The Bewitching Hour Read Online Free PDF Page A

skillfully guided the Phaeton around a pile of debris in the midst of the cobblestone street. “You must tell us what Lord Stratton has done to distress this young lady so. We’re completely in the dark.”
      Bertram frowned. “That would be rather difficult as she wouldn’t tell me, but given her hysteria, it was quite serious. He must apologize.”
      “But for what?” Rand asked.
      “Whatever it was that he did.”
      “I don’t know what I did,” Stratton said. “Should I make something up?”
      Bertram clenched his jaw as he glared. “I fail to see the humor in this situation.”
      Stratton attempted to stand then fell back into his seat as the Phaeton wobbled. “Where is she? I’ll go apologize right now. I just won’t be specific. By the way, who is she?”
      Bertram colored. “There’s no need to give you her name as I’m disinclined to believe you don’t know whom I’m speaking of.”
      “Oh, hell.” Stratton muttered as he tipped his flask and watched the last drop fall to the floorboard. “Rand, give me your flask. I’m out.”
      Rand reached into his jacket and handed Stratton his flask.
      Stratton stuck the flask in Bertram’s face. “Care for a drink, my lord?”
      The young man grimaced as he pushed it away. “No, thank you.”
      Rand continued with his interrogation. “Since at present, an apology is fairly difficult, might we consider this matter closed? Given that we don’t know the lady’s name or the nature of the insult, you must understand that we’re finding all this very confusing.”
      “Without an apology, I have no choice. Her honor must be avenged.”
      Stratton took another drink. “I’m definitely getting foxed. I’ll stay at your place tonight if you don’t mind, Rand. Don’t want to listen to Aunt Mirabella or her damned dogs first thing in the morning. My head is sure to be pounding. As a matter of fact, it’s pounding already.”
      “Sound thinking. I don’t mind at all,” Rand said cheerfully. “I would, however, appreciate it if you didn’t empty the contents of your stomach on my rug. Last time you stayed with me, I had to spend a bloody fortune replacing the carpet.”
      “That could have been avoided, had you provided a proper receptacle. I was in no shape to look for one.”
      “Are you implying that it was my fault? Stratton, that’s the damnedest thing I’ve ever heard of.”
      Bertram sat there for a moment with his mouth open. “Lord Stratton!” he practically bellowed. Surprised, both men looked at him.
      “I mean to call you out,” he said between his teeth. “It’s a fair warning.”
      Rand stared at Bertram. “Wait a minute. Did you say you mean to challenge Lord Stratton to a duel?”
      “Yes, sir.” He nodded. “That’s exactly what I said.”
      Rand shook his head with obvious impatience. “What do they teach at university these days? Are manners no longer a consideration? There is a proper way to go about this, my lord. The first rule is that one never issues a challenge when one of the parties is foxed. And I would most decidedly consider my friend here, to be foxed.”
      He looked over at Stratton who was nodding his head. “Most decidedly.”
      Bertram chewed on the side of his mouth as if not certain what to do next. “Are you quite certain of this? I’ve heard otherwise.”
      “It’s beyond the pale, my lord. Some don’t care, but I would think that a gentleman such as yourself would want to follow proper etiquette.”
      “I didn’t know.” Bertram sounded apologetic. “As I said, I’ve never done this before. I can see the sense in it, though. One should be sober for a matter of this significance.”
      Rand looked at him seriously. “There’s much to learn about a duel. It’s not as