In one glance her husband took in her ripped bodice and the nail marks down Huxley’s cheek.
“You’ll die for this.”
“No, Daniel, do not fight him, I beg of you!”
“What the hell is going on?” Simon bellowed, running into the room seconds later, followed by a footman.
“This room is getting crowded,” Huxley said, swishing his blade from side to side, his eyes never leaving Daniel. “Your wife is delectable, Stratton. I wish I had time to really taste her,” he added.
“Did he attempt to abduct you?” Daniel bent to pick up the piece of cloth Huxley had tried to smother Eva with.
“Daniel, please - ”
“Eva, tell me the truth!”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“You.” He pointed to the footman. “Two doors to the left from here, you will find my late grandfather’s blade. Bring it to me.”
“You cannot fight in this room, Daniel. It is not big enough,” Simon said.
“Open those doors. They lead to a larger, private balcony. We will fight there.”
“Daniel, no!” Eva cried.
“Simon, take care of Eva.”
She could feel his anger. It filled every corner of the room, yet he would not look at her. Gilbert Huxley was his sole focus. His words were clipped; his body, tense - ready to strike. Gone was her amiable husband, in his place a cold, hard man whom she barely recognized. Never had she been so scared in her entire life. “Daniel,” she whispered, taking a step toward him.
“Simon, take Eva from the room at once!”
“No. I will not go!”
“Madam, you will do as I say,” he said in cold, clipped tones.
“I will not!” Eva dragged a blanket off the bed to cover herself.
Simon walked to the glass doors, which led to the balcony and threw them open.
“I have the sword, your Grace.”
Daniel wrenched off his coat and gloves then took the blade from the servant. “Outside,” he said with a nod of his head to Huxley.
Eva watched an evil smile tilt the corners of Gilbert Huxley’s mouth as he backed toward the doors and then slipped outside. Silence filled the room, the only sound the swishing of Daniel’s blade.
“If something should happen to me this night, make sure Eva is cared for and kept away from her family,” Daniel said to Simon. “She is with child. I will ask you to visit my solicitor and make the necessary changes.”
Dear God, he was discussing her in such a calculated manner - as if she were not standing right there, only a few feet from him.
“He has the rest of the details in my will.”
“No!” Eva cried, running around the bed toward him. He caught her and briefly held her close. “You will not leave me, Daniel.”
“Never doubt my love for you, Eva.”
“Stop him!” Eva tried to hold him as he pushed her toward Simon.
“Eva, he must do this, and in order for him to win, he must focus solely on Huxley. Do you understand?”
