A Gentleman’s Position(83)

“Vane! You there, Vane!”

Conversations around the room faltered. Richard looked up. Beside him, Philip stiffened.

“Good afternoon to you, my lord,” Richard said. “Are you addressing me or Cirencester in that manner?”

“You, as you well know.”

“Lord Maltravers, you are very blunt,” Philip said.

“You may not hide behind your brother’s title, sir,” Maltravers told Richard with immense satisfaction. “You owe me an apology. A public apology.”

“For what?” Philip demanded.

“Has Vane taken up writing?” asked Sir James Cairn, a noted gossip and literary patron. There was a splutter of laughter from around the room. Richard didn’t understand why, but he would have wagered his fortune it was David’s handiwork somehow.

He gave Cairn a suitably blank look. “I called Lord Maltravers a liar.” That dragged all the attention back to himself, and Richard had to pitch his voice loud to go on over the stir it caused. “And I shall be glad to retract my words at such time as I see proof that he is not one. I await that proof with interest, my lord.”

The room was completely silent now. Maltravers paced forward. Behind him and through the other door, more men were coming in, attracted by the raised voices.

“Richard.” There was a clear warning in Philip’s tone. “It is not like you to make accusations.”

“No, it is not, but then, I don’t often mix with liars,” Richard said. “I beg your pardon, Cirencester, but Lord Maltravers has made allegations against my friends that must be substantiated or withdrawn.”

“This is not your quarrel, then,” Philip said with a frown.

“Lord Maltravers has made it my quarrel.” Richard rose. “He knows how. And I say again, sir, that you must prove your words or withdraw them.”

“No, Lord Richard,” Maltravers said. “You will withdraw your words, or I shall make you eat them here and now. Won’t I, Gabriel?”

“What?” Ash, in the corner of the room, blenched.

“Do you wish me to prove my words to your friend here?” Maltravers shot a malevolent look at Francis. “Do you, Spinning Jenny?”

That was one of the schoolboy taunts Maltravers had long used on Francis, who returned a look of withering contempt. “If you have something intelligent to say, I’m sure we’d all be astonished to hear it.”

“No, please don’t,” Ash said. “Please, Mal. Richard, I must ask you to take this elsewhere. This is—private business.” He glanced around the crowded room, visibly unhappy.

“No, I don’t think so,” Maltravers said. “Vane has called me a liar, in public, and I will have my apology. I told you, sirrah, that your dear friend Francis Webster was a sodomite.” There were audible gasps from around the room. “And I repeat that, and here, sir, is my proof of it.”

He pulled out a sealed letter from his breast pocket and waved it.

There was an endless moment’s total silence. Richard didn’t dare look at the others. He set his jaw, unsure he could control his features.

Finally Francis managed, “What did you say?” His voice had a strangled sound.

“Oh God, please.” Ash put his face in his hands, a picture of shame. “Mal, don’t.”

“Give that to me.” Richard took a pace forward, holding out his hand in command. “Let me see that at once.”

Maltravers snatched the letter back. “I think not. I do not trust it to your hands, sir.” He glanced around, spoke more loudly. “This is from my misguided wretch of a brother to that weaver’s brat—”

Francis lunged. Julius grabbed him, hissing, “Steady, now. Steady.”

“It is a full confession to the vilest crimes, and I shall be acting on it once I have your apology, Lord Richard.” Maltravers shot a malevolent look at Ash. “You have only yourself to blame.”

Richard set his shoulders. “Let me see it, my lord. When I see that it says what you claim, I shall retract my words at once. For God’s sake, let me read it.”

Ash made a stifled noise. Maltravers glanced at Richard and then thrust the letter in Philip’s direction. “You may read it, Cirencester. I should not wish my evidence to be harmed.”

Philip looked at Maltravers with glacial disdain. “It is not my habit to read other men’s letters, Lord Maltravers. I am surprised to learn that it is the habit of any man in this room.”

“Well said,” someone mumbled, and there was a general murmur of support. Richard doubted its sincerity. If Philip had offered to read the thing out loud, nobody would have moved from the spot.