The Masquerade by Bridges Miranda

Author:Bridges, Miranda
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Several moments later Hayden, Sunny, and Gwen were seated in his coach, the events of the night taking a toll on all parties present. Hayden watched Gwen clasp the opal pendant she wore as if it were a lifeline. He wondered if she were truly concerned for his safety or if she was just worried because she could lose her connection to his father, if he were to perish. His brows came together as he considered the latter.

The Den of the Fallen appeared and he alighted to assist Sunny down. She mumbled under breath as he offered her his hand and when she took it, a strange sensation crawled along his arm. It did not hurt, but instinct warned him something was amiss. Her lips continued to move, but after holding his hand for longer than was necessary, she released him and looked up at him smiling as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. And maybe nothing had.

“I believe all will be well on the morrow, my lord, but do be careful,” she said to him. “Turning to Gwen she said, “All of your things are at my personal lodgings as we had discussed earlier, and I have already left instructions with the driver. See you soon cousin.”

“Good night,” Gwen called from inside the coach.

Hayden gave Sunny a nod and climbed back inside. He rubbed his hand where she’d held him, thinking on the oddity of the exchange. Gwen said nothing, but he realized he wanted to hear what she thought of it all.

“Is everything alright?” he asked.

She looked at him and blinked several times before answering him.

“No, everything is not bloody alright.”

He almost smiled at her outburst. She was definitely concerned for him.

“I see.”

“You see?” she sputtered. “You are about to engage in a duel, which is completely illegal, for your information. And for no good reason, I might add. This entire situation has rubbed my nerves raw.”

“I am quite aware that it’s illegal, but it is not without good reason,” he said, keeping his voice calm as hers escalated.

“My honor, bah,” she said, waving a hand in a dismissive manner. “That man wants nothing more than to have an opportunity to shoot you and you’ve given it to him.”

“I am not going to get shot, Gwen. I am only going through with this to ensure he leaves me in peace and to defend your honor, as well as mine,” he said, his expression becoming serious. “It is all I have left, the salvation of the tattered remains of my honor. If there is any left to save.” He gave her a wry grin. “If your honor means nothing to you, perhaps you can reward me with a kiss when I return.”

The lamplight from the street cast its glow onto her face, allowing him to see the fear in her eyes.

“You can’t possibly know that you’re coming back,” she cried.

“Sebastian Wells is not a crack shot with a pistol and this is common knowledge. My guess

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