“Now may be too late,” Lawrence shot back.
“You think I don’t regret it?” Cedric snapped like a wounded animal and Lawrence saw the despair in his eyes. “I didn’t even want to shoot him but my hand shook so badly and I…”
“Then why duel at all?” Lawrence asked.
“I’d hoped he’d back down. I was too afraid to trust him with my sister’s heart. I could not let her be hurt. Not again.”
“I think you ought to go and wake your sister, Sheridan. She should be prepared for the worst.” Sir John put a steady hand on Cedric’s shoulder and pushed him towards the door.
“You’re right. Horatia must know.” He left the room where Lucien lay bleeding and unconscious. What could he possibly say to her?
“Cedric?” Audrey’s timid voice cut through his grief. She and Lucinda Cavendish were at the other end of
