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“I was unaware of any prior understanding between—”
“You knew damned well my intentions concerning her,” interrupted Percy. “I told you of them myself. But you were aware of her regard for me long before then. You were just too proud to accept defeat. You’d force a woman to marry you against her will rather than admit you’ve lost. Such is the action of a coward.”
Gasps broke out among those watching. News of the disagreement had spread quickly, and they now had quite an audience.
Eden waited, every nerve jangling. Ravenwood could never leave such an affront unanswered.
Indeed, the man squared his shoulders and spoke, albeit a bit unsteadily. “My honor will not countenance such a slur. I challenge you.” Again the crowd gasped as he continued, “You will either retract your insult with an immediate apology or face me at dawn. Either way, I shall have satisfaction.”
“You’ll get no apology from me,” Percy answered without hesitation.
Ravenwood’s visage turned bone white. “Then dawn it is. Tothill Fields. Name your weapon.”
“Swords.”
“Done.” Turning, Ravenwood called out. “Wells, will you act as my second?”
Lord Wells pushed his way to the fore, malice glittering in his eyes. “Gladly,” he answered with a nasty smirk.
Turning to face her, Percy spoke. “In answering his challenge, I fear I’ve caused irreparable damage to your good name. The only recompense I can offer you is my own.”
Excited murmurs broke out all around as he sank to one knee. Her chest contracted as she looked down into his eyes.
“Eden, already you possess my heart,” he began, his voice carrying on the cool night air. “I ask you to do me the unparalleled honor of aga
in accepting my hand.”
Above the soft rush of feminine gasps over his declaration, another voice shouted, “Stop! Stop, I say!”
Eden’s heart sank as her father pushed through the crowd to stand before them, his scarlet face dotted with beads of sweat. “She will not accept. She is not yet of age and I will not permit it.”
“Papa—”
“No, Eden,” he rasped, his eyes wide and imploring. Turning to Percy and Ravenwood, he addressed them in a placating tone. “Come away, gentlemen, and let us discuss this in civility and privacy.”
Percy did not move. “Lord Ravenwood has issued a challenge, and I have answered it,” he went on, his manner as unruffled as a becalmed sea. “Sir Geoffrey, my cause is just. I requested the honor of your daughter’s hand, and she gave me her answer long before this man ever laid eyes on her. Immediately upon receiving word of her engagement to this usurper, I came to speak with you. I was, however, forbidden to see you by your lady wife. Thus did I inform her of my complaint with the request she relay it to you at once. My claim was obviously given no credence. Yet still it stands.”
“My wife never spoke to me of it,” lied her flustered papa, his eyes entreating her not to contradict him. “But that is irrelevant. What proof have you of your claim on my daughter?”
Eden’s pulse leaped in terror as Percy looked to her. He was right, only she could end this.
“It is true, Papa,” she finally managed. “I accepted Lord Tavistoke’s offer nearly two months ago. I wished to wait until my twenty-first birthday—but a month hence—to announce it because your wife admitted to me her strong bias against him. I feared she would persuade you to reject him unjustly.”
She glanced around at those watching. Among the many faces were those of Lord and Lady Montgomery. The fiery-haired Sabrina gave her an encouraging nod.
Taking heart, Eden continued. “The arrangement with Lord Ravenwood was made without my knowledge and the marriage contract signed without my consent. Despite voicing my strong objection to the match, I was forced to accept his proposal under pain of disownment.” Deep breath… “Disown me if you will, but I stand by my prior commitment to Lord Tavistoke.” Turning now to Ravenwood, she again spoke. “I was coerced into accepting you. Please believe I would not have misled you had I been given any other choice.”
“Miss Lowther, my offer stands,” said Ravenwood, raising his chin. “Should I prevail tomorrow, I would still ask you to be my wife.”
More murmurs. Her father’s eyes bulged, his face turning almost purple as he signaled frantically for her to accept.
Consternation filled her. That Ravenwood would still wish to marry her was completely unexpected. She had to be certain he was removed as a suitor once and for all. “Good sir, your offer is kind, but to exchange vows with you before God when my heart belongs to another would be a sin to endanger my immortal soul.”
“You misunderstand the situation, I think,” replied Ravenwood with surprising calm. He gestured toward Percy. “The insult I have been dealt by this man can only be expunged by his death or mine. Thus, the outcome of my challenge must surely determine your direction. Should I prevail, I would not dishonor you by withdrawing my offer, an offer made in good faith and indeed, genuine affection.”
A wave of nausea swept over her as the crowd stirred, and she had to close her eyes for a moment to regain equilibrium. She didn’t believe his claim of “genuine affection” for a moment.
The man shifted nervously. “In time, I believe you would come to return my affection. Rest assured that as my wife you will suffer no ill treatment over this incident.” He fixed her father with a cold, lifeless stare. “Indeed, the blame for this confrontation rests solely upon the one responsible for you, the one who forced you to deceit.” His gaze then swung to settle upon Percy.
