“That won’t fadge. My man saw you in conversation with Sam and Barney.”
“Indeed? And do you think a ragtag Indian servant will be believed over a gentlemen in good standing, with a viable claim to become a peer of the realm?”
Giff’s rising temper got the better of him. “Damn you to hell! You will never be a peer of the realm!”
“Yet I am here in Waldiche Keep, Giffard, the master of all, while you must prove your identity before you can hope even to begin to oust me.”
His poise and certainty infuriated Giff, but he mastered it. He would get nowhere by losing control. The worst of it was the villain was right on all counts. For two pins he’d walk away from the whole mess and go home. He didn’t even like the place.
Yet a devil rode him and he would not allow this hypocritical fiend to best him. He threw his head back and looked his cousin in the eye.
“You made a fatal error at the outset, Piers.”
The other’s brows rose. “How so?”
Giff smiled, but he spoke in a grim tone. “When I first came here, I had some such notion in my head. If you’d granted my coming the observance of civility and trust, I had in mind some such arrangement as you’ve outlined.”
For the first time, Piers’s air of assurance wavered. His brows came together. “I don’t believe you.”
“You wouldn’t. It’s true for all that. I’d no real wish to exchange India for England, and my purpose was to see how the land lay and act accordingly. But you, my friend, chose to demonstrate how unfitted you are to be entrusted with what is, after all, my inheritance.”
There was no smile now, no mockery. But the man’s eyes flashed at the last. “So you will choose a paltry revenge? I might have guessed it.”
“Paltry? After the way you’ve acted towards me? Whatever I may choose to do, you’ve brought on yourself.”
“Very pretty talking. In fact there is nothing you can do.”
“Isn’t there?” Giff withdrew the hilt of his sword. “How if I kill you now?”
Piers actually laughed. “In cold blood? I hardly think that is your style, Giffard.”
“Not in cold blood. But we’ll fight it out, Piers. Here and now.”
“What, in the book room?”
“Don’t be ridiculous! We’ll go outside. I presume you have a sword?”
“You can’t make me, you fool!”
“Can’t I? You forget I’ve got back-up. Isn’t it fortunate both are gentlemen? Two of them to see fair play, Piers.”
The sneer was back in force. “When both are on your side?”
“You may have Rhoades to serve you. He’s militia and no doubt scrupulous to a fault.” Giff headed for the door. “Come, Piers. I’ll call them in.”
“Wait!”
Halting, Giff turned. “Yes?”
“This is folly!”
“Because you know I’ll win?”
Piers took a hasty step forward. “It’s your challenge, so I have the choice.”
“I’m not fighting you with pistols, if that’s your hope. I’ve already sustained a wound from one of your hired ruffians, I thank you.” He stared the man down. “Besides, if you hope to be rid of me in this way instead, are you sure you’re the better shot?”
Piers hesitated. “You’ve already stated you intend to make this a killing matter.”