Protected by the Major by Anne Herries Page A

cards. Why should it be me?’
    ‘Why did you have the jack hidden in your cuff?’
    ‘Damn you and him!’ Lethbridge said, his neck and face brick red. He’d been exposed as a cheat in public and knew that his days of winning large pots at the tables of his society friends was over, because the news would spread like wildfire, but was determined to bluster it out. ‘I know not where that card came from. It was probably planted on me—’
    ‘For shame, sir,’ came a new voice. ‘I wondered why you were so damned lucky at the tables and now I know.’ Lord Sawston stood up. ‘I, too, refuse to play with a cheat.’ The other gentlemen followed his suit, saying that they would never play with Lethbridge again.
    ‘You will meet me for this, Ravenscar!’ the count cried. ‘Name your weapon, sir.’
    ‘I choose pistols,’ Hallam said. ‘Mainwaring, Sawston—you will stand up with me?’
    ‘Aye, I will,’ Lord Sawston said. ‘Though the fellow is finished and does not deserve that you should honour him in duel.’
    ‘Name your seconds, sir,’ Hallam said. ‘Perhaps they would wait on me at my lodgings later.’ He looked at the gathering, a faint smile on his lips. ‘Will you bear me company, Jack? I think I shall go down to supper. And then perhaps we might make up another table?’ He nodded to the gentlemen with whom he’d been playing earlier.
    ‘You’d best go home and get some sleep,’ one of the gentlemen advised.
    ‘You think so?’ Hallam said and sent a deliberate and insulting look at the count. ‘I hardly think I need bother. I believe I shall make a night of it and go to the meeting place from here. You may inform your seconds they will find me at the tables rather than my lodgings, sir.’
    Lethbridge cursed and turned on his heel, walking from the rooms. Men who had hailed him when he entered turned their backs on him. Their message could not be clearer. Hallam was believed for the thought that Lethbridge might have cheated had crossed a few minds before that night, though none had been sure enough to accuse him.
    ‘He’s a damned good shot,’ Sawston said when he accompanied Hallam and Jack down to the supper room. ‘Are you certain you wish to continue playing cards? He’s killed his man before now.’
    ‘So have I on the field of battle,’ Hallam said. ‘We didn’t get much rest then and if he is a good shot I’m better. Never missed my man in battle.’
    ‘I can vouch for that,’ Jack Mainwaring said and laughed, clearly delighted with the night’s outcome. ‘Well, he’s ruined now, Hal—it’s what I hoped for. And if you kill him, I’ll bear witness that he called you out.’
    ‘We all will,’ Lord Sawston said. ‘Lord, I’m hungry. I hope they have a decent supper tonight.’
    Hallam laughed. He could hardly believe that Lethbridge had been so easily brought to a duel. If Hal’s aim were true, Maddie would soon be free of her cruel husband.
    * * *
    ‘Did you take the letter?’ Madeline asked, as the footman Thomas entered the small private parlour of the riverside inn to which he had taken them. The inn belonged to his brother and he had assured her that she would be safe there until she decided where to go next. ‘Was he there?’
    ‘No, my lady. His landlady said that he was out, but promised to give the letter to him as soon as he returned.’
    ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I think I shall go up to my room now, for I am very tired. Sally, you may stay and talk to Thomas if you wish. I can manage my gown if I try.’
    ‘I shall come and assist you as always, my lady,’ Sally said. ‘Thomas has things to do and I shall sleep with you on a truckle bed, for there is but the one room.’
    ‘Very well.’ Madeline left the parlour and walked swiftly past the taproom, from which came the sound of hearty laughter. It was a busy inn and not truly a good place to hide, for she was almost certain to be seen before many days had passed. However, she was