A/N love the suitable outrage at any anti D/e comments. i knew it wouldnt just be me!
so im just about wrapping up my writing, its at least twice as long as originally intended. which i think prompts a 'sorry not sorry' comment! ;)
so this chapter is about 3/4 mark of the story. or a little over that. just to keep you guys in the loop.
also all info about Angelos is fact. the people are totally fiction. I doubt this stoy tidbit ever happened there!
big thanks to lovely reviewers. appreciate your support, hope you are still enjoying the random musings of my brain.
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Chapter 21. Fighting with both sword and hand.
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Darcy sometimes wished he had a more gregarious nature. Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had joined them at the club, and Bingley all conversed easily with Henry and yet he had no notion of what to speak on. Yet he must try. Henry was beloved by his sister and if he wished to spend his life with Elizabeth, then he must try to win over young Henry also. He was well pleased with the progress he had made over the last two days, almost a little surprised how much ground had been gained. He was prepared to put in the work, but was grateful for Elizabeth giving him the opportunity to improve.
Angelo's school of arms, situated in soho, was busy as usual. Darcy had learnt to fence here as a young lad. His father had trained with Domenico himself and Darcy had also had that privilege once he had taken a position at Eton. Henry Angelo ran the club now and he was a welcome member of the aristocracy because of his position.
One could come for tuition or practice and there was space set aside for both. One could train with the foil, a french blade, or the short sword, favoured by the royal family, or the more traditional broadsword. Darcy and his party opted for the foil.
Darcy started off by easily beating Bingley. Bingley was not a bad sportsman but lacked the foresight to anticipate his opponents moves and so did not plan ahead. They both watched Richard face off with Bennet. Darcy, at first, felt this would be an easy win for the colonel. He took his military training seriously and was an excellent swordsman. But Bennet held his own rather well, landing a fair number of cunning hits before losing the final point to the colonel. Bingley cheerfully challenged Henry whilst Richard bid the party adieu. He was now expected at home.
Darcy walked with him, discussing an upcoming dinner at the Earl of Matlock's London seat, leaving Bingley and Henry to their game.
Bingley and Henry sparred, exchanging good natured jibes and half hearted insults. Henry could easily see he was the better swordsman but drew out the match to enjoy himself.
When he won he declared himself the victor and claimed his prize of the crown they had bet.
"Fencing for money? Now that is more like it."
Bingley and Henry both turned to the voice. Bingley's face bore no signs of recognition but Henry did know the man. He bowed "Lord Kenton how pleasant to see you again."
"Ha, Bennet. It has not been so long. Would you introduce me to your friend?"
"Mr Bingley this is Lord Kenton, Lord Kenton was two years ahead of me at Oxford. Lord Kenton, this is Mr Bingley, a Cambridge man and he is to marry my sister Jane."
"A pleasure." Mr Bingley bowed cheerfully.
"So. What say you Bennet?" Kenton barely nodded to Bingley. "A match? Shall we say five pounds?"
"Regretfully, I must decline." Henry remembered Kenton well. He was not a man to be trusted, nor did he play by the rules. He had a reputation at Oxford for looking down on those of a weaker constitution and bullying his own circle in to acts best avoided. Races, gaming hells, reckless riding were frequently the sort of activities he favoured. Usually accompanied by a wager.
"Come now Bennet." He moved him to the spot marked out and pointed his foil in Henry's direction. "En-garde!"
Henry shrugged, donning his mask. He likely could beat the man, what could it hurt?
Lord Kenton was a far superior fencer to Bingley and would likely give the colonel a good fight. But he was as reckless as his reputation suggested and would over extend his reach leaving him open to hits. Henry was fast and could dodge and make use of these openings.
Although there was no rules for fencing matches, the fights tended to be the first to five hits. Tournaments were not usually recognised and people came to Angelos to learn or practice. However, as with all sports, the competitive edge of gentlemen was often roused and informal matches were common.
Their match was watched by a few cronies of Lord Kenton and Bingley also stayed to help judge the hits. A few hits were ignored by Lord Kenton. but Henry reached five, with him only on three, despite this.
Henry bowed, chest heaving with exertion "a most invigorating match my Lord."
He removed his helmet and hung his foil on the practice racks to the side. A cry from Bingley made him jump around and he luckily avoided the blow that had been aimed at his head.
He only had a brief moment to allow confusion for why Kenton should do such a thing when another punch was swinging its way towards his head. He ducked and delivered a blow to Kenton's side making him stagger.
He glanced over to see Bingley being restrained by one of Lord Kenton's friends.
"You insolent pup. You cheated." Kenton growled and hit out again, Henry neatly side stepping.
He raised his fists in a boxing stance and prepared to move forward when he found himself grabbed from behind by two more of Lord Kenton's friends.
A second later a blow landed on the left side of his face causing lights to bloom in front of his eyes.
"What is the meaning of this?" He yelled, more angry than hurt. He saw Bingley struggling, earning himself a shove from his captor.
Kenton raised his fists. "No one bests me." Another blow was delivered to Henry's side and he heaved from the pain, curling forward despite the two men holding him up. From the edge of his vision he could see Kenton stepping towards him, no doubt about to land another blow, when his feet suddenly disappeared backwards.
Henry found himself unceremoniously released and he crumpled to his hands and knees and heaved great lungful of air. He heard sounds of a scuffle and dragged himself to his feet, clutching the side which had taken the blow.
Darcy had Lord Kenton on the floor and had delivered another blow to one of the other men who was staggering away. The third man was stepping forward but Henry lunged and knocked him to the ground, dealing him a blow to the side for good measure. He looked up to see Bingley looking on in shock, the man who had been holding him had run to Lord Kenton's side and was trying to raise him up.
Henry staggered up and Darcy moved to help him, Henry clutching the taller mans arm gratefully. They looked at each other and chuckled.
Darcy's mouth turned up in a wry smile "looks like we brought you to the wrong club. We should have gone to Jackson's on Bond Street"
Henry chuckled then groaned and clutched his side.
"Come on." Darcy said "let's get out of here."
They moved away just as some of the club staff began to rush in to the room, apologies were levelled their way and the club manager mentioned speaking to Henry Angelo about banning Lord Kenton. Neither Darcy nor Henry could find themselves much concerned, Lord Kenton was still out cold, and they merely nodded in acknowledgment before making their way out of the club and away from the melee.
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Darcy's town house was not far from the famous fencing club, however in their condition they decided that a carriage was the best option. The three gentlemen climbed in and tried not to be jostled as the carriage pulled away.
"I say Henry, what a poor sport that Lord Kenton was. what could be the meaning of attacking you like that! I've never heard of such a thing."
Henry laughed "now you understand why I did not wish to fight the man in the first place." He paused. "Of course, if I'd known I was in for a beating I may have conceded the fencing match."
"Damn ridiculous behaviour if you ask me. I say, I do apologise for being so little help. That friend of his was impossible to shake."
Henry waved him off, then turned to Darcy "my thanks for stepping in as you did, sir. I believe things would have been worse if you had not."
Darcy's mouth lifted in a lopsided smile and he shrugged "I thought you had them on the run." They both chuckled.
The carriage pulled up alongside Darcy's house in Mayfair.
"I will find a hack." Henry looked out.
"Don't be ridiculous. You cannot go back to your sisters looking like that." Darcy retorted before jumping from the carriage.
Henry gave Bingley a questioning look and Bingley winced. Henry lifted his hand to his face and realised the whole left side was feeling puffy, likely bruised, and his fingers came away with a smear of blood.
"Oh boy, I am in trouble" he sighed.
Bingley chuckled. Darcy stuck his head back in the coach. "Come on, sir. We will have you looking respectable in no time." He turned to Bingley "care to join us?"
Bingley shook his head "I was supposed to be meeting with my solicitor and going over the settlement. He's likely waiting on me now. I should depart." He made to rise.
"Sit down Bingley, I'll send my carriage to Grovesnor square then it can make its way to the mews."
Henry jumped down, wincing as he landed and Darcy relayed the instructions