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“Where all duels are fought.”

Of course. Hampstead Heath.

She turned around and broke into a run.

34

The floor of the carriage rattled under Richard’s feet. Feeling the heavy stares of Preston and Sebastian, he refused to meet their gazes and just looked out of the window as the trees and bushes passed by on their way to Hampstead Heath. Fallen trunks, moss, and endless grass. Even though the door was closed, he could smell the fresh scents of nature—flowers, grasses, leaves, and morning dew.

It was still very early, and the sun was low above the horizon, sunrays peeking through the branches and leaves. The sky was pale blue with hints of gold and pink lingering from the sunrise.

Perhaps this would be Richard’s last day on earth. A beautiful day to die.

“Is it really worth it, brother?” asked Preston carefully.

It was strange to see Preston’s expression so soft. Normally arrogant and distant, there was real concern in his brother’s dark eyes. Sebastian, who sat on the opposite bench in the carriage, nodded his dark blond head and looked at Richard with his eyebrows raised, his features in an exaggerated question.

“I offended her honor,” Richard said. “I must pay. Thorne is right.”

Preston scoffed. “You and your character. Why can’t you kidnap her or something?”

Both Sebastian and Richard stared at him in bewilderment.

Preston sighed and showed his palms in a placating gesture. “I know. I know. Barbaric.”

“I shouldn’t be surprised this is coming from you,” said Sebastian with a chuckle. “You used blackmail to claim Penelope’s hand.”

Preston’s gaze softened. Richard shook his head and turned around to the window again. “I am going to duel him if he does not see reason. But it’s not about that.”

“What, then?” demanded Preston.

When Richard said nothing, Sebastian shifted and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.

“You know she’ll never forgive you or her brother if you hurt each other. Or kill each other.”

Richard tapped the side of his palm against his knee. He knew that. He’d already thought about that, and the thought of killing anyone, let alone someone Janie loved, made him want to cut his own arm off.

“Seb is right,” said Preston, turning to Richard with his whole torso. “If you kill or hurt him, she will never marry you. And if he hurts you—” Preston’s voice broke, and it sounded like he’d swallowed his own words.

“He’s not intending to hurt me. He’s intending to kill me. And she will never marry me, anyway.”

Richard’s own words came out cold and cruel, but he didn’t mean them to be.

“I can’t lose another brother, Rich,” Preston said hoarsely, his black eyes watering. “I just can’t!”

Richard’s skin crawled at the thought of what this duel may mean to his whole family. They’d just lost Spencer nine months ago, only to get some hope of recovering him. And now he…

“But did you really ask her?” asked Sebastian.

“I asked her more than once. And she gave me her definitive answer yesterday. You all know what it was.”

Preston shook his head firmly. “I’m sorry, brother. I know it must have been devastating. After Lady Charity broke off the engagement, you were never the same.”

Richard wanted to reply that he was quite recovered, that he was ready for anything, but he couldn’t quite say the words. Preston was right.

Jane’s no yesterday had wrapped its clawlike fingers around his throat, pressed, and choked him until it killed his will. It made him realize how silly he had been to hope. To heal. To imagine a woman like Jane could love him.

Just like Lady Charity’s rejection, Jane’s no had showed him he was better off numbing himself with alcohol, parties, and women.