“I challenged a man to a duel and I am not too certain what I am supposed to do now.”
Shocked and dismayed over his young guest’s words, Luc nearly choked in the act of swallowing his own drink.
“You challenged a man to a duel?” he demanded with incredulity. “What caused this? How could you have done such a thing?”
Fletcher visibly paled at the viscount’s outburst, which caused Ackerley to apologize. “I’m sorry, Fletch, excuse my outburst. Please start at the beginning and tell me exactly what happened.”
Gulping down what was left in his glass, Fletcher stood and began to pace again.
“You see, everyone was out of town. Julianna and Odelia went off to some house party in the country. Kenneth Landon had to go see his father, who hasn’t been doing too well lately. You were not around. And my father is always so busy. Anyway, I went out on the town with some of my old friends. We obviously had way too much to drink. One thing led to another as it always does in such a situation. I overheard some other gentlemen talking about Abigail in some very unflattering terms. I jumped to the conclusion that they were speaking of Lady Abigail Fielding and I took exception to their words.”
At this point, he paused for thought before continuing. “Of course, even though it turned out to be someone else, they really were objectionable things to be saying about anyone of the fairer gender in my opinion. But anyways, I called him out for it. And now we are to meet tomorrow. I named you as my second. I hope that’s all right. I didn’t really know what else to do.”
After unburdening himself to his mentor, Fletcher now looked spent as he slumped back into his chair.
Lucius was at a loss. This was far beyond any scenario he could have imagined. There was no way he could smooth over any differences with Julianna if he somehow managed to get her nephew killed! What a mess.
Fletcher watched in dismay as his friend stood and began pacing much as he had been doing in the parlour. “I apologize, my lord. I should have asked your permission before dragging you into this mess.”
“No, Fletcher. You did the right thing. I am glad you had the wherewithal to name me as your second. It is your second’s job to try to prevent the duel from happening in the first place. I’m pretty sure I am in a better position to do that for you than any of your younger friends.”
“Really? There’s a chance I could get out of this?” Fletcher asked with disbelief and burgeoning hope. “I thought there was no honourable way to avoid a duel once you called someone out.”
“It all depends on the circumstances,” Luc said, already calming down. He resumed his seat behind his desk before bidding Fletcher to continue his story. “Tell me again exactly what happened. I need to know who was there and what was said.”
Luc listened patiently as the tale unfolded. Once Fletcher wound down to his conclusion, the viscount pulled a cord and a servant appeared immediately.
“Please have someone find my brother. Send the first footman — he’ll know where to look.” Turning back to Fletcher he looked at him sternly before asking, “Who have you told? Does your aunt or sister know about this?”
Paling at the very thought, Fletcher exclaimed, “No, of course not! I might be loose in my upper works but I am not that stupid!”
“No, no, of course not,” soothed the viscount. “I must be honest with you about something, Fletcher, since you have confided in me. I want to marry your aunt. She is not fully on board with the idea at this time, so I am feeling quite anxious about not allowing her to find out about this situation. I like you, Fletcher. That in itself is enough to motivate me to try to get you out of this. But you can see that I also have extra motivation.”
Fletcher sat back in his chair and grinned at the viscount. “You and my aunt, eh? Well, that would be great on all counts. I’d say you will be a great uncle and I would be quite happy if you could save me from this latest disaster I have created.”
Grinning back at the younger man, Luc was glad to help his friend. The trick would be to make sure Julianna never found out. “Have you slept?” he thought to ask.
“Not really. I was too anxious. I barely slept a wink last night then I got up at first light to come wait for you.”
“Go home, take a nap, have a bath, and eat a meal. I will do what I can to straighten this out. Whatever you do, do not tell Odelia or Julianna!”
The young baron cast the viscount a dubious look. “I doubt I will be able to sleep, but I shall try. And, of course, I won’t tell them. I’m not even sure when they are expected to arrive home.” After a pause of reflection, Fletcher turned a smile of boyish charm upon the viscount. “Thank you ever so much for bailing me out, yet again. I would think my troubles would put you off wanting to pursue my aunt.”
“I cannot in honesty say it is my pleasure. When I am your uncle, we shall have to see about keeping you out of trouble.” On that note, the two men separated in good cheer with one another.
Fletcher made his way home, and Luc set about the precarious task of extricating the young man from this dilemma. It would take some delicate negotiations, but it just might be doable.
Chapter 28
Fletcher rounded the corner of his street only to find his family’s carriage pulled up to their door and his aunt and sister climbing down. The coward in him wanted to turn tail and run away, but he had promised the viscount to get himself cleaned up and ready for whatever further instructions Luc would have for him. He strode forward and hailed his family, forcing himself to be bold and brave.
“Hello, ladies, welcome home! Did you have a good time?”
“Fletcher!” both ladies squealed in unison, throwing their arms around him in a welcoming hug, uncaring that they were on the street.
“Looks like you missed me,” Fletcher grinned at them, feeling relieved at their presence and unconditional love.
Linking arms, the trio climbed the stairs and entered the house.
“We had a lovely time, Fletch. Yorkleigh is such a beautiful estate. It is too bad you didn’t come. We made some fun new friends. I think you would have liked it, too.” Odelia was prattling on and Fletcher felt a pang. If he had gone with them, he would not be in his current predicament.
Watching the play of emotions over her nephew’s face Julianna asked softly, “Is everything all right with you, Fletch? You seem a little quiet.”
“Oh no, Aunty Jules, I am fine. It is just impossible to get a word in edgewise with this one going on,” he teased his sister who swatted him playfully.
“Have the two of you eaten?” Fletch asked solicitously. “I was thinking of having some refreshments sent up.”
Surprised by his thoughtfulness, Julianna accepted. “Thank you, Fletch, that would be lovely.”
Odelia and Julianna regaled Fletcher with details of their time at Yorkleigh while they waited for the tray to be sent up and then quickly dispensed with the light repast. Finally, Fletcher excused himself, and Julianna went to see about their unpacking.
While Julianna was otherwise occupied, a few of Odelia’s friends came to call.
“You’re back! How was the house party? Tell us all about it! Was Yorkleigh terribly elegant? Was the earl devastatingly intimidating?” Abigail pelted Odelia with questions while Mr. Jackes and Mr. Landon looked on with interest.
“It was quite lovely. We had so much fun. Everyone was all that was gracious and kind, and no one was overly intimidating.” Odelia went on to give them a few details before demanding answers to questions of her own. “What have you all been up to while I was away? Did I miss anything of import?”
“No. Mr. Landon had to run home to his father for a day or two and nothing was the same without you, of course. You bring a certain sparkle with you, Dee, wherever you go, and none of the parties we attended were nearly as fun because you were not there,” Abigail declared in earnest.
Blushing charmingly, Odelia was a little embarrassed by the attention and quickly changed the subject. “What about gossip? Surely there must be s
ome interesting tidbits you can share with me.”
Abigail looked as innocent as always and shook her head in denial of knowing anything salacious, but the gentlemen immediately looked uncomfortable and started gazing about for an exit strategy. Seeing their discomfort, Odelia instantly began to wheedle.
“Come on, my lord, you can tell me. Please? I am desperate for news of Town. We had fun out in the country, but I felt terribly isolated from all that was going on around here.” Seeing their continued hesitation, she jumped to certain conclusions and blushed rosily. “Well if it’s about someone’s mistress then never mind, I would not want to know anyway.”
The men continued looking discomfited, not relieved by her dismissal, so she continued badgering them. “But if it’s anything else, you truly must tell me.”
“It’s your brother!” Tom burst out, unable to contain himself.
“Tom, hush!” growled Kenneth Landon.
“My brother? What gossip could there possibly be about Fletch? He is as boring as can be,” Odelia answered without hesitation while Abigail stood wringing her hands.
“A duel!” Tom said, his nervousness making details impossible.
“Thomas Jackes, I swear I’m going to have to call you out myself,” declared the young lord in disgust at his friend’s inability to keep a secret.
“Fletcher is going to fight a duel?” Odelia asked with incredulity. At this statement, the four young people heard a gasp from the doorway.
Julianna had just walked into the room as Odelia was asking this last question. Paling visibly she made an effort to remain calm.
“Surely you are mistaken. Our Fletcher would never be so hen-witted as to allow himself to be called out.”
“He did it,” the less than helpful Mr. Jackes said.
“I swear, Tom, you are not fit for company,” Kenneth said with reproach before turning to Julianna. “I apologize profusely, my lady. These are not things for your ears.”
Sinking rather weakly into the nearest chair, Julianna maintained a façade of calm while inwardly reviewing all her possible options.
“Tell me, Mr. Landon, is it true? Do not worry — the cat is already out of the bag, so you might as well tell us what you know.”
Looking sheepish, Kenneth sketched out the few details he knew. “I am not certain what caused it, but from what I have heard Fletcher called out a young squire just up from the country. It seems like it was over something silly, but they were all in their cups. The duel is supposed to take place tomorrow morning.”
“I see. Well, I know you did not wish to divulge this information, but you did the right thing telling me. Perhaps there is something I can do to prevent it.”
Looking aghast at the thought, Landon declared, “No, my lady, you cannot involve yourself. This is not a matter for ladies. It should not have even come to your ears.” He shot a dirty look at his friend who bowed his head in shame. He continued, “There is no honourable way out of it once he has called someone out. This just has to run its course. If you want something to do to help, you could pray.”
Julianna barely managed to restrain herself from snorting at this ridiculous suggestion. As though praying would be of any help in this instance, she thought with derision. Maintaining her veneer of calm, Julianna stood and hugged her niece.
“Have no fear, Odelia, no doubt this is a terrible misunderstanding. Try to put it from your mind for the time being. Why don’t you four go out for a drive or go to Gunther’s for a treat.”
Julianna thought she was making a ridiculous suggestion, as though her niece would be able to follow through on her words. But to her surprise, Odelia acquiesced readily. Giving her aunt a quick kiss on the cheek she turned to her friends.
“What a great idea. I have been cooped up in the carriage for much of the day so I don’t really want to go for a drive, but Gunther’s would be lovely.”
Abigail and Tom were quick to fall in with the plan. Only Mr. Landon looked momentarily sceptical at the idea. At Julianna’s encouraging gestures he too fell in with the idea, and the four young people quickly left the room.
Relieved to be alone, Julianna again sank into a chair and allowed despair to roll over her for a moment. Stiffening her resolve, though, she stood and pulled the cord to summon a servant.
“Do you know if Lord Fletcher is still in the house?” she asked when the footman appeared.
“No milady, he just left a few moments ago. He said he had some errands to run.”
“Thank you. Please have Maizy meet me at the front door. I, too, have some errands to run.”
Within minutes, Julianna and her maid were striding purposefully down the street.
“Where are we off to, milady?” Maizy asked surprised by the brisk pace her mistress was setting.
“We are on our way somewhere that I am quite sure you are going to object to, but you must not tell anyone. Please just follow me and do not say a thing.”
Surprised by this unusual command from her beloved mistress, the maid subsided for a few minutes. She was quiet until Julianna stopped in front of Viscount Beaufort’s townhouse.
“No, milady, you cannot go in there!” she declared vehemently.
“Hush, Maizy, I must. And you must come with me to lend an air of respectability. Now be quick — the sooner we get inside, the less likely it is that anyone will see us.”
The poor young maid was in a quandary, but she saw the logic in her lady’s words so she scurried up the stairs behind her.
The dutiful butler managed to contain his surprise at seeing a well-bred young lady standing on his doorstep demanding an audience with the viscount. Unable to resist her imperious demand to be allowed to enter, he stepped back and shut the door behind her.
“I am sorry, milady, his lordship is not at home.”
“Do you know where I could find him?” she asked as calmly as possible.
“His lordship did not see fit to disclose all his plans to me,” Henry explained.
“Do you expect him to be home any time soon?” Julianna asked a little desperately.
“He did mention he should be back in an hour,” the butler answered reluctantly.
“Then I will wait!” she declared much to the servant’s dismay.
Maizy began to wring her hands in consternation and Henry was unsure of the social protocol of what to do with a lady who wished to wait for the viscount. He ushered her into the parlour, which not that long ago had contained the pacing Fletcher.
“Could I offer you some refreshments while you wait, milady?”
“Tea would be lovely, thank you.”
Julianna took up the same pattern of pacing her nephew had previously occupied. Blessedly she did not have overly long to wait.
Minutes after delivering a tray of tea to the waiting guest, Henry was relieved to open the door for the viscount.
“Milord, I am so happy to see you!”
Surprised by the unprecedented degree of enthusiasm, Luc braced himself for whatever might be added to this unconventional day.
“What is it, Henry?”
“There is a lady with her maid waiting to see you in the parlour. I was unsure what to do with them since you have never had lady callers before.” This last was said with a hint of reproach, which brought a smile to Lucius’ face.
“I apologize if my callers have inconvenienced you, Henry. Did you happen to catch the name of this lady?”
Looking sheepish the butler had to admit, “No, milord, I did not think to ask.”
“No trouble. I shall announce myself. That will be all for now, thank you, Henry.” On those words, the viscount strode to the parlour and briskly opened the door.
He had been prepared for just about anything after the day he had had so far, but Julianna was the last person he expected to find in his parlour. Happiness and dread filled him in equal measure at the sight of her.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of this surprise?” he asked as nonchalantly as possible as he wa
lked into the room, careful to close the door behind him.
Relieved to see him and feeling silly for disturbing him, Julianna strode toward him, grasping his outstretched hand.
“I have a problem I need help with and I did not know where else to turn. It is a terrible imposition, I know, to show up so unexpectedly, but the matter is of some urgency, you see.”
Luc interrupted her efforts of explanation. “No apology is necessary, Julianna, you are always welcome in my home.”
In her distress, Julianna did not register the implication of his words; she was too preoccupied with her concerns.
Undismayed, Luc continued, “You wished to see me about something? Should we adjourn to another room to afford us more privacy?”
Looking harassed, Julianna was startled by the question. “That would hardly be proper, my lord.”
He raised a crooked eyebrow at her declaration. “Less proper than you coming to my house?”
Hot color flooded her cheeks at the realization of how ridiculous she was being. “You are no doubt correct, and I have placed myself beyond the pale, but I will not compound it. What I have to discuss with you can be discussed with Maizy present. I trust her implicitly.”
“All right, shall we be seated?” Luc was now pretty certain what Julianna was here for and he was cudgelling his brain, wondering how best to handle the situation.
Seating herself quickly, Julianna came straight to the point. “I am not completely certain as to the truth of this, but it has been relayed to me that my nephew has called someone out. I did not know who else to turn to for help. I know it is none of your concern, but could you please help me?”
Even if he had wanted to refuse, there was no way Lucius would have been able to resist the beseeching look she cast at him in that moment. Luc felt like a medieval knight called upon to slay his lady’s dragons. He would do all in his power to allay her fears.
“Of course, I will help you. Now tell me clearly, what have you heard?” Unsure if he wished to reveal his prior knowledge, Luc wanted to know where she stood first.
“Odelia’s friends came by to welcome her home. In the course of conversation, one of the young men revealed he had heard Fletcher is to fight a duel in the morning.”
Sweet Surrender Page 27
