Duel of Hearts Read Free Page B

it.” She confronted him with a glint of amusement in her gray eyes, adding, “Your secret is out, I fear, for when I offered poor Mr. Crofton a glass, he nearly choked on it. It was but colored water, Papa.”
    â€œI suppose you found the other.”
    â€œAnd poured it out.”
    â€œManaging female,” he growled.
    â€œNow, do you send for Dr. Fournier, or do I?”
    He eyed her with disfavor for a moment and then looked away. “I have already consulted him, if you must pry,” he admitted grudgingly.
    She stared for a moment, scarcely crediting her ears, for she could not remember his ever willingly seeking out a physician. His gout had taken him to such a pass that he could scarce support his ample frame with a cane to walk, and yet it had fallen to her to summon a doctor, and it had taken threats and tears to make him civil to the little Frenchman. Hiding her shock as best she could, she managed, “And?”
    â€œAnd he told me to rest an hour or two each afternoon, if you must know everything. I ain’t as young as I once was. There—you have the tale now, so leave me be on the matter.” His eyes suddenly noted the dirt on her walking dress and the tear in the skirt. “Seems to me, miss, that it should be me taking you to task—what the devil happened to you?”
    â€œA young paperskull thought himself a great whip and lost control of his horses,” she answered blithely. “Had it not been for the handsome but somewhat odious Lord Lyndon, Annie and I should have been run down on the street—an ignominious end for two females gone to look for a novel, don’t you think?”
    â€œYour levity ill becomes you,” he grumbled testily, and then his manner changed abruptly. “Lyndon? Lyndon—where have I heard the name before?” he mused. “Young fellow?”
    â€œYes, and he is possessed of the most abominable manners, if the truth were told, Papa. Just when I was about to thank him profusely for saving our lives, he …well, there is no delicate way to put it, I suppose—he inspected me! He looked at me as though I were some sort of Cyprian!”
    â€œDaresay you mistook the matter then,” her father said. “Can’t have—you don’t look like one. Not that I know any,” he added hastily, “but I know there ain’t a man living as would mistake you for one of them—there ain’t.”
    â€œBut he did. He was positively bold, Papa,” she said indignantly. “Most men when you meet them look at your face first, but not Lord Lyndon.”
    â€œLyndon.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and tried to place the name. “Viscount Lyndon, you say?”
    â€œTo be precise, I did not mention it, but yes, I believe he said he was a viscount.”
    â€œAh, I remember now—poor fellow lost his fortune last week when the Windward sank, as I heard it. Old family, too—a pity. Well, if he was behavin’ peculiar-like, who could blame him, I ask you? Mind’s still probably befuddled by the loss.”
    â€œHe did not appear befuddled in the least,” she retorted. “His manners were offensive.”
    â€œBut you were civil to him?”
    â€œOf course I was civil to him! I was all that was polite.”
    â€œRelated to the Davenham dukes, I think.”
    â€œI should not doubt it—he appeared arrogant enough to be related to Prinny himself.”
    But Jeptha Cole was no longer listening as he continued to muse aloud, “Aye, the fellow tried his hand at cargo speculation, as I remember, and was in a fair way to turning a handsome profit until this. Can’t be a bad lad if he’s got a good head on his shoulders. What’d you say he looked like?”
    â€œActually, I did not really note him,” she said, hoping to end the discussion.
    â€œThought you said he was handsome,” he persisted.
    â€œWell, I suppose he