Page 33 of Seduction of a Widow

“That will not work, either,” she said, but the breathless note in her voice told him she wasn’t impervious to his lovemaking despite her fury.

Perhaps if he made love to her, she would forgive him when she awoke in the morning to find he’d gone through with the duel.

“I want you to forget about the duel,” she said.

Evan slid his mouth down her neck. “I can think of nothing but you.”

“I am serious.” She grasped his shoulders. “Promise me you will not give this foolishness another thought.”

Evan swung her into his arms, then crossed to the bed and laid her on the mattress. He locked the door, then removed his boots and clothes. When he came down on her, she gasped softly, and he gently bit the flesh just above her collarbone. She shivered. Now he had her.

I do not want to see you hang for killing that fool,” she whispered.

At least she believed he would be the victor. He slid his mouth downward. If he recalled correctly, and he was certain he did, she liked having her breasts kissed. Might she also like having the sensitive place between her legs kissed?

***

Evan slowed on the stairs at sight of three men standing in the dimly lit foyer below, near the door. The taller, Sir Stirling James, spoke in low tones to Lord Robert. Mr. Drucker stared at the floor. Evan neared the foyer and caught sight of the small box tucked under Lord Robert’s left arm. The pistols.

The three men turned as one and looked up at him.

Evan reached the foyer, and Sir Stirling said, “Mr. MacLaren, Mr. Drucker are you two gentlemen certain you wish to proceed?”

Evan met Drucker’s gaze.” I assume you have not issued a public apology to Lady Carr?”

Confusion appeared in the man’s eyes, followed by fear. Disappointment stabbed. The man was about to apologize.

“You will not intimidate me into forfeiting,” Drucker snapped.

Evan smiled. “I prefer a good fight.”

“Shall we go then?” Stirling asked.

Everyone murmured agreement and Sir Stirling picked up the small lamp on the table to the right of the door. They left the house. Evan breathed in the cool air as they walked across the drive to the lawn. They entered a grove and he glimpsed torchlight between the trees up ahead. They broke from the trees into a small clearing. Evan’s gaze passed from a cart to a nearby footman holding a torch. Beside the footman stood a doctor holding a small back bag. The third figure…a woman?

“Baroness Trent?” Evan said in surprise.

“Aye,” Stirling said.

Evan regarded Stirling. “Do you think it wise to allow a woman to attend a duel?”

Stirling chuckled. “Baroness Trent is a strong woman. I doubt you could have kept her away if you tried.”

She sounded much like another woman he knew. Evan’s cock pulsed at the memory of Leslie, warm and inviting, waiting for him in her bed. He would return before she knew he’d been gone, then he would make love to her again. He could grow accustomed to waking up beside her. What might she think about sailing to America with him?

They reached the baroness and doctor.

“Baroness,” Stirling said.

Drucker bowed to the baroness.

Evan grasped her hand and bowed over her fingers. “Ma’am, you are too kind to rise so early in the morning to witness our folly.”

“And folly it is, Mr. MacLaren. The only reason I did not call constables was because Sir Stirling assured me you would proceed at another time if I interfered.”

Evan released her hand. “He would be correct, ma’am.”

“What will you do if you kill Mr. Drucker?” she asked.