They turn together to find Lord Raverson standing just behind them on the boardwalk. His linen suit still hangs off his lanky frame, hair still slightly greasy. But it’s the sneer on his handsome face that stands out the most, twisting him into something sinister in the early morning light. Embittered and desperate, and rogue.
Bobby glances at James, the two of them stepping in front of Beth and Gwen without a word. Raverson’s eyebrows dance, his lips curling.
“The happy foursome,” Raverson says loudly. “What a sham.”
“You’re the sham,” Beth says hotly. “Why don’t you piss off and bother someone who cares?”
Bobby adjusts his arm, blocking Beth from stepping forward. It’s always hard to remember, but she does have a temper, seasick or not.
“Bold words,” Raverson says coolly. “Learn those from your mother? Your line has a talent for slithering into wealth, doesn’t it?”
“You will not speak another word about Lady Havenfort,” James says hotly. “Go and get yourself a drink for your hangover. We’re busy.”
“Yes, you look it,” Raverson says, a frantic energy simmering beneath his calm façade. “But not busy enough. I gave you a deadline, Demeroven, and it’s tomorrow.”
“The only thing you’ll be seeing tomorrow is the back of our private train car, pulling out of Southampton,” Gwen puts in.
Raverson looks them over, the girls pressing into Bobby’s and James’ backs, Bobby and James a united front before them. “Seems I’ll be making that trip to see Lord Havenfort after all. I’ll be taking your daddy for all he’s got,” he says, looking to Gwen.
“My father will rip you to pieces,” Gwen spits back.
Raverson’s gaze slips over to Beth, as if Gwen hasn’t even spoken. “Unless you’d like to cut me a deal, MissBertram? I could forgo all the ugliness with your cousins and your stepfather if you’d simply... provide me with a living.”
“Like hell,” James says.
“Make an honest man of me, and this all goes away,” Raverson continues.
“I couldn’t make an honest man of you if you were dead,” Beth says evenly.
Raverson’s gaze darkens. “I see Lady Gwen’s deplorable manners have spread to you too.”
“You shut your—” Gwen starts.
“You’re dangerously close to being thrown off the boardwalk,” James says in a low voice. “Go back to your hidey-hole and pray none of this ever reaches Lord Havenfort. You’ve insulted three branches of his family, and he won’t take that lightly.”
“Well, you’re leaving him no choice, are you?” Raverson says, his voice turning sharp. “At this rate, either he’ll give me one of the girls, humiliating one of you in the process, or I’ll take down your entire line,” he threatens, stepping forward.
“Beth and I would rather shrivel up and die than marry you,” Gwen says strongly.
“Shut up,” Raverson bites out.
“You must be a miserable, pathetic man, if the best you think you can do is take an unwilling wife. Is it because you don’tthink anyone could ever love you for yourself? How sad,” Beth says.
Bobby sucks in a breath as Raverson’s gaze swings to Beth, bright and dangerous. Bobby tries to push Beth further behind him.
“It’s not likeyourfiancé is willing, is he?” Raverson says softly, the edge of his voice able to cut glass.
“You’ve no idea what I’m willing to do,” Bobby says, pulling himself up to his tallest and staring Raverson down.
“Just because you can only get someone to sleep with you if they’re drunk or being extorted doesn’t mean the rest of the world is so desperate,” James chimes in. “And the normal reasons people get married are entirely out of your reach, aren’t they?”
Raverson looks to James. “What, love and responsibility? Don’t lie, Demeroven. You no more want a wife than you want a quick trip to the gallows. I know you.”
“You don’t,” James says, and the certainty in his voice is something to celebrate. “You haven’t grown a day since we were in school, clinging to your trinkets and blackmail because you’re too frightened to face the world as a man—too frightened to take the responsibility and title you’ve been given and try to do anything the world might appreciate.”
“Pathetic,” Gwen puts in icily.
Raverson starts forward and James steps away from Gwen, blocking his path. “I’ve hit you once—I’m not afraid to do it again.”
