Page 36 of Only Scandal Will Do

“It’s braided and tucked under her jacket, my lord.” Jack’s voice broke Duncan’s stupefying horror. “She does that when she fences.”

She continued her unhurried toilette, checking buttons, straightening the jacket’s shoulders, adjusting her breeches, paying him no mind. Then she dipped her fingers to her stocking and smoothed it along her calf. Like steel to a magnet, mouth slightly open, he stood enthralled by the soft, sensual look of legs he had only glimpsed before. He could no more tear his eyes away from her than a fish could walk on dry land.

“And will you introduce me to the lady, Duncan?” Tristan’s words recalled Duncan.

He drew breath sharply then scowled at Lord Trevor, who grinned eagerly, all the while taking in Katarina’s scandalous appearance. He would like nothing better than to refuse, but steadied himself.

“Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam, may I make known to you Lord Trevor, my second.” He glared at Trevor. “And sometime friend. Watch yourself, Tris.”

Lord Trevor merely laughed and bowed. “My great pleasure, Lady Katarina. Duncan has told me something of you, though I believe he left out the most interesting parts.”

She laughed gaily and shook her head. “Lord Dalbury does not know the most interesting parts, my lord.” She cut her eyes toward Duncan. “We have had very little acquaintance.”

“Regrettable for Lord Dalbury, I am sure, my lady.”

“Indeed, Lord Trevor.” Katarina turned to Duncan. “We are waiting for your other second, I believe, my lord? My lord?”

While she talked to Tris, Duncan had envisioned her standing in his bedroom, one foot on

a chair, taking her stockings off to reveal the creamy flesh of her legs and ankles. Those breeches left so little to the imagination that… He shook his head, then turned toward the table, grabbed a glass, and liberally splashed brandy into it. The amber liquid traced a fiery path into his stomach, jolting him out of his stupor. He sucked in a deep breath and fought to maintain his composure.

Behind him, Katarina laughed. “I trust you do not begin each morning with such a libation? Perhaps today, however, you need help to steady your nerves.”

He could not let her goad him into unwise actions. “Why are you dressed so provocatively, Lady Katarina? I am astounded that your brother let you out of the house dressed so.” He turned toward her, determined to show only a cool disdain for her clothes.

And failed miserably. The close-fitting stockings showed off her calves and neat ankles in a fetching manner. He closed his eyes, hoping to dispel the image, but it appeared as if seared on his inner eyelids.

“My brother never had any objection to my dress, my lord. Neither did my father, nor the men in his regiment.”

“His regiment!” Duncan’s eyes flew open and Tristan smothered a laugh. “You mean to tell me that other men have seen your legs like that? Your ankles?”

Katarina threw her head back and laughed again. “Tell him, Jack. He may not believe the truth, coming from me.” She picked up her weapon and began to limber up.

“She’s always fenced in these clothes, Dalbury,” Manning said. “Since she began lessons. She tried skirts, but even short skirts proved unmanageable. One day she appeared for our lesson wearing what you see before you, and dared me to make a fuss. They’re my cast-off clothing, altered to fit tolerably well.”

Duncan scowled. It galled him that Matthews had seen his wife’s legs. Soon to be wife.

He opened his mouth to make another objection but Katarina interrupted.

“If you wish me to change into skirts, Lord Dalbury, I will oblige you.” Her sickeningly sweet voice told him a barb was on the way. “But only if you will change likewise.”

“Into what?”

“Why, skirts of course,” the imp had the audacity to say. “I insist that I duel with an opponent who is equally handicapped.” She beamed. “No? Then I will remain so attired.”

Katarina paused, glancing around. “Where is your other second? The time was appointed for ten o’clock and your most excellent clocks have already struck the hour. I am ready, as are my seconds, but am sadly ignorant of the protocol in such matters. May I inquire if such a breach of etiquette warrants forfeiture?” Brows raised, she gave him a charming smile.

About to deny such a penalty, he paused. A commotion in the hallway captured his attention. Moments later, a disheveled Tommy Redmond careened into the room. Nodding to

Lady Katarina, Duncan grinned. “I believe your point is rendered moot, my lady.”

Tommy was on the verge of crashing into the refreshment table. Duncan strode to his friend, who seemed much the worse for wear. “God, Tommy, what are you playing at? Lady Katarina started talking forfeit. Pull yourself together, man. Where have you been?” In addition to looking as though Tommy’s clothes had been slept in, his garments reeked of some cloying perfume. An oddly familiar scent.

“Been amusing myself, don’t you know, old chap?” Tommy drawled. “First time in a month or more. Father finally reinstated my allowance, so I went out for a night on the town. Just got home when I remembered you. Got to stand as your second for the duel and as your witness for the wedding.” Leaning close and almost tipping over in the process, he asked in the raised volume preferred by all the inebriated, “Which one do we do first?”

Before he could shush the befuddled man, Katarina stalked over, cold contempt covering her face like a mask. “It sounds as though you have anticipated the wedding again, my lord. Are you so very sure of the outcome of this wager that you have already laid plans for the nuptials? Should I lay another wager on whether you have about you a special license? Or what time the clergyman is supposed to appear?” Her words fell like icicles. “I daresay I could raise a substantial dowry with such wagers.”

Tommy chose that unfortunate moment to surface from his alcoholic haze. “Who the devil is that chap, Duncan? You goin’ to take that cheek off such a stripling? Gad, call him out after this one is done. He can’t be less experienced than your bride, do you think? Where is the gel, by the by? Shouldn’t we be done with this by now?”