Page 110 of After the Abduction

“You certainly cannot,” she retorted.

With their plan agreed upon, they finished dressing, doing their best to restore everything to its former condition, although it was damned hard. By the time they pulled up in front of Lady Brumley’s again, he thought they looked relatively presentable.

But before the coach even came fully to a stop, the door was jerked open and a voice boomed, “Out, Templemore! Get out now!”

He groaned. So much for sneaking in. With his heart sinking into his stomach, he climbed out of the carriage to face the one man with good cause to do him harm.

Griff Knighton.

Knighton was more livid than Sebastian had ever seen him. His eyes had the look of a man bent on spilling blood. Lady Rosalind hung on his arm and begged him to watch his temper, but he ignored her entirely.

Beyond her stood Montfort. What the devil was the duke doing out here? No one else seemed to be about.

“I didn’t want to believe it when Montfort told me you’d carried Juliet off,” Griff snapped. “But it’s hard to deny the evidence of my eyes. Juliet, come out this minute.”

Damn Montfort to hell. He must have seen them leave. Sebastian had half hoped he could brazen it out by claiming to be alone. He should have known better.

As Juliet climbed out behind him, Sebastian said, “I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not as bad as it looks. I fully intend to marry your sister-in-law. Indeed, we came back here to speak to you and Lady Rosalind about it.”

“Did you?” If Knighton’s gaze had been a sword, it would have sliced him cleanly in half. “And did you also intend to tell me who you really are?”

Sebastian’s blood froze. “What do you mean?”

“God knows I wouldn’t generally countenance anything Montfort says, but under the circumstances—He claims that you are the one who kidnapped Juliet two years ago. You, and not your brother. Is that true?”

To his shock, he heard Juliet say, “How can you believe that beast Montfort? It’s a lie, a fabrication designed to harm me. Sebastian wasn’t the one, and I should know!”

She was defending him, for God’s sake! After all her insistence that he tell the truth, she wanted to protect him.

He couldn’t let her do that. He’d promised her, after all. He turned to cup her cheek. “It’s all right, sweeting. I’m ready to take my medicine. I should have done it a long time ago.” Then he faced Griff once more. “Yes. It was me.”

“But he had a good reason,” Juliet burst out as she tried to push her way between the two men. “You must hear the whole story, Griff. It’s only fair!”

Knighton spared her scarcely a glance as he thrust her aside. “I don’t have to hear a bloody thing. Your mind may be clouded by his seductions, but mine is not.” He cast a steely-eyed gaze on Sebastian. “As for you, sir, we’ll meet at dawn tomorrow at Leicester Fields. Choose your weapon and your second and be there, or I’ll pronounce you a coward with great relish.”

“No!” the two women cried in unison. Lady Rosalind then added, “You mustn’t fight! Be reasonable!”

“Stay out of this, Rosalind,” Knighton growled. “It’s none of your concern.”

“None of my—Curse you, Griff, I think preventing my husband from being killed is entirely my concern. You can’t—”

“Hold your tongue, woman, or I swear I’ll make you hold it!”

Lady Rosalind seemed to know she’d pushed her husband too far, for she snapped her mouth shut. But her eyes flashed mutiny.

Juliet caught Sebastian by the arm. “Say you won’t fight, my love. Tell him you won’t fight!”

He stared down at her, wishing he could have spared her this. “I have to, sweeting. No gentleman refuses a challenge. It’s not honorable. You know that.”

“I don’t care what’s honorable!”

He smiled faintly. “Ah, but I do.”

“You said you didn’t believe in duels! You called it pointless violence!”

“It is. I’d never instigate one. But now that the challenge is made, I won’t refuse it, even if he is your brother-in-law. I’m sorry.” He faced Griff. “I accept your challenge.”

“At least you’re not a coward.” Knighton turned to Juliet. “Come along then. We’re done here. We’re going home.” He took her arm forcibly to lead her to the carriage, which had just pulled up behind Sebastian’s. Apparently, the Knightons had been about to set off after them when he and Juliet had driven up.