Balfour swore. “Mars, this is slapdash and out of character for you. Could we not do this another day?”
“He chose the details of the meeting.”
His friend groaned, before confirming, “Tomorrow?”
“Half past six.”
“Damn you, Mars. Do you have pistols? Because I don’t.”
Mars did and he kept them oiled and ready.He had been waiting for this moment for years. “Is Thurlowe still in town?”
“You need a doctor.” Balfour rolled his eyes. “Thurlowe will not be pleased although he will agree to it. I expect it is part of my duties to make arrangements?”
“If you would.”
Balfour shook his head. “Mars, why are you doing this?”
“You know why.”
“Shooting that man will not bring your father back.”
“It is more than that. I saw him with Clarissa—”
“That is one woman no one has to worry about being unfaithful. She is not a flirt. She is solid, Mars, a true catch. Someone who is good for you.”
“There is more to it, Balfour.”
There was a beat of silence. Mars knew his friend was forming his own conclusions but he’d not explain. He’d already violated Clarissa’s trust enough in one evening. Balfour didn’t need to know the circumstances of Clarissa’s mother’s death. A pity Mars hadn’t grasped that point earlier.
Balfour spoke. “If you kill him, you would be wise to leave the country.”
“Yes.”
“Is Clarissa happy with this?”
Mars rose to his feet and set aside the glass of brandy Balfour had offered. He had not touched it. “I need to go home.”
Balfour saw him to the door. “You are a fool,man. You are jeopardizing everything. If you survive tomorrow, you will miss at least a year and maybe more with Dora.”
“Clarissa will take care of her—”
“Ah, that is it, isn’t it?” Balfour slumped his shoulders in disappointment. “That is why you married Clarissa. To watch over Dora after you did this nonsense.”
“The marriage was good for Clarissa, too. She needs someone who will take care of her.”
“While he abandons her. Don’t you think that woman has had enough abandonment in her life?” He leaned against the open door. “And here I’d thought you’d actually cared for her. The two of you seemed happy last night.”
“We are happy,” Mars insisted. “She knows about this. I told her.”
But had she truly understood?
Nor had he expected to fall in love with her—
The thought was unexpected in its randomness.He had fallen in love with his wife?
And yet, now that it had taken hold, he was stunned by the idea.
What did he know about love? That had been the question he’d been asking himself when Clarissa had been so open earlier.
