Page 101 of One Wicked Secret
“What is it?” Elsa was beside him in a second.
“Denby has offered a formal challenge, demanding satisfaction for the injury caused when I married his betrothed.” He glanced at Rothley, whose eyes shone with quiet menace. “He says there’s no need to name seconds. I’m to visit him at home this evening to discuss terms.”
Elsa gripped his arm tightly. “Don’t go. Tell him we’ll pay damages. A sum to negate the insult. No announcements were made. It’s merely a case of breach of contract. If anyone should answer for that, it’s my brother.”
Magnus stood. “I’ll go with you. As Elsa said, Denby’s argument is with me. I’m sure we can come to a financial agreement.”
Unless Denby wanted Daniel dead so he could marry Elsa.
Or did he know they had evidence of his family’s secret?
“The man must have marbles for brains,” Rothley mocked, though his expression was as tight as a drawn bow. “He won’t stand a chance against you, not with pistols or rapiers.”
“My husband is not fighting a duel,” Elsa declared firmly.
“Then society will brand him a coward.”
“What does that matter?”
“It matters to me,” Daniel said, slipping a reassuring arm about her waist, though inwardly he seethed. “Such a stain upon my honour would cast a shadow over our children.”
Elsa touched her abdomen as if she might already be carrying his child. “Like us, they’ll be strong enough to weather the storm.”
“I’ll speak to Denby and hear his terms,” he said. If Elsa agreed, he could use the information about Clarence Denby to their advantage. “Perhaps I’ll hint at what we uncovered today.”
He saw the flicker of conflict in her eyes—the fear they might never be free of this torment and that the truth would be buried with them. “Do whatever you must,” she said softly. “Only promise me you’ll come home.”
Home!
He had never had so much to lose. The woman he loved was finally his. For the first time in years, the future held promise. Yet a quiet dread lingered. Perhaps their love story was not destined for a happy ending.
Chapter Nineteen
“You’ve taken a room here?” Daniel peered out the carriage window at the facade of The Raven Hotel, suspicion clouding his mind.
“It’s one of the few places in town to guarantee discretion,” Magnus said, stepping cautiously down to the pavement and scanning the bookshop doorway. “I won’t be long. Are you sure you need Mother’s novels tonight?”
“Positive.” Daniel watched Magnus race into the hotel. He considered following him and questioning the clerk again, but the prospect of Denby’s challenge weighed heavier on his mind. He turned to Rothley. “I have something important to ask. It involves Clara and Elsa.”
Rothley arched a knowing brow. “You want my two shillings.”
“I don’t trust that imbecile,” he said, referring to his brother-in-law. “I know you want people to believe you’re Lucifer reborn, but there’s no man more honourable than you.”
Rothley reached into his pocket and tossed him asovereign. “I rarely carry small change, but accept this token. My loyalty is yours without question.”
Daniel took comfort from the warm metal in his palm. “If I end up cold in the ground, you’ll protect my family?”
“With my life.”
They shared a silent look, a bond that went deeper than words.
“Do you want me to offer for Clara?”
Though Daniel found the question amusing, it saddened him to think Rothley had no intention of marrying for love. “I wouldn’t wish that on either of you. But I appreciate the gesture.”
The last thing Clara wanted was a man’s pity.
She had to realise her worth. Any companion would need to see beyond her disfigurement. Daniel would have to allow her a certain freedom if she had any hope of finding love.
