Dauntless (Gentlemen of the Order 1)

Why would the peer wish to harm her?

“I h-haven’t the faintest clue what you’re t-talking about,” came the lord’s stammering reply. “Like your father, you’re a trouble starter who seeks to cause mischief.”

Noah ground his teeth. “Every twitch and pained expression says you’re lying.”

“It won’t be difficult to find the villain,” Mr Cole said. “Peel’s vow to tackle organised gangs is crucial to reform. And men like that are quick to blab if it means escaping the noose.”

“You’ve overstepped the mark,” Noah continued, poking his uncle in the chest. “Everyone knows you’re bitter because I inherited the lion’s share while you got nothing but the entailed property. That’s the reason you’ve wasted years trying to prove I’m illegitimate, trying to persuade my grandfather to amend his will. But you could have killed an innocent woman. And for what? Out of spite? Because you would do anything to prevent me from marrying? Because you hope I die so you can claim everything I own?”

Lord Hawkridge found an ounce of courage from somewhere and said, “I’d rather die than have my brother’s offspring take the title.”

“Then you’re in luck.” Noah straightened. “I’ll take that as an admission of guilt and so you’d best dust off your pistols. Only one of us will walk away the victor.”

Eva gasped. “No! You’ll not risk your life on my account.”

“Daventry will cast you out of the Order,” Mr Cole cautioned. “There is no honour in killing a man. You’ll be forced to live abroad. Your name will carry eternal shame. That’s not what your grandfather wanted. That’s never been what you wanted.”

Panic gripped Eva around the throat. “Please, don’t do this. There must be another solution.”

Noah turned on his uncle. “Why could you not simply sire an heir and be done with it? Why could you not look to fill the house with a brood of boys ready to take your place?”

“Do you not think I’ve tried?” The lord’s words dripped with contempt. “I had the pick of the crop and chose the only damn woman in the ton who is barren. No wonder she came with a sizeable dowry.”

Lord Hawkridge spoke as if his wife were a broodmare. No doubt, he wished to put the muzzle of a pistol to her head and pull the trigger, go hunting for a filly. Perhaps the woman with the saddest eyes Eva had ever seen, might wish for a quick end to her torment, too.

“That useless vessel will be the ruin of my family.” Lord Hawkridge’s features twisted in disdain. “That pathetic woman will be my damn downfall.”

Eva couldn’t bear to hear another derogatory word from this fool’s lips. Thankfully, she didn’t have to suffer another disparaging remark. Without warning, Noah drew his fist back and threw a punch that snapped his uncle’s head sideways.

There was a stunned moment of silence before Lord Hawkridge cried out and clutched his jaw.

“That is for the insult shown to your wife, for speaking ill of her when in company.” Noah drew his fist back again, and his uncle flinched. “I would wager you’re the one who cannot sire an heir. Everything about you is rotten to the core. My father knew it to be true. My grandfather knew it, too.”

Eva stepped forward. She curled her fingers around Noah’s bulging bicep and eased his raised arm to his side. “All the more reason you should not waste your life exacting revenge. This ingrate isn’t worth the time or trouble, and I pity the woman who has to suffer his vile condemnation.”

The woman who deserved Eva’s pity appeared like an apparition in the doorway. Her gaunt face and pale complexion spoke of months of sustained torment.

“Your father had the utmost respect for Mr Ashwood,” the wraith-like figure said so quietly the words were barely audible. “Can we not welcome him as family and put this dreaded business behind us?”

Lord Hawkridge stared at the frail creature as if he wished to banish her back to the nether realm. “Remove yourself, madam. You have not been summoned.”

The lady managed to rouse strength from somewhere. “Does it matter which Ashwood bears the title? Does it matter if your nephew is the heir?”

Lord Hawkridge ground his teeth. “I’ll not have the son of a wastrel take the seat.” He jabbed his finger towards the door. “Now, why don’t you go for a walk in the garden, my dear. With luck, you’ll catch a chill and bring a speedy end to all my problems.”

Eva held her temper, but it took a tremendous effort not to punch the lord. “Come, Mr Ashwood,” she said, staring down her nose at the pathetic toad in the chair. “There is no point wasting your breath, and I refuse to let you risk your life for this worthless creature.”

“Go to hell!” the lord retaliated. “And take that useless bint with you.”

“Miss Dunn is right, Uncle,” Noah countered. “A lead ball to the chest is too good for you. When you take your last breath, I pray the Lord delivers a fitting punishment. A humiliating end for the deplorable way you treat your wife.” Noah tugged the cuffs of his coat. “In the meantime, I intend to ensure Peel is aware of your complicity. I intend to spend my waking hours ensuring every peer in the land knows of your cowardly misdeeds.”

Noah did not give him a chance to reply. He captured Eva’s elbow and led her out into the hall, ignoring the muttered curses emanating from the study.

Lady Hawkridge was already climbing the stairs, no doubt keen to remove herself from the whip of another vile tirade.

“Gertrude,” Noah called.

The lady gripped the rail with bony fingers and glanced back over her shoulder. “I shall be fine, Mr Ashwood. Do not concern yourself with my predicament.”