believe I may have some information that would shine a light on the entire matter.”
“To say that I have a grievance with this man is like saying a dog could have a disagreement with a flea,” Reginald said coldly. “He is nothing more than a pest.”
“Metaphors again,” Nigel said mockingly.
Reginald whirled on him. “You need to learn a thing or two about speaking to your betters, and I’m more than willing to teach you that lesson here and now.”
“Gentlemen,” Sir Arthur said with a note of warning in his sing-song voice. “Don’t forget our friend the magistrate is in attendance.” When he seemed to consider order restored, he added: “It is my understanding that the bad blood between you gentlemen is the result of a misunderstanding about a young lady by the name of Lady Margaret Somerville.”
Nigel tensed at this. He could not imagine what Sir Arthur would have to say that he did not already know, but he resented Margaret’s name being brought up in this group of gentlemen. It was precisely this sort of thing that had led to the duel in the first place.
“Apparently,” Sir Arthur continued, “there is some disagreement as to the parentage of a child under Lady Margaret’s care.”
“Haven’t you answered the question by asserting that the child is still in the lady’s care?” Reginald interjected. “What sort of woman would continue to care for a child that was not her own in the face of such public backlash? She admits her attachment to the child by refusing to let her go.”
“A good woman,” Nigel snapped. “That is the sort of woman. And if you have nothing respectful to say you ought not to speak her name.”
Sir Arthur cleared his throat, interrupting again. “It has come to my attention recently, with the added confirmation from a most reliable source, that the child in question was born to a Miss Molly Smith. The child was indeed conceived out of wedlock, but Lady Margaret was in no way responsible for this, unless my understanding of basic anatomy has been woefully lacking.”
It was a coarse remark, but Nigel allowed it to pass when he saw the effect it wrought upon Reginald’s face. The other man reddened, angry but silent. Sir Arthur spoke in the same casual, pleasant manner. “Furthermore,” he said. “I have, through some careful investigation, determined the father of the child.”
He turned to Reginald, bowing with mock congratulations. “It seems, sir, that you are the happy father. Many happy returns, and our combined apologies for having been remiss in our congratulations. We were unable to do so earlier, as this matter seems to have been kept a secret for some time. The mother was left quite on her own to raise the child.”
Nigel felt his breath catch in his chest. So this was the mischief Sir Arthur had been getting up to all along. He looked at Andrew, but his friend shook his head, seeming as mystified as Nigel. Nigel turned and looked at Reginald. His suspicions, already confirmed by Sir Arthur, were doubly so by the look on the other man’s face. He had clearly not been anticipating discovery ever, certainly not so suddenly – without warning – on a duelling field of battle. His face was quite white now, his lips thin and angry.
“This is preposterous.” He spoke in a hoarse voice. “I have seen the child, and I assure you that the brat is not mine. I am not so lax as to expose myself to ridicule as Lady Margaret has done. The child may be this Smith woman’s, but I had no connection with her.”
“That’s not what I heard,” Sir Arthur said lightly. “I enquired about and found one of your own servants who remembered a time many years ago when you were quite taken with a certain fisherman’s daughter. It was hard for him to remember the exact one, unfortunately, as your affections were engaged with two other women at the same time, but when pressed he recalled your attachment had been a secret one.”
“What servant?” Reginald hissed in anger.
“Let us not quibble over such matters. The man is no longer in your service and was happy enough to speak now that there is no risk to his position.” The light manner dropped entirely from Sir Arthur’s voice and he stepped forward, his tone icy and firm. “Let me be clear, sir. I do not approve in any way of your actions, and it is difficult for me to imagine