She collapsed against the ground, gripping the long grass with both hands as the duchesses all gasped and cried out with joy. She felt their arms come around her, felt their happy tears merge with her own.
It was over. Or at least this part was. Morgan wouldn’t be in danger anymore. He could go on and live his life in whatever way he pleased. She had no idea if he would let that include her, but she did know that she had to try. Because almost losing him today made her fully aware that she never wanted to live another day without him.
And she would just have to be bold enough to pursue that desire, without fear of rejection or consequence. That was what he’d taught her in the past few weeks. That life was worth living. And she was going to live it.
Morgan’s hands shook as he headed back to the middle of the field where Covington stood waiting for him. Robert, Brighthollow and Donburrow rushed to join them. The guns were taken, hands were shaken all around and then the rest backed away to leave the two once-friends to have their final talk.
“You…didn’t kill me,” Morgan said softly.
Covington glanced him up and down, his lips pursed. “I thought about it. The thought of killing you has tormented my mind for a year. But your words today rang in my head when the moment came. They made me see a bit clearer. I know it wasn’t just you. Violet was the one who did the most. She knew you were my friend and she pursued you to hurt me.”
“I’m sorry.” Morgan held out a hand and, after a brief hesitation, Gareth shook it. “Where is she now?”
“Married to some officer,” Gareth said with a shake of his head. “Who she cheats on regularly, if rumor is true. Perhaps she did me a favor, in the end. What about you? This woman you spoke of, do you have a future?”
Morgan glanced toward Brighthollow. He was talking to the doctor, a grim frown on his face. The duke wouldn’t sack him, not for this. But he still knew that Hugh expected more for Lizzie. Wanted more.
But did that matter? Would it keep him from her? Could he somehow earn the pleasure of her hand and her life and her love?
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I suppose I ought to find out.”
“If you don’t, you’re a coward,” Gareth said. “Goodbye, Banfield.”
Morgan drew his attention back to his former friend. Their feud was over, it seemed. But the friendship was gone too, proof that sometimes the past couldn’t be overcome.
“Goodbye, Gareth. Good luck.”
Gareth grunted and turned away, motioning to his second and the doctor. As they rode off, each of the dukes moved to Morgan, shaking his hand in turn. The last was Robert.
Morgan extended a hand to him, but Robert surprised him by yanking him into a hug. As his brother pounded his back, he whispered, “Never scare me like that again. I don’t want a world where you aren’t there to pester me.”
He pulled away and Morgan smiled. “I’ll do my best. Now let’s ride back, shall we?”
“Yes,”Donburrow signed.“The ladies will be worried.”
Morgan translated for the others and they all agreed. They swung up on their mounts and rode back toward the house. And Morgan knew he was riding into a different kind of confrontation than the one he’d just left.
He was riding not to his death, but to his future. And it was currently cloudy as could be.
Chapter 21
Morgan swung off his horse and handed the reins to the waiting footman.
“Glad to have you back, Mr. Banfield,” the young man said before he ducked away.
“Thank you,” Morgan said. He was surprised to find each servant he passed nodding in greeting, their relief palpable. It was an odd thing. He’d come here to appease his brother. To find some way to stay out of trouble for a while.
But he’d found…a place here. A position he was good at. A woman he loved. He’d found home. This place was home, and his heart swelled as he entered the foyer and found the women gathered in a semi-circle waiting for him.
Katherine rushed forward first, bussing his cheek. The rest followed, but all Morgan could do was look at Elizabeth. She was pale as paper, her eyes red with tears as she approached him. Her hands shook as she reached out and took both of his.
“I-I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered, and then cast a quick glance at her brother.
Brighthollow stepped forward and she pulled away, ducking her head as color filled her cheeks. “It’s been a trying morning for us all,” he announced. “Why don’t we let Morgan have a moment and all gather ourselves? We can meet in the breakfast room in half an hour.”
That seemed to please the group. They parted in couples, and Elizabeth was drawn along by her brother as he spoke quietly to her. Morgan shook his head as he followed them all up the stairs. They needed to talk. That much was clear. But it wasn’t going to happen right now in the midst of the uproar the duel had created. His heart ached as he turned toward the stairs to the third floor and left the others to go to the guest and family quarters. He wanted so much to speak to her now.
He entered his bedroom and moved to the basin across the room. He was about to splash water on his face when the door behind him opened. He turned to find Elizabeth there, and the world stopped turning immediately.
