Page 69 of Maid for the Marquess

I was proud of her. I felt her strength and saw her grace—the traits he had tried to break but failed.

Geraldine spoke. “My senses are perfectly fine. I know what I saw and heard.” She paused. “And witnessed over the years. I will speak the truth to anyone who asks.”

Barnett whitened further at her barely concealed threat.

“I believe my wife has spoken. Leave or I will be forced to make you.”

He glared at me and Maddie, his eyebrows pulled down, a sneer on his face.

“Trained you well, has he?”

I felt her anger growing. “Unlike you, he has shown me nothing but kindness and love.”

The breeze stirred her skirts, and his eyes widened. “Bred you like an animal too,” he mocked.

I was finished with him and his words. I wanted him nowhere near my wife and unborn child. I lifted my arm, pointing my gun. “You dare, sir. Be gone and do not return.”

“I demand satisfaction.”

“What is it you seek?” I roared, startling Maddie, who tensed beside me.

“A duel,” Barnett announced.

Maddie gasped softly, her trepidation getting the best of her.

I wanted to roll my eyes and scoff. The coward wanted his minute of satisfaction. Another lie to add to his story. How he defended his name. He expected me to refuse, to give him the chance to smear my name even more. I refused to give him that gratification.

“Weapons?” I queried.

His surprise was obvious, but he recovered quickly. “Pistols.”

“Dawn. Tomorrow. Name your second,” I replied, my tone one of boredom and dismissiveness.

“I will be his second,” Leigh spoke.

Edward stepped closer. “And I will be Lord Wheaton’s.”

Barnett had the audacity to address Maddie again.

“Soon, you will come to me. I will make sure of it.”

“She will never return to you. Of that, I assure you.” I narrowed my eyes. “And you will never return here either, after the morrow.”

Edward pointed his gun. “Leave.”

Maddie’s shaking legs gave out as they turned to depart. I bent and lifted her into my arms, striding to the cart. I placed her on the back, cupping her face.

“You were to stay inside.”

“I wanted to face him.”

“You are pale and upset now. Risking yourself needlessly. Risking our child,” I rebuked her mildly.

“I was already pale and upset. I made Geraldine and Lydia bring me. Do not punish them.”

I sighed, pressing my lips to her head. “I will punish no one, my love.” I drew back, meeting her worried gaze. “I am proud of you for standing up to him.”

“He cannot take me.” Her words were breathless, laden with worry, requiring my reassurance.