Page 11
Book 1 Chapter 4
“Fitzwilliam! Fitzwilliam!”
The Colonel got quickly to his feet. Who on earth was making such a scene outside his quarters. His batman scurried to open the door but Richard stayed him.
“Let me deal with this. You are dismissed Baker.”
“Good night sir.”
The Colonel yanked the door back to find an old friend, rather the worse for wear, leaning against his door frame.
“Quincy, why on earth are you bellowing at the top of your voice outside my quarters?”
His friend and fellow Colonel ignored the question and pushed his way inside.
“Do come in why don’t you, old chap.”
“I am not in the mood Fitzwilliam. I am hanging on to my temper by a thread. Close the door.”
Richard was now thorough confused, more than a little annoyed, but also intrigued.
“Do you want a glass?”
“Of course I want a glass, this is not the kind of conversation you have when you are sober.”
A minute later they were sat opposite each other, his guest knocking back half the brandy in one gulp.
“My younger brother is a Captain in your very regiment. You are aware of this?”
“I am, he is a good officer.”
“He had the honour of escorting our sister to a ball this evening. While there my sister was subjected to a disgraceful attack upon her character. My brother immediately escorted her home. A mutual friend left the ball and told me of what happened. He did this because he knew my brother could not talk to a senior officer in the necessary manner. He does not know I am here so do not take petty revenge upon him.”
“You need to get yourself under control. I will not have you attack my honour in such a manner!”
“Really?”
His guest stood and looked around the room ostentatiously.
“We do not seem to be in the stables so get down off your high horse. I am giving you the chance to save the reputation, and possibly the life, of a member of your family and this is the guff you come back with?”
What on earth had his brother done?
“What did the Viscount do?”
“It is not your brother. He is many things but a boor is not one of them. It is your cousin, Darcy.”
Richard winced.
“The mutual friend stopped me from barging into the ball and calling him out. He will present himself at the family home at 2.00 sharp tomorrow afternoon. It better be the most grovelling apology of his life or my family will give yours the cut direct, including your father. We will not tolerate anyone, however high and mighty they believe themselves to be, from insulting our sweet sister and daughter.”
He stood.
“What on earth did Darcy say?”
Fitzwilliam was appalled at the sneer he received.
“Go and find out for yourself! It is the family’s respect for you, my own most of all, that is giving you this lifeline. Do not waste it.”
