The blood-curdling shout from behind them ripped Alex from his reverie. He broke away and shielded Charlotte from the dark, silhouetted figure that stormed toward them.
As the light from the ballroom windows and the man’s proximity changed, Alex could sense Charlotte’s whole body tense as her brother’s livid face came into view. “Unhand her immediately,” Chris said, his voice sizzling low with rage.
Alex rushed her to a nearby bush and stepped into the pathway in front of her.
Chris was upon them now, his voice hushed but urgent. “I was just helping the last guests to their rooms when I thought I heard voices down here, where no guests had gone. I should have known it was the pond scum attempting to return.” He charged toward Alex and pushed him out of his way. “Did you really think you were safe in my own garden?”
Alex responded in kind, pushing him back with both hands.
Chris raised a fist toward Alex when Charlotte barreled in between them, hands thrust out wide. “Don’t touch him, Chris!” she exclaimed. “This was all my idea!”
“Hold your tongue, Charlotte.” He scoffed. “After accepting Lord Ainscough’s proposal and then being found here, do you really expect me to believe anything you say?”
“I can explain,” Alex said, narrowing in toward Chris.
“That will not be necessary.” Chris eyed them both and folded his arms.
Two more people ran down the back steps. As their silhouettes came into view, Charlotte gasped. One ripped off his mask, revealing George. Joseph came unmasked, not dressed for the ball.
Were they all to side with Chris against Alex? Even George?
“More witnesses.” Christopher gestured toward his brothers. “I demand satisfaction for your treatment of my sister.” He glowered at Alex.
“Chris—it isn’t done any more,” George hissed, casting his mask to the ground. “You know duels are illegal. There are other ways to handle this, ways much more civilized, without the ramifications if you are found out—”
“Shut up!” Chris glared at him.
George narrowed his eyes and whispered, “Have you thought of the disgrace if Lady Eloise or her family finds out? Our family will fall to ruin.”
“No one will know.” Chris pushed George away with his fingertips. “This scoundrel is of no consequence to anyone, and everything will be over before dawn. We have the whole south woods to keep ourselves hidden from others.” He stared down his brother. “Will you be my second, or should I ask someone who isn’t a coward?”
“Please, stop this,” Charlotte begged, hurrying toward George and grasping his arm.
George pushed her off gently as their eyes met. Alex saw the hurt there, paired with unmitigated anger. Now he’d have to choose sides.
“I willnotstand as second,” George whispered, his jaw flexing.
Chris didn’t even flinch. “Joseph, then?”
Joseph agreed, puffed up his chest, and drew nearer to Christopher.
“Christopher,” George hissed. “He’s only just fourteen. Do not permit him to stay.”
“Come off it, George,” Joseph said, determined despite his scrawny frame as he attempted to shove George out of the way. “I’ll do what I want.”
“Get out of my sight, George. And not a word,” Chris spat.
George raised his broad fist to punch his brother but then stilled, looking from Charlotte to Chris. He lowered his hand and muttered, “You’ll regret this,” as he stalked toward the side of the house nearest the stables, his strong form still held high as he retreated.
“Please, you must stop.” Charlotte ran toward Chris and grabbed his forearm, but he shook her off like an inconsequential fly.
“Don’t you appeal to me!” Christopher’s voice grew louder. “I am doing this for your honor. That man was not to see you again, and he will answer for the way he compromised your name in this garden!”
“I let him kiss me, Christopher.” Charlotte squared her shoulders. “Ilovehim.”
“Don’t use those words with me!” His voice was laced with anger. “You have no idea what that means. And what of Ainscough? Do youlovehim too?”
“No.” She glanced to her shoes before meeting his gaze. “I didn’t think a future with Alex was possible until tonight.”
