Princess Charming (Legendary Lovers 1)

Not denying the accusation, Ash shepherded her toward the edge of the field where Deering awaited. The viscount’s features were grim, possibly because his hopes had been dashed when his opponent had kept their appointment after all.

Deering scowled further as his gaze shifted from Ash to Maura. “What the devil is she doing here, Beaufort? Her presence here is completely unacceptable.”

“Granted, Miss Collyer’s attendance is irregular,” Ash replied with his blandest smile. “But I want her to have the pleasure of seeing me shoot you. Unless of course you have decided to recant your spurious accusations against her late father?”

Maura held her breath until Deering responded with a sneer.

“I have no intention of recanting.”

Disappointment flooded her, but Ash seemed to have expected that answer.

“As you like.” He nodded both to his cousin, Lord Traherne, and to Lord Pelham. “If you gentlemen will indulge me by waiting a few more minutes, I expect some guests to join us shortly.”

Deering immediately narrowed his brows. “What scheme is this, Beaufort? Why are you delaying?”

“Are you so anxious to die, Deering?” Ash countered silkily. Receiving no answer, he turned toward their seconds. “Meanwhile, I should like to examine the weapons if I may.”

Maura watched Lord Pelham step forward and offer a satinwood box, which contained an elegant matched set of long-barreled dueling pistols.

Traherne nodded his approval. She could tell that his sharp eyes hadn’t missed the bruises on his cousin’s face, but his casual tone belied his concern. “I have already checked the balance and sights, Ash, but you will want to do so for yourself.”

Ash complied, then asked about the specific rules for the duel—number of paces, order of firing, et cetera. The discussion made Maura extremely nervous, but Deering was unnerved also, judging from his tight expression, and that consoled her a small measure.

After final agreement was reached on the rules, little else was said between the duelists. By the time another handful of minutes passed, Deering was looking visibly irritated, and Maura felt her tension rising even further. Even the crowd on the hillside was growing restless at the unexpected delay.

Then at last she heard the distant sounds of a horse-drawn vehicle approaching. Maura turned to watch a wagon roll onto the field and lumber across the grass toward them. She counted half a dozen occupants—three whom she recognized as Ash’s servants, plus the three liveried thugs whose hands and feet were bound.

Deering blanched at the sight of his incapacitated minions, much to Maura’s satisfaction and Ash’s obvious enjoyment.

“I see you understand how drastically our respective circumstances have changed,” Ash commented as the wagon came to a stop near the carriages.

“I haven’t a clue what you are talking about,” Deering snapped, trying to bluster his way out of the net that was closing around him.

“Oh, come now. You may as well give up your pretense of innocence. Your lackeys have turned against you and confessed.”

“What did they confess?” Traherne asked curiously.

Ash continued staring at the viscount. “Why don’t you explain, Deering?”

“I have nothing to say. This is a complete fabrication. You manufactured their lies—”

“Pray, spare us your sham claims of victimhood,” Ash interrupted. Evidently losing patience, he summarized what had happened in his stables that morning, concluding with his speculation as to why Deering had ordered the attack. Traherne’s momentary surprise was followed by a soft chuckle, while Pelham seemed repulsed.

“Is this true?” Pelham demanded of the viscount. “You sought to make Beaufort forfeit the duel?”

Deering glanced behind him at his barouche, as if contemplating making his escape. Knowing he’d been caught red-handed, he was clearly desperate to be anywhere else at the moment.

Ash continued to press his case. “As you see, you failed in your aim to disable me. However, under certain conditions, I might be willing to overlook your assault on me and keep quiet about the entire affair.”

“What conditions?” Deering asked warily.

“First, you will admit your guilt to Miss Collyer—unequivocally, right now—by confessing the role you played in her father’s downfall and why. You were the one who cheated two years ago, not Noah Collyer, because you coveted his prize stallion. Is that correct?”

When Deering hesitated, Ash prodded. “We are waiting, Rupert … and do speak up. I want Lord Pelham to hear your admission for himself so you cannot rescind it later.”

Under clear duress, the viscount ground out his words. “I admit I am guilty of cheating Collyer in order to gain possession of his stallion.”

Maura couldn’t help curling her fists as she took a step toward Deering. “You treacherous coward,” she said in a trembling voice. “You knew my father was innocent all along, but your despicable accusations led to his death.”