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Seraphina took a step back, her back hitting the wall before she could create more space, and Martin pressed up tightly against her before she could do anything else.

“I am told I am a patient man, Miss Seraphina, but even my patience wears thin with certain behavior. These… ladies… are something I will not tolerate.”

“But-”

“You told me you were obedient, yes?” He asked.

Seraphina felt her heart beating wildly as she sensed danger. How could she reply with anything other than yes? As her mind scrambled for an answer, Martin reached out and pressed a firm hand on her stomach.

“Sayyes,like a good girl,” he warned through gritted teeth. And panic consumed her.

“Lord Repington,” Hugo called.

He had watched her all evening. Seen her friends rescue her from Repington, and watched him leave to find her. Hugo had planned on finding a moment to speak with Seraphina at the party later, but when he’d seen her friends come back into the ballroom without her and the minutes ticked by, he found himself unable to wait.

As he suspected, he found her with Repington. Anger quivered through him as he saw the man’s hand pressed against Seraphina’s stomach, saw the vivid look of fear on her face. Forgoing subtlety, he walked up to them with his fists clenched.

“Lord Merrivale!” Martin said, turning toward him with a surprised look.

“You will address me as Your Grace,” Hugo said flatly, moving his body between Martin’s and Seraphina’s.

“For all of London’s rumors about my manners you seem to forget that you all are lacking in a few of your own.”

Martin’s brows dropped into a scowl, but he had the good sense to back down.

“Of course,” he agreed, bowing his head to Hugo, “My apologies. How may I help you?”

“Your associates in the cigar room are asking for your presence,” Hugo lied. “I told them I would come fetch you.”

Martin gave him a dubious look.

“And why would they send you?” He asked.

Hugo felt his temper rise further, but he kept calm.

“Apparently there is some tale of a giant bear you took down that they wish you to recount?” He asked. “Word has it you are an excellent hunter.”

“Not as excellent as you, I have heard,” Martin retorted with a look of disgust, “Though I suppose we hunt very different forms of game.”

That was enough, Hugo decided, and he stepped directly up to Martin, looming at least a head above him.

“Would you like to find out, Lord Repington?” He asked, his tone laced with deadly intent.

Martin shifted his weight, and as Hugo expected, the man backed down.

“They are looking for me in the cigar room, you say?”

Hugo nodded once, not letting the man break eye contact.

“The tale of that hunt is most exciting,” Martin grumbled, taking a step back, “I would be happy to regale my friends with it again.”

Hugo kept his glare on Martin, even as he turned his back to them, and watched in disgust as Martin quickly forgot all about Seraphina, and walked quickly toward the cigar room.

“For once I am grateful for your horrid manners, Your Grace,” Seraphina sighed, her voice shaking.

His anger was still threatening to explode, even as he turned to face Seraphina.

“What did he do?”He wanted to go to her, the urge to wrap her in his arms taking root deep inside of him, but he held himself still. She looked absolutely petrified, and he didn’t want to frighten her further.