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“Robert,” Georgiana called to him in a quelling voice, trying to calm him down.

“No! This is unacceptable!” He shook Thomas again, now thoroughly enraged “A total stranger snuck intomy homeand threatenedmy wife, andnone of yousaw a damned thing?”

Georgiana leaned against the sofa, now completely exhausted. Her single movement seemed to accomplish what had, thus far, been ineffective.

Robert shoved Thomas into an armchair, where he landed with a thud, and went to clutch Georgiana’s hands.

“Are you all right?” He turned to Sinclair. “Hurry up and get her some tea with whiskey in it.”

The butler bowed. “Immediately, Your Grace.” He hurried to do Robert’s bidding.

Robert rubbed her arms gently and stared into her eyes. “I should have been here,” he said apologetically.

She smiled tiredly. “You are here now.”

He blew out a breath and got to his feet. His eyes narrowed as he turned towards Newston. He reached down with one hand and raised him to his feet, Robert’s fist wrapped around Thomas’ collar.

“And you, howdareyou come here and threaten my wife? Have you no shame?”

Thomas struggled and choked out an answer. “You are strangling me.”

“And?” Robert said.

“I cannot…breathe.”

“I fail to see the problem.”

Thomas began to turn blue.

“I ought to report you to the authorities for this. You attacked a lady.”

Thomas’ eyes slid to Georgiana’s exposed bodice. “Scandal,” he choked out.

“Not when they hear what you did, you shameless dandy.”

“There…will…always…be…those who…wonder.”

Georgiana sighed. “He is right, Robert. The ton loves scandals too much not to speculate endlessly. Daisy will get caught up in this…” she shook her head, “Just let him go.”

“Absolutely not.” He shook Thomas a bit more, looking indignant.

“You will kill him,” Georgiana protested weakly.

“It would serve him right if I did,” Robert said stoutly.

“P-please,” Thomas wheezed.

“Oh, suddenly you want to beg? What happened to the punishment you were going to mete out on me?” Georgiana snapped, glaring at Thomas, “It would behoove you to be silent before you enrageme,and I ask my husband to give me your head on a plate.”

Thomas went pale and silent.

Robert smirked at Georgiana. “I would do it too,” he said quietly.

“I know.” She looked away from him, pursing her lips. She did not know what had gotten into her, but after everything he had said to her, Thomas’s pathetic plea for clemency had been the last straw.

“Send him away please,” she said.

Robert bowed to her. “As you wish, my lady.”