He was the taller, but the Duca’s body was heavier and there was something fanatical in the way he threw out his fists that made Cordelia afraid for her cousin.
Then suddenly it was over.
Mark caught the Duca an uppercut that lifted him off his feet.
He staggered backwards and losing his balance fell over the low parapet into an oleander bush.
There was the crash of broken branches. Then he was still, his feet stretched out in front of him almost ludicrously.
Wide-eyed and trembling Cordelia came from behind the wooden seat.
Mark was looking down at his broken knuckles. His coat was slightly disarranged and his cravat was ruffled, but otherwise he appeared to be quite unconcerned by what had occurred.
She moved towards him and he saw by the pallor of, her face and the expression in
