Cam inhaled. Fresh summer air and a ride with his beloved. Perfect. “I’d love that, sweet. Lead the way.”
They arrived at the stables and Rose picked out a gelding for Cameron to ride. The readied their horses and chattered about nothing in particular. Cam reached for a saddle, but j
erked when he heard a soft click of a door locking. He turned.
“I figured you’d be here,” Lord Evan Xavier said.
“Xavier”—Cam cleared his throat—“what can I do for you?”
Rose peeked around from Begonia. “Evan?”
“Leave us, Rose,” Evan said, his eyes dark and grim.
“What on earth—”
“I said leave us!”
Anger bit at the back of Cameron’s neck. “Don’t speak to her that way, Xavier. What is it that you want? And why in God’s name did you lock the door to the stables?”
“I’ve heard your good news. You and I are going to have it out, Price.” Evan pulled out a dueling pistol and aimed it at Cameron.
Cameron’s heart leaped into his throat and his bowels cramped. What the hell? This was Xavier. He wasn’t a madman. What had gotten into him?
“Evan!” Rose shrieked.
“Leave, Rose,” Cameron said, willing his voice not to crack. “Let her go, Xavier. Unlock the door and let her go.”
“No!” Rose ran in front of Cameron. “If you want him, my lord, you have to go through me.”
“This doesn’t concern you, my lady,” Evan said. “It’s between Price and me.”
“Of course it concerns me. What other business could you possibly have with Cameron?”
“Rose, leave,” Cameron pleaded. “I’ll be fine.”
“I won’t. I won’t leave you.”
“Think of the babe,” Cam whispered into her ear.
She softened against him.
“Please,” he said. “I’ll be all right. I promise.” He prayed he wasn’t lying to her.
She nodded. “If you say so, Cam. I’ll bring help.” Rose inched along the wall, never taking her gaze off of Evan, until she reached the door. She unlocked it and scurried outside.
Cameron held up his hands, his heart pounding. “Come on, Xavier. You don’t expect to fight an unarmed man, do you?” The man was a mountain, but a pummeling was preferable to being shot. Stay calm, Cameron. Stay calm.
“She was supposed to be mine,” Evan said.
“Look, if this is about the commission, I plan to give you your money back. You can ask Rose. She knows.”
“Do you think I give a damn about the money?” Evan took a step forward, and his face twisted in anguish. He exhaled and then lowered the pistol and deposited it back in his pocket. “My God, man, I’m sorry.”
Cameron walked toward him, his nerves skittering. “Xavier, what is this really about?”
“I don’t know. Rose, I guess. My foolish pride. My father’s impending nuptials. Everything’s changing so quickly. I thought I knew where I was headed.” Evan raked his hands through his blond hair. “I wasn’t going to do anything. Just scare you a little.” He let out a nervous laugh. “The pistol’s not even loaded.”
“You accomplished your objective. I very nearly shat myself.” Cameron held back a shudder. Oddly, he felt a sort of kinship with the other man. His own life had changed dramatically in the past month.