Page 78 of A Kiss Of Lies

He came up to stand behind her. His breath was warm on her neck when he finally spoke. “There is no question oflet.” He pulled her back against him, hugging her tight. “And I’m not going to kill him in cold blood. It’s a matter of honor—your honor. Perhaps if my mother had had someone to champion her, she’d still be alive today. I’ve challenged him to a duel. He mistreated you, and I shall make him pay.”

Serena noted the tension in the strong arms holding her. Anger seethed in him. He was angry on his mother’s behalf too. Guilt started to swallow her up. He could die if he faced Peter. This duel would not halt at first blood. It would be to the death. She turned in his embrace and searched his face. His features displayed no sign of the dangerous force he could become. His battle scars made him look weak. It was a false mask, for his feats of bravery and courage on the battlefield were legendary. He was lethal with a pistol.

Even so . . . She bit her lip and let the worry envelop her. Peter was also good with a pistol.

“I won’t let you die for me. I’m not your mother. I’m prepared to fight him in court. I don’t care about my reputation.”

“That could take years.” He put his fingers to her lips. “You know a man like Dennett won’t let it get to court. He’d see you dead first.”

She buried her head in his jacket. She could hear his heart pumping steadily. “I can’t stand the thought of you letting him take a shot at you. He’s good.” His heart sped up beneath her ear and he tensed. Serena looked up and caught the quick flash of something in his eyes. He was hiding something. “The dueliswith pistols?” she asked slowly. “Remember, we promised there’d be no more lies between us.”

His reply was reluctant. “No. He chose rapiers.”

Her hand flew to his injured shoulder. “He’s done this on purpose. He knows you’re injured. Oh my God!” She looked with horror at Christian.

“Yes, but he doesn’t know about your treatment. The liniment you’ve been applying is working. The shoulder is more mobile than before, and Hadley is going to work the liniment in deep before the duel. I’ll be perfectly fine.” He kissed her lips. “Let’s not argue. I came here to spend some time with you.” He pushed her toward the door. “Go and lock it. I want to show you how much I love you,” he said tenderly.

With a heavy heart and a sick stomach, Serena locked the door. She tried to put on a bright smile as she walked back to where he lay sprawled on the settee.

There was no way she could let him fight this duel. If he got hurt or was killed, she would not be able to live with herself. This was her mess and she would sort it out.

As she straddled his lap and bent to take his lips in a sensual kiss, she made a plan. She deepened the kiss, desperation in each movement. She fumbled to release his erection from his trousers. He seemed to sense the urgency too, pulling her breasts free of her dress with little finesse.

This would be the last time she made love with Christian.

Tomorrow she would be either dead or Mrs. Peter Dennett once more.

ChapterNineteen

They’d made love quickly and urgently, and when it was over she was left with only his scent and the memories of his touch.

That’s all she had left of him.

He’d kissed her goodnight. It felt more like a goodbye. He made her promise not to interfere. He held her as if he never wanted to let her go, and told her how much he loved her.

Then he was gone. Marisa and Helen soon came and found her. They too were upset and worried, and did their best to offer comfort. She wished they would leave her alone, because Serena had come to a decision. She couldn’t let Christian sacrifice himself on her behalf. She’d rather die.

She had to leave. She hated to break a promise, but she would not let him die for her. What about Lily? Who would look after the little girl if something happened to him?

Suddenly Serena desperately wanted to see Lily and secretly say goodbye. She had to try to explain why she was leaving. She didn’t want Lily to ever think that Serena had left because of something she’d done.

Once she’d said goodbye to Lily, Serena would take beautiful memories with her that she hoped would sustain her into old age. Or for however long Peter let her live. She knew she risked her life returning to a man like Peter, but Christian’s life meant more to her. He had Lily and the estate to care for. He would not be in a life-threatening position if he had never met her.

A half hour later, she asked Marisa and Helen for some privacy. They reluctantly left her, concern and fear flashing across their faces.

She sat patiently waiting for the house to quiet, planning her move. She would set the clock back, back to the night she’d fled Virginia, and right the situation.

Dusk was fast approaching. There was no way Arend’s men would allow her to leave the house. She’d have to sneak out to visit Lily to say her goodbyes. She’d leave the same way Christian had arrived, over the garden wall at the back of the property. If he could get in unseen, she could get out unseen.

Serena changed into clothes more befitting a governess. If she could sneak over the wall, she’d walk as a servant to Christian’s.

Getting over the wall at the back of Sebastian’s garden was not as easy as Christian had made it seem, but she managed by using the vines that twined over the wall.

Once on the street, she walked with purpose, head down, as if she were simply a servant on an errand. Once she made her way the two blocks to Christian’s imposing mansion, she entered via the servant’s entrance.

The cook gave a shriek when she pushed back her hood. “Lord, lovey, you scared me.” Then her face colored and she became flustered, curtseying and saying, “Beggin’ your pardon, my lady.”

“Hello, Mrs. Clarke. Don’t tell anyone I’m here. I’ve just popped round to see Miss Pearson as a surprise. Is Lily in the playroom?”

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