“It is a matter of honor.” Lord Gillet held his ground. “You have wronged me. Therefore, I demand recompense.” His eyes narrowed on Edward. “Or is the Duke too fearful to accept my challenge?”
Edward found himself bending down before he had really thought about it.
“Don’t you dare,” Julia pleaded, even as Charles attempted to reach for the glove first, but he was too slow. Edward picked up the glove, showing he accepted the challenge. “God’s wounds.” Julia released Edward’s hand and stepped away, her hands covering her lips. “What have you done?”
“What is right.” Edward tossed the glove back to Lord Gillet. “You want your duel, then you have it.”
“Good. Come dawn tomorrow, we will meet at the back of Hyde Park, where the grass overlooks the river. The first to draw blood wins and I will have my honor back.” With these final words, Lord Gillet turned and parted from the room.
He left the three of them in silence. In the doorway, he hesitated, turning back and staring at them all, as if he were clucking over some sort of victory, then he was gone, with the door slamming shut behind him.
“What in God’s name were you thinking!?” Charles thundered, taking hold of Edward’s tailcoat and shaking him.
Edward was pleased to see this much passion and animation from Charles at last. It had been so long since he had shown anything but apathy.
“Ah, there is some of the old Charles I know.”
“Edward, this is not the time for jesting.” Charles shook him once again before releasing him sharply. “You have just agreed to a duel. Highly illegal. If a constable doesn’t get you for this, then Lord Gillet will surely try to draw blood in the worst way possible.”
“No.” Julia’s voice was so firm that Edward snapped his head to her. She walked toward him, her face bright red with a kind of anger and despair he had not seen before. “Edward, you cannot do this,” she pleaded.
“It is already decided.”
“Then change your mind,” she insisted. “Edward, please.” She glanced at Charles, clearly wishing to speak freely, though they could not in his company. “You cannot do this for my sake. Not when we…” She trailed off.
Edward nodded at her, showing he understood. She was asking him not to do this when their betrothal was a fake one.
“This is not about that.” He stepped toward her, so close that she tilted her head up toward him. Being so near to her made his imagination wander. Had Charles not been there, Edward would already be kissing her, trying to show her through passion when words failed him why he had to do this.
There is not a doubt in my mind. I must do it.
“Then what is it about?” Julia pleaded. “Edward, you could end up hurt. Or even…” Her breath hitched.
“I will not die come dawn, Julia.”
“Lady Julia is right, it is not something you can guarantee,” Charles said wildly. “Lord Gillet would not issue the challenge of a duel if he was not confident in his own ability to win. This is not about honor, it’s about his wish to hurt you. He wants revenge for having lost his marriage to Lady Julia. He will aim to hurt without hesitation. Have you not thought of that?”
“You know me, Charles, I am a fine shot.”
“No more jesting,” Charles pleaded again, louder this time.
“I will not die.” Edward spoke firmly, looking between Charles and Julia.
“The only way to be confident of that is to not take part in the duel.” Julia was desperate. He could see it in her eyes and the way her hands fidgeted together, with those gloved fingers pulling at one another.
His eyes wandered to her gown. She was truly beautiful tonight, dressed in an ivory gown that hugged her figure. The boldness of those amber eyes and the strength of her features contrasting that white silk had enchanted him all evening. Now, those features were contorted in worry.
“Edward,” she murmured, stepping closer to him. They were now so close that his lips hovered over hers. Edward was aware out of the corner of his eye that Charles looked away, evidently attempting to give them some sort of privacy. “I cannot let you do this. Not for me.”
“I wish to.” His words had a huge impact. Her lips parted and her eyes glistened, with tears springing to her eyes.
“Nothing we can say will persuade you otherwise, will it?” Charles asked from across the room. Edward stopped the temptation of kissing Julia by lifting his head and turning to look at his friend. Charles had his arms folded and was staring at the ceiling, as if praying to the heavens above for help.
“No. It is decided. Lord Gillet wants a duel, then he will have one. Maybe after this, he will leave Julia alone for good.”
That is why I must do this.
Edward wanted to do it, for Julia and for no other reason. Her lips parted further as she shook her head, clearly desperate to beg him again. He wished to comfort her and assure her it was the right thing to do by taking her in his arms, but he couldn’t here. This was not the time, nor the place.