They all nodded and followed Angelo into his office, which was behind the main hall. Lucas said, “I’m sorry for being the cause of trouble, Signor Angelo. I won’t come here again.”

“You were not the cause of the trouble,” Angelo growled as he pulled a bag packed with bandages, salves, and other medical items from a large drawer at the bottom of his desk. “That slice on your shoulder needs attention.”

Lucas looked uncomfortable, but relaxed when Simon said, “I’ll take care of this. I’ve done my share of dressing wounds in the field.”

Angelo poured water into a basin and set it beside the medical supplies. As Simon removed the bloody cravat and washed the wound clean, Lucas asked, “Do you have any idea why that fellow Godfrey is hell-bent on seeing me punished for crimes unknown?”

Angelo frowned. “Godfrey Rogers. He’s the youngest of a pack of brothers, and they’re all very protective of him. Patrick, the one who attacked you, is the oldest, a former cavalry officer. Godfrey was a midshipman in the Royal Navy, captured and imprisoned by the French. He was seriously injured in a fall while trying to escape, I believe, and returned home crippled.”

“I don’t remember meeting him, but he might have seen me in one of the French prisons.” Lucas sucked in his breath as Simon cleaned the wound with stinging gin. “I don’t know how that translates into my being responsible for his crippled state, but there must be a connection in his mind. I wish I could talk to him without being skewered by one of his brothers.”

“If the Rogers brothers can’t control themselves, they’re not welcome here,” Angelo said firmly. “I shall talk to them, and I hope to see all of you in the future.”

Simon applied a fresh bandage to the wound, then helped Lucas into his coat. With the bloodstains covered, he looked normal enough.

Kendra collected her shredded nerves and said, “Wednesday morning, Signor Angelo. I look forward to meeting more of your fencing ladies.”

As the three of them left the academy, Simon said, “Will you join us for lunch, Kendra? This morning I sent a message to Lord Kirkland, saying we wished to talk to him. With luck, he’ll be available soon.”

“Yes, thank you. I’d like that.” Kendra climbed into the carriage, thinking that after months of paralysis, events were beginning to move. Almost too fast for her.

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 10

When they returned to Simon’s house, there was a message waiting from Lord Kirkland, inviting them to call on him that very afternoon. Lucas changed to a clean shirt and they had a light meal before traveling to Kirkland House, a spacious residence on Berkeley Square.