“Why did you not follow through with the plan?” Ben asked Sarah. “And why two glasses?”
“I had thought to drink the draught myself,” she said. “It seemed only fair.”
“Or sporting?” Ben questioned. “Well, if it was poison, then you speaking the truth may have saved two lives.”
“I’m certain whatever was plotted, Rov is behind it,” Gavin said. “We’ll know by the way he behaves when I make my appearance.”
“Why would he stoop so low?” Ben asked.
“He doesn’t want to lose his position as Chairman of the Committees and he knows I will take it from him. He always had a hot head but I had believed he had sense.” Gavin was quiet a moment and then said, “Damn, but Talbert was a good secretary.”
They drove over the river. Just as the sun was beginning to appear on the horizon, they pulled into a large expanse of meadow. On the far side was a sheltering oak. Four men stood there. One of their horses whinnied a greeting to Ben’s team, alerting the men of their approach.
Sarah recognized Lord Rovington’s figure as he stepped away from the others.
Lord Ben drove his team to the oak and then set the brake. His tiger jumped down to see to the horses and the brothers climbed down. “You are best staying here with the vehicle,” Gavin told Sarah.
She looked to Lord Rovington. He had watched them with a grim expression. If he had been surprised to see them appear, she could not tell but she was glad his plans to disgrace the duke had been thwarted.
Gavin and his brother approached the men. She could hear the introductions. Lord Rovington and the duke sounded cordial. One of the men was Lord Rovington’s second and the other was a physician. Another gentleman was present as a spectator and was a friend of his lordship’s. Sarah thought he had the look of a moneylender.
Lord Ben spoke to the second. “The duke has agreed to a count of five and then fire.”
“Who shall count?” the second asked.
“Since my brother is the one challenged, I shall,” Lord Ben said in a voice that would have frozen any dissent.
The second looked to Lord Rovington who stood a bit away from the group, his back toward the duke, his manner aloof. Now, in early morning light, even Sarah could see the strain on his lordship’s face. He appeared a man overburdened—but not one surprised at his opponent’s appearance. It made her wonder if Talbert had acted alone and if so, why? Certainly the secretary knew this would be the end of his career. None of it made sense, especially after Talbert’s impassioned defense of Baynton yesterday to her.
Or had he been preparing for her to be blamed? Much in keeping with the rumors Lord Ben claimed swirled around her?
The seconds moved to a level spot on the meadow. Lord Ben and the other second marched off paces. The duke removed his jacket and neck cloth, carrying them over to her. As he approached, Sarah could see past him to Lord Rovington. She’d rarely seen such undisguised jealousy on a man’s face. Perhaps as the duke thought, Rovington was angling for power but in this moment, intuition warned her that she was somehow involved. Without any encouragement on her part, without even two words to her, Lord Rovington had in some way branded her as his.
And now the duke wasn’t just fighting for his honor, but hers as well.
Gavin had not shaved that morning and there was the faintest hint of stubble along his lean jaw. She took the jacket and neck cloth from him. Their gloved hands brushed each other and, in that moment, she could recall the feeling of having his hands upon her body.
He gave her a small smile, his manner obviously preoccupied with the task before him—and yet he was calm. She looked over to Lord Rovington. One of his seconds said something to him and he snapped back an answer she could not hear.
She reached forward, placing her hand on his shoulder. The duke had pulled his glove on his right hand and tested squeezing his fingers as if he would wear the glove in the duel. He looked up at her, expectantly.
Sarah had meant to mention that she believed Lord Rovington was tense, but words vanished from her mind as she looked into his blue eyes. Without conscious thought, she leaned down and kissed him.
This kiss was without the heat of their previous ones but it did not lack passion. Their lips now melded together easily. There was no resistance.
She broke the kiss. “Don’t lose,” she whispered.
He grinned, the expression almost rakish. “I don’t intend upon it.”
“That is good. We have unfinished business.” And she meant those words. She now didn’t know why she had ever opposed him. The truth be told, she thought Gavin was a wonderful man. Yes, they were often of differing opinions but he listened to her. He let her be herself.
If he lived through this duel, Sarah vowed she would honor her part of the agreement and it would not be a chore. He’d shown her a side of herself she had not known existed. How much better would their coupling be if she gave as freely of herself as he had—?
“We are ready to start when you are, brother,” Lord Ben said. “We’ve marked off the distance. See if you approve.”
Sarah had been so intent on the duke, she hadn’t heard Lord Ben approach. Neither, apparently, had the duke because he pulled his gaze reluctantly away from her.
Both Sarah and Baynton looked to where Lord Rovington’s second and one of the witnesses stood at about ten paces from each other. It seemed a very short span to Sarah. How could anyone miss? And she wanted Lord Rovington to miss.
