mine. Thank you for giving me one last chance to make the right choice. It never felt right, but I thought I’d lost you for good.”
“Never. I am yours, completely and forever.”
“Burke!”
Martin’s voice snapped through the air like the lash of a whip, and Dominick released her, turning just in time to meet the fist flying at his face.
Calliope cried out as he reeled backward, falling into the nearest column and pressing a hand against his jaw. A flurry of motion announced the arrival of those pouring out of the cathedral—her father, her sister and Hastings, Mr. Sterling, Martin’s family. All stood by, open-mouthed as Lewes charged Dominick like an enraged bull, fist raised to strike again. Nick straightened, licking at his bloodied lip and stepping forward to meet him. Mr. Sterling appeared between them, shouldering Nick aside and holding a hand up to push against Martin’s chest.
“That’s enough,” he barked. “Get a hold of yourself, Lewes.”
“Like hell I will,” Martin seethed, face flushed as he pointed an accusing finger at Nick. “This man has offered me insult, and I will have satisfaction. Name your second, Burke.”
Calliope’s throat constricted, and she clutched Diana’s arm as the gravity of Martin’s challenge weighed upon her. “No! Martin, please … this was my fault, not his. Please, don’t—”
“Ben?” Nick asked, ignoring her protests and turning to his friend.
Mr. Sterling grimaced, but gave a jerky nod. “Of course.”
Diana wrapped her arms around Calliope’s waist to hold her back, as she tried to insert herself between them and put a stop to a duel that could end with one of them being hurt or killed.
“Nick, don’t!”
“Weapons?” Martin challenged.
“Pistols,” Nick replied without breaking the other man’s gaze. “Putney Heath, midnight?”
“Done.”
With that, Martin turned to stride away, his brother and parents on his heels. Diana released her then, and Calliope flew at Dominick, clutching at his lapels and rattling him until he finally seemed to remember her presence.
“What could you be thinking? Nick, he could kill you!”
“It has to be done,” he replied, taking hold of her arms and gently chafing them with both hands. “It is a matter of honor, and Lewes risks looking like a fool if he doesn’t seek restitution of some kind. It will be all right.”
“How can it be all right after I’ve left a man at the altar for one who might be dead come morning?”
“Miss Barrington, you shouldn’t worry,” Mr. Sterling offered. “Nick is better with a pistol than any man I know. Besides, few duels end in death. First blood ought to be enough to satisfy Lewes.”
Calliope closed her eyes and swallowed against the urge to vomit at the thought of Nick returning from Putney Heath covered in his own blood, his eyes open and lifeless. Nick drew her against his side and led her away from the cathedral. A carriage stood at the ready—one she did not recognize. But as Nick and his friend exchanged words, she realized it must belong to Mr. Sterling. He lifted her into it, then followed. Apparently, it had been decided they should have the conveyance to themselves, for the door was promptly shut, and with a knock of Nick’s fist against the ceiling they were off.
Calliope sat across from him, mind racing as she tried to make sense of what was happening—what she had caused with her decisions.
“Come here, goddess.”
He hauled her across the carriage and settled her in his lap, tangling them both in her billowing skirts. He cupped her face and kissed her, quieting her soft sounds of protest with tender lips. He stroked his thumbs beneath her eyes to dry the remnants of her tears and smiled.
“You are not permitted to regret this. Do you understand? You were so brave, and did what you felt was right. Now, you will put your trust in me. I will make this right so we can go on to live our lives. Can you do that? Can you trust me to come back to you?”
She nodded, swallowing a helpless sob. She couldn’t stand to finally have her heart’s desire, only to lose him to reckless violence. But, the surety in his voice, the steady touch of his hands, and the resolve in his eyes were enough to calm her for now.
“Yes. Yes, I trust you.”
“Good.”
He kissed the tip of her nose, then settled her head in the crook of his neck. She clung to him, closed her eyes, and prayed.
Chapter 16
“Rumor has it that a most ungentlemanly display of violence occurred outside