Her friend replied, “Did you see how quickly she volunteered?Iheard—”
Georgiana pushed past them all, and Lord Reynolds smirked, wiping his mouth on his sleeve.
“Blast. I’ve embarrassed her,” he told his admirers.
Something in me snapped, and the boiling rage burst free. “Reynolds,” I seethed, pushing through the last of the onlookers until we were toe to toe.
He looked up, giving me the perfect open target.
I thrust my fist directly into his jaw.
Gasps sounded all around. Reynolds fell back, cursing and holding his face. “Deuces, man! It was a game!”
“Touch her again,” I bellowed, “and I willend youin front of everyone you love.”
“Marlow.” Gabriel stood between us, palms up, his expression one of shock and fear. “All is well, Cousin.”
“Step aside, Gabriel.” My breaths were coming fast, shallow. “Stand up, Reynolds.”
“I think we ought to leave now,” Gabriel said tersely. “You are causing quite the scene.”
“I’m bleeding,” Reynolds muttered, surprised as he touched the corner of his mouth. “Who the devil do you think you are?”
I reared back my arm again.
Gabriel hung his weight on my side, unbalancing me, and turned me round. “Our apologies,” he called over his shoulder as he shoved me forward.
Then, with a rush of air, Gabriel fell back a step and groaned. I turned round only to be knocked sideways by Reynolds in a whirl of frenzied hits. I recovered and caught one in the eye, another in the gut, but I gave as much rightback. Gabriel pushed his way between us, hands up in surrender. Reynolds landed a blow to the side of his head.
I didn’t think. I pushed my cousin out of the way and broke Reynolds’s nose with my fist.
His blood sprayed over the grass.
“Now, we are leaving.” Gabriel pushed me hard. “Idiots, the both of you, and—ahh—my eye.” He pressed his hand over his right eye.
I struggled against him half-heartedly—I might’ve broken my knuckles on Reynolds’s face—then seethed over my shoulder, “Come anywhere near her, and I’ll—”
“We’ll knock out what’s left of your teeth!” Gabriel finished.
The crowd had dispersed, teeming with wide stares and flurried whispers, save the half a dozen men aiding Reynolds. I spun round, searching the passersby for Georgiana. I tasted something metallic. Ah. My bottom lip. That buffoonsplit my lip?
“She’s gone. Maggie took her,” Gabriel said. His right eye was swelling. He led me to the far edge of the Park and lifted his hand to call a hackney. “That little scuffle will definitely make the papers tomorrow. Lud, Marlow.”
I couldn’t care less about the people, the papers. “Ashburn Abbey,” I directed the driver.
Gabriel tugged off his cravat and handed it to me. “Your eye.”
I pressed the cloth to my face, surprised at the wetness down my left side. “He will regret this day.”
“I am quite sure he already does. Over skipping stones, no less.”
“She told him no. You heard her.”
“I did.” Gabriel huffed. “He deserved the hit. But let us leave it at that, for Georgiana’s sake.”
I grunted my agreement. The only thing that mattered now was ensuring Georgiana was well. I’d seen her face as she pulled away. He’d hurt her in more ways than one.
He’d never come near her again.
