Lord, oh, Lord, this truly was the most laughable situation he had ever found himself in. That damn curse. Even if he did aim his pistol at Saville—a true aim—he would probably still miss his target. With his luck, he might very well die today.
At least he would die with an acceptable head of hair still intact.
Deerhurst eyed him. “Nervous?”
“No.” Warrick glanced at his pocket watch. “We should be arriving shortly.”
Deerhurst peered through the curtains, pausing before a furrow formed between his brows. “This doesn’t seem right. We are nowhere near the designated point.”
All the blood left Warrick’s limbs. He ripped open the curtain. “Where the hell are we going then?”
“I’m not sure.” Deerhurst rapped on the roof. “Stop the carriage.”
There was no response and no sign of the carriage slowing.
Warrick scowled. “What the hell is the meaning of this?” He called out, “Driver! Stop the carriage or these pistols will be used on you.”
No response.
Warrick turned his gaze to his friend, eye blazing. “Is this your doing? A ploy for us not to duel?”
Deerhurst lifted his hands in surrender. “I give you my word, I had no hand in this.”
“Avondale?”
“He is working on calming Saville down.”
“If not you the two of you, then who—”
Dear Christ.
There is only one other person who knew about the duel and would be mad enough to interfere.
“Selena.”
That damn Savage had done it again!
Chapter Ten
Selena arrived atPutney Heath right on time and watched as a hundred different emotions along with various shades of color flashed across her brother’s face when she exited the carriage. When last had she found such satisfaction from glimpsing those particular expressions on full display one after the other? Rage, astonishment, disbelief, more rage, concern, disapproval, more rage, and frustration. She smiled at him, but no brightness reached her eyes. This was a determined smile. Ajust you wait, brothersmile.
Ah, satisfaction, indeed.
She nodded at Avondale, who stood beside her brother, confusion written all over his face.
“What the devil are you doing here?” He growled, his fists clenched by his sides. “Get back into the carriage and return home!”
“I’m afraid not, brother. This duel is because of me, is it not?”
“How did you even know the duel would be held here? Wait, how did you even know about the duel?” His face contorted. “Warrick tattled on me, didn’t he?”
“I wouldn’t call it a tattle,” Selena said as she allowed the cool morning air to soothe her mood, and she made her way further into the field. “You weren’t hiding it all that well either, bellowing this, roaring that. You do realize the walls of our house aren’t that thick?”
“So you decided to take action? That kiss must have been damn good for you to rise this early and cheer the man on.”
Selena laughed. How funny! “Oh, I’m not cheering Warrick on.”
“Then what the hell are you doing here?”
