Chapter 7

Oscar was still fighting the rage when he walked Beatrice back inside and to the grand entry. She scurried up the stairs, to where her suite waited. It took every ounce of restraint Oscar had not to follow her up those stairs and just finish this. Whatever this was.

Never had a woman gotten him as churned up as that one. If Elspeth had made Iagan feel half like this—no wonder that redheaded fool had changed his entire world, his future, for her.

This was Duvall’s first time meeting her. And yet the man had wasted no time sinking his claws into someone who deserved far better. Oscar wasn’t a fool—Duvall had the scent now. And he wouldn’t stop—especially if he thought he was putting one over on Oscar. And especially if a beautiful woman was involved.

Henry Duvall was still out there. What in the world was Iagan doing inviting that bastard here? When those little birds were here, too?

Oscar was going to find out. Iagan had no more love for Duvall than Oscar did. It didn’t make sense that man was here, instead of being a bastard in Finley Creek like he usually did. Oscar had worked with that idiot for years—with Dr. Barratt’s oversight. But Duvall had a dark side—one Oscar didn’t think Dr. Barratt was fully aware of.

Oscar was going to find out. And give Duvall a little warning. Beatrice was his. Claim staked—whether the other man liked it or not. He just had to make certain Beatrice realized that, too. Oscar was looking forward to the challenge.

Duvall leaned against the low stone wall by the stables, the glow of a cigarette highlighting his sharp features. The faintest smile played at his lips when he saw Oscar approaching.

“Well, well. If it isn’t the great Dr. Oscar Collins, Garrity County’s finest knight in shining armor. What brings you out into this miserable weather? Couldn’t sleep, I imagine?”

Oscar didn’t slow his pace, his steps firm and deliberate. He stopped a few feet from Duvall. “Stay away from her.”

“Why should I? She seemed perfectly capable of handling herself. Spirited, even. A bit naive, perhaps, but that’s hardly surprising for someone so... young. Very deliciously young, that one. You know I like them just like that.”

Duvall wasn’t getting anywhere near that girl. He wasn’t a fool—Duvall would see her naivety, her little peculiarities, as a challenge. And seduction would be the name of the game. Just because the bastard thought that he could.

“Oh, so that’s it. This isn’t about her, is it? This is about you . She’s yours, isn’t she?”

“Don’t mistake my restraint for tolerance. You’ll regret it.” He wanted an excuse to hit the other man. He had wanted it for a long, long time. He had let the other young woman go—she had wanted Duvall, falling for his charms before her father had fortunately pulled her away. But Beatrice—was something so much more. And Oscar would not let her be hurt.

“You’re always so quick to anger, Collins. It’s your fatal flaw, you know.” Duvall took another drag of his cigarette, exhaling slowly as he tilted his head. “But let me guess. She’s special, isn’t she? All that fire, all that innocence. It must be intoxicating. You touched her yet? That what you two were doing in the barn together? You unbutton any of those shiny little buttons and?—”

“Watch yourself.” Oscar was going to push, to see how far Duvall was willing to go tonight. It would give him a hint of what the man was after. He had known this man for years, after all.

And Oscar wasn’t a fool, by any means. Duvall was dangerous—to women. He prided himself on that. The man had no sense of honor at all.

“Or what? You’ll hit me? Like old times? You can’t stand the idea that a woman might prefer me to you. Never could. I wonder if that still holds true? You think that girl will stay true if a man like me offers her a bit of excitement? Like the last one did? So boring, was Oscar, she said. More concerned with his work than entertaining her, giving her the flowers and baubles. And this one—is she even younger? You think I didn’t see it? I know you, old friend. This isn’t just about protecting her. You want her. You think she’s going to be the one to fix whatever’s broken in you. But here’s the thing—she’s young. Far too young for you, don’t you think? Inexperienced. Naive. Virginal. Can’t miss that. For now. I must admit, the idea of taking her interest away from you is tempting. Just to see that look on your face again. It’s been years since I’ve seen you like this over a woman. I’d almost forgotten how easy it is to rile you up when you are on the hunt. I know you’ve been bored for a while.”

Oscar just did it—threw the punch right at the other man. He connected, too. Duvall never had been fast enough to get out of his way when Oscar was angry enough.

Iagan was going to get an earful for even allowing this bastard near Elspeth’s little birds tonight.

“Still quick with the fists, I see. Temper, temper, temper. Though I must say, I expected a bit more control from you by now. Medical school and that nurse in Galveston were a long time ago. Haven’t you gotten past her yet? She was never going to stay true. Not that one. She liked the game just far too much, after all. Or did little Beatrice get you all heated up and not deliver? I love when they play that game—makes it so much more fun, don’t you think?”

That girl had been incidental. Oscar had never been in love with her—the game had all been in Duvall’s head. Oscar barely remembered her name. But Beatrice…

“Stay away from her. I won’t tell you again.”

He left the other man behind. Oscar had more important things to do.

He needed a plan.