Taming Wilde (12 page)

If you must get in a fight, at least have the decency to make it a good one. There
are many blokes in the world
who
are bored to tears with their current companionship
,
or heaven forbid, their wives. Bloodshed
,
my friends, bloodshed
. Give the fellows some entertainment.
—The Private Journal of Viscount Maddox

From behind the closed door of Hawke’s study, Gemma heard Hawke enter the front hall.
She sat paralyzed for a moment, holding her breath and praying he would not come in
and catch her at the letter. When he had stormed out only an hour before, she’d thought
he would be gone for the duration of the day. Though he hadn’t said where he’d been
going, she knew without doubt it had been in search of Colin, but he hadn’t stopped
long enough to gather his pistol.

She glanced at the mantel. The brace of pistols still sat in their box there, below
the portrait of Gemma’s mother.

Her brother’s booming voice was clear even through the wall.

“I don’t care how she begs, Thomas. You are not to let her out of this house. Keep
a wary eye on her until my return.”

“Is the lady receiving callers this afternoon, my lord?”

“One and none other. The Duke of Bridgewater.”

“What time shall we expect him?”

“The appointment is at two o’clock. Have everything prepared for his arrival by half
the hour.”

“Very good, my lord,” Thomas answered. Gemma could hear his heels tapping a retreat
toward the kitchen. There was no hope of help from him. He followed instructions as
if his life depended on it. Her stomach turned.

She might convince one of the younger footmen to deliver the message, and if Colin
replied in the way she hoped, she might slip out during the pandemonium of preparations
for his grace’s arrival. The trick would be to make her own preparations without the
interference of Pearl.

“My lord?” The treacherous girl’s faint voice filtered through the closed door.

“Ah, Pearl,” Hawke answered, though his voice sounded laced with impatience. “What
is it?”

“Will you be requiring any… assistance this evening?”

In all my years, I have only attended five duels. Shocking, I know. In those times
there are a few things I’ve learned
, w
isdom I would like to pass down. Here it is
:
don’t be dumb enough to get caught in the first place. A good rake is sneaky, and
fades into the shadows. I was at it for quite some time and am a good shot
,
so
I
never truly cared
if
I was challenged. But rakes this day and age? Pathetic. It is why our kind is dying
off, because they are literally getting blown to shreds. Men, if you are not willing
to die for your sins, then perhaps you should stop sinning?
—The Private Journal of Viscount Maddox

Colin rolled up his sleeves and pulled off his cravat. Nasty business, boxing. Always
lots of blood and shouting. Though, to be honest, he’d been the boxing champion of
his regiment, and he had beaten every challenger at Jackson’s. Unfortunately, it didn’t
sit well with him that he would have to pummel, nay, kill his future wife’s brother.
As much as the thought of driving his fist into Van Burge’s temple brought a smile
to his lips, Gemma would be upset, and he loved her too much to put her out.

“His right hook is nasty,” Anthony murmured next to him. “I’ve heard he fights dirty,
so do not fall for any of his tricks and—”

“Anthony, do I tell you how to seduce women?”

Anthony laughed. “I rather think not.”

“Then do not tell me how to box. I know my own business. You’ve had several black
eyes to prove it,” Colin pointed out.

Anthony swore. “Yes, well, on both occasions I was feeling under the weather.”

“Right.” Colin laughed. “Whatever brings sleep to you at night.”

Anthony grinned. “Believe me, I have many ways to help me sleep at night, and none
of them involve fighting… unless you take the time Bridget and I—”

“And this is where that story ends.” Ambrose slapped his brother on the back. “He’s
right, though. Watch out for the hook, and do not put your hands down for even one
second. His arms are longer than yours, which gives his reach a good two inches on
yours and…”

“I will be fine.” Colin smiled.

“Why the devil are you smiling?” Anthony demanded.

“It is a wonderful day,” Colin answered. “And I am in love.”

“Sure hope he still smiles once he’s missing all his teeth. I’d like to see that,”
Ambrose mumbled. “Now, focus and—”

Ambrose froze mid-sentence as Van Burge entered the room. “Let us get this match over
with. I have a meeting with Gemma’s betrothed, and I do not wish to be late.”

Ambrose and Anthony gasped behind him.

Colin still smiled. “Shall we?”

Van Burge grinned and led the way to the ring.

“You see? You shall never have her. She is promised to the Duke of Bridgewater!” The
marquess let out a laugh and swung at Colin. He didn’t duck. Instead he absorbed the
blow to his face and felt the familiar warmth of blood trickle from his nose.

“What the devil!” Anthony shouted. “Put up your hands, Wilde! Merciful heavens, he
means to kill himself over a woman!”

“Fight!” Ambrose chanted. “Knock him in the—”

Colin vaguely heard him say something derogatory, but a ringing began in his ears
as Van Burge landed another blow to the side of his face. He fell to the ground.

“You must get up and fight!” Anthony pleaded as he knelt next to him. “You’ve the
best record at Jackson’s! Why the devil aren’t you fighting back?”

Colin groaned and pushed to his feet.

Anthony cursed.

Ambrose sighed next to him. “It is as if he has finally given up. No longer a rake,
no longer in the running to win the woman he loves. He has simply given up!”

One more blow to the face, and he could feign being knocked out. Colin waited for
it. Van Burge smiled smugly, causing Colin to almost grin with glee, but he restrained
himself as another jolt of pain hit his eye.

He fell to the ground dramatically and closed his eyes.

“Well, that didn’t take long,” Van Burge announced to everyone who would listen. “Now
that I’ve dealt with this idiot, I shall be off to meet the Duke of Bridgewater, my
brother-in-law. We are, after all, great friends, and I shall be announcing my sister’s
engagement this very day!”

Cheers erupted.

Anthony slumped to the ground and groaned into his hands. “It is an actual nightmare.
I do not understand it at all!”

Ambrose nudged Colin with his boot. “I think he may have died.”

Colin grinned and opened the eye that wasn’t swollen. “Is he gone?”

“Van Burge?” Anthony asked.

“Yes.”

“Only just. Without a scratch, I might add.”

Colin jumped to his feet and wiped the blood from his nose. “Brilliant! How do I look?”

“Do you truly want an answer to that?” Ambrose asked.

Anthony answered for him. “You look a mess.”

“Splendid.”

Anthony shook his head. “I do not understand you. I do not—”

“You will forgive me, my friend, that I do not remain to explain it to you. I have
an appointment at the Van Burge place, and I do not wish to be late.”

“Going back for more? He will surely kill you, man!”

“No.” Colin shrugged as he stepped toward the door. “I am expected. The lady and I
are betrothed. I signed the contract a mere hour ago.”

“Betrothed? How is that possible? Van Burge just told us she is promised to a duke.”
Anthony pointed his finger at Colin and scratched his head as though deep in thought.
“That would mean…”

Ambrose, the eldest twin by a few minutes, pieced it together more quickly, perhaps
because of his age and wisdom. “The mysterious duke.”

“What?” Anthony all but yelled.

Colin bowed low. “The Duke of Bridgewater, at your service.”

“Splendid. That’s what this is.” Anthony slapped his knee and laughed. “What I wouldn’t
do to see the look on Van Burge’s face when you tell him.”

“I have thought of that.” Colin couldn’t help the smug grin. “Now, if you’ll excuse
me, I do not wish to be late.”

“Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant,” Ambrose mumbled as Colin turned to go.

“He may have just become one of my favorite people,” Anthony said.

“I thought I was your favorite person,” Ambrose joked.

“You, dear brother, are family. Wilde, however, is going to give our friend Van Burge
a blasted apoplexy.”

“One can only hope,” Ambrose said seriously.

There is only one thing better than being a well
-
known rake
.
T
hat
,
my friends, is revenge
.
—The Private Journal of Viscount Maddox

Pearl was none too gentle as she worked with Gemma's hair, sweeping the copper tresses
up into a neat bun. Gemma couldn't find the will to protest as Pearl tugged at her
hair, pulling her head this way and that.

Nothing mattered anymore. Hawke would make certain Colin couldn't come for her, whether
he be maimed or killed, and the duke would arrive at any moment to claim her. A sense
of resigned dread washed through Gemma.

The knock on the door resounded through her like a final nail being driven into her
coffin.

Pearl scurried to answer it. Thomas's low voice floated through the room to Gemma,
who sat transfixed, staring at the haunting image in the looking glass. The light
in her eyes had gone out.

"The lady's presence is requested in the drawing room."

Her mouth was bone dry. Gemma swallowed hard, stood from the vanity, and strode with
resolute purpose to the door.

"Thank you, Thomas," she said, and brushed past the disloyal lady's maid.

With each step closer, Gemma felt her soul dying. As it would have to do, Gemma thought.
In order to survive life apart from Colin.

Thomas led her to the drawing room and opened the doors to let her step inside, then
closed them quietly behind her. The man stood at the window with his back to her.
He turned when the click sounded. Gemma felt her heart leap to her throat, and she
gasped.

"Colin!" she protested, rushing to him. "What are you doing here, you fool? If my
brother finds you here, he will shoot you."

Colin met her halfway across the room and swept her into his arms, kissing her hard
as though he thought it would be for the last time. A shower of hard kisses, all across
her lips and neck. Gemma couldn't help but return his passion, but she protested between
each kiss.

"Quickly... he'll find you... Colin, please... you must go... you're mad!"

Finally Colin stepped back; his breath was ragged and fast. "I had to see you, Gemma."
There was a fresh cut above his right eye, and his left eye was badly bruised.

"Oh, Colin! What did he do to you?" Gemma wailed, tracing her fingers gingerly down
his cheek. "I'm so sorry."

Colin only offered her a crooked smile and took her hands in his. "Listen to me, my
darling."