Dewdrops lay like shimmering glass upon the ground the following morning as Mary made her way across the lawn. She hadn’t slept since returning to her bedchamber the night before, afraid that she would miss the duel that would soon take place between her brother and the man she meant to marry.
Drawing her cloak tightly around her shoulders, she fought the chill that threatened to sink into her bones. Gray tones surrounded her in a haze as light began to soften the darkness. The field was beyond the trees, and with no one else in sight, Mary quickened her pace, afraid that they might begin before she managed to arrive.
But this fear was soon brought to rest as, after following a short path, she arrived to find several people gathered together in discussion. They included Richard, Andrew, Spencer, Lady Foxworth, Lady Duncaster and a few footmen.
“What are you doing here?” Andrew asked, spotting her first.
“I came to watch the duel,” she said, approaching the group.
Richard gave her an uneasy smile as he stepped away from the others and came toward her. “You should not have come. Dueling grounds are not appropriate places for young ladies to visit.”
“He is right,” Lady Foxworth said. “You ought to return upstairs to your bedchamber. The event that is about to take place is scandalous enough without your involvement.”
“I do not plan to get involved,” Mary replied, annoyed that they were trying to send her away. “I merely wish to watch.”
“And whose side will you be on, exactly?” The question was bitterly spoken by Andrew.
“I believe you know the answer to that already,” she replied, “but to be perfectly clear, I am in favor or Mr.Heartly winning.”
“Traitor,” her brother spat. “You denounce your own flesh and blood.”
His sharp tone caught her off guard. She blinked. “Can you not see that you are in the wrong? That your actions are reprehensible?”
Shaking his head, Andrew turned his back on her.
“I am sorry,” Richard said. He caught her by the elbow and drew her away with him at a stroll. “The terms have already been laid out, so we will begin shortly.”
“Please don’t ask me to leave.” Leaning into him, she savored the strength in his arm and the warmth of his touch. The possibility that she might never feel it again brought a painful knot to her throat.
“Very well,” he agreed. Halting, he turned her toward him so he could look her in the eye. “No matter what happens next, please know that I love you with all that I am.” Taking her hands in his, he raised both of them to his lips for a kiss.
“As I love you,” she whispered, fighting the tears that threatened.
“Which makes me the most fortunate man in the world.” Tenderness seeped from the depths of his eyes. “To have known you and to have won your heart—”
“You must not talk like that.” She could barely get the words out. “You will survive this, Richard. You have to!”
Nodding, his expression turned serious. “I will aim for your brother’s arm in an effort to disarm him.”
“So he will survive?”
“I see no reason why he should not.”
“Considering what you told me last night about his skill, or lack thereof, I daresay that you will as well.” Andrew had said that he did not plan on killing Richard, and with his inferior aim taken into account, there was a good chance that he wouldn’t manage to hit him at all. As they walked back toward the others, Mary prayed that this would be the case.
“Well?” Andrew asked, glaring at her.
“I will watch the duel from a reasonable distance,” Mary said.
“Mary...” Lady Foxworth began.
Mary crossed her arms. “You cannot force me to leave.”
“She is correct in that regard,” Lady Duncaster said. And then, “Shall we proceed? I believe the sun will rise within the next quarter of an hour.”
As if summoned by her words, one of the footmen stepped forward with a case bearing two ornately designed dueling pistols. “Mr.Heartly, please select your weapon.”
Dropping his gaze to the box, Richard picked up the pistol closest to him, leaving the other for Andrew. When both men had one in hand, Spencer outlined the rules once more. “Gentlemen, you will stand back to back with each other. As soon as Lady Duncaster begins the count, you will step forward until you have each traveled a distance of twenty paces. Once this has been achieved, you will await the signal before turning and firing your shots. Are you both in accord?”
