Rebecca by Ferguson Jo Ann

Author:Ferguson, Jo Ann
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781453240762
Publisher: Open Road Media

Chapter Fifteen

The coach waited for them, for Nicholas knew Rebecca was still not overly confident on horseback. This morning was not a time to test those new skills. The spacious carriage was not crowded with the three of them, but a heavy silence settled on the interior. What the two men were thinking, she could not guess, and she did not want to tell Nicholas of her true feelings in front of Curtis.

Fortunately, it was not far to what was known as the dueling green. It was, in fact, nothing more than a clearing on a deserted road. The open space was the perfect size for two men to face each other across cocked pistols or well-sharpened sabers. When the carriage pulled off the road to roll to a stop under the trees, the first hints of dawn were visible on the eastern horizon.

The others had arrived before them. Rebecca was surprised, for she had considered the baron a braggart and a coward. It appeared he was anxious to do battle with Nicholas.

As Curtis opened the carriage door, the pungent smell of dew-wetted grass erupted around her. Soon the sun would evaporate the dampness which by then might be discolored by the red of a man’s lifeblood. It did not seem right that this morning appeared the same as any other. Some heavenly sense of foreboding should have darkened the sky with grey clouds instead of the bright promise of summer sunshine.

“Stay here, sweetheart,” said Nicholas as he stepped out. “There’s no place for you over there, and from here you’ll be able to see all that happens.”

“It isn’t too late! It doesn’t matter that he called me those names. I know I am neither, and so do you! Who else matters?”

He smiled sadly. “No one, but this must be done. Wait here for me, will you?”

As he turned to go to where the others waited, she stretched out trembling fingers to grasp his sleeve. “Nicholas, please, don’t leave until I tell you what I must.”

“I will be careful. I promise.”

She slid across the seat so her face was close to his. Her eyes swept along it to view the sable hair that twisted obstinately on his forehead above his full eyebrows and the sharp angles of his face with the intense eyes and expressive mouth that could give him the image of Satan or of an adoring lover. She stroked his freshly shaven cheek. “Nicholas, I love you. Don’t do this to try to show me what I should have known long ago. I love you, my most precious husband, more than any man I have ever known.”

Drawing her face to his, he kissed her with brief passion. “I love you, too, Rebecca. I have since you were an obstinate child. I have grown to love you more as an even more obstinate woman.” He kissed her fiercely, before adding, “Keep your lips warm, sweetheart. As soon as this foolishness is completed, we will go home and finish another thing that needs to be done.

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