“You don’t say.”
“This is no time for sarcasm, Blackthorne.” Nick signaled a waiter to bring him a cup of coffee. “I need your help.”
“I’m shocked. Truly.”
“You will be when you’ve heard what I’ve done. Well . . . what we’ve done.”
“What we’ve done?” Jack growled. Was it him or did Nick have a target painted on his forehead? Where was one’s archery set when one needed it?
“You will be proud this time. I, your inept younger brother, have restored our family honor.”
“Was it lacking?”
Nick dismissed the question with a wave of his hand. His coffee arrived, and he took a moment to stir in sugar before tasting it. “I have managed—single-handedly, mind you—not only to rescue a damsel in distress, but to humiliate the Duke of Bleven in the process.”
Jack felt his face turn red, felt his hands begin to itch and his throat close up. “Did you say the Duke of—” The tightness in his throat choked off his voice, and Nick gave him a concerned look.
“You should take care with that cup. You’re holding it rather—”
“You humiliated the Duke of Bleven?” Jack managed to squeeze out. “Our enemy?”
Nicholas shifted in his chair. “He deserved it.”
Jack seethed. Of all the men in England, Nick had to choose Bleven to torment. The Black Duke had been a family enemy ever since their mother had spurned him to marry their late father. Bleven would relish a chance to humble the Martingale family.
“I attended a ball last night and stumbled upon Bleven in the Earl of Wycliff’s conservatory. He had some terrified housemaid backed into a corner,” Nick was saying.
“This is over a woman?” Jack barked. The handle of the coffee cup snapped off in his hand and the remnants of the container splashed over his buff riding breeches.
“Bleven had her there against her will. What was I supposed to do? Stand by while she was assaulted?”
Jack closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “What did you do?”
Nick took a deep breath. “I might have gone a bit too far there.”
“What did you do?” Jack grit out.
“I rescued the girl.”
“And?”
“I might have publicly denounced Bleven.”
Jack stared at his brother.
“I might have called him a rapist in front of half the ton.”
Jack closed his eyes. “Jesus.”
“And—”
“There’s more?”
“Just a challenge. To a duel.”
“The devil you did! Nick—”
“Shh!” Nick said, looking concerned for the first time that morning. Jack had no illusions that the feeling would last. “I don’t think the duke will wait for the duel to attempt to kill me.”
