Page 108 of His Forsaken Duchess
Cedric’s breath caught as Rashford raised the weapon, his expression twisting into something cruel and vindictive. Cedric’s pistol lay useless on the ground, discarded in accordance with the agreed-upon rules. But Rashford had no intention of adhering to those rules.
Time seemed to slow down as Cedric surged forward, his body a blur of motion. He had no plan, no thought beyond reaching Rashford before the second shot could be fired. His boots pounded against the ground, his focus narrowing down to the man in front of him.
And then, suddenly, an arrow sliced through the air, embedding itself in the earth between them.
Both men froze, their heads snapping toward the source of the shot. Cedric’s heart thundered in his chest as his gaze locked onto a figure on horseback.
Audrey.
She sat on the horse with an almost regal composure, a bow still raised in her hand. Her expression was icy, her gaze sharp and unyielding as she stared down at them. Behind her, several men on horseback galloped toward the scene, their uniforms marking them as members of the Bow Street Runners.
The Runners dismounted quickly, their boots hitting the ground with practiced efficiency as they moved to surround Rashford.
One of the men stepped forward, his sharp gaze darting between Cedric and Rashford. “What is going on here?” he demanded.
Audrey dismounted gracefully, and Cedric struggled to tear his gaze away from her. He took a breath and tried to answer the Runner. “This was meant to be a duel,” he said. “But Lord Rashford did not abide by the rules. He fired early and concealed a second pistol.”
The Runner’s gaze snapped to Rashford, his expression darkening. “Is this true?”
Rashford’s second hesitated, but Belleville stepped forward, his tone as light as ever. “Oh, it is quite true,” he said. “Haremore could have been killed twice over by now if the rules meant anything to Rashford.”
Audrey cut in. “And this is not the first instance of Lord Rashford’s dishonorable behavior. He has a history of luring young ladies into dark gardens, isolating them, and compromising them. This man has no honor. He is a scoundrel who uses all opportunities to prey on women.”
“That is a lie!” Rashford shouted, his face reddening. “I have done nothing of the sort!”
Cedric took a step forward, and his voice rumbled low and lethal. “You are speaking to a duchess.”
Rashford snapped his mouth shut, but his eyes burned with impotent fury as the Runners surrounded him.
The lead Runner turned to Audrey, inclining his head respectfully. “We will take him into custody, Your Grace. The King will decide how to handle his misconduct.”
Audrey nodded curtly, her demeanor remaining as cold and composed as ever. “See that you do, please.”
As the Runners escorted Rashford toward the waiting horses, Cedric turned to Audrey, his heart aching at the sight of her. She looked magnificent, her poise and dignity a sharp contrast to the chaos around them. But she was colder than he had ever seen her, her gaze not once meeting his as she prepared to mount her horse.
“Audrey,” he said softly, taking a tentative step toward her. “Thank you.”
“This was not for you,” she said simply, her voice devoid of emotion. Her gaze flicked to his for the briefest moment, distant and unyielding. “It was for my sister. To ensure that she would not be tied to a man like that.”
“Audrey, I?—”
“It is done now,” she said, cutting him off. “And so are we.”
Cedric felt as though the ground had shifted beneath his feet. “You don’t mean that.”
Her lips curled into a faint, humorless smile. “Don’t I? You made it clear where you stand, Cedric. And I have no interest in being tied to a man who sees me as nothing more than an obligation.”
“That is not what I?—”
“Please,” she interrupted, her voice soft but firm. “Do not insult me further.”
She turned and mounted her horse, her figure growing smaller as she disappeared into the distance. Cedric remained rooted in place, her departure settling over him like a shroud.
He had wanted to protect her. To keep her safe. And in doing so, he had driven her away.
For the first time, Cedric realized the true cost of his choices.
And it was far greater than he had ever imagined.
