THE DEFIANT LADY by Samantha Garman

Author:Samantha Garman
Language: eng
Format: epub

***

As streaks of dawn appeared, Cy stood in a loose white shirt, fawn colored breeches and brown riding boots. He glared at his opponent, who was trying to ignore Cy as he made himself ready. Witherington and Rutherford stood next to Caldwell and spoke in low voices, no doubt trying to puff up Caldwell’s nerve.

Langley looked at Cy. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Cy nodded curtly. “The man must be stopped. He has made advances towards my fiancée, and he is dangerous.”

Langley wisely did not say a word. Even Cy knew he was unreachable in his anger, his vision blurry red, and there was be no reasoning with him. Cy had never gone to such lengths to protect a woman. He cared about Ivy, more than he had ever cared for anyone.

“Is the doctor here?” Cy asked.

“Yes, and he has assured us of his tact, as you requested.”

Cy smiled without humor and said sarcastically, “Because that is our biggest concern. I cannot trust Caldwell to act with decorum.”

When both parties were ready with their pistols in hand, they approached each other slowly and stood back to back. Witherington and Langley were off to the side fifteen feet away and watched, ready to intercede if necessary.

“You are men of honor,” Langley called out. “You will do well to remember it.”

Cy nodded and clenched his jaw. He was not worried about his honor; it was Caldwell’s he was concerned about.

“Count it!” Caldwell spat, apparently ready to settle the matter.

Light finally peeked through the trees as the two men stood back to back. Caldwell and Cy had agreed that Langley would count twenty paces, and then each man would turn and shoot. There was a good chance that one or both of them would be killed or seriously injured.

Langley started the count.

“One!”

Langley’s voice rang out in the clear, early morning.

“Two!”

A cool breeze stirred the leaves that crunched beneath Cy’s feet.

“Three…Four…Five!”

Cy was tense, ready, and worried about Caldwell. How would a repugnant creature react in an honorable challenge?

“Six…Seven!”

Just as they got to the nineteenth pace, Caldwell began to twist.

“Stanton!” Langley called out in warning as Caldwell moved prematurely. Cy spun around as fast as he could, but he was not quick enough. Caldwell had a head start; he pointed his pistol and fired.

A white-hot bullet tore through Cy’s side, under his ribs, and settled just below the skin on his back. With his free hand, he grasped his side and tried to shoot with the other, but burning pain coursed through his veins like an injection of poison, and he fired hastily. He had no way of knowing if he hit his target, and before the smoke even cleared, he was overtaken by darkness.

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