“I won’t be returning,” he said. “We’ll leave as soon as possible.”
“There is one more obstacle in your path,” she reminded him.
“She said yes.”
Lady Amelia made a noise and covered her mouth, but her excitement was evident. Felicity couldn’t stop her answering smile. “I did.”
“Lovely, but there still seems to be an issue with the fiancé, the father, and the inheritance. You must have the father’s approval to collect it.”
“I don’t care about it,” Felicity said.
“Dear, think of your sisters. If he keeps it, how might he use it against them? But if you have it, then you can provide dowries for them and give them London seasons. You’ll have the control to make sure your father can’t bully them into dreadful marriages. Five thousand pounds is no paltry sum.”
Felicity chewed her lip. That was true. She hadn’t considered how the money could be leveraged for her sisters.
Tristan coughed. “I beg your pardon.” He turned to her. “Did she say five thousand pounds?”
Felicity nodded. “Absurd, isn’t it? What was I meant to do with all that?”
“It’s no wonder Mr. Revere is eager to resort to murder to get his hands on it,” Alston said. “He’s adamant about the duel, by the way.”
Felicity’s heart lurched. “Duel? What duel?”
“Mr. Revere challenged him at the table,” Lady Amelia said. “Claimed he cheated.”
“Which he was then corrected upon,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said vehemently. “But a challenge is a challenge. You must meet him at dawn. I’ve arranged a location where the authorities won’t interfere. Richmond Park.”
Felicity appealed to Tristan, who seemed far too calm at the announcement that he’d be shot at tomorrow. “You can’t do this. He’s an excellent marksman.”
“I’m not worried.”
“That’s good. I bet on you,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said. “Now, I bid you goodnight. I have a gaming club to run.” The men stood as she got to her feet and Alston offered his arm as he showed her out.
“Let’s go home,” Lady Amelia said. “We’ll be more comfortable there.”
“Tristan, please,” Felicity begged. “Don’t do this. It’s not worth it.”
“Honor is always worth it, Flick.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “If he needs to look death in the face before he gives up and goes home, I’ll happily oblige him.”
“This isn’t fisticuffs. Guns kill. I’ve seen what they can do to a body. Please.”
“There’s bloodshed in Winter’s Well?” Lady Amelia asked.
“There is when two old men go hunting and one of them has poor vision.”
Tristan cupped her cheek. “It will be fine.”
Felicity dropped his hand. “This pointless violence is not fine. What is it with men always thinking brute force is an acceptable response when they don’t get their way? This is not a solution!”
“It’s about honor,” he argued gently.
“He has no honor!” Felicity shouted. “There is nothing for him to restore. He’s looking for a chance to hurt us both and you’re going to give it to him. Don’t do this, please. I’m begging you. If you love me, you won’t go and risk your life so that he can feel better about himself.”
His face hardened. “It’s not that simple.”
“It is,” she returned as she stepped past him. “It truly is. There is no honor in taking another man’s life over a game, and you’ll never convince me otherwise.”
Lady Amelia put her arm around her and led her from the room. Felicity was so angry she couldn’t look at him.
