Ben raised a hand. “It ishisduty to protect you at all costs. Andmyresponsibility to defend you otherwise.”
“We were sick,” I pleaded for his understanding. He needed to breathe and see things clearly. “We ate too many sweets and expelled everything. Neither of us could walk. Liza left onmyrequest to fetch a carriage to bring us home.”
“And? Where is she?”
I looked ahead, begging, pleading for Liza and her carriage to come into view. But the fields remained empty. My shoulders sank, as did my pride. All I had at present were my words to defend the truth.
“She should have returned by now,” I started to explain. “She was here.”
“Well, she isn’t now, is she?” He threw out his hands, then paced between us, grasping clumps of his hair. “You think me some fool.”
Charlie rubbed his hands over his face.Hewould be the one to take the blame.
“You are not a fool,” I insisted. “But you are mistaken in where you set your blame.”
“You tell me to be more responsible.” Ben lifted his hands in the air and stared hard at me. “Here I am.” He shifted his stare to Charlie. “And you have left me no choice.”
“No choice for what?” I breathed. He could not tell Father. Father would never forgive me for such carelessness. He’d keep me in the house until the wedding, and I’d never finish my list. I’d never know if I’d made the right choice in the end. My legs went weak. “Benjamin what are you saying?”
“You do what you must for your sister. I would do the same.” Charlie looked down; his hands hung loose at his sides. “I will not protest.”
Benjamin’s eyes widened. Had he expected something different? Then he swallowed hard and seemed to strengthen his resolve. “She is mysister,” he seethed once more. “She is engaged to the Duke of Marlow. What if someone else saw you? Can you imagine our family’s shame should he find out? Especially if I let you go free?”
Were they talking about a duel? My senses sobered instantly.
“Benjamin, we are leaving. Now.” My voice was harsh, but I didn’t care. I grabbed my brother’s arm and pulled. “This is all a massive misunderstanding. You will see. We will go straight to Ivy Manor and speak to Liza. She will tell you how sick we were.”
But Ben was looking at Charlie, who said, “Regardless of my poor judgment in the past, I would never dishonor your sister, nor would I betray your friendship. I respect you both far too much to risk your good opinion.” Charlie hesitated, looked down, then met Ben’s stare. “I understand that you are bound by duty. Should you truly wish to call me out, I will not object.”
“You most certainly will object!” I shrieked. “You will both object! We will go home and act as though none of this has happened.”
We’d only slept near each other. We had not eventouched. Could a man talk of killing another over so little? I wrung my hands together, trying to breathe evenly through my nose. What could I do?
“I see no other way,” Benjamin said flatly. His eyes were wide with fear.
I looked to Charlie, my eyes pleading for him to see the absurdity of Ben’s decision. This entire conversation was out of hand. “Do something.”
Charlie held up a hand. “Before you demand satisfaction,” he said to Ben, “think of what that will mean for your sister. If we use pistols and one of us is killed, everyone will learn what happened here today.”
Ben’s eyes were fire. “Coward.”
“I think only of your sister. As I know you do.”
Ben shook his head. His hands were fists at his sides. “You think only of yourself,” he growled.
In a flash, he’d grasped Charlie’s shoulder, then thrust his fist hard into his stomach.
Charlie grunted and fell to his knee.
“Benjamin!” I cried, rushing forward to place myself between them.
“Go home.” The words were Charlie’s. His pained eyes seemed to beg my compliance. “Please.”
“You cannot do this,” I pleaded with Ben. “Let us take a walk, Benjamin. Let us talk this through before—”
“Go home,” Ben said icily. “Or I shall tell Father everything I’ve seen, and we can let him be the judge over you.”
I took a step back. How had this happened? We were happy and full one moment, and now ...
