Bobbi Smith - Captive Pride

“Indeed. If so many people were actually witnesses of the dumping of the tea and yet not one of them will come forth with information, then I think a general punishment is definitely in order. That is, if there’s no way for the military to handle it,” Geoffrey added as he opened his ornate snuffbox and took a pinch, enjoying that small vice to the fullest. “I think it’s essential that we teach these insurgents a lesson, once and for all. They shouldn’t be allowed to disrupt things.”

“If a plan of that sort is enacted, I hardly think it’s the colonists who are the stupid ones.” Noah felt certain that any retribution against the town of Boston would inevitably lead to tragedy. There was much more involved here than just a few shiploads of tea. Still, he found himself wondering at his need to debate the point.

Geoffrey stiffened, his face growing pale in light of Noah’s remark. “Kincade, perhaps your defense of the revolutionaries is because you’re one of them!” he challenged. He had not meant to reveal any of what he knew, but his temper was flaring over Noah’s remark.

“I beg your pardon.” Noah arched one brow in question, his mocking look causing Radcliffe to flush.

“I said, perhaps you’re one of them. You’ve certainly been most vocal in their defense tonight.”

A collective gasp escaped those present. Eve was distressed as she realized that the damning evidence Geoffrey claimed to have against Noah must be proof of his involvement with the rebels.

Noah’s smile was strained. “I don’t think there’s anyone here who could possibly question my loyalty to the Crown.”

“I do,” he snarled viciously, driven on by his embarrassment.

Noah’s expression was stony as his gaze rested on the other nobleman. Before this night, he had had little feeling one way or the other toward the man. Now, however, after listening to him, Noah knew that Geoffrey personified everything he despised about the English ruling class. He was a fop and a spoiled bounder. Noah had met many men like him during his years on the ton. They were a useless, ornamental breed, dedicated solely to their own pleasure…

The thought abruptly occurred to him that, in a way, not too long ago he had been one of them. The realization jarred him, and he knew an instant of true soul-searching as he tried to understand why he was suddenly so disdainful of British society. Hadn’t his whole existence, up until now, centered on reclaiming his lost fortunes so he could return to their midst? He frowned slightly as he suddenly realized that he didn’t care about being accepted by them any longer.

“Geoffrey.” Eve noticed Noah’s expression and thought that trouble was about to erupt. She tugged on his arm, hoping to draw him away from what was developing into an ugly confrontation. “I’d like a cup of punch now.”

Radcliffe shook off her hand, his eyes glowing with an inner fervor. “Oh no, my dear. I’m not quite through yet.”

“Geoffrey…please.” Eve was suddenly very worried. She knew of Geoffrey’s reputation as a swordsman and did not want to think that Noah might be hurt, or even killed, in a useless confrontation between them.

Her defense of Noah only served to infuriate Geoffrey more and revived all the earlier jealousy he’d felt toward the other man. “Shut up, Eve,” he silenced her cruelly. “You can’t protect him.”

“I hardly need protection,” Noah said sarcastically, “female or otherwise.”

“Ah, but I say you do,” Geoffrey sneered insultingly, suddenly wanting to force him into a duel. Before he’d left England, he had been renowned for his swordsmanship, and the thought of running Noah through gave him immense pleasure. With him dead, he would finally be sure of Eve’s affections.

“Then that is your sadly mistaken judgment of my character,” Noah answered smoothly, refusing to take his bait. After his bloody, deadly duel with Geoffrey’s brother, James, months before in England, he had sworn never to cross swords over an insult again.

Fury gripped Geoffrey as Noah’s evasive answer left him the fool before Demorest, Winthrop, and Thornhill, not to mention Eve. Out of control in his anger, desiring only to redeem himself before these colonists, he backhanded Noah viciously.

A sudden hush fell over the ball as all attention was riveted on them.

Noah flinched at the blow, and his eyes glittered dangerously at the direct challenge. Still he held himself in check, staring at Geoffrey in frigid silence. “As I said before, the dissident colonists are not the dullards here in Boston. If you will excuse me?” With a small, formal bow, he turned his back on Geoffrey and walked with dignity from the ballroom and the house, leaving the other nobleman red-faced and helpless in his outrage.

Edward looked to both Percival and Harley in confused disbelief over what had just happened as Geoffrey shook with rage.

“He refused my challenge!” Geoffrey bellowed in bewilderment. “You saw him! He’s a cowardly-”

“You were goading him and trying to push him into it.” Edward defended Noah. “He merely refused to be drawn into your deadly game.”

“But he’s involved with the rebels!” Geoffrey blustered, hoping to salvage something by besmirching Noah’s reputation.

“Do you have proof of your accusation?” Harley asked quickly.

“Nothing positive, but I’m sure of it!”

“Thinking something is true is one thing; having definitive proof is another,” Winthrop added.

“You shouldn’t make statements you can’t back up, Lord Radcliffe. Besides, I am certain that Lord Kincade would do no such thing. I personally will vouch for his integrity,” Edward told them.

“You’re wrong, Demorest!” Geoffrey countered heatedly as he found himself cornered. He longed to tell them about Matthew Kincade’s connection, but he wasn’t certain that he could produce any witnesses to back up the charge. The information Bartley provided, while it might be accurate, could not always be substantiated by reliable testimony.

Edward eyed him distastefully. “Speaking hypothetically, Lord Radcliffe, if what you say is true, then why would Lord Kincade be selling a shipment of war materials to the Crown?”

Geoffrey was left speechless by the news. How could it be? Everything he’d managed to find out about Noah had pointed to his being involved with the rebels. Yet Demorest was now saying that Noah’s business interests were all legal and aboveboard…

“Geoffrey, why don’t we…” Eve broke in, wanting to distract him from his anger, but he would have none of it.

Embarrassed and feeling decidedly emasculated before those he’d lorded himself over, he glared at her malevolently, and then he, too, stalked from the house, vowing silently to himself to have revenge upon Noah.

Eve knew a moment of true consternation as she tried to understand what had just happened. One moment the conversation had been pleasant, and then the next, Geoffrey and Noah had been insulting each other. Her ego was such that she could only allow herself to believe that, beneath all the open exchanges about “rebel involvement” and such, she was the true reason for their heated words. A small, self-satisfied smile curved her lips as she envisioned the two handsome noblemen vying for her favors.

“If you gentlemen will excuse me, I think I’ll mingle a bit,” Eve said sweetly as she moved away from the three remaining men.

“Of course, Eve,” they answered with little real interest.

CC had been standing alone at the refreshment table when Geoffrey had slapped Noah. She had been unable to hear any of the conversation that had preceded it, and she wondered what had been said to precipitate the exchange. In dismay, she watched as Noah turned coolly from Geoffrey and strode purposefully from the house. Before she could hurry to her father’s side to try to find out what had happened, Caroline joined her.