Page 38 of The Ruin of Miss Amelia Burrowes

He marched over to Franklin, who did look as though he would bolt, but Marcus grasped his arm, pulled him to the side, and began to talk in earnest. He then opened the box of pistols and spoke to Franklin. Reluctantly, the man reached into the box and withdrew a pistol, looking as though it were a deadly viper. Marcus spun on his heel and returned.

“Well, the second may swoon at any moment, though he protests that Burke will not meet your list of demands.” Marcus stared at the man, thoughtfully. “I wonder if Burke is made of sterner stuff.”

Mr. Franklin, pale as milk, handed the pistol to Burke, who stared at it as though he’d never seen a weapon before. After a moment, he straightened his shoulders and looked at Nathan. “Shall we get on with it, then?”

“Not just yet, Mr. Burke.” Marcus strode a step or two toward him. “We’re waiting for Mr. Harris to arrive.”

“Who is Harris?” Burke looked at Nathan askance.

“A doctor.” Marcus shrugged. “Not a requirement, perhaps, but it is common practice…for obvious reasons.”

Burke blanched but nodded and turned his back to confer with Franklin.

Nathan drew Marcus aside as well. “You know what to do, if the worst happens?”

“I do.” His friend’s face had been wiped clean of any trace of humor. “I promise to look after both Amelia and Kate to the best of my ability.”

“And if by the grace of God, I have left a son behind…”

“You need not worry. I will see to his raising as you would.”

The sound of a carriage coming at a brisk clip drew their attention to the road.

“And there is Harris.” Marcus fetched the pistol out of the box and handed it to Nathan. “Bon chance, my friend.” He clapped Nathan on the shoulder. “Aim straight for his heart.”

“I intend to.” Drawing a deep breath, Nathan sent up a prayer for a steady hand, and another for God’s protection for Amelia. Then he sauntered over to where Burke, Franklin, and now the doctor waited. “Thank you for coming, Mr. Harris. You may turn your back now.”

Another common practice so the man could say he saw nothing and thus avoid incriminating himself.

“Mr. Franklin, will you stand here, sir.” Marcus handed him a handkerchief and began to orchestrate the mechanics of the process. They had agreed, when Nathan challenged Burke, to a distance of twenty paces with Burke’s second dropping the handkerchief as the signal to fire. Marcus then paced off the requisite distance for both men and went to stand behind Franklin. “Gentlemen, take your marks.”

Nathan gave Burke a final cold stare, meeting his eyes with a fury that warned the man he would give no quarter. Then he cocked his pistol and turned to walk to the mark in the grass his friend had just made.

“My lord!”

Whirling around, Nathan found himself face to face with Mr. Burke, looking as white as new cheese. A glimmer of hope burst in Nathan’s chest, though he maintained his taciturn countenance. “Yes?”

Wheezing with fear, Burke sounded as though he had the croup. “My lord, I have…I have reconsidered your demands that I admit my folly and apologize for my deceitful and dishonest actions.”

“Yes?” Those were not the only demands Nathan had set to satisfy the debt. “And what of the other stipulations?”

Burke glanced at Franklin, who seemed ready to faint at the least provocation. “Do it,” he mouthed to Burke emphatically.

Nathan waited while Burke dithered a minute more then hung his head and whispered, “I will fulfill all the stipulations you have put forth to satisfy your honor.”

“For the lady’s honor you so callously besmirched.”

Burke nodded once more. “Yes.”

Nathan smiled and uncocked his pistol. “Very well, Mr. Burke. I will apprise you of exactly what you must do and when you will fulfill those demands.”