My Fair Lover (Legendary Lovers 5)

A hint of amusement curved Trey’s mouth. “No doubt you could have handled your difficulties without us. I am all admiration. Clearly you rescued yourselves.”

“We have Mademoiselle Dupree to thank for our rescue,” Kate interjected.

Trey tipped his hat to Kate. “Well met, Lady Katharine.”

From the corner of her eye, she saw Gabrielle give a start at the use of her noble title, but there was no time to defend hiding her station because Deverill gave his orders. “Let us ride.”

—

Unsure what action Deverill would take, Kate spoke not at all during the journey. She could feel anger coming off him in waves, vibrating with the rhythm of the pounding hoofbeats. And when they reached the pirate’s house and slowed their pace, she could see Gabrielle’s expression of dread.

Raising his hand to bring the other riders to a halt, Deverill drew rein himself and shouted out, “Show yourself, Louvel!”

Without waiting, he swung off their horse, leaving Kate mounted, and strode toward the front steps. Gabrielle remained frozen, as if afraid to move.

Kate held her breath as they waited. Perhaps the servants had been watching from inside the house, for eventually the front door opened and the pirate stepped out.

Seeing the army at Deverill’s back, Louvel turned pale.

Deverill modulated his voice to be clearly heard. “I will give you the chance you never afforded me, Louvel. To fight me like a man rather than a coward.”

“As you will.”

By now a crowd of spectators was beginning to gather in the street. They all stood gawking as the pirate slowly descended the front steps.

Except for the snorting and huffing of labored horses, silence reigned.

Kate found herself murmuring a prayer, but when she saw the flashing gleam of a knife clutched in Louvel’s hand, she gasped.

Deverill’s expression of contempt showed what he thought of such treachery, and his tone turned livid. “Ever the coward.”

For an interminable moment, Louvel stood staring belligerently, knife raised, feet spread in an offensive stance. But then evidently he thought better of attacking an unarmed man in front of witnesses and threw the blade aside.

Then, shockingly, he bowed his head, as if waiting for his punishment. “Do your worst. I am prepared to go to my death like a man.”

Kate was surprised to feel a flicker of admiration for the pirate.

“I comprehend why you must have your revenge,” Louvel said.

“I doubt you comprehend anything,” Deverill ground out. “I care little for my own skin, but you nearly killed the lady under my protection.” He took two strides forward, prepared to engage the battle. “Defend yourself, you mangy cur.”

Kate watched, not daring to breathe. The two men circled each other warily at first, fists at the ready. After a few moments, they came together, intent on knocking the other off balance, but with neither immediately succeeding. In the next encounter, Deverill ducked the pirate’s jab and landed a blow to his rock-hard belly, eliciting a grunt.

Although of similar height, Louvel’s physique was more massive. But Deverill’s athletic litheness served him well during the next onslaught as he sidestepped nimbly and leveled a well-aimed hit to his opponent’s chin.

With a curse, Louvel redoubled his efforts. Bending low, he suddenly charged, using his head like a battering ram and wrapping his powerful arms around Deverill’s waist, causing him to stagger backward.

Deverill swiftly recovered, however, first delivering a hard knee to Louvel’s groin, then sinking down on his haunches while stiffening his arms against the pirate’s chest. Louvel went somersaulting overhead and catapulted face-first onto the pavement.

Giving a groan, Louvel jumped to his feet with the desperation of a cornered animal. When he lunged a second time, Deverill delivered a blow to the man’s gut that doubled him over. Louvel’s grunt of pain was cut off abruptly when Deverill’s fist struck the pirate’s jaw with a force that sent him reeling.

Slow to regain his footing, Louvel stood swaying and gasping for breath. He didn’t relent, however.

When rushed a third time, Deverill ducked the swinging fist and drove his own fist into Louvel’s face. This time the pirate fell with a thud and remained down, dazed, although still conscious, judging by his groans.

Crossing to his vanquished foe, Deverill stood over him, breathing heavily and flexing his bruised knuckles as if contemplating continuing the fight.

Kate thought it time to intervene. “Deverill, please…” she said urgently. “You cannot kill him. You gave your word.”