‘But you saidmust.To me.’ He let that hang for a moment. ‘I would not venture to tell a gentleman what he “must” do, Sir James, so I will merely observe that there are laws pertaining to slander, and if Mr Charnage chooses to use them, he will have a number of witnesses, including myself. No, I will not hear any more of this,’ he added sharply. ‘You know very well it is nonsense and I will not be an audience to untruth or spite.’
The room was absolutely silent now. Sir James’s expression was vicious. ‘I beg Your Grace’s pardon if I have offended you. However, the man Charnage—’
‘Has witnesses placing him in Vauxhall at the time of the robbery,’ Leo said. ‘Which you know very well, Vier. Ifyou really thought he was involved you’d have brought a prosecution.’
‘With his carefully picked “witnesses” prepared to swear an alibi?’ Sir James flashed back, the quotation marks audible. ‘One can hardly trust to justice in such circumstances.’
‘Hoi!’ A loud, gruff voice. Cassian turned to see a burly man with a remarkably Roman nose, and the look of a building thunderhead. He took a step towards Vier. ‘You, fellow. Did you just say the witnesses to Charnage’s whereabouts swore false?’
‘I merely suggest—’
‘Be damned to your suggestions, and to your implications, and to you,’ the man said, with force. ‘Iamone of those witnesses. I was one of the party in Vauxhall that night, with Charnage, and said so at the time. What the devil do you mean prating about “carefully picked witnesses” in that tone?’ He jabbed an aggressive finger at Sir James. ‘Are you calling me a liar?’
‘Hart,’ Lady Wintour said, warning. ‘I won’t have brawling in my house, thank you.’
‘I have no intention of brawling,’ Sir James said, smoothing his cuffs.
‘Well, I do,’ the man retorted. ‘Daizell Charnage was in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens that night, and I was there with him till the small hours. I’ve said so whenever I’ve been asked, and I’ll say so again, under oath, whenever you like. Understand?’
‘Who’s he?’ Cassian murmured to Leo.
‘Sir John Hartlebury. In trade, not the best ton, but a good fellow.’
Vier’s mouth had tightened. Clearly this was the first timehis implications had been overheard by one of the witnesses. ‘I hear your words, Sir John.’
Hartlebury took another step toward him. He wasn’t tall but he was distinctly intimidating. ‘Is that a mealy-mouthed way of saying you don’t accept them? I am telling you that I was with Charnage in Vauxhall while his father killed that fellow in Town. Do you refuse to accept that? Because if so, you will do it here and now, to my face, or you will shut your mouth on the subject for good.Well?’
Sir James’s expression was poisonous but he didn’t reply. Hartlebury waited a few seconds, then snorted. ‘Didn’t think so. Keep it that way. Spiteful prick,’ he added, not really under his breath at all. ‘Evening, Charnage. Not seen you in a while.’
‘Hart.’ Daizell gave his usual cheery smile, but his eyes were gleaming bright.
‘I think that matter is now clear,’ Cassian said. ‘Sir John Hartlebury, I believe? I’m Severn.’
‘Duke,’ Loxleigh said, low and urgent.
Hartlebury visibly recoiled, then bowed with some self-consciousness, as was only fitting for a man who’d just picked a fight in the ducal presence. ‘Your Grace.’
Cassian inclined his head. ‘I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, Sir John. I am engaged to play with Sir James now, but I hope we can speak later.’
‘Honoured, sir,’ Hartlebury said, looking understandably baffled by this turn of events.
‘If that’s all clear, shall we get on?’ Leo said. ‘We did come to play.’
Lady Wintour indicated a table for four in the middle of the room, with decks of cards laid out and waiting, a decanter of brandy, four glasses. The Duke felt rather sick.For all the last week’s practice, he would never be a good player.
They went over the stakes, playing for a pound a point, which was deep. Vier had a nasty look in his eyes. ‘I hope we have all brought funds, gentlemen. As I mentioned, I am reluctant to accept any more of Mr Crosse’s vowels.’
Leo stiffened with wrath. Cassian said, icily, ‘What an extraordinary remark to make of my cousin.’
They began to play. As the first hand progressed, Daizell put a chair behind Leo, pulled out a sheaf of paper and his scissors, and began snipping.
Sir James didn’t stop play. He did, however, stare incredulously over his cards, and at the end of the hand, he said, ‘What are you doing?’
‘Profiles,’ Daizell said cheerfully. ‘I cut them. Well, you know that.’
‘I do know that. I wonder if everyone else in this room does.’ His tone was heavy with meaning.
Daizell glanced around. ‘I should imagine they can all see.’
