Page 18 of Foolish Bride
Michael stood to her left holding a sword. He rushed toward her. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I—what am I doing? I am keeping you from making a complete ass of yourself, not to mention saving your family from certain ruin. The more interesting question, Michael, is what are you doing?”
“I am protecting your honor.” He stomped his foot.
Could he really believe that? No, she was just his excuse for bad behavior. “My honor is well protected without your interference. You are no longer charged with its protection. You willingly gave up that right.”
“I was not willing.” He spoke softly enough that she could pretend she hadn’t heard him.
She spun and faced the other duelist. “Rosferd Nash, you should be ashamed of yourself.”
“Lady Elinor. Sir Michael issued the challenge.” Nash was as petulant as he had been when they were children. He was a fool who thought more of frippery than anything else in life. He preferred a good neck cloth to good conversation and never spoke of anything of any interest to anyone. Not even a good gossip, he only insulted those who were already suffering and therefore surprised no one with anything he said.
Elinor raised her hand for silence. “You have been insulting me since we were children and still, you do not tire of it. Now you have nearly gotten yourself killed for your foolishness. Had I known it was you whom had insulted me, I would have let Sir Michael run you through. Now get in your carriage and get out of my sight before I do the job for him.”
Rosferd Nash left the dueling field at a full run. He couldn’t have run faster if there were a mad dog chasing him rather than the words of a young girl.
The seconds bowed and removed themselves. “Damned inconvenient,” one man said as he climbed into his phaeton.
“Well done, Elinor,” Sophia whispered from behind.
Michael and Elinor stared at each other. The temperature warmed, and the fog lifted as the sun rose.
Daniel, Sophia, and Thomas backed away and waited by the carriage.
Michael swept the top of the grass with his sword. “You are not at all the woman that I thought you were.”
“No. I suppose I am not.” She pulled her shoulders back, ready to withstand anything he might say.
“You had no right to come here and interfere with my plans.” He wouldn’t meet her gaze.
“You will not kill yourself on my account, Michael. If that is truly what you want, then you shall have to find another excuse. I will not be made to live with that guilt.”
He looked over her shoulder. “Is that why you came?”
“Must you have reasons?” She wanted to slap his stupid face, then kiss away the pain.
“I admit I am curious about this new Elinor. I have no idea why she does or says anything, and it intrigues me.”
“A moment ago you were willing to die, and now you find something intriguing. I should think a suicidal person would find little in the world of interest. Maybe you just long for attention.”
He looked away. “No, it’s not that. I am nothing, Elinor. Don’t you see? I am not even a man.”
“No. You are a fool.” She walked up behind him.
“I suppose I am, but my life is such that I have nothing to live for,” he whispered.
She had to lean in to hear him. “You have a family who loves you, Michael. Your brothers would be shamed if their hero brother died in such a dishonorable way. Did you think of anyone besides yourself?”
“I thought of you.” He looked up.
She met his stare. “You thought what of me. You thought that my life would be better if you killed yourself? Is that what you thought? Perhaps you thought I would find a husband if society knew that you had died rather than marry me. Do you think I would be happier if you were dead? You are the most selfish man I have ever met.”
“Selfish!” He towered over her.
She held her ground, the Elinor who cowered long gone. “Yes, selfish.”
“I gave up all my hopes and dreams so that you could go and have a normal life with a whole man. I wanted you more than anything in the world and worked myself ragged to give you a life you could be proud of. I took that damned last mission because I was promised a title if I succeeded. Everything I’ve done was for you, and yet you stand there and call me selfish.”
