Evidently Aunt Fanny’s cellar was the more fearful possibility, for Helena straightened.
“I did not know of it,” she said.
“Then the assault upon your honor is clear and must be avenged,” Nicholas said. He left the carriage with purpose, offering his hand to Eliza. His stance was straight and his manner commanding.
When she was beside him, Eliza dared to look into his eyes. He was as determined as she had ever seen him. “Never in anger, Captain Emerson,” she murmured.
“Never,” he agreed crisply, his gaze cool. “In matters of war, passion is a poor companion.”
Their gazes held for a moment and she glanced at his mouth, recalling his kiss and yearning for another. She saw him catch his breath and his eyes narrowed, then he turned to offer Helena his assistance. She was achingly proud of his honor and integrity, had no doubt of his skill, but feared for him all the same.
It would be wrong for him to be injured in a duel after he had survived the war.
The street was quite busy and crowded with the bustle of shoppers. More than one halted to take a view of the ducal carriage, doubtless seeking a glimpse of Damien. Several ladies surveyed Nicholas with admiration and more than one dandy smiled at Helena. Eliza could only think of Nicholas’ intention and her fears for him.
For her part, Helena did not have the wits to keep silent. She appealed to her brother despite the surrounding activity, apparently oblivious to those who stopped to look and listen. “Promise me, Nicholas, that you will not...”
“I promise only to see your virtue defended,” he said, interrupting her firmly. He closed the door of the carriage and Thomson clicked his tongue to the horses. Nicholas then looked over Helena’s shoulder, his expression revealing that he recognized someone. His brows rose. “And it appears the matter shall be resolved soon.”
Eliza spun at the same time as Helena, only to find Mr. Melbourne himself strolling toward them. The younger man was swinging his walking stick with such a confident swagger that she could not believe he had happened upon them by coincidence. Helena’s pleasure only confirmed her suspicion.
Somehow, Helena had arranged that they should encounter the young man while on this errand. They must have contrived the meeting during their dance the night before.
“This is why you insisted so closely upon the time,” Eliza said in an undertone.
“I have no idea what you mean, Mrs. North,” the girl protested, then smiled a welcome at the approaching young man. Mr. Melbourne began to lift his hat and a smile curved his lips.
Nicholas, however, intercepted Melbourne’s path before he could speak.
There was nothing Nicholas despised more than a cocksure scoundrel, except perhaps one who had fooled Helena into supporting his offense. If this fop meant to take advantage of Helena or damage her reputation, even if she was a willing participant, Nicholas would see that Melbourne understood the magnitude of his error.
Melbourne surveyed him with a measure of disdain, as if finding something lacking in his appearance, then smiled slightly. “Captain Emerson. I did not expect to meet you on this day.” He reached out and brushed an imaginary piece of lint from Nicholas’ shoulder. “I can recommend an excellent tailor if you seek one.”
Nicholas felt his jaw tighten. He liked fine clothing as well as any man, but his current situation was one that called for frugality.
“You must have expected to meet me at some point when you supported the lie that dishonors my sister,” he said calmly, instead of taking the bait.
The other man was visibly startled. “What lie?”
“There is a wager on the books at White’s that you will be wed to my sister by Easter.” Nicholas watched Melbourne’s gaze slip away. The man was a veritable eel. “Do not suggest that you are unaware of it. I saw your wager listed beneath. Doubtless this Mr. Davidson is an acquaintance of yours. Who had the idea?”
Melbourne paled slightly. “You did not tell her?”
“I thought it better that I did than someone else. My aunt will doubtless hear of it at some point. She is a great collector of tales of scandal and I would prefer to have the matter resolved before that unhappy day.”
Melbourne dropped his voice to a confidential tone. “But you are not a member of White’s, Captain Emerson. How can you have seen this?” He smirked a little. “Are you entirely certain of your claim? Or do you repeat a rumor without conviction?”
“I saw the bet myself this morning. I have been invited to White’s of late as a guest of a member, the Duke of Haynesdale,” Nicholas replied, bristling that this dandy would try to diminish him. “At least you might have the honor not to deny your offence.”
“It is no offence! It was but a jest!”
“I confess I find myself offended but not amused. Your jest is a failure, sir.”
Melbourne shook his head. “There is no need for such trouble, Captain,” he said in a soothing and patronizing manner. “I will speak to Davidson about its removal this very day as you did not find the jest amusing.”
“As you wish. I will see you at dawn tomorrow, at Wimbleton Commons.”
The younger man’s shock was clear. “You cannot mean to duel over this.”
