Page 35 of Sweet Hellion

The major general looked over his shoulder. “Everyone out.”

The guests cleared the room and Stirling closed the door.

The major general faced Munro, who had gained his feet, and held a handkerchief to his nose.

“What is this about, William?” the major general demanded.

“Macleod finally got someone to back up his lies, that’s what it is about.”

“My brother was there.” Emma pulled an envelope from her reticule and gave it to the major general.

He withdrew the letter from the envelope and read. His brow furrowed and he looked up. His gaze pinned Munro. “It says here that it was you who deserted the field, not Macleod.”

“Lies,” Munro hissed, but the major general looked at Stirling.

“You know this Tory Bamfield?” the major general asked.

Stirling nodded. “I do.”

“He is trustworthy?”

“He is.”

The major general’s eyes returned to Munro. “I will post guards here at your home. Try to leave, and they will have orders to shoot you.”

“That is ridiculous,” the viscount sputtered. “You know me, John. I am no coward.”

“Until you told me that Macleod had deserted his men, I hadn’t known him to be a coward, either. Count yourself fortunate that I am not incarcerating you as you demanded I incarcerate him.”

“Sir,” Rhys said, “Lord Munro was assaulting the lady when I broke in.”

The older man’s face tightened. “Is this true, Miss Bamfield?” he asked her.

Emma turned and showed a torn sleeve Rhys hadn’t noticed. Rhys took a step toward Munro.

“Hold, Captain,” the major general ordered.

Rhys halted.

“Stirling,” the major general said, “would you call in two of my men, please?”

Stirling turned and left the room.

“John,” Munro began.

“Say nothing more, William,” the major general cut in, “or, by God, I will thrash you myself.”

“Moments later, Stirling returned with two of the largest men Rhys had ever seen.

“Take him to the jail,” the major general ordered. “If he gives you any trouble, throw him on your horse unconscious.”

Munro shot Rhys a narrow-eyed glare as he passed, but said nothing.

“See me tomorrow, Captain,” the major general said, then extended Tory’s letter toward Emma. As she accepted it, he said, “Are you unharmed, Miss Bamfield?”

“I am much better now that Rhys’s honor has been restored.” Her gaze shifted to Stirling. “What are you doing here, sir?”

“I am a guest,” he said.