Benjamin Hillary slowly stood. “I place my life in your hands, Miss Thorne.”

She sniffled again and swung her head toward Helena as if seeking guidance.

“Anything you like, Eve. I know you will choose wisely.”

Eve turned back to Sebastian. “Do you agree to the terms? You can have your duel, but I will choose the weapons and terms?”

“No one said anything about the terms.”

She crossed her arms. “Well, who decides the terms?”

Ellis raised his hand. “It is my responsibility to negotiate it with Mr. Hillary’s second, but I promise to take your wishes into consideration.”

“Judas,” Sebastian grumbled, but no one paid him any attention.

“Very well.” Eve sniffled once more then lifted her chin as if daring Sebastian and Hillary to argue with her. “I choose gloves.”

“Gloves?” Sebastian and his opponent said at the same time.

Helena and Gabrielle laughed. They probably thought his sister was clever, but he could easily wrap his gloved fingers around Hillary’s neck.

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“What type of gloves, Miss Thorne?” Ellis asked.

“Well, I don’t suppose ladies’ evening gloves would have the desired effect. I assume the goal is to hurt one another.” She drummed her fingers over her lips as she considered the question. “Perhaps leather riding gloves? Gentlemen’s, of course.”

Ellis had the gall to chuckle too. “Gentlemen’s leather riding gloves. Excellent choice.”

“But they cannot wear them. Knowing Bastian, he is already searching his mind for a loophole.”

Sebastian scowled, irritated that his sister knew him so well. “And how are we supposed to duel with gloves?”

Eve tugged off her glove, held it aloft, and whacked it against his cheek. “Like that.”

“A slapping duel?” Even Hillary sounded appropriately appalled.

“Yes, but remember, no hands inside the gloves.”

“I’ve never heard of anything more ridiculous,” Sebastian said.

Her hands landed on her hips. “Trying to kill each other over nothing is twice as ridiculous.”

“It’s not over nothing,” he ground out. “He ruined—”

“I am not finished speaking.” She shook her finger at him as if he were the younger sibling. “What would happen to Mama if you weren’t alive to take care of her? Surely you don’t expect Sir Jonathan to take on responsibility for both of us.”

“But—” Sebastian’s argument died away as her meaning became clear.

Her laugh was breathy. “Sir Jonathan indicated he wishes to speak with you soon. He knows about my broken betrothal, and he doesn’t care.”

Hillary’s groan reminded Sebastian of a wounded animal. The blackguard didn’t know the meaning of pain, but he would once Sebastian was finished with him.

He glared at the man. “You heard my sister. Have your second meet with Ellis to settle the terms. And, uh…” Heat flooded his face and he was thankful for the dark. “Gloves it is.”

When Ellis laughed, Sebastian wanted to slap him too.

Fifteen

The sun was just peering over the eastern horizon when Sebastian arrived at the edge of the field to face Benjamin Hillary. In the light of day, Eve’s demands weren’t any less absurd, but he had given his word.

Sisters. The chit had him wrapped around her finger. He almost felt sorry for Sir Jonathan Hackberry, except he knew the man would be receiving a prize when he married Eve.

A crowd had gathered to witness the spectacle, their jovial manner grating on him.

“What are they doing here?” he grumbled to Ellis.

“You want others to know you have successfully defended your sister’s reputation, don’t you?”

The earl had a valid point, but Sebastian still wasn’t keen for an audience. He could just imagine what the gossip rags would write about him after this spectacle.

“He came,” Ellis mused, nodding toward Hillary. “With his history of cowardice, I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had fled the country again.”

Sebastian grinned, appreciating Ellis’s show of loyalty.

Hillary’s stare was sullen as Sebastian and Ellis crossed the tall grass, their boots glossy from morning dew. Hillary’s brother Jake was holding a wooden box one would use for pistols and exchanged a smirk with Ellis.




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