At the word ninny-hammer, the image of Daphne Cunnington straightaway came to mind. Cecily had contemplated more and more lately that all logical deduction pointed toward Daphne Cunnington as the one person who would benefit most greatly by Cecily’s death. Flavion would benefit as well, but in spite of his duplicity, she considered him an unlikely suspect. Although casually inconsiderate and hurtful, he did not seem to have the nerve it would take to intentionally end another person’s life. Remembering the look in Miss Cunnington’s eye as she’d pulled her into the water, Cecily thought that perhaps his mistress did.
But she and Stephen had surmised it must have takentwo peopleto place the snake under the sheets.
“The bite did cause a great deal of discomfort,” Cecily said quietly, after taking a sip of her tea. “The antidote tasted horrible, and I have been forced to spend an entire week abed! Whoever placed it there deserves a just punishment.” Being the object of such mean-spiritedness caused her to feel somewhat vulnerable, even while in her own chamber. She’d gone so far as to have Sally dispose of all of the bedding the snake had been hidden beneath. The only time she felt completely safe was when she was with Stephen… which was not at all a good thing. For he surely was not going to be in her life for much longer. One way or another…
“Flavion is to be in another duel tomorrow,” Cecily said abruptly.
The other two girls, aware that they had each discussed methods for ending his life, looked a bit chagrined. She assumed that, like her, they really did not have the fortitude to wish another human being dead either.
“I heard about the duel this morning. Papa told Mama, and I overheard Mama telling Mrs. Kettleton about it. He is to duel Colonel Benning tomorrow. He shan’t have such an easy task as he did this morning, I fear.” Looking curiously at Cecily, Rhoda asked, “Are you afraid for him? I mean, I know we have all been wishing for his death, but now that he might actually be facing it, I feel a little saddened. Are you as well?”
Cecily turned her head and stared out the window. A number of ladies and gentlemen strolled along the sidewalk, seemingly without a care in the world. She wondered if she would be a widow at this time tomorrow. As much as she yearned to be free of Flave, she did not want this.
“I am afraid for him,” she said. “Stephen is speaking with the colonel’s second today. He is going to attempt to negotiate the duel to be only to first-blood, as it was with Miss Cunnington’s father. But he was not certain of the outcome of the meeting…”
Both Emily and Rhoda raised their eyebrows. “Stephen?” Rhoda asked. “Stephen, Cecily? Not Mr. Nottingham?”
“You have been ill, but have you managed then, to have some success seducing Flavion’s cousin?” Emily was curious as well.
Oh, Lord. If they knew the truth of it…
Looking at her friends, Cecily could contain herself no longer. “I think I am in love with him,” she burst out.
Both girls looked confused.
“Not Flavion. Stephen… Mr. Nottingham. I know it sounds crazy. Itiscrazy. But he is everything I had thought Flavion to be and more. I realize that my emotions for Flavion were nothing compared to what I feel for Stephen. And Stephen… well, he is a good man. I mean, he is truly agoodman.”
“Oh my,” Emily said.
“Oh hell,” Rhoda said. “Does he return the sentiment?”
Cecily reached up and tugged at her ear. “I’m not sure. He has this issue… with loyalty to his cousin.”
She did not know what she ought to reveal to her friends. Stephen was something of a private person and she did not wish to share something that he would wish to be kept confidential.
“He has a very strong sense of honor and responsibility. Even if hedidlove me in return, I do not think he could ever act upon it.”Any more than we both already have. “I believe he is planning on taking his leave of Nottinghouse after the duel — depending upon the outcome.”
The ladies quieted again at what this meant for Cecily.
“He is Flavion’s heir?” Emily asked.
“Yes,” Cecily answered. “And he cares a great deal for his cousin. He will suffer greatly if Flavion does not survive tomorrow.” And, oh God, he would heap guilt upon himself. They could never hope to have a future together. If only…
“Oh, Cecily, I am so sorry.” Rhoda reached out and covered her hand.
“What a mess,” Emily added. “Life is never as simple as we would like for it to be, is it?”
Cecily shook her head solemnly. “It is not.”
The next morning,a steady drizzle fell as Stephen and Flavion set off for the same secluded field they’d gone to the previous morning. An awful sense of dread hovered over Stephen while Flavion appeared uncaring and yet somewhat brittle.
Wearing a greatcoat and holding an umbrella, Marcus awaited them once again. He gave the impression of being as solemn as Stephen felt. With a glance toward the other gentlemen present, Stephen saw why. The colonel did not look like an old man. He most likely had not yet reached the age of fifty. And he was built like a bull — tall and solid. As he limbered himself up with his sword, Stephen could see that the man was agile and quick. Flavion caught sight of his challenger and paled somewhat.
Today, Stephen took more time than usual to meet with the surgeons. Not confident in his cousin’s abilities, he ought to at least feel confident in the surgeons’ presence. Upon discovering that both had served during the wars and were experienced in dealing with wounds, he deemed them both to be suitable.
Wishing he could do more, Stephen joined Brooks near the field of combat. The drizzle had halted, but everything on the field was wet. Without further ado, the two challengers took their stance.
This time, Brooks gave the directive,“Allez!”
