"There is to be no duel!" Vanessa protested. "This is impossible--"
"If Mr. Stone allows you to return with us we can consider the matter over and the debt of honor paid."
"But what of mine?" she asked.
"Yours?" Peter frowned, as if so far as he was concerned she had none.
"Yes, mine. I have given my word of honor that I shall marry him. And even beyond that, Gerald took the money which Clifford gave him--"
"We can, er, make restitution to him once you are in possession of your fortune. I promise you, you shall recover your situation and--"
"Recover it?" Vanessa glared. "I am not the one who lost it. The three people I should have been able to trust most in the world did so." She gave him a meaning look. "Clifford was merely helping a damsel in distress. Yet now he is being treated as though he did something wrong."
"Well he did, did he not?" her aunt said sharply. "Gambling for a wife. Disgraceful. How can you possibly think to marry this young buck when your two cousins--"
"Lost at the card game, but yet are still so eager to get their hands on my money," Vanessa supplied in honeyed tones.
"And Clifford isn't?" Toby fired back.
She gazed over at him. "No, he isn't." She gave him a fond smile.
"Stuff and nonsense, girl," her aunt exclaimed impatiently. "You hardly know the man. You would rather trust your person and property to a stranger than come live within the bosom of your family?"
"The family that certainly didn't want me when my mother died. Or my father," Vanessa accused.
Her aunt faltered at little at that, while her two cousins looked decidedly uncomfortable. "You know my health has always been frail."
"I know that my cousins tormented me, made a mockery of me, all except Paul. There has never been any love lost between us, now has there, Peter?"
"Now, Vanessa, there's no need to dredge up--"
She handed her plate of crumpets to Clifford, all pretence at trying to eat at an end. The very sight of her greedy cousins made her stomach churn. "Oh, I think there is. If that is the sort of treatment I can except from family, I shall take strangers any day."
Toby opened his mouth to protest, but she clinked down her cup and saucer and glared at him. "I have no intention of wasting my time recounting to your aunt all the times you mocked me, called me mad. Played tricks upon me to terrify me. I was young, innocent, and you both used your power to intimidate me. Well, you're not going to get the chance again, do you hear me?"
"But Vanessa, what will you do?" her aunt asked, her eyes both pleading and sly. "You cannot possibly stay here after what Gerald has done. It would be so lovely to have a daughter at last--"
"I had one very wonderful mother, and a marvelous aunt who took care of me better than I ever could have hoped for. I am of age now, Aunt. My solicitors Mason and Rogers will help me see to my affairs. And continue to look after my interests once I am married."
"But Vanessa, think! Clifford Stone of all people," Peter declared with a look of disgust which she couldn't even begin to comprehend.
Clifford bristled visibly at her side.
Vanessa cast her cousin a baleful glare. "He's still in the room. Manners, please. If you have anything of substance to say against him, I dare you to say it to his face. Accuse him directly if you dare."
Both her cousins clamped their lips shut.
"There, you've had your chance. If you are not prepared to say anything to his face, then please remain silent about him hereafter. I shall judge Clifford's character for myself, not allow idle gossip to determine the whole course of my future."
Peter glared at her mulishly, livid at being bested by this chit of a girl. "But--"
Clifford took a step forward. "Yes, Stephens, do tell? Just what is it you are accusing me of?"
"Cowardice for one. Shirking your responsibility in the war."
A vein began to throb in Clifford's temple. "You dare say that to me?"
"Ignore him, Clifford, please," she urged quickly, reaching up to take his hand in her own. "It's a parcel of nonsense. As if you went off yourself, Peter? Or Toby? What of your cowardice then?"
Her cousins both looked daggers at her.
"In any case, a man of Clifford's wealth and upbringing, and a first son, well, even serving one day was a huge undertaking that attests to his character."
"And the women--" Peter muttered under his breath.
She quirked one brow. "You and Toby are both virgins, are you?"