He spoke without any question in his words, choosing to state it quite plainly and distinctly - and immediately, Lord Penforth frowned.
“There is no reason for us to meet.” Waving a hand dismissively, the man chuckled again, his lip now curled into something of a snarl. “Do not think that you are going to demand anything from me, Coppinger. As you may recall,Iam the one who has a great deal of power here. If you dare say a single thing against me, if you dare try to command me, thenyouwill be the one who faces consequences of the heaviest weight.”
Reminding himself that Lord Penforth had no real strength, Marcus looked him straight in the eye.
“You may very well believe it to be so, but we are going to meet regardless.” He kept his gaze steady and caught how Lord Penforth flinched. “Tomorrow. I will be expecting you at three in the afternoon.”
“What makes you think that I shall do as you ask?” Lord Penforth sneered. “Where does this confidence come from? It is not as though you have some sort of authority here.”
Snorting in derision, Lord Penforth shook his head, but Marcus did not miss the flicker in his eye – a flicker which, mayhap, spoke of concern. Bolstered, Marcus lifted his chin a notch.
“Be careful, Penforth.”
Lord Penforth swiped the air between them with his hand.
“I have no intention of doing anything you ask. Your threats mean nothing.”
Marcus allowed a breath of silence to grow between them before he continued, making sure to drop his voice low.
“Might I suggest that you reconsider?” Marcus tilted his head. “I am certain that you will have forgotten, but I am still very closely acquainted with Lord Fairburn. You may go and ask him to court Lady Almeria and it appears as though you fully believe and expect that the request will be granted.” Marcus shrugged. “But what if I were to speak with the gentleman beforehand?”
Lord Penforth frowned.
“Then my threat of consequences still stands. I will tell all and sundry where you have been seen – starting with Lord Fairburn himself.”
Marcus chuckled deep in his throat.
“Ah, but you may make a mistake there. He and I are very well acquainted, as he was the closest of friends with my father. You might think that you could simply tell him that I have been seen in a gambling den and have lost a good deal of my wealth, but you can be assured that he will not simply accept it, especially if I have spoken to him first about you. No doubt he will think you are simply being petty, saying such things only to injure me because of what I have said about you. In fact, you might have toproveyour statement about me. Do you really wish to do such a thing? Or do you want there to be an easy escape for you at present?”
None of this was true - although Marcus had long been acquainted with Lord Fairburn, he did not have any real hope that the gentleman would give him even the smallest consideration should Lord Penforth tell him such confounded lies about Marcus’ conduct. Lord Fairburn had always been very protective of his daughters, and Marcus could have no real assurance of his support. Lord Penforth did not have to know any such thing as that, however, and it was with that confidence that he allowed himself a small smile.
Lord Penforth scowled. There was not even a hint of a smile on his face anymore, and certainly no confidence flickering about his features. His brow was deeply furrowed, his arms swinging gently by his sides as he shifted from foot to foot.
“You would not dare say anything to Lord Fairburn.”
“Would I not?”
Marcus set his gaze directly at Lord Penforth, saying nothing more than that and watching how Lord Penforth’s eyes flickered away from him and back again. Then he lifted his chin.
“You know what I will do.”
Still, he attempts to exude confidence.
“And be that as it may, mayhap I am inclined to take the risk. I have been known, on occasion, to think of others rather than just myself – something that you cannot understand, I am sure.”
With a small smile, he waited as Lord Penforth considered, only for the gentleman then to shrug and turn a little away.
“I will consider it.” With only a small glance in Marcus’ direction, Penforth shrugged. “And if I do decide to make my way to your townhouse, I shall not linger. I will only be a few minutes. Make sure that whatever it is you have to say can be shared in that time.”
Marcus nodded, looking over his shoulder to where Lord Trevelyan stood, watching the proceedings. Giving him a small nod, he grinned in Lord Penforth’s direction, though the man was already walking away.
“A few minutes will be all that I need.”
The gentleman turned his head sharply, perhaps hearing the victory in Marcus’ voice while his own confidence faded away. With rounded shoulders and a lowered head, he continued away from Marcus’ conversation, leaving Marcus alone with his smile. Marcus’ words followed his retreating back.
“That is quite satisfactory, Lord Penforth.”
With a sense of triumph filling him, Marcus turned and made his way directly to Lord Trevelyan, who was looking at him somewhat quizzically.
