“Not really.”
St. John sighed. “Tom Hughes has taken a dozen stitches. His head is concussed. He states you attacked him unjustly and unfairly. How do you rebut?”
“He is well enough to make an accusatory statement?” Finally, Devlin smiled. “I should have inflicted far graver wounds, then.”
St. John shot to his feet. “This is hardly amusing. This is conduct unbecoming an officer, sir.”
Devlin also stood. “And the unprovoked assault on a lady of character is conduct becoming an officer?”
St. John was flushed now. “I beg your pardon, but a woman of no virtue has no character.”
Devlin stiffened, real anger rushing through him; he controlled it. “Miss Hughes is the Earl of Eastleigh’s niece. She is a gentlewoman of both character and virtue.”
“Do you deny that she is your mistress?” Farnham accused, still seated, his black eyes gleaming.
Devlin did not hesitate. “I do. I am afraid there have been malicious gossips at work—Miss Hughes has been my guest and nothing more.”
Farnham snorted. “The world knows she is your mistress, Captain. A woman of no virtue, she undoubtedly provoked Tom’s attentions.”
“She did not,” Devlin said flatly, fighting the urge to smash his fist in Farnham’s large red nose. “Eastleigh’s conduct should be at question here.”
“Were you there?” St. John asked.
Devlin turned. “No.”
“Hughes said she invited his interest, clearly and openly. She suggested he meet with her at a later date, perhaps on the morrow. She was so seductive he lost his patience, which is when you happened upon the scene.”
Devlin’s fury knew no bounds. “And it is the word of Thomas Hughes against the word of a whore?”
“Those are your words, not mine,” St. John said. “Your attack on Tom was beyond the bounds of gentlemanly conduct. This is my last warning, Devlin. One more incident and you will be court-martialed on the aforementioned grounds. There is no room in His Majesty’s navy for a ruffian and a scoundrel.”
Devlin knew that once again this was a battle he must lose. Nothing ever changed. The admirals ranted and raved over his insubordination and independence, but in the end, he was always given his liberty again. They dared not lose his competence of command and his superiority in naval battle. This time, though, his heart knew no mocking triumph. This time, he felt ill.
Defend Virginia as he might, it was more than time for her to go. She had no future in Britain, thanks to him.
An honorable man would simply marry her.
He was astonished with his thoughts. He dismissed them instantly. An honorable man would have never used her so abominably in the first place.
“Do you comprehend me, Captain?” St. John asked.
Devlin jerked, his brooding far too intense for comfort, and he bowed. “Completely.”
“Good.” St. John came forward, smiling. “Will you have a brandy?” he asked, the crisis clearly over.
Devlin nodded; three brandies were poured and passed around.
Sipping appreciatively, St. John then said, “You have received your orders?”
Devlin nodded. “Yes, I have.”
“When can you set sail?”
“As you suggested, sir, within two weeks.”
St. John nodded. “Try to hasten your departure, Devlin. The news arrived today. The HMSSwiftwas captured by the USSConstitution.I do not know how they are doing it, but the Americans are owning the seas and I am counting on you, my boy, to swiftly change that fact.” He saluted him with his glass.
Devlin set his snifter down and bowed. “Of course, my lord,” he murmured. “I shall make every effort.”
