My Lady Gloriana by Sylvia Halliday

Author:Sylvia Halliday [Halliday, Sylvia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626818750
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2015-06-22T16:00:00+00:00

• • •

Thorne shook his head to clear it of the last cobwebs. His jaw throbbed like the devil. Damn Pritchett! He struggled to stand tall and proud, despite the men who still clutched his arms. He stared at Pritchett with contempt, managing with difficulty to control the fury that raged in his heart.

“You will have your men release me, Pritchett,” he said in a stern tone. “At once.”

“Pah! And who are you to give me orders, sirrah?”

“I am John Havilland, Duke of Thorneleigh. And your superior in every way.”

Pritchett was clearly rattled by his announcement, delivered with supreme confidence, but he managed to sound skeptical. “Indeed, sir?”

“Nescott is in the garden. He recognized me. Send for him.” Thorne glanced briefly at the two men who still held him. “And call off your dogs. I’m not in the habit of being pawed.”

Pritchett hesitated, then stepped aside as Sir Hugh Cholmley, summoned from the dancing floor, made his way through the gathering.

“What the devil is going on here, Arthur?” he demanded.

Pritchett pointed a scornful finger at Thorne. “This rogue claims to be the Duke of Thorneleigh. And he had the temerity to assault Mistress Cook.”

Sir Hugh raised a questioning eyebrow. “Thorneleigh? Mistress Cook’s blacksmith? An improbable tale. I would have met that esteemed gentleman at Court last season and recognized him at once.”

Thorne forced himself to remain calm. He outranked every man in this country backwater, and he found it maddening to have to explain himself. “I was abroad last season, Sir Hugh. I came to Whitby in disguise. On a whim, if you will. But if you send for Nescott in the garden, he will identify me. In the meantime, have these men release me.”

Cholmley nodded. “Let the man go. And find Nescott. We’ll resolve this dilemma soon enough.”

Thorne chafed with impatience as several footmen ran into the garden. He couldn’t see Gloriana among the crowd. She must have gone back to the cottage while he was regaining his wits after Arthur’s attack. What a mess he’d made of the whole business. Would she ever forgive him? He should have told her the truth weeks ago.

At last, Nescott came stumbling into the hall, his periwig askew, his waistcoat unbuttoned. He planted himself unsteadily before Cholmley and gave a polite nod of his head. “You sent for me, Sir Hugh?”

“I did. Who is this man?”

Nescott looked at Thorne, an edge of fear in his eyes. “I know not, milord. A stranger to me.”

Thorne gnashed his teeth. “You may tell the truth, Nescott. I release you.”

“I never saw this man before, I tell you.”

Thorne took a menacing step toward Nescott. “Damn it, man! I’ll have your head on a pike.”

Nescott began to blubber, waving his arms helplessly in front of him. “I… I want nothing to do with this business. I’ve said my piece. I’ll say no more.” He bowed to Sir Hugh. “By your leave, milord, I’ll withdraw.” He turned about and fled the room.

Pritchett sneered at Thorne. “Well, sirrah, what do you have to say now?”

Thorne rolled his eyes in frustration.

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