"I do not believe this." Emily was shaken. "Who challenged him?"
"Well, it was Charles who did the challenging," Devlin admitted. "Had to, you know. Matter of honor."
"Dear God. But who did he challenge?" Emily demanded.
"An out-and-outer named Grayley. The man's said to have fought two other duels and won them both. Wounded his opponents seriously on each occasion but they both lived, so there was no scandal. The thing is, Em, there ain't no guarantee Grayley won't kill Charles. They say it's just luck that the other two survived. The man's a cold-blooded marksman."
"I do not believe this," Emily whispered.
Devlin looked down at her. "Look, Em, I know you ain't supposed to socialize with your family now that you're married to Blade. But you're our sister, damn it. And I figured you'd want to say goodbye to Charles."
Emily straightened her shoulders. "I intend to do a great deal more than say goodbye to him. I intend to put a stop to this foolishness. Take me to him at once, Dev." She swung around and headed for the carriage.
"Dash it, Em, there ain't no way to stop the thing." Devlin hurried after her. "Matter of honor, as I said."
"Nonsense. It is a matter of idiocy." Emily climbed into the carriage, followed by Lizzie and her brother. She was aware that her maid and the ferocious-looking George were both eying Devlin with disapproval but she ignored them.
"Give the coachman the direction to your lodgings, Devlin," she said firmly.
Devlin raised the trapdoor in the carriage roof and quickly issued instructions. Then he dropped into the seat across from Emily and Lizzie. "Damn and blast. Hope I'm doing the right thing here."
"Of course you are." Emily frowned. "Where is Papa?"
"I went around to his lodgings first thing this morning but he ain't there. Place is locked up for the week, I was told. He's ruralizing with friends in the country. Had a bit of bad luck at the tables. No time to find him and bring him back." Devlin heaved a morose sigh. "Wouldn't do any good even if we did locate him."
Emily opened her mouth to ask another question but she saw the warning look in Devlin's eyes and paused. She realized her brother was silently cautioning her not to let Lizzie know what was happening. Emily sat back and waited with seething impatience for the carriage to reach the lodgings Charles and Devlin had taken.
The door opened as the vehicle drew to a halt. George looked more forbidding than ever. "Begging your pardon, ma'am, but are you sure this is where you want to be set down?"
Emily glanced over her shoulder. "Is this the correct address, Dev?"
"Yes." He grabbed his walking stick and jumped down behind her. Then he used the stick to rap once on the coachman's box. "You may wait for your mistress out here. She won't be long."
"Aye, sir." But the coachman looked as dubious as George.
Emily paid no attention to any of the forbidding looks she was receiving from her staff as she walked up the steps on her brother's arm.
A moment later she stepped into the rooms shared by the twins. Curiously, she glanced around at the comfortable, masculine surroundings. She had been aware that her brothers lived the life of carefree bachelors on the town but she had never actually seen their lodgings.
There was a pleasant view of the park from the bay window, two desks piled high with an assortment of papers, a liquor table, and two large, wing-backed leather chairs.
Charles Faringdon was sprawled in one of the chairs. He was steadily working his way through a bottle that sat on the table beside him. His blue eyes narrowed in astonishment when his sister and brother walked through the door.
"What the devil is she doing here, Dev?" Charles slammed his glass down onto the table.
"What a silly question, Charles." Emily sat down in the other wing-backed chair and peered anxiously at her attractive brother. "I had to come."
"Dev should never have brought you." Charles shot to his feet and began to pace restlessly around the small room. "This ain't your affair."
"I had to fetch her." Devlin crossed the room to pour himself a drink. He gulped it down in one swallow. "She's got a right to say goodbye to you."
"Damn it all, who says I'm going to cock up my toes day after tomorrow? It may be Grayley who does that." Charles glared first at his brother and then at Emily. "You shouldn't have come here, Em. I know you think you can talk me out of this, but there ain't no way you can do it."
"Why on earth did you challenge this Grayley to a duel?" Emily demanded softly. "Was it over a card game?"
"Not bloody likely," Devlin muttered, pouring himself another drink. He paused dramatically. "It was a woman."
Emily could not believe her ears. She pinned Charles with a stunned gaze. "You are proposing to fight a duel over a woman? What woman?"
"Her name must not be mentioned," Charles declared in solemn accents. "Suffice it to say she is as innocent and pure as a newborn lamb and she has been grossly insulted. I have no option but to demand satisfaction."
"Oh, dear," Emily murmured, sinking deeper into the chair. She forced herself to think. "Are you in love with this female?"
"I am. And if I survive the duel, I intend to ask for her hand in marriage."
"Won't do much good to ask," Devlin said from his position near the window. "Word is already getting about that our days are numbered. Everyone is saying Blade has cut the purse strings and you, me, and father will soon be in dun territory."
"Maryann will marry me even if I am done up. She loves me."
"Well, her mama and papa don't," Devlin said bluntly.
Charles shot his brother an angry look. "I will worry about that later. Emily ain't going to turn her back on her family forever, are you, Em? Father says you'll take care of those wretched business matters sooner or later. When all's said and done, you're still one of us. You're a Faringdon, by God."
"Your financial situation is the least of your concerns at the moment," Emily said quickly. "We must find a way to halt this duel. You simply cannot fight this Grayley person, Charles."
"No choice," Charles said with great finality. He reached for the bottle. "A lady's honor is involved, after all."
"But, Charles, you might very well be shot dead by this horrid man." Emily began to feel desperate as she realized how intent her brother was on this dangerous course of action. "In any event, dueling is illegal."
"Everyone knows that, Em," Devlin said irritably. "That don't matter. A gentleman's honor is above the law."
Emily looked from one brother to the other and her heart sank. "You intend to go through with this, don't you, Charles?"
"No choice."
"Stop saying that," Emily retorted. "You do have a choice. Surely you can apologize or something to this Grayley."
"Good God. Don't even suggest an apology." Charles looked genuinely shocked. "A gentleman has to do what's right where a lady's honor is involved."
"Bloody hell," Emily said in disgust. She got to her feet and headed toward the door. "I can see there is no point talking to you about this."
"Emily, wait," Devlin said, coming after her. "Where are you going?"
"Home."
"Goodbye, Em," Charles said very quietly behind her.
She stopped and turned back toward him. "Charles, do not say that. Things will work out."
Charles gave her the reckless, charming Faringdon smile. "Yes, but just in case they do not, I want you to know I was always fond of you, little sister. And I hope you will be happy."