Duncan’s stupefying horror. “She does that when she fences.”

  She continued her unhurried toilette, checking buttons, straightening the jacket’s shoulders, adjusting her breeches, paying him no mind. Then she dipped her fingers to her stocking and smoothed it along her calf. Like steel to a magnet, mouth slightly open, he stood enthralled by the soft, sensual look of legs he had only glimpsed before. He could no more tear his eyes away from her than a fish could walk on dry land.

  “And will you introduce me to the lady, Duncan?” Tristan’s words recalled Duncan.

  He drew breath sharply then scowled at Lord Trevor, who grinned eagerly, all the while taking in Katarina’s scandalous appearance. He would like nothing better than to refuse, but steadied himself.

  “Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam, may I make known to you Lord Trevor, my second.” He glared at Trevor. “And sometime friend. Watch yourself, Tris.”

  Lord Trevor merely laughed and bowed. “My great pleasure, Lady Katarina. Duncan has told me something of you, though I believe he left out the most interesting parts.”

  She laughed gaily and shook her head. “Lord Dalbury does not know the most interesting parts, my lord.” She cut her eyes toward Duncan. “We have had very little acquaintance.”