Wilhelmina’s skin tightened as every nerve drew to attention. She gave Cloverfield’s friends a wary glance. All hints of amusement had vanished from their faces. Instead they looked ready to pounce.
“Dangerous words,” Cloverfield said, “coming from a man who refuses to fight.”
“I never said I wouldn’t fight you,” James said as he let the duke go. “Just because I won’t pick a weapon doesn’t mean I shan’t take pleasure in planting you a facer.”
Cloverfield tilted his head and grinned with eerie delight. “Fists it is then.”
“James.” Wilhelmina turned toward the man she wanted to share her secrets with but couldn’t. “Don’t do this.”
The corners of his eyes creased with compassion. “I’ve not much choice. Cloverfield won’t relent until we’ve had it out with each other once and for all.”
“There’s no guarantee he won’t spread false rumors about you anyway,” she said. “The man has no honor. And what then? You’ll be hurt and your reputation ruined. At least if you walk away—”
“I’ll do no such thing, Mina.” He held her gaze with fierce determination. “We’ll need witnesses though, so go inside and see if you can gather a few willing men while I discuss terms with the duke.”
“James, I—”
“Go.”
Wilhelmina’s heart sank. Was he truly so afraid for his reputation – so worried about what people would think if they thought he’d stood up for her – he was willing to put himself in danger? She backed away, adding distance between them. It had been so easy for her to pretend they were getting along while they were alone. She’d basked in his kisses and savored the close bond they’d shared while making love just a couple of hours ago.
But that wasn’t real.Thiswas.
James was willing to fight a duke in order to stop him from feeding suggestions to the public. He could have said he was helping her with a private matter, which was true. But no. He didn’t want anyone knowing he’d travelled with someone so shameful.
She turned for the door just as it opened. Wilhelmina stared at the blonde woman who blocked her path and at the man directly behind her. “Cynthia.”
“Mama?” Cynthia’s lips parted in surprise.
Michael looked equally shocked as he stared past Wilhelmina. “Papa?”
A shudder raked Wilhelmina’s spine when Cloverfield laughed. “Well, isn’t this a delightful turn of events? Your travelling together is finally starting to make a great deal of sense.”
“If I win, you’ll keep this to yourself,” James growled. He suddenly stood at Wilhelmina’s shoulder, facing their children. “What the hell were the two of you thinking?”
Cynthia and Michael both frowned, but Michael spoke first. “I thought I made that clear in the note I left you.”
James muttered a curse. “We’ll discuss this later. For now, I’ve a more pressing matter to see to. Mina, the witnesses, if you will.”
Wilhelmina bristled but chose not to argue.
Cynthia’s eyes widened while Michael stared at his father as if he barely recognized him. “Mina?”
Wilhelmina pushed past him and Cynthia. “I’ll explain later. After your father has finished fighting the Duke of Cloverfield.”
“Mama,” Cynthia said, trailing Wilhelmina as she entered the inn. “I can’t believe you followed us here.”
“Are you mad?” Wilhelmina asked, rounding on her. “You are my daughter. Michael is Mr. Dale’s son. Of course we were going to follow you and make sure you were both all right.”
“That may be your reason, but we both know it isn’t his. Mr. Dale just wants to stop us from getting married.”
Wilhelmina sighed. “Yes. He does. But only because he’s concerned for his son’s future. He worries he won’t have the promising career he deserves with me as his mother-in-law.”
“That’s nonsense, Mama.”
“No it isn’t, Cynthia. He actually has a valid point, however infuriating it may be.”
“Well.” Cynthia firmed her lips. “Then he’ll be pleased to know that the wedding is off.”
