be a caricature of me fleeing the battle, flapping like a distressed hen.”
“Trust me. Lord Valentine has no intention of discussing the incident with anyone.” The viscount was not a man to gloat. “What part of ‘I saved your life’ do you not understand?”
“You did not save my life, Ava,” he yelled, “as I had no intention of bloody firing.”
She winced at his sudden outburst. “But what if Lord Valentine fired first?”
A groan resonated in her brother’s throat. “It was a matter of principle,” he said as if she were the idiotic child in this relationship. “I exaggerated the slight, called him out merely to show I am serious in my desire to court Lady Durrant. We would have fired into the air. Valentine would have saved himself the embarrassment of having to post an apology in the Times.”
Only a buffoon risked his life to prove a point. Lady Durrant must be a diamond of the first water to have so many men vying for her attention. No doubt she had a brain the size of a pea. Well, it would only be fair if she did.
Jonathan pushed his hand through his mop of dark hair and growled in frustration. “Sterling must have been livid when he arrived this morning. The fellow lacks the courage to stand in my stead. Devil take it, thanks to your meddling he would have gone to that peculiar French fellow and withdrawn my complaint.” Jonathan shook his head, but the effort forced him to press his fingers to his temple and grimace. “God damn, it feels as though someone has taken an axe and cleaved my brain in two.”
“Must you curse?” Ava sighed. Jonathan’s temper was as erratic as a candle flame on a gusty night.
Jonathan’s curious gaze focused on her cravat—or his cravat to be more precise. “What the hell are you wearing?” he said as if only seeing her for the first time. He considered her breeches and snorted. “Do enlightened ladies dress in gentlemen’s clothes now? Mother would be so proud.”
“There is no need for sarcasm.” Now was the moment to inform him of the role she had played this morning. Ava took a second to steel herself. “There is something I must tell you. It is the reason I am dressed in this ridiculous attire.”
“Good God!” He blinked rapidly. “You’ve applied to attend one of those institutes for scientific studies. Let me tell you there are some feminine assets a lady cannot hide.”
“Certainly not. I refuse to study in an establishment where they believe women have an inferior mind.”
Jonathan frowned. “Is it that your friendship with Miss Faversham goes beyond the conventional? The lady’s admiration of you is highly inappropriate.”
“Good heavens, no!” Miss Faversham loved anyone who showed her the remotest kindness. Ava inhaled deeply. “It concerns the duel. When Lord Sterling arrived this morning, I told him the matter had already been resolved. I told him there was no need to speak to Lord Valentine’s second and that he was to go home to bed. He didn’t believe me, of course, and insisted on trying to rouse you.”
Jonathan stared in stupefied silence.
It took a little time for him to process the information.
“You did what?” He cursed again beneath his breath. “Why the hell did you say that?” Jonathan flung back the coverlet and sprang to his feet but misjudged the distance and tumbled to the floor.
Ava rushed to assist him. She grabbed his elbow. “Because I took your place this morning. I attended the duel with Lord Valentine. Honour is restored. Satisfaction achieved.”
Jonathan’s eyes turned a dark gunmetal-grey. His hard gaze focused on her face. “What the blazes? Tell me I misheard you.” Anger infused his tone. “Tell me that a woman of your intelligence wouldn’t be so stupid.”
“I—I cannot.” Ava stood and looked down at the pathetic creature who was supposed to care for her in their parents’ absence. “I fought the duel with Lord Valentine, and the matter is resolved.”
“Like hell it is.” Jonathan scrambled to his feet. “Did the devil fire at you?”
“Of course not. He is a gentleman in every regard.”
Except in the bedchamber. Had he not alluded to his prowess, hinted he was a man of great passion? An odd pulse in her core sent an image of the handsome lord crashing into her mind. Oh, now was not the time for moments of fancy.
“A gentleman? Unlike me, I suppose.” Jonathan threw open the armoire and almost pulled the door off its hinges. “I’m just the fool betrayed by his own family.”
“I was trying to help.”
“What? By giving the ton a reason to mock me? By ruining any chance I have with Lady Durrant?”
Doubt crept into her mind. Perhaps she was overprotective. Perhaps she had no right to interfere. But it was too late now.
“Where are you going?” she said as she watched him drag on a pair of breeches as if the garment had wronged him in some way. “The matter is settled. Lord Valentine would suffer embarrassment, too, should anyone discover the truth.”
Just as he was about to draw his nightshirt over his head, Jonathan stopped. “Yes,” he said. A wicked grin stretched across the width of his face. “Duelling with a woman is more shameful than failing to wake up on time. I shall use the information to my advantage.”
Ava groaned inwardly. Why could he not put the matter to bed? What was this powerful hold Lady Durrant had over him? Ava did not have the heart to tell him, but Jonathan was no match for a man like Lucius Valentine. And yet a part of her wished her brother every success in pursuing the widow.