Page 105

The room erupted into shocked cries, wide eyes not knowing where to look, and I found myself on my feet, Lady Grantham pulling at my hand and urging me to sit backdown. But I was like stone, watching the scene unfold before me.

Azriel threw back his head and laughed. “My good man, do not be ridiculous.”

“She has felt the quickening!” Spittle foamed at de la Croix’s lips, the crop creaking in his grasp. “You foul cad, how dare you soil my family name, my wife!”

“If your wife has felt the quickening then I assure you, that little bastard is not mine,” Azriel said, smirking at the furious man. “I was not even in the country while your wife was opening her legs. Perhaps ask your servants.”

More outraged cries, and the blood drained from my face, or out of my body entirely. I was numb, and shocked, sure that de la Croix was about to start beating Azriel out of sheer rage.

De la Croix advanced on Azriel, and Grantham rushed at him, holding him back. “Stop it, man!” He implored. “This is madness!”

“You have ruined my family’s honour!” De la Croix raged over Grantham’s head. “I demand justice!”

“What justice!” Azriel closed the distance between them, and the two men were now only separated by the desperate efforts of Grantham as his gaze zipped from one to the other. “You are a fool, de la Croix, your wife whores herself around and everyone in this room knows it. For you to land on me is rather creative.”

“She told me it was you!” De la Croix’s face was the most extraordinary shade of red, making rhetorical whites of his eyes shockingly brilliant. “She told me what you did!”

“Then she lied,” Azriel purred, and de la Croix exploded.

He shoved Grantham aside, sending the man toppling to the floor, and Lady Grantham struggled to her feet, steadying herself on my arm.

“Edward!” She cried.

De la Croix seized Azriel’s collar, teeth gritted. “I challenge you! You will meet me at dawn!”

I was sure I was about to faint. The room once again fell into silence.

Azriel shoved de la Croix away from him with a sneer. “Go home to your wife, you fool.”

De la Croix lunged at him again, slapping the crop against Azriel’s chest. His lips moved, muttering something, not audible, but the poison in his tone more than evident.

Azriel’s face shifted, betraying shock for barely a moment. Then anger settled on his face, disdain and anger, and he once again pushed de la Croix away from him.

“At dawn then,” Azriel said, and reached down to help Grantham up from the floor. “Will you be my second?”

Grantham nodded eagerly. “Of course, my good man. But-but this, this is…” He turned back to de la Croix, lifting his hands helplessly. “Fitzwilliam, you are possessed. This will not do anyone any good. Please, reconsider.”

“Bring your pistol!” De la Croix jabbed his finger in Azriel’s face. “I shall have my justice! And remember what I said.” De la Croix’s gaze darted across the room until it finally found me. His lips pulled back, and he spat on the ground before him.

Outraged cries and murmurs rose from the crowd, and de la Croix spun on his heel, striding from the house.

Lady Grantham waddled across the room to her husband’s side, and I followed her quickly. She took Grantham’s hand with a gasp, and shook her head.

“Oh, Edward, what happened?” She asked desperately, and her husband’s eyes stayed on Azriel. “What are we to do?”

Azriel’s shoulders rose as he drew a deep breath. “I apologise, your grace. I have spoiled your party.” He gave me a wan smile as I took his hand. “I feel it best to take my wife home.”

“Of course.” Grantham dipped his head. “I shall collect you in the morning, by my word.”

“Thank you, Grantham.” Azriel shook his hand. “And my apologies again.”

“No, please, do not distress yourself.” Lady Grantham planted a kiss on Azriel’s cheek, her eyes shining with tears. “I shall pray for you, and for your safety.”

“Thank you, your grace.” Azriel took my arm gently, and led me from the ballroom.

I was still too aghast to speak, wobbling on my feet as Azriel put my coat over my shoulders. Even the blast of cold air as we stepped outside did nothing to sober me. I remained in shocked silence in the carriage, Azriel asking me several times if I was alright, and all I could do was shake my head in return.

28