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“He is the only one who would have the motive,” Elizabeth explained. “I did not know him well, but if he were to find out that I am here, I do not think he would take kindly to it. I don’t suppose any gentleman would,” she ended with a nervous laugh.
There was a roaring in William’s ears. Fear, anger, worry—they all seized him at once, rendering him speechless for a few moments as he struggled to find the right thing to say. The first thing he wanted to do was go straight to the Earl’s residence and beat his fist into his jaw for sending such an ominous note, but he knew he couldn’t. He knew that would only make things worse, and they were already in a delicate situation that required them to act with the utmost care. William didn’t like it one bit.
He stood, crushing the note in his fist. Elizabeth looked up at him with wide eyes. “What do you plan on doing? Certainly, you aren’t thinking of going to the Earl himself, are you?”
He might have smiled at how easily she’d been able to read him, had he had it in him.
“No,” he said with a shake of his head, trying to level his anger even though it shook through his limbs. “I believe the best course of action is to write back to him. As a gentleman, let us hope he will be open to talking about this before things get out of hand. I think it would be better to meet with him at night, perhaps at Battersea Fields.”
Elizabeth rose, blanching at the mention of the popular dueling spot near London. William didn’t want to, but he knew he had to prepare for the worst. He’d expected Elizabeth to protest but instead she asked, “Do you think that will work?”
“We don’t have many other options, I’m afraid.” At least, not many options that will end things well. “I don’t think I should tarry on that either. The longer I wait, the worse things will become for us.”
“I’ll come with you,” Elizabeth said quickly before he could turn away. “I’m not sure if he’s told father about my whereabouts yet. I would much prefer I be the one to tell him, than have him hear about it from someone else. Much less the man I am betrothed to.”
William nodded. “Very well, then.”
The grim look he’d expected her to be wearing upon entrance was present now as she followed him to the door. They said nothing as they made their way to his study, each of them deep in thought. William knew Elizabeth was worrying, that she’d likely picked up the needlework to distract herself from that worry, and it pained him that he couldn’t make it easier for her. It bothered him to know that their love constantly met upon obstacles that were growing more and more difficult to face
But I won’t give up on her, he thought to himself as he sat behind his desk. Even if I have to duel Lord Horenwall.
Elizabeth sat on the other side of the desk, a paper and a quill pen already before her. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and then, without a word, they began to write.
Silence stretched throughout the study for a long while. William found himself struggling to keep his anger out of his words, to sound willing and eager to seek a compromise. When he’d finally finished writing all he thought he should, he looked up to see that Elizabeth was watching him.
“Are you finished?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said with a nod. “There was a lot I wished to tell Father, but even I am surprised at how easily the words came to me. I didn’t take me very long so I was watching you struggle for a while.”
The slight tease at the end of her statement lifted his spirits just a tad. “You did not think to help me?” he asked, as he folded the letter. She began to do the same.
“I was certain you could do it yourself,” Elizabeth responded with a shrug. “And do you see? I was right.”
“Such faith,” William murmured with a shake of his head. A smile itched at his lips as he sealed his letter, then took Elizabeth’s unsealed one and stood. “I shall hand this to Harold for him to take charge of its delivery.”
“Very well.” Elizabeth rose as well. Now the worry had cleared from her eyes. William knew, without a doubt, that she was forcing herself to be positive. “I shall wait for you in the gardens. It’s a lovely day for a walk, I believe.”
“You shan’t have to wait long,” William told her, doing the same as she did—forcing himself to remain positive.
In his letter, he asked the Earl to come by tonight. So, until then, William didn’t plan on letting that impending meeting fill him with unease. He didn’t plan on letting the rest of the day pass with them in tense waiting, wondering if Lord Horenwall would truly show. Instead, they would forget about their worries and enjoy themselves.
