Nicholas! As delighted as Eliza was to see him again so soon, his forbidding expression was unexpected. Gone was the man whose eyes sparkled as he teased her. The man framed in the doorway of the carriage was deadly serious and fairly simmering with outrage. Eliza hoped fervently that she was not the one who had prompted this response. His lips were drawn to a taut line and his attention was fixed upon his sister.
Helena flushed and lifted her chin with familiar defiance, evidence that she at least guessed the reason for his appearance.
“Captain Emerson,” Eliza said.
“Mrs. North,” he said, polite despite his mood, inclining his head to her. “I would speak with my sister, if you do not mind the intrusion to your errand.”
“Of course not.”
Helena clutched Eliza’s hand. “Mrs. Worth must remain, as she is my chaperone at your own request, Nicholas.”
His eyes flashed blue fire, then he stepped into the carriage, closing the door behind himself and taking the seat opposite them. It seemed the interior of the carriage was vastly diminished and that Nicholas fairly filled the space. The air crackled with tension. Eliza felt Helena’s hand tremble but the girl was undaunted.
Nicholas spoke quietly but with heat. “There is a wager upon the books at White’s that Mr. Ethan Melbourne will be wed to Miss Helena Emerson before Easter Sunday.”
Eliza caught her breath at these tidings but Helena’s lips merely set.
“What do you know of this?” Nicholas demanded. “The odds appear to be in the gentleman’s favor, yet I know of no such match having been made.”
“Nor do I,” Helena said, her words breathless. Eliza wondered whether she told the truth. “Do you think I should have been dancing at Almack’s last night if I knew myself to be betrothed?”
Nicholas settled back, his gaze simmering. “And yet you are not completely surprised.”
Helena opened her mouth and closed it again. She pulled her hand from Eliza’s and smoothed her skirts. “I have suspected his regard.”
“Easter is less than three weeks away, Helena. If this match were to be made in such a timely matter, the banns should have been called.”
Helena shrugged, feigning indifference. “Perhaps Mr. Melbourne has a special license.” It was clear that even the possibility pleased her greatly.
“Does he?”
“I do not know.”
“Helena,” he growled. “This is no jest! It is no small thing for your name to be listed in the wager book...”
“No, it is rather exciting.”
“Miss Emerson!” Eliza could not disguise her shock.
Helena, though, was watching Nicholas. “What will you do if I tell you I know nothing of this?”
“What do you imagine I will do? I will defend your honor as is right and just.”
“A duel?” Helena paled. “You might kill him.”
Nicholas was resolute. “If he has so tainted your reputation by choice and my honor by association, then that may be the price he pays for such indiscretion.”
“And what if I knew of it?” the girl asked quietly. Again, Eliza had no notion of the truth.
“Then I shall abandon you forever to Aunt Fanny’s care,” Nicholas said firmly. “Once she hears of this outrageous wager, she may well lock you in the cellar for the duration.”
“She would not,” the girl insisted, but there was a thread of doubt in her tone. “You would not!”
“Did you know or did you not, Helena?” Nicholas demanded, his tone so hard that his sister flinched.
Eliza watched the girl weigh her options. She could not fathom how much Helena knew, but the girl knew something of Mr. Melbourne’s intention. She was not fully surprised, and unless Eliza missed her guess, Helena was thrilled by this development.
She supposed that many a maiden inclined to romance would find the idea of a duel being fought over her to be romantic. She might think less of the result, for Eliza would not have wagered against Nicholas.
