Page 80 of A Kiss Of Lies

She put her spoon down, food now forgotten. “I’m not sure. I’ve yet to come up with a plan.”

Lily’s eyes widened in horror. “Don’t you dare go back to your husband. I heard the men talking. Lord Fullerton said your husband would kill you if you did. I couldn’t bear that,” and she started to cry again. “Promise me. Promise . . . on my mother’s grave.”

Serena swallowed back her own tears. “I’m not sure what else I can do.”

“What if I asked your husband? Or better yet, talked with Lord Markham? Father used to say, ‘Who overcomes by force hath overcome but half his foe.’”

Serena sat stunned as the Milton quote came from the mouth of such a young lady.

“I never really understood what Father meant, but now I understand. If Lord Markham kills your husband, it won’t end well for any of us. Lord Markham will be punished.”

When she didn’t say anything—what could she say?—Lily’s shoulders slumped and she looked defeated. He would be punished, as this duelwouldbe to the death. Peter thought he held the advantage, and with rapiers he definitely would. Now her tears flowed freely.

Lily took one look at Serena’s tears and pushed back from the table and ran crying into her bedchamber. Serena felt the hopelessness begin to swallow her up. She was so tired. Tired of being afraid, not just afraid for her but also for Christian. Her battered soul needed comfort, but Lily needed comfort more.

She followed Lily into her room, climbed onto the bed, and pulled the little girl into her arms. They clung together and cried.

Soon sleep overtook them both.

In the early hours of the morning, Christian was woken by a knock on his bedchamber door. It was still dark outside. With no preamble, Arend and Hadley strolled in.

“Time waits for no man, and we are running out of it. That shoulder needs to be treated. I’ve requested a hot bath to loosen the stiff muscles, then I’ll work in the liniment.”

Arend added, “I’ve got hot bricks being readied for the carriage to keep the muscles warm and loose on the ride to Hampstead.”

Christian realized they were taking his mind off what was to come. He rose and pulled on his robe, walking to his writing desk in the corner of his bedchamber. “Before we get started on my preparation,” he said, drawing out a bunch of sealed letters, “I’ve some notes that I wish to hand into your care.”

“Christian, don’t. We will see you through this fight. Right is on your side.” Hadley’s defiant words seemed to choke him, and he refused to take the letters Christian tried to hand him.

“There is a letter for Serena. I’ve named Maitland as Lily’s guardian, and I’ve split my considerable fortune between Serena and Lily. The title and estate obviously go to my uncle Joseph as the next living heir.”

Arend stepped forward and took the letters from his outstretched hand. “I’ll also ensure Serena and Lily are safe. Rest assured, Dennett will die should he win this duel. I’ll not let him take Serena.”

Christian couldn’t speak, so he merely nodded.

His valet announced the bath was ready, and the gentlemen went to work.

Serena didn’t know why she had awoken, but she was pleased she had. It took her a moment to realize where she was—in Lily’s bed in Christian’s home. She relaxed back with a smile.

Seconds later a curse issued from her lips as she noted it was nearing dawn. She had to get to Peter. The duel must not take place. Damn it all. She’d fallen asleep when she should have been making her way to Peter to beg for Christian’s life.

She moved silently so as not to wake Lily. Pushing aside the blanket she’d pulled over them last night, she slipped from the warmth of Lily’s soft bed. She bent to place a butterfly-light kiss to Lily’s cheek, and gasped—for Lily wasn’t in her bed. It took only moments for the dread to invade her limbs. She knew exactly where Lily would have gone, and as Serena ran through the house frantically calling for Roberts, she prayed she wouldn’t be too late.

“How much of a head start does she have?” Maitland’s stoic calm was all that held Serena together.

“Thomas said he heard Jack leave about half an hour before five this morning. They’ve gone together.” Thomas was Christian’s head groom, and Jack his son. “I should have known she’d make friends with the household children her age. We’ve been here over a week and she’s lonely.”

Maitland’s lips thinned. “You’re sure she’s gone north?”

“Thomas says that Jack knows where Kenwood is. What boy doesn’t know the infamous dueling ground? Besides, he knew his son was up to something last night. He’d been behaving oddly. The two of them have planned this. Lily inferred we had to have a plan.”

“There is no need to panic. Arend and Hadley will ensure they are kept safe and out of harm’s way. Hadley won’t let them see the duel.”

“That’s if they make it there in one piece. Anything could happen to them. I blame myself. I knew how upset she was last night, but it never occurred to me she’d try to ride to Christian’s rescue.” Underneath the cold, clammy fear, there was also pride. Clever girl.

* * *

The sun had risen by the time the men congregated at the edge of Kenwood’s Wood Pond, within South Wood. As well as Dennett’s party, they had quite the audience. Especially since word had spread of Dennett’s choice of weapon—rapier. Most found his selection dishonorable. Dennett had very few friends in attendance.

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