“As you were? He admitted his crimes to me. Including his attempt on your life! You withheld that information from me.”
“It did not seem pertinent at the time. I did not wish to add to your misery,” I answered.
“Lenora, I cannot allow that man’s crimes to stand. I shall have the opportunity to avenge both you and Annie.”
“And he shall have the opportunity to kill you!”
“I am an excellent shot, dear. You needn’t worry.”
“I shall worry! What kind of shot is he? Suppose he is quicker! Suppose he fires before you agree! Robert, please, I beg of you. Abandon this foolishness.”
“It is not foolishness, Lenora. It is justice. And I shall have it. You cannot talk me out of it.” Buchanan entered the foyer, collecting Robert’s gloves and cloak. “Buchanan, see that the dueling pistols are prepared for tomorrow morning.
“I shall see to it at once, Your Grace,” Buchanan answered before departing.
I threw my arms in the air in protest. “Lenora, there is nothing to be done. Go to bed. Tomorrow it shall be ended.” He kissed me on the forehead, signaling the end to the conversation.
Ella allowed me a moment to fume before collecting me. “Please, Your Grace,” she said in a hushed tone. “Let us prepare you for bed. You should try to rest.”
I shook my head but allowed myself to be taken to my room. Ella assisted me in changing into my bedclothes, then promised to stay the night with me. I tossed and turned in my bed, unable to sleep or even rest. I climbed from the bed, pacing the floor. In the wee hours of the morning, I roused Ella to dress.
The hours crept by until finally the sky brightened. My stomach tied itself in a knot as the sound of hoofbeats reached my ears. Moments later, I overheard voices in the corridor. My door burst open and Edwin entered, trailed by a disconcerted Buchanan.
“Edwin!” I exclaimed.
“Lenora, I must speak with you at once.”
“It is fine, Buchanan,” I assured the butler.
“May we speak in private?” Edwin inquired, nodding to Ella, who remained in the room after Buchanan departed.
“You may speak freely in front of Sinclair,” I assured him.
Edwin nodded, conceding his request. “You must have Robert call this duel off, Lenora.”
“Must I?” I answered, my eyebrows raised high. “Do you not expect that I have tried?”
“Try again. Richard will not hesitate to kill him.”
“No, I do not imagine he will. He has killed in cold-blood at least once already.”
“Please, Lenora. I wish no more harm to come to my brother over this.”
“Neither do I, though I have no control over him in the matter.”
“But he will listen to you. Please, you must try again. It is on your behalf he fights!”
“He fights to avenge Annie’s death,” I countered.
“No. He did not offer the challenge until Richard admitted his attempt on your life.”
I sighed, reflecting on his statement. “I shall try again,” I promised.
Edwin stood unmoving. I issued a questioning glance. “There is one other thing…” he began when my door opened.
Robert entered. His eyebrows shot up, finding Edwin there. Anger shown plainly on his face. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.
“He has come to request that I stop you in this madness,” I said.
“Get out. You are not welcome in this house!”
“Please, Robert,” Edwin begged. “Please, I did not know it would go this far. As I explained, I owed him money. He asked for a few moments alone with her. I did not know it would lead to her death four months later.”
Robert grasped him by the lapels and shoved him into the hallway. “I said get out. I do not wish to hear your excuses! You were complicit in her rape and death.”
I heard Edwin’s voice, though I could not make out the words. “Take him away,” Robert said before returning to my room.
“Lenora, I am leaving now. I do not wish to argue. Only to notify you.”
“Robert, please,” I begged. “Do not argue, simply listen. You do not need to avenge anything on my behalf. Please abandon this. For Samuel. Think of your son!”
“I am thinking of him, Lenora. I wish him to know that I would fight when faced with a difficult situation. I do not wish him to think me a coward.”
“You are not a coward, Robert, please!”
“Lenora, I will not continue to argue. The matter is closed.” Hoofbeats sounded again in the distance. Moments later Buchanan appeared to announce Sir Richard had arrived. I closed my eyes and shook my head.
Robert kissed my forehead and, without a word, departed from the room. I doubled over and Ella caught me, easing me back onto my chaise. “I cannot go,” I said through sobs. “I cannot watch.”
“Of course not, Your Grace. It shall all be over soon,” Ella assured me.
I wiped away my tears and wrung my handkerchief in my hand. I vaulted from the chaise and circled the room. After several laps, I shook my head. “I cannot wait here.” I hurried from the room.
“Your Grace!” Ella called after me. “Wait!”
She caught up to me as I descended the stairs. A footman crossed the foyer. “Where are they?” I questioned.
“The summit near the stables,” he answered.
I nodded and raced from the castle. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. Ella raced behind me. As we approached the stables, I gazed up to the summit. Two men stalked away from each other.
I hurried to climb the hill. I had nearly reached the top when two shots rang out. I halted in my climb. My heart stopped as though a bullet had pierced it. I scurried up the remainder of the hill, desperate to know the outcome.
Chapter 26
Gasping for breath, I glanced around the battleground. Robert lay sprawled on the ground, Edwin knelt over him. Sir Richard Prescott stood across the field, confusion on his face.
I rushed to Robert’s side. “He’s been shot,” Edwin shouted. “Though not before he killed Prescott.”
I pressed my handkerchief firmly
