Page 39 of Daring the Forbidden Earl
He thought of Johanna.
If I were beyond salvation, why would she even want to be near to me?
Perhaps, shewashis salvation. The notion spurred him on, for he knew he could not leave this room without gaining their help, first.
“On my honor as your friend, I did not take Miss Steele to my bedchamber. I have spoken to her on, maybe, two occasions, and found her to be very sweet and amiable. Much too sweet to be convinced to lie with me,” Mark urged. “And if you do not aid me in remedying this, it will not end in marriage—it will end in a duel, and potentially my death. In addition, it might cause hurt to the woman I love.”
The woman I love…
He had never said the words aloud before but, as they came out of his mouth, he knew he meant it. He did love Johanna. In many ways, he supposed he always had. And if he had not been so stubborn and hateful, if he had just looked deeper into why she might have to marry his uncle, he knew he could have saved them both a great deal of heartache and anger.
Liam’s eyes widened. “You love Mrs. Carlton?”
“Yes.” Mark nodded slowly. “I loved her seven years ago, when she was Miss Clevedon, and I love her now, simply as Johanna.”
Even Kenneth looked shocked. “But… but… you despised her. I thought it was some vengeful affair you were partaking in, notlove.”
“I despised my uncle. There is a difference, as I have learned because of her.” Mark sighed. “And yes, if I had coupled with Miss Steele, I would still be fighting this so I could be with Johanna. But I have not. I swear to you on my mother’s memory. And if you do not help me, you will likely be burying me, for you know how terrible I am in a duel.”
He had partaken in several during his lifetime, mostly to give satisfaction to the angered brothers and fathers of young ladies whom hehadlavished with his carnal affections. It always ended in blood. Always his. Indeed, he knew he was very fortunate not to be dead already. Now that he had Johanna, however, he did not want to test how far that luck could stretch.
Liam stood sharply. “What do you need us to do?”
“Name it,” Kenneth added, standing to join his friend. “I might not approve, but I know you would not swear upon your mother’s memory if you were lying. If you are in very real danger, you know you may rely upon us.”
Mark exhaled a shaky sigh of relief. “We must go to this meeting place on Friday night, all three of us, and confront Lord Dresday. With our strength combined, he will have no choice but to relent, and give up on this fruitless endeavor.”
“And if he continues?” Kenneth sounded dubious.
“We threaten to demand an audience with Miss Steele, in which she will be forced to admit the truth,” Mark replied. “The shame of hearing, from her lips, that he is wrong will be enough to buy his silence.”
Liam frowned. “Should you not go to Miss Steele first?”
“We will not be permitted entry,” Mark said. “The Baron does not want me near his daughter again, and he will simply close the door in our faces. But if he continues in this, we will lay siege to his townhouse until Miss Steele has no choice but to speak with me in front of her father or admits the truth of her own accord.”
Kenneth nodded to the letter. “But it says you are to come alone.”
“As if I would listen to such an instruction, knowing why it has been given,” Mark retorted. “It also said I was not to bring a weapon, for the same reason.”
“And why is that?” Liam canted his head.
Mark inhaled deeply. “Because he means to shoot me, if I do not agree to wed his daughter. And if anyone should find my body, they would merely think I had taken part in a duel… and lost.” He paused. “I would not be surprised if he left the pistol in my hand, as proof. You see, my dear friends, you do not understand disgruntled fathers as I do, especially those of lower station. They will do anything, and I mean anything, to preserve the reputation of their daughters.”
“Then, we will go with you,” Kenneth said firmly. “And we will all take pistols, even if we do not intend to use them.”
Mark felt as though a great weight had been lifted. “Thank you, my dear friends. A thousand times… thank you.”
“But if it should turn out that youdidtake Miss Steele to your bed,” Kenneth added, “so help me, I might challenge you to a duel myself, for the inconvenience.”
A small smile turned up the corner of Mark’s mouth. “For once in my life I can say, without hesitation, that you will not be disappointed in me.” He glanced at Liam. “And please, do not say anything to Nora. She is dear to Johanna, and I would not have Johanna finding out about this. She will only worry.”
“Of course,” Liam promised.
Kenneth reached out his long arms and patted both his friends upon the back. “Come Friday night, we shall end this.”
* * *
If only Kenneth’s voice had not been so booming, Mark might have heard the stifled gasp coming from just outside the study door. And if he had opened that door, he would have found Nora and Johanna crouched close to the keyhole, having listened to every word that had been said.
