Page 41 of An Unusual Wager

“As you might imagine,” Jonathan replied, willing Walter and Robert to keep silent.

They did.

“Was most amused to discover you decided to marry the chit,” Teesdale said, with a knowing leer. “Although I have to admit to also being surprised, as I never took you for the sort to actually marry any of your women. Especially not a chit won in a card game.”

Any sort of cutting reply eluded Jonathan for the moment, which in itself was unusual, and probably lucky.

Not so Walter. He leaned forwards, his face screwed up in anger. “I say, don’t you go referring to my cousin as a chit. I won’t stand to have her insulted.”

“And she’s my friend,” Robert put in. “Some respect, please.”

Teesdale’s heavy eyebrows rose and a sly leer slid over his large, ugly face. “Your cousin, is she? And her father was happy to pimp her for his debts? I think I might hazard a guess and suggest he is not a gentleman.” His lip curled and he laughed.

Jonathan resisted the impulse to head butt him, a move he’d learned elsewhere than at Gentleman Jackson’s, but it was difficult. Who knew but he might be doing the blackguard a favor, as a broken nose might improve his appearance.

Instead he fixed his coldest, hardest, and most haughty stare on Teesdale. “I’ll thank you not to talk of my wife in such terms.” His voice was an icy blade.

Teesdale, like most bullies, was not a brave man, and here he was outflanked by three to one. Under the collected stares of Jonathan, Walter, and Robert, he wilted. “I see Bunbury over there. I have a matter I need to discuss with him.” And he was gone, stalking away across the room to where no doubt Bunbury would be surprised to see him.

Jonathan chuckled.

“Can’t abide that fellow,” Walter said. “Surprised you didn’t call him out.”

“I nearly did,” Robert put in, glaring after the object of their ire.

Jonathan shook his head. “Not worth it. He’s so far below my notice I couldn’t care less what he says. A nobody.”

“A bloody rude nobody,” Walter said. “I’d go for swords if I were you. The fellow was as ham-fisted as a girl when we did fencing at school, but I hear he’s a crack shot and rumor has it he’s killed a man in a duel before now. Hushed up, of course.”

Robert sniggered. “Still ham fisted now, but probably with girls this time.”

All three of them laughed, and over on the far side of the room Teesdale glanced over his shoulder at them, unable to miss their mirth. His unpleasant face set in a heavy frown.

Good.