Page 69 of Rose and the Rogue
Chapter 24
The predawn air was chilly, and the mist still clung to the ground, making the scene behind the abbey ghostly and foreboding. Adrian barely noticed, but Carlos carefully stepped on the slick grass, assessing it.
“Wet as if it rained all night,” he noted. “I hope you’ll keep that in mind.”
“Don’t fret about the dew. I’ve fought dawn battles before.”
“This morning, though, is a bit different from those previous engagements, is it not?” Carlos looked at him keenly.
“Why?”
“Because this isn’t some duel over an affair you conducted under the nose of a dotty noble. This time, you’re the one fighting to preserve a lady’s honor. Am I right?”
“I fail to see how that will affect my swordsmanship.”
“Don’t play dumb. You love this girl. Don’t let your emotions control you now. Hynes can guess at the truth as well as I can. He’ll do what he can to make you lose your wits.”
“Have I ever lost my wits?” Adrian asked his friend.
“There’s a first time for everything,” Carlos noted dryly.
The pair arrived at the avenue of stately elm trees where duels were customarily held just as another carriage pulled up. The man who got out bore a large leather case, marking him as the doctor. He paid the carriage driver, and then hurried toward Norbury and de la Guerra. “Gentlemen,” he said. “You appear to be friends, and I don’t see anyone else. Is it too much to hope that your opponent has opted out?”
De la Guerra heard the clatter of yet another approaching vehicle at the end of the lane. “Sorry, sir. It appears the coward isn’t cowardly enough to not show up.”
“I’d hunt him down if he tried to run,” Adrian added grimly.
The surgeon looked at him more carefully. “I take it that you initiated this event, my lord. Do you intend to kill your opponent?”
“Fear not, Doctor. I just want to satisfy the demands of honor. Hynes can live, as long as he loses.”
The surgeon’s lips twisted. “I see.” He plainly didn’t approve of the whole proceeding.
By that time, Hynes emerged from his carriage and advanced down the lane, dressed in the same clothes as last night. In fact, he didn’t look like he’d slept a wink. The only thing to suggest that he’d done any planning was that he had picked up a sword somewhere along the way.
His second walked beside him, now stone-cold sober. He approached Adrian and Carlos immediately, saying, “Mr. de la Guerra. Lord Norbury. I’m not sure we’ve ever actually been introduced. I’m Derek, Lord Eberling. I don’t suppose there’s any way to stop this duel from occurring, is there?”
Adrian nodded. “There certainly is. I’ll accept an abject public apology from Hynes, addressed to Miss Blake and her parents. He’d also have to agree to give up membership in all his current clubs, which he’d have to do anyway, since he’d get booted from them once they learn of his dealings.”
“Go hang, Norbury,” Hynes growled as soon as he heard the demands from where he was standing. “I told some stories, that’s all. Whoever would have thought that you would turn into a prude?”
“If the stories were only about me, we wouldn’t be here. Your mistake was dragging Miss Blake’s name into the mud.”
“Poor innocent Miss Blake! She can’t be that innocent, if she knows you. How’s the blind chit in bed, Norbury?”
“For the love of God, Hynes!” said Eberling, disgusted by the insult. He stepped away from Hynes, perhaps reconsidering his whole association with him.
“Is she pregnant with your bastard yet?” Hynes persisted.
Carlos prevented Adrian from attacking Hynes only by throwing himself in between the two men. “Stop it, both of you! You’ve already agreed to fight a civilized duel!”
He then glared at Adrian. “Calm down,” he warned in a low voice. “I told you he was going to try to get under your skin.”
“I’m perfectly calm,” Adrian growled.
“Walk toward that big elm tree and breathe, you idiot,” Carlos ordered. “I’m your second. Let me handle this.”
Eberling sighed. “Well, I guess we’re not going to get out of this duel after that remark. Let’s set the rules.”
