Page 96 of Ravished

"I am not a rash man, my dear." Gideon grabbed a towel and dried his face and hands. He surveyed his features in the looking glass. "Do you think I ought to shave?"

"Probably. Gideon, look at me."

He met her eyes in the glass and quirked a brow. "What is it, Harriet?"

"I have the distinct impression you are trying to avoid something here."

"I am merely trying to get ready in time for the ball. We are going to be fashionably late as it is."

She scowled at him. "You are never concerned with whether or not we arrive on time for a ball. What has happened, Gideon?"

"Nothing that need concern you, my dear."

"Damnation, Gideon, I demand to know the truth."

He slanted her an assessing glance. "Such language, my dear."

"I am very overset, my lord," she retorted. "My delicate sensibilities, you know."

He grinned. "Yes, I know."

"Gideon, what have you done to Mr. Morland?"

"Very little. Not nearly what he deserves."

Harriet put her hand on his arm. "Tell me the truth, my lord."

He lifted one shoulder, knowing full well she would learn the facts this evening at the ball or tomorrow at the latest. Everyone would be talking about it. His choice of seconds ensured that much. "I did what any gentleman in my situation would have done. I challenged him."

"I knew it, "Harriet exclaimed. "I was afraid of this. As soon as you told me he was still alive, I was afraid you might have done something idiotic like this. I will not allow it, Gideon. Do you hear me?"

"Calm yourself, my dear. You are not going to talk me out of this the way I allowed you to talk me out of challenging Applegate," Gideon said quietly.

"Yes, you most certainly are going to let me talk you out of it. You are not to conduct a duel with Morland. I absolutely forbid it. You might be killed or wounded. Mr. Morland would not fight fairly. That should be perfectly obvious."

"I shall have my esteemed seconds there to make certain everything is conducted fairly."

Harriet grabbed his arm. "Your seconds?"

"Applegate and Fry. Ironic, is it not? They are both delighted to assist."

"Dear heaven, I do not believe this. Gideon, please stop talking as if there were no alternative. I will not allow you to go through with this."

"Trust me, Harriet, all will be well."

"Gideon, we went through this once before when you were threatening to shoot Lord Applegate. I simply cannot tolerate this sort of behavior. There is too much risk involved. Anything could go wrong and you could wind up severely injured or dead or running from the authorities." Harriet drew herself up and lifted her chin. "I forbid it."

"The challenge has already been issued, my dear." Gideon arranged his shaving things on the washstand. He mixed up the lather and began applying it to his face. Shaving with cold water was unpleasant, but he did not want to take the time to order hot water from the kitchens. "You must allow me to handle the situation."

"No," Harriet declared. "I will not allow you to go through with this nonsense."

"It will be all right, Harriet." He met her eyes again in the glass and saw the fear and concern in her beautiful turquoise gaze. The fear and concern were for him, he knew. The knowledge warmed him deeply. "I give you my word I will not get myself killed."

"But you cannot know that for certain. Gideon, I could not bear it if anything happened to you.I love you."

Gideon slowly lowered his razor. Face swathed in lather, he turned to confront her. "What did you say?"

"You heard me," Harriet said. "I do not see why you should act so astonished. I have loved you for quite some time. Why on earth do you think I allowed you to make love to me in that cave?"

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