Page 84 of A Bride for the Devilish Duke
Emma blushed and saw Damien grin in pleased embarrassment.
“We are quite decent, Josie. Turn around. Please, join us. Though, do not pour tea from that pot!”
She burst into laughter with Damien while Josie frowned in confusion.
“Is Charles with you?” Damien asked.
“He is on his way down and looks as though he is about to be sick,” Josie said, “I fear for my Thomas... and for you, Your Grace, I just do not think that Charles is up to a duel. If not, then his seconds might...”
Emma rose and went to Josie who had become quite pale. The younger woman was biting her lip, looking at Damien anxiously.
“I could not bear it if anything happened to Thomas,” she said as Emma guided her to a chair.
“Nothing will. I will be his first second if Charles cannot fulfill his obligations. Sir Thomas will never have to face the duel.”
Emma was at once grateful for Damien's calm reassurance and terrified of the same prospect that had so unsettled Josie. Damien was making a promise that she knew he would not hesitate to fulfill, even at the expense of his own life.
For Josie, she smiled and patted her hand.
“It will all be well,” she soothed, trying to put on a brave face for her younger sister.
She must not see her own fears reflected in my face. It will only serve to panic her if she senses how frightened I am.
“I will fulfill my promise. I will do my duty,” Charles said from the same door Josie had just emerged from.
Josie and Emma jumped. They exchanged guilty looks. Their conversation had painted Charles very unfavorable, questioning his courage and integrity. He looked sorrowful but determined. Damien stood.
“I have no doubt. Join us for breakfast, and let us talk of happier subjects.”
“Thank you, Your Grace, but I have no appetite this morning. Not with the duel looming tomorrow morning. I would like, if it is acceptable, to practice. I have brought a pistol.”
“Quite right,” Damien said, “I will help. Give you any pointers, though I am sure you are accomplished enough. If the ladies will excuse us?”
Emma gratefully gave her assent, which Josie echoed. They watched the two men walk away, Damien leading along the path that circumnavigated the house. He walked with hands claspedbehind his back, upright and stiff, controlled in every movement. Charles' shoulders were slumped, and his hands were wrung when he wasn't gesturing in quick, anxious movements.
I thank God for a brave husband. But it would be easier for my nerves if he were an abject coward who refused to put himself in harm’s way.
“I am so very sorry, Emma. I should not have spoken. Now your husband feels obliged to put himself in harm's way over Thomas,” Josie murmured.
“Do not mind it,” Emma smiled, “I have no fear for Damien.”
She was lying, but the need to comfort her sister was paramount. Emma could weep from her terror when she was alone. At that moment, Josie’s need was for comfort.
“Because you were forced into marrying him? You seemed so in love when I saw you. Perhaps I was mistaken.”
Emma shook her head gently. “You were not. I find that I have absolute faith in Damien. It is as though he were...Achilles. Undefeatable.”
“Achilles was not undefeatable,” Josie pointed out mournfully, “he had his heel.”
“You are a ray of sunshine this morning, aren't you?” Emma laughed.
It felt forced. Josie rested her head on Emma’s shoulder. Emma took the opportunity to allow her tears to seep through while Josie could not see.
Please, Lord, let them both be well. Let all three of them be well!
Pistol shots began to sing out from the other side of the house. Emma and Josie exchanged anxious looks, knowing it was simply the two men practicing but uncomfortable hearing it regardless. By mutual consent, they decided to retire to a part of the house that would mute the fateful sounds and went inside.
As Emma led the way to her private sitting room on the third floor, a new worry was presented. Elsie was guiding a young maid down the hallway, comforting her. The young girl,Mable, was pale and trembling. She wept into a handkerchief.
