Another Small Kingdom by James Green Read Free Book Online Page B

partake of any alcohol, no wine, no spirits, nor even ale. But in his own home at night, however, he felt free to seek some peace through fiery Scottish Highland malt whisky. But tonight’s visit would make little sense if reflected upon through a haze of whisky fumes.
    So, Bentley was connected to the Government in some secret way and Darcy was connected to Bentley. Now he was connected to both of them, though what that connection might mean for him he wasn’t sure. And to make things worse it looked like the French Girl was back in his life. Well, he had never really believed he would remain free of her for ever. At least now she was out in the open where he could deal with her. He held out his hands, extending the fingers. They were shaking.

Chapter Eight
    B entley stood by the fireplace resting his arm on the mantelpiece, looking with disdain at the young man slumped in the chair.
    â€˜Macleod was right, Darcy. You’re a fool as well as a bad lawyer.’
    Darcy sat in his chair feeling unwell. He felt sure it was the previous evening’s dressed crab which had provided him with the nightmares, but it was the claret which had left him so very fragile. The way he felt, the last thing he wanted was Bentley haranguing him in his own rooms, especially at such an ungodly hour of the morning. It couldn’t be more than ten at the most.
    â€˜Well, Bentley, blame my family, not me, for being in the law. They’re so damned Puritan. They would insist on my making a choice so that they could put me to something and, as I couldn’t possibly be a military man, the law seemed a preferable choice to medicine. God, if I hadn’t accepted being a lawyer, the only thing left was to end up as a damned parson.’ He pulled petulantly at his robe and looked miserably at his expensively slippered feet. ‘As for being a fool, you wrote that part for me. If the actor’s a fool, it’s only because the writer chose to make him one.’ When he looked up he saw that Bentley, sitting opposite him, was regarding him in a most unpleasant manner. Darcy decided he wasn’t up to being defiant in his present condition. The dressed crab was still preying on his mind and his stomach was still protesting about the claret. ‘Look here, Bentley, we both know that my lawyering is only a sham and will be over in a year at the most. So long as I have a few clients the charade will hold good. I’m not supposed to be doing it for the income, am I? I have my own money. I’m supposed to be playing the lawyer so as to have a reason to be here and move in Boston society. Isn’t that what we agreed? I thought antagonizing Macleod would be all of a piece with the part I’ve been given. He’s as sharp as I am shallow and it’s well known that he thinks me a jumped-up nincompoop. It’s good sense that I make him the butt of my humour among the younger set. That or something like it is just what they’d expect. Mind you it’s so easy to dislike the dull block that I have to say it certainly isn’t a hard part to play.’ And Darcy surprised himself by managing a smile. Bentley shared the smile as he delivered the message which had been the reason for his early morning call.
    â€˜Well the dull block, as you call him, is going to come to the club this evening and call you out. And in two days’ time he’s going to put a pistol ball in you.’
    Darcy’s smile vanished.
    â€˜Call me out? For a mere nothing, a little laughter among friends at a silly name? Good God, Bentley, nobody duels any more and certainly not over a little private laughter. If he’s mad enough to try it why, you can tell the authorities and have it stopped.’
    â€˜And ruin my reputation alongside yours?’
    Bentley watched Darcy as his words sank in. He had not been a party to selecting Darcy for the role of courier between Boston, New Orleans and Washington. Darcy, he had