Morland straightened in increased alarm as Gideon walked back to him. "What is this? Stay away from me, St. Justin."

"I believe that to be strictly correct about this, I am supposed to slap you across the face with my glove, am I not? Allow me."

Gideon bunched his hand into a tight fist and slammed it straight into Morland's jaw.

Morland crumpled to the floor with a muffled groan.

Gideon stood over him. "I apologize for very nearly overlooking the formalities. When one has been out of Society as long as I have, one occasionally forgets all the little things that are expected of a true gentleman."

The next stop, Gideon decided, would be his clubs. Morland was not the only one who was obliged to come up with the names of two men who would handle the details of the challenge. Gideon also needed seconds. And as he did not possess a single close friend in Society, the choice was limited.

Fortunately Harriet had acquired several friends.

Gideon found young Applegate sitting in the main room of his St. James Street club. Fry was with him. They both looked up warily when they realized Gideon was advancing on them.

"Good evening, gentlemen." Gideon sat down and helped himself to a glass of claret from Fry's bottle. "I am pleased to see you here. I need a favor."

Fry's eyes widened in alarm.

The glass in Applegate's hand trembled slightly, but he looked at Gideon with a resolute expression. "If you have come to issue your challenge, sir, I am ready."

Gideon smiled. "Nonsense. My wife has explained the little matter of her abduction. I am quite prepared to let bygones be bygones."

"I say." Fry squinted. "You are?"

"Certainly. I would like to discuss a completely different matter with you."

Applegate frowned in confusion. "What is that?"

Gideon leaned back in his chair and surveyed Applegate and Fry. "I am certain you will both be extremely distressed to learn that my wife has been insulted by Mr. Bryce Morland."

Fry and Applegate glanced at each other and then back at Gideon.

Applegate scowled. "Never did like that fellow. What did the bastard say to her?"

"The exact words are neither here nor there," Gideon murmured. "Suffice it to say that I consider the matter a grave offense and intend to seek satisfaction. I require two men who can be trusted to act as my seconds. Would either or both of you care to volunteer?"

Applegate blinked and looked at Fry, who looked equally taken aback.

"I say," Fry muttered.

"You have issued a challenge to Morland?" Applegate asked cautiously.

"I had no alternative under the circumstances," Gideon explained. "Matter of honor, you see. The man insulted my wife."

Applegate's frown intensified. "Cannot have Morland running about insulting Lady St. Justin."

"My sentiments exactly," Gideon said.

Fry's whiskers twitched. "Always thought Morland was a bit unsavory. Something entirely too smooth about rum. Not surprised to hear he's stepped over the line."

Applegate nodded soberly. "Yes, there have been occasional rumors about him. Mostly concerning the rather unpleasant habits he indulges when he visits the brothels. Mere speculation, of course. Still, one cannot be too careful of his sort."

"I intend to make certain he does not bother my wife again in future," Gideon said. "May I have your assistance?"

Applegate drew himself up and squared his shoulders. He appeared dazed, but there was a dawning enthusiasm in his eyes. "Never done this sort of thing before. Generally concentrated on fossil toes until now. But I expect I can handle it. Certainly, sir. I would be honored to act as your second."

"So would I." There was a suppressed glitter in Fry's eyes. He flushed a dark red. "I say. Honored, sir. You may leave all the details to us. We shall call upon Morland first thing in the morning."

"Excellent." Gideon got to his feet. "I am in your debt, gentlemen."

The notion of having the Beast of Blackthorne Hall in their debt was clearly a stunning one for both Fry and Applegate. Gideon left them sitting there with expressions of astonishment on their faces.

Out on the street in front of the club Gideon hailed a passing carriage, gave the address of his townhouse, and vaulted up inside the vehicle.

He contemplated the darkened streets while he went over his preparations. He did not doubt the loyalty of his seconds. Applegate and Fry would clearly do anything for Harriet. They had proven that when they had kidnapped her and risked the wrath of the Beast of Blackthorne Hall.

He was also quite certain that they would be unable to keep quiet about their roles as seconds. He had seen the excitement in their eyes. Neither had ever dabbled in the manly art of the duel. They were accustomed to thinking of themselves as men of science, not men of action.

Being asked to serve as seconds in a matter of honor had clearly given them both a new image of themselves.

Morland was quite right. The gossip about the challenge would be all over Town by breakfast tomorrow.

Which was just what Gideon wanted.

He alighted from the carriage a few minutes later and made his way up the steps of his townhouse. Owl greeted him at the door.

"Lady St. Justin requests that you go to her immediately, sir," Owl said with a foreboding expression.

"Thank you, Owl." Gideon handed over his hat and gloves. "Where is she?"

"Her bedchamber, I believe, sir."

Gideon nodded and started up the stairs, two at a time. When he reached the landing he turned down the hall, stopped in front of Harriet's door, and knocked once.

"Come in," Harriet called instantly.

Gideon opened the door and sauntered into the room. Harriet leaped toward him.

"Thank heaven you are home at last," she breathed as she hugged him tightly. "I have been so worried. Did you find the body? What did you do with it? How are we going to get rid of it?"

"I found the body." Gideon smiled into her springy hair. "And it was very much alive. Morland was at home nursing his wounds."

"He is alive?" Harriet stepped back, clasping her hands in front of her. Her brows came together in a serious line across her nose. "Are you certain?"

"Quite certain. You may relax, my dear. You did not succeed in killing him. More's the pity. But I believe everything is under control now. I congratulate you on your aim, by the way."

Harriet heaved a sigh. "As much as I cannot like the man, I am glad he is not dead. It might have caused no end of complications."

"I doubt it." Gideon loosened his cravat and shrugged out of his jacket as he walked over to the connecting door. "Even if he had been found dead in that chamber full of bones, it would have appeared that the large stone had merely fallen on him accidentally." He opened the door and went into his own bedchamber.

"Do you think so?" Harriet followed him quickly. "Mayhap you are right, my lord. Well, I am vastly relieved it is all over with, although I do wish there was some way of punishing Mr. Morland for his disgusting behavior. I suppose I must be content with knowing I did him an injury."

"Umm," Gideon said noncommittally as he tossed aside his cravat and jacket. He stripped off his shirt.

Harriet gave him a sharp glance. "You said you went to see him at his house?"

"Yes." Gideon poured water from the pitcher into the basin and started to rinse his face. He probably should shave again before going out this evening, he decided. His dark beard was a constant nuisance. "Are you not going to dress, my dear? We are scheduled to attend the Berkstones' ball tonight, I believe."

"Yes, I know," Harriet said impatiently. "Gideon, what precisely occurred when you went to see Mr. Morland?" She hesitated and then asked cautiously, "You did not do anything rash, by any chance, did you?"