Martin stared at him, hostility and suspicion in his eyes. He hesitated, then shrugged, and followed the Earl into his bedchamber. “You mean to try to make me cry off meeting Ulverston. Don’t tell me I can’t do it, for I can, and, by God, I will!”
“No. It is quite impossible that you should.”
“I know of only one circumstance that would make it sol If he were to cry off! Is that it? Hasn’t he the stomach for it?”
“Ulverston will meet you where and when you will,” the Earl replied. “If you are determined on it, he will delope, and so, I think, will you.”
“You are wrong!” Martin said, with an ugly little laugh. “If he chooses to do so, the more fool he! Warn him! I shan’t miss my mark!”
“I have warned him,” replied Gervase. “He will take his chance. It’s not for him to withdraw: the challenge was yours.”
“It was mine, and you cannot force me to withdraw it!”
“No, of course I cannot,” said the Earl, his tranquil voice in odd contrast to Martin’s fiery tones. “But you acted under a misapprehension, Martin. He is betrothed to Miss Bolderwood.”
“ What? ”Martin thundered, the colour rushing into his cheeks, and fading almost as swiftly, to leave his face very white.
“There is to be no announcement until after her presentation, but he has been accepted.”