“Try a little more weight on your left foot, then open your right side a touch.”
Justin took up his position and Jasper handed him the reloaded gun. This time the bullet was much closer to the mark, though still off-center.
“And relax your hand—you’re not strangling a chicken,” remarked Branford dryly. He stepped forward. “Here, let me see the pistol.”
Justin handed it to him with a slight hesitation.
The weapon was at least twenty years old and heavy as a lump of coal. Its barrel was pitted from the elements, and as the earl sighted down the aged steel, he could only imagine what a disaster the interior was. And although someone had recently gone to great pains to bring the gun up to snuff, it was a wonder the thing actually fired, much less hit anything.
Branford moved it up and down, as if testing its balance. He then laid it aside and motioned for Lizard to bring his case.
“Try this one,” he said, taking up one of his own pistols and loading with practiced ease before offering it to Justin.
The young man took it gingerly, eyeing its craftsmanship and obvious quality with something akin to awe.
Branford gestured at the target.
Justin swallowed, then turned and took aim, careful to follow all of the advice the earl had just given him, squeezed off a shot.
“Dead center,” grinned Jasper as he consulted the target. “Yer Lordship will be putting me poor self outta a job.”
The staff at Manton’s treated the earl with an obvious respect, but showed no fear in engaging in easy banter with him.
The corners of Branford’s mouth twitched slightly.
Justin fingered the polished wood and chased silver longingly before handing the weapon back to the earl. “Thank you, sir. I’m ... I’m grateful for your pointers—and for the chanceto use such a fine piece.” His eyes unconsciously followed the pistol’s progress back into its case.
Branford nodded. He handed the other gun back to Justin, who grimaced slightly at its awkward weight.
“Yours?” asked the earl.
The young man colored slightly and raised his chin— a gesture Branford was becoming well used to from the Chilton siblings. He felt a twinge of sympathy for Justin’s embarrassment. He remembered well enough what it was like to be short of funds but have a surfeit of youthful pride.
“It belonged to my father,” replied Justin stiffly. “I haven’t ... purchased one of my own yet.”
“There is no shame in lacking blunt, Chilton. And no need to act as if there is,” murmured Branford in a voice soft enough that only Justin could hear. Then, in a louder tone he added, “Jasper, see to it that Mr. Chilton shoots with a decent weapon on his next visit.” With that, he gave the young man a curt nod. Good day, Mr. Chilton.”
Before Justin could stutter a reply,he was already staring at the earl’s back.
His good friend, Frederick Hartley, had witnessed the encounter and rushed over, eyes wide with astonishment. “Good heavens, Justin. The Icy Earl actually spoke to you!” Hartley’s voice was tinged with awe.” And not only that—he offered you one of his matched pair!”
“Ain’t never seen the likes o’ that,” said Jasper, shooting Justin an appraising look. “Nope. Ain’t never seen him offer one o’ his barking irons to nobody.”
The two young men gathered their things and made to leave.
“Thursday at one, Mr. Chilton,” added Jasper.
Justin nodded, then he and Hartley walked off, drawing not a few interested glances.
“I didn’t know the two of you were acquainted,” persisted Hartley, as they walked towards his phaeton.
“Hardly at all. That is, he ... he is a friend of my sister,” mumbled Justin. “They share a mutual interest in botany,” he added quickly, lest Hartley get the wrong idea.
Disregarding Justin’s disavowal, Hartley looked at him with newfound respect. “Wait until Stanford and Yorkhill hear about this! They’ll be green with envy that they missed it.”
Justin colored slightly. “It’s nothing to make a fuss over, really, Freddy. I daresay he was merely ...”
Merely what?Justin found that he couldn’t begin to answer the question. The idea that the earl was trying to cozen up to him was absurd—but equally absurd was the idea that he was acting in ... friendship.
