BASKERVILLE: Langford and DuVille would never stoop to settling matters with their fists my good fellow! That’s the difference between you hotheaded young pups and gentlemen like DuVille and Langford and the rest of us. You ought to study the excellent manners of your elders, acquire some of their town polish, don’t you know. Rather than admiring DuVille’s skill with his fists, you’d be wise to imitate his excellent address and his way with a neckcloth.

NICKI: Thank you Baskerville.

BASKERVILLE: Welcome DuVille. I speak only the truth. As to Langford, you couldn’t have a finer example of refinement and gentlemanly arts. Fisticuffs to settle a disagreement, indeed! Why, the very thought of it is offensive to any civilized man.

DUKE OF STANHOPE: Ludicrous to even discuss it.

ONE OF THE YOUNG MAN ON THEIR TABLE: My apologies, sirs if--- Thought you said Langford was rusticating.

All five men glanced up and saw Stephen Wetmoreland heading straight toward them wearing an expression that, as he came nearer, looked far more ominous than amiable.

NICKI: Care to join us, Langford?

STEPHEN: Get up!

NICKI: Here?

STEPHEN: Get out of that chair, you son of a –

NICKI: Definitely here.

(AND THE TWO OF THEM FOUGHT.)

On the other side of the wall, in the main room of White’s, an outburst of unnaturally boisterous conversation erupted when DuVille and Langford strolled out – conversation of the sort used by adult males as a diversionary tactic intended to convey the impression that one’s attention was everywhere except where it actually was.

Either indifferent to, or unaware of, the unnatural atmosphere and watchful eyes that followed them, the two former combatants parted company at the center of the room, Langford to search for a servant with a tray of drinks, and DuVille to return to his empty place at the card table.

NICKI: Was it my turn to deal?

The two young men answered in unison that it was, the Duke of Stanhope courteously replied that he wasn’t entirely certain, but Baskerville was in high dudgeon over having been made to look a fool before the young gentlemen, and he brought up the subject on everyone’s mind.

BASKERVILLE: You may as well tell these two what happened in there, since they won’t be able to concentrate or even sleep without knowing the outcome. Disgraceful behavior, I don’t scruple to tell you, DuVille, on both your parts!

NICKI: There is nothing to tell. We discussed a wedding.

BASKERVILLE: A wedding? What could two men discuss about a wedding?

NICKI: Who the groom is going to be.

ONE OF THE YOUNG MAN: And did you decide, sir?

NICKI: Yes. I am going to be the best man.

THE OTHER YOUNG MAN snorted: A wedding!

NICKI: Would you prefer to make it a funeral?

BASKERVILLE: What else did you and Langford discuss? You were gone a good while.

NICKI: We discussed little old ladies with faulty memories. And we marveled at the wisdom of a God who, for some incomprehensible reason, occasionally allows their tongues to go on working long after their brains have ceased to function at all.

DUKE OF STANHOPE: I hope you are not referring to anyone I know.

NICKI: Do you know anyone called by the unlikely name of ‘Charity’ instead of ‘Birdwit’?

DUKE OF STANHOPE: I may. (He was spared further discussion of that embarrassing topic by the arrival of another gambler, who nodded a casual but friendly greeting at Baskerville and himself as he pulled out the chair beside DuVille and settled into it.

NICKI (to the newcomer): These two fellows with the slack jaws and deep pockets are Lords Banbraten and Isley . (to the two young men) I believe the Earl of Langford is already familiar with you? (when both nodded in unison) Good. Since that’s over, the earl and I will now endeavor to divest you of the rest of your fathers’ money. (He picked up the cards he’d dealt for himself and winced at the pain in his rib.

DUKE OF STANHOPE: Bad hand eh?

STEPHEN (in the erroneous belief that the question had been directed to him): Not too bad. (He turned as a servant approached the table with two glasses of excellent brandy, and he took them both, keeping one for himself and passing the other to DuVille.) With my compliments (Stephen said blandly, pausing for an inquiring glance at one of the youths, who’d overturned his wine as he reached for it.)

NICKI: Can’t hold his drink.

STEPHEN: You would think that someone would have taught them how to conduct themselves before turning them loose on the rest of society.

NICKI: My thoughts exactly.