“It won’t help your sisters if you get yourself killed in a duel.”

“Maybe they’d be better off without me.”

“Stop saying that. Your sisters love you.”

“And I care about them and that’s why I’m going in there to defend their honor.”

“And the younger sister,” said Laxton in an insinuating tone. “Not Bernadette, the bluestocking, I’m speaking of Miss Belinda. She’s as lush and libidinous as Blanche. And dreadfully indiscreet. I heard something about an amorous tryst in the park yesterday. With no dowries to speak of, and a brother who’s the worst wastrel in London, those girls will be lucky to receive even one offer.”

“That’s it!” West broke Rafe’s hold. “That miscreant is slandering my sisters. I’ll make him beg for mercy!”

“Your choice.” Rafe shrugged. “Just think about it. If you charge in there and challenge him to a duel think about how much worse the situation will be for your sisters. The gossip alone would ruin them. Everyone would want to know what slight or insult had been alleged. A duel would cause an even greater scandal and draw more attention to your sisters.”

“Damn it, Rafe! Stop being right. I can’t just stand here and do nothing.” His entire body coiled tight with fury. “I have to defend them.”

“There are other ways of silencing Laxton. Trust me, it will be far more satisfying to devise some method of retaliation where Laxton not only suffers, but Lady Blanche is elevated in the eyes of society.”

“I can’t sodding believe this,” West muttered. “I can’t even defend my sisters’ honor without tarnishing them more than I already have. This is a damned nightmare.”

“Let’s leave,” Rafe said gently.

“This isn’t over by half. I’ll have my revenge on that libelous snake.”

Rafe nodded. “And I’ll help.”

West stomped out of the club, still seething. “I can’t tell Blanche what I overheard. It would devastate her. But I can’t let Laxton’s words go unpunished. He’s going to wish he’d never been born when I’m through with him.”

“Think strategically.”

“I can’t think at all because someone broke a bottle over my head last night and then my best friend finished the job and put me down for the count.”

“The damage to your head was done long before I planted my fist. You’re poisoning yourself, West. And now that poison is spreading to your sisters. They deserve to make their own mistakes in life, not pay for yours.”

“I know.” West jammed his hat down lower on his head, ignoring the pain from his multiple bruises.

“Now don’t bite my head off, but do you think there could be any truth to what Laxton said about Belinda having an amorous tryst? Not that it would excuse his execrable slander.”