“And so I act in his stead,” the lady continued.
In his stead?
What the hell was she about?
Lord Sterling was named as Kendall’s second. Why had he not come to withdraw the complaint? The fact Miss Kendall thought Valentine capable of shooting a woman was insulting enough for him to offer a challenge of his own. If she wanted to degrade him, she might as well rip his shirt off his back, chain him to the pillory and pelt him with cabbages.
“Miss Kendall,” he began in the tone of a disapproving parent, “clearly, you have never wielded a pistol let alone fired one from twenty paces.” She had made the mistake of bringing one weapon. At least she had no intention of taking a second shot.
“How difficult can it be?” She studied the object in her hand with obvious disinterest, although he noted the slight tremble in her fingers. “As long as one has a steady aim, I imagine it is a relatively straightforward process.”
Straightforward?
“There is nothing straightforward about killing a man.”
“Oh, I have no intention of killing you, my lord.”
“I’m pleased to hear it because you are playing a high stakes game you cannot hope to win.” How was it that Mr Kendall had been a prickly pain in his arse this last week and yet Valentine had never laid eyes on his sister? “So, if you have no intention of killing me, pray tell me what you’re doing in a field near Chalk Farm wearing your brother’s breeches and carrying a pistol.”
A brief silence ensued. It gave Valentine an opportunity to study her, though he could not decide if she was the most courageous woman he had ever met or the most foolish.
“As I have already explained,” she said with an air of hauteur, “I shall take my brother’s place. Hopefully, we will conclude the matter swiftly and with minimum fuss. By all accounts, you’re a gentleman of honour and high principles.”
Valentine snorted even though Miss Kendall spoke the truth. “Who told you that?”
“Lady Honora Valentine.”
“My mother!” God’s teeth. So, Miss Kendall did move among those in Society. Who acted as her chaperone? Her brother clearly had no conscience when it came to her welfare. “You know her well?”
“I attend her club.” Miss Kendall shook her head, impatience evident in her tone. “Now, let us get back to the matter of—”
“Her club?”
While Valentine had spent the last five years abroad, he knew with absolute certainty that women were not permitted entrance to White’s. Then again, his mother was progressive in both attitude and mind. It would not surprise him to learn she had petitioned parliament regarding the inequality.
“The Association of Enlightened Ladies. We meet on Fridays.” Miss Kendall drew the oversized greatcoat across her chest. “May we proceed, my lord? My nose is numb, and I can barely feel my toes. And I should like to return home before my absence is noted.”
Valentine stared at Miss Kendall, dumbstruck. Judging by Dariell’s snorts of amusement, his friend found the whole scene comical. He would, too, had the lady not seemed so determined in her cause.
Purely to sate his curiosity, Valentine decided to oblige her whim. “Very well. Let us proceed. Are you familiar with the order of events?”
“Do I look like a lady skilled at fighting duels?”
She looked like a lady who would challenge the devil if need be.
“As you act as your brother’s second, Miss Kendall, Dariell will inspect both weapons. Once he is satisfied—”
“How do I know I can trust him?”
Dariell stepped forward. He captured her gloved hand and bowed low. “Madame, you may trust that fate will intervene no matter what interference a man might make. It is my wish that you both walk away from the battlefield with your honour restored.”
Miss Kendall looked Dariell keenly in the eyes before scanning his unconventional attire—the long trousers and tunic of a man used to living in hotter climates. A curious hum left her lips. “You believe a person’s destiny is already written?”
“Indeed, I do.”
She gave a curt nod and handed Dariell her pistol. “Then I trust you, monsieur.”
“And did you load the weapon yourself, madame?”