“No?” Huntly said. “You being here right now harms my daughter.”
Lord Neville lifted his chin in deviance. “I only meant for you to find me in her chambers.”
“And how would I have found you?”
The man shrugged. “Cromby said all I had to do was sneak into Lady Phaedra’s bed. Her commotion would wake the household and she’d be ruined when they found me. I never intended to force myself on her.”
“Only into her bedchamber,” Huntly growled, clenching his fists. “Scaring my daughter to death. What does Cromby get out of this little deal?”
“A portion of her dowry.”
Deerhurst cursed.
The bastard had lied to him. He’d made it sound as though the only winnings he’d received were from the wagers. He should have known that jackanapes wouldn’t tell him the whole truth.
“I should shoot you where you stand,” Phaedra bit off in anger. “You vile goat.”
The countess slipped past Huntly to shield Phaedra. “What are we going to do with this ruffian, Robert? I vote to shoot him.”
Lady Portia followed, taking the pistol from Phaedra. “Give me that dear, I am more than happy to take the fall if a hole appears in the man’s heart.”
“I, however, won’t be happy about that,” Brayton said as he strode over to the women and snatched the pistol from Lady Portia. “I’ll hold onto this, angel. Don’t want you to accidently harm yourself or end up in prison.”
Huntly cursed. “Brayton? What the devil are you doing here again? Didn’t I tell you to stay away from my sister?”
Lady Portia snorted. “He’s with me.”
“With you?” Huntly’s face flamed when the implication of that statement penetrated. Even Deerhurst held back a whistle at the woman’s spunk.
“I’ll deal with the two of you later. One damn scandal at a time.” His gaze settled back on Lord Neville. “Howard, you have two choices. Either you leave London tonight and what happened here stays between us, or your body is removed from my home in a casket. Choose.”
Lord Neville paled. “You wouldn’t dare. I’m an aristocrat.”
“You’re a man who broke into my home and stole into my daughter’s chamber. She screamed. What else can I believe but your intention was to harm her? It’s dark. A pistol fired. An unfortunate death. Am I painting this vision vivid enough for you?”
Lord Neville lifted his chin. “She will still be ruined.”
Deerhurst wanted to pummel the man.
“My daughter is stronger than the gossip columns. She will prevail. So, what’s it to be, Howard? You have thirty seconds to choose.”
Howard shrugged out of Deerhurst’s hold, and this time, Deerhurst let him go. The man was done for no matter what the outcome of his choice now. He knew that. Besides, Huntly was being courteous. Deerhurst still wanted Howard to limp from the house.
“I’ll leave London tonight.”
“Within the hour.”
Howard gave a curt nod.
“And I’ll have your word that you do not speak of tonight with anyone. Unfortunate accidents happen all year round,” Huntly pressed.
Howard gave another nod.
Brayton strode to Howard and yanked him by the lapels of his jacket. “I’ll make sure he leaves the city without any more incidents.”
Huntly inclined his head. “I expect you back, Brayton.”
“Couldn’t keep me away, Huntly.”
