“Did you not.” Hartlebury spoke with clear contempt.
“That explains your concern. I understand.” Robin frowned, to show he was thinking it through. “As I told you, I’m not a wealthy man. I can’t offer anything to match such a portion—”
“Except a loving heart and a gentle hand to guide her in life, and so forth? Spare me.”
That was exactly what Robin had been working up to. How absolutely typical that the best pair of thighs he’d seen in years should be parcelled up with such a damned inflexible, unaccommodating, sceptical personality. “Sir, I resent your tone. I may not be rich, but I have done nothing to deserve your implications.”
“You have arrived from nowhere—”
“Nottinghamshire!”
“—nowhere, and wheedled yourselves into the ton very successfully. Your sister is encouraging the attentions of Lord Tachbrook, a pompous fool whose only recommendation is his title. You have set yourself at my niece, whose qualities I know a great deal better than you. You cheat at cards.”
Robin stood explosively, shoving the chair away. “What? How dare you!”
“Very easily. I saw you do it.”
“You did not, because I did not. You will take those words back. You may insult me if you wish, but you may not make implications about my sister, and you will not accuse me of dishonouring my name. Take it back!”
“Or what?”
That was a good question. He was substantially the bigger and looked like a boxer, and Robin had no intention of starting a fight that he was bound to lose. Hartlebury was also rich, well born, and well connected: he’d doubtless be believed if he chose to spread the story that Robin was a leg, especially since it was true. Robin had absolutely no weapons against him, except that the bastard was a gentleman.
Fine. He’d use that.
He set his teeth, the picture of a man trying to keep his patience. “This is unjust. You rely on the fact that I have no desire to argue with the relative of a lady I admire and respect. You use your power and station to insult me with impunity. Well, I may be a mere countryman of limited means, sir, but I will not be bullied by you, and I would scorn to mete out abuse to anyone with whom my station had a similar disparity.” He’d got the grammar of that mixed up somewhere, but it sounded well enough. “Perhaps you think honest birth, a modest home, and a true heart are not sufficient for the niece you have sneered at. Perhaps you hope this dowry from her father will come to your family if she doesn’t marry.” That brought the blood into Hartlebury’s face in a very satisfactory way, also a dangerous look to his eyes. Robin pressed on. “But you could at least conduct yourself with more decency and dignity than to invent scurrilous and damaging accusations about a man who has never done you harm. And if you speak one more disrespectful word about my sister, sir, by God I will give you the thrashing you deserve, and I only wish I had the right to offer the same protection to Miss Fenwick!”
He let his voice rise on that last part, since he’d heard a rustle of movement in the hall. Mrs. Blaine was Alice Fenwick’s guardian, and Hartlebury had, legally speaking, no authority over her. He might denounce Robin, but he couldn’t forbid the match. If Robin drove a wedge between him and the women, he might outflank him.
“Enough speechifying,” Hartlebury snapped. “I know what I saw, and I know what you are.”
“You know nothing. You have invented an untruth because you believe I am a fortune hunter. I don’t know how I can persuade you that I am nothing of the kind; I can only tell you that Miss Fenwick’s wealth may be common knowledge in London, but I am not from here and nobody mentioned it to me. And I’ll tell you something else—”
“Is it possible to stop you? You should be on the stage, with this gift for the dramatic monologue.”
Utter prick. Robin spoke very clearly, so his voice carried. “You believe I am a fortune hunter because you cannot see any other reason a man might wish to marry your niece. You don’t think she’s worthy of love. That says a great deal more about your character than mine.”
“You little turd,” Hartlebury said savagely, and rose with real fury in his eyes.
Robin scooted behind the chair, and backed rapidly to the door. “That’s the last insult I will tolerate from you. You must be quite mad, sir. Good day.” He let himself out of the room in a hurry, and encountered Mrs. Blaine in the hall, very high coloured. He’d hoped she’d been listening.
“Mr. Loxleigh!”
“Excuse me, madam. I’m very sorry, but I have had some words with your brother, and I think it is best if I take my leave. Might I say goodbye to Miss Fenwick?”
“You will get out of here now,” said Hartlebury, from too close behind him.
“Excuse me,” Mrs. Blaine told him furiously. “It is my house and I decide who stays or goes. I want a word with you, John Hartlebury. —The girls are in the sitting room, Mr. Loxleigh. I think it would be best if perhaps—”
“We’ll go at once. I am deeply grateful for your hospitality.” Robin executed a graceful bow, and cleared out in a hurry.
Alice and Marianne were sitting together in the drawing room. Alice’s eyes were wide with alarm as he came in. “What on earth has happened, Mr. Loxleigh? Have you had an argument with my uncle?”
“He had one with me.” Robin put on a shaky smile that said, I am trying to keep countenance for your sake. “He said some very unkind things, about— Well, some very unkind things, and made certain accusations that make it impossible for me to remain under the same roof.”
“What? Why?”
“I thought at first he was protecting you. I could respect that, however wrong he might be about the need. But then— I must ask, is he unkind to you? Violent?”
Her jaw sagged. “Uncle Hart? Of course not. What on earth did he say?”
Robin raised his hands. “I’d rather not repeat it. The way he spoke to me was intolerable, and I had to tell him he lied. I don’t know why, but I believe Mrs. Blaine is with him now. Perhaps she will have an answer for you. But I promised her we would leave, so come, Marianne.” He stepped forward and extended his hand. Alice touched hers to it with some awkwardness. “You will of course need to speak to your stepmother but I hope—I very much hope—that this falling-out can be resolved. If I can mend matters, I will.” He paused, then said, in a rush, “I shan’t be driven off by anyone but you, Miss Fenwick. I feel too greatly for that.” He brought his lips to her fingertips in a swift movement. Alice snatched her hand back, cheeks scarlet.
It wasn’t a bad exit, under the circumstances. Robin and Marianne returned in silence to their rooms, where Marianne snatched off her shawl and threw it on the settle. “What the fuck, Rob?”
“Fucking Hartlebury is what. He called me a card cheat.”
“Why?”
“Because I am one, I expect!” Robin paced up and down. “I think he caught me at it last night. He’s been watching me.”
“Nobody’s supposed to see you do it! That’s the point!”
“I’m aware of that!” Robin snarled back. “I can’t help it if he decided to stare at my hands all evening!”