Page 21 of Never Doubt I Love (Calloway #3)

Alexander stood in the corner of Calloway’s back garden, grateful for the spring sun warming his back. He hadn’t slept much last night, imagining the worst from today’s party, and the cloudless day was a welcome blessing. They needed all of those that they could get if they hoped to keep Hugh away from Olivia.

“Do you think he will come?” Forester approached Alexander, his eyes taking in the growing group of guests milling about the garden.

Alexander nodded. “I cannot imagine his frustration when he realized the Calloways were not in attendance last night, and he would be a fool to ignore a direct invitation. Did you see Olivia this morning?” Alexander had been avoiding her, partly because he did not want her asking questions about his bruised nose but mostly because he was desperate to tell her everything. For now, it was better if she remained ignorant so she didn’t try to intervene with the plan.

Chuckling, Forester leaned against the wall, looking calm and casual. “She is furious that we are not allowing her to attend the garden party.”

“You did not tell her the reason?”

“And get a lecture like you and Calloway? No, thank you. I trust Olivia; I do not want her thinking otherwise.”

Alexander trusted her as well, but he would take no chances where Hugh was involved. “We will explain as soon as all of this is over.”

“And what if the duke does not accept Calloway’s refusal?”

Alexander hadn’t allowed himself to imagine that outcome. Surely Hugh would recognize he had lost. There were other wealthy ladies, though Alexander disliked the idea of someone else being subjected to this nightmare. He hoped Hugh would reconsider his actions, maybe look for an alternative way to find enough funds to cover his debts. Or perhaps Huntingdon was mistaken and Hugh’s motives were something else entirely.

In his fitful attempts to sleep last night, however, Alexander had been unable to find any deception in Lord Huntingdon’s assessment. It surely had to be true. Why had Hugh not confided in him? They were perhaps not affectionate brothers, but Hugh had never been one to keep secrets before.

Swallowing his unease, Alexander tugged on his sleeve. “I can only hope my brother will be reasonable. If not... I will find a solution.”

“Yes,” Forester agreed with a smile. “You will. And in the meantime, perhaps Olivia will find her own solution. It seems she has decided to call on the Harrises this afternoon.”

“Harris?” Alexander choked on the name. He swallowed again. “That is... surprising.”

As amusement twinkled in Forester’s eyes—not especially comforting, given the seriousness of the day—he looked toward the house, where Calloway and his wife were inside greeting their guests as they arrived. “Is it truly surprising? Harris is the only man who has come close to declaring his intentions. I have yet to see anyone else tell her that he loves her.”

Of course Olivia would be considering Harris. She had no reason not to. And while Alexander desperately hoped she did not agree to his proposal, Forester was right. Alexander had not told her how he felt about her, nor could he, especially while Hugh was still a very real threat. And more likely than not, that threat would never leave. If by some miracle Alexander found the courage to ask for Olivia’s hand and was accepted, Hugh would become vengeful.

Alexander could not put Olivia into that situation. Or anyone, for that matter.

“I hope she will be happy with him,” Alexander muttered.

“Indeed.” Disappointment laced the word.

They were quiet for a moment, until Calloway and his wife came out to the gardens. Lucy began making the rounds with the guests who had gathered, but Calloway stopped next to Forester.

“I fear he will not come,” Calloway said with a frown. “And this is not a conversation I wish to have when it is not on my terms.”

As Alexander took in the impressive collection of nobility who had graciously accepted Calloway’s last-minute invitation, he tried to imagine what Hugh might have thought of such a party. “He will come,” he decided out loud. “He will think this is my attempt to give him an opening to make his offer for Olivia’s hand. But Hugh does like to make an entrance.”

As if brought on by Alexander’s words, Hugh stepped through the back door of Calloway’s house, looking for all the world like royalty as he smugly surveyed the garden in front of him.

“Ah.” Forester lifted a hand to his mouth to hide his grimace. “This could be an adventure. Perhaps we should keep some distance between the duke and your guests, Calloway. Let them see but not hear, as I do not imagine His Grace will keep his words polite.”

Hugh carefully took in each of the guests as he slowly made his way down the steps, and Alexander knew the moment he realized Olivia was not there. The duke’s smile hardened at the same time his eyes found Alexander and narrowed.

He made straight for Alexander but was forced to stop when Calloway stepped into his path and bowed just enough to be polite. “Your Grace, we are honored that you would join us today. You seem to be looking for someone.”

Hugh cleared his throat, throwing one last glance around the milling guests. “I, er, I had hoped to have the pleasure of your sister’s company today.”

Calloway’s expression remained neutral, his whole demeanor stiff and unmoving. “Yes, well, my sister is otherwise engaged. I did not invite you with the intent of putting the two of you together.”

Hugh lost the relaxed manner in which he had been standing, as if he had already realized that his pretense had been noted. He stood straighter, his gaze growing cold. “I see. Then, I suppose one might wonder why you sent the invitation.”

“One might, unless I were to clarify for you. If you would like me to.”

“I would appreciate transparency, Calloway, as I am a busy man and hardly have time to prance about garden parties with so many... undesirable members of Society.”

Alexander wanted to reprimand Hugh for speaking insults when he was already unwelcome, but he held his tongue. He would step in only if he needed to; he and Calloway had decided that Alexander was their last line of defense, as he would be far more valuable as a neutral party than an enemy to Hugh. He might be the only person able to keep his brother from doing something foolish, should things turn nasty.

Forester, on the other hand, was not afraid to speak up. “Undesirable?” He let out a short laugh. “I myself would not call the Marquess of Waverly undesirable. Nor the Viscount of Harstone or the Earl of Huntingdon.” He swept an arm over the crowd of people doing their best to pretend they were not eagerly trying to listen to the entire conversation. “In fact, I would say that this is the most nobility to be in one place outside of Lords in a long time.”

Hugh growled. There were members of the beau monde who were more powerful and influential than those Forester had named, some even in attendance, but Forester had somehow picked out some of the few that Hugh had always kept a careful distance from. Just like Calloway and Harstone, Waverly was generally a well-liked and respected man. And the way Hugh glared at Huntingdon, the earl must have made it known to Hugh that he knew the state of his finances. It was the only explanation for why Hugh avoided him.

Calloway folded his arms, showing off his bulk, though he hardly needed more ammunition. With the impressive guest list of his hastily planned party, he had all the influence he needed to come out on top of this little battle. “Your Grace,” he said, his voice calm but cold. “I understand you have taken an interest in my sister, but I invited you here so that I may make myself very plain. No matter the circumstances, I will never approve of a match between the two of you. Your reputation, true or otherwise, is enough to convince me that Olivia will be better off remaining as far from you as she can get. Have I made myself clear?”

That last question was unnecessary. Hugh, red-faced and sneering, had balled his hands into fists and looked ready to either attack Calloway or explode into a thousand pieces in his rage. “How dare you! Speaking to me in such a way? I will not be thus insulted.”

Calloway did not flinch. “You already have been, Your Grace, and I assure you it is your own doing. You cannot live a life such as yours without creating enemies.”

Hugh spat on the ground. “I will have your head for this.”

“A bit drastic, don’t you think?” Forester muttered under his breath.

Hugh lunged at Forester, but so did Alexander. The crowd gasped as Alexander slid between Hugh and the others, but Hugh was intelligent enough to hesitate now that he was facing a different foe.

Hugh snarled, though he seemed to notice for the first time that Alexander was taller than him as he glared up at him. “So it is true? You have betrayed me?”

How had things come to this? They were brothers, and it did not feel that long ago that Hugh had treated him as such. Pulling his eyebrows low, Alexander shook his head. “I am helping you, Brother,” he said in a low voice. “Look around you. Attacking a lord unprovoked will do nothing but make you look a fool.”

“Unprovoked? Ha! You heard what he said to me.”

“I did,” Alexander reluctantly agreed. Calloway’s insult had been thorough, but it had also been factual. “But none of the other guests heard anything, and in their eyes, Calloway has been nothing but cordial. To them, you are in the wrong, Hugh. Please. Do not turn this into something you cannot step away from.”

Hugh narrowed his eyes, looking over Alexander’s shoulder to Calloway. “I have never lost a duel,” he said, which was as much of a challenge as if he had challenged Calloway outright.

Alexander put his hand on Hugh’s shoulder, hoping he could keep this from turning into a fight. Calloway may have looked impressive, but Hugh was not exaggerating his dueling skills. Whether with a pistol or a sword, he had never been outmatched. “Please walk away,” he begged Hugh.

“Trying to save your precious new family?” Hugh scoffed, and his voice rose in volume with every word he spoke. “I knew you had gone soft after that nonsense with the Moore girl, but I would not have expected you to forfeit everything to play houseguest with a mere baron and his trollop of a sister.”

Alexander suddenly found himself in between all three men, struggling to keep Calloway and Hugh apart and prevent Forester from jumping in as well.

“Enough!” he snapped, looking at all three in turn before returning his focus to Hugh. “This is over, Hugh. You have lost. Do not be idiotic and challenge one of the most respected men in London simply because you are offended. It will not end well for anyone.”

He threw a pleading look to Calloway, begging him not to escalate the situation any more.

Calloway growled. “I should call you out for that, Tipton. But I won’t.”

“I am considering it,” Forester said just as gruffly.

“No one is dueling anyone,” Alexander replied, no matter how much he wanted to strike his brother after Hugh had insulted Olivia so thoroughly. Looking around at the appalled party guests, he searched for a way to end this confrontation and found Lucy watching the scene with terror in her eyes, her face pale. “Calloway, your wife is in distress. Forester, please have someone call for His Grace’s carriage. And, Hugh...” He grabbed hold of Hugh’s arm as tightly as he dared. “This is over, Brother. Please.”

By some miracle, Hugh kept his mouth shut and didn’t protest when Alexander led him back to the house and out the front door, where the carriage was already waiting. Calloway must have instructed that it be ready at all times.

Once they reached the street, Hugh tore his arm free, spun toward Alexander, and pointed his finger in his face. “This is not over, Alexander,” he snarled. “And you are no brother of mine.”

Alexander clenched his jaw, misery building in his chest. No matter how much he hated the lifestyle Hugh had chosen, he would always care for Hugh. There was good in him somewhere. If Olivia believed it, there had to be. “I hope this is not the last we ever see of each other,” he said quietly.

Hugh threw himself into the carriage. “Oh, do not worry about that,” he snapped, pounding his fist into the wall to signal the driver to go.

Alexander watched the carriage until it disappeared around the corner, and then he allowed himself a full breath, though it came in shakily. He took to pacing, desperate to release some of the building energy inside him. “Did we make a mistake?”

Forester clicked his tongue. “I hope not.”

“I fear he is only going to be more dangerous.”

“Or he will realize the truth of what you told him once he has had a chance to calm down,” Forester argued. “Speaking of, you need to calm yourself as well. You are making me nervous.”

Alexander huffed a laugh. “You, nervous? I can hardly breathe. I may have damaged my relationship with my brothers beyond repair.”

“A good thing, from my perspective. Easy.” Forester held up his hands when Alexander turned on him. “Perhaps we should take a walk.”

“Walk? I cannot walk right now.”

“You have two legs, don’t you? They seem to be working very well, as far as I can tell. Trust me; it will help.”

Alexander only agreed because he wasn’t sure what he could do otherwise. Suddenly he understood the appeal of climbing atop a horse and letting it have its head. He thought perhaps the speed of an unreined horse might be the only thing to match his racing heart.

They had crossed several blocks before he felt as if he could breathe more readily, but he had a feeling it would take a lot more than walking Picadilly Street to relax. “Forester,” he said, pausing in the shadow of a building to press a hand over his heart. “We shouldn’t have left Calloway. How will it look?”

Forester jerked his head, indicating that they should keep walking, and Alexander reluctantly followed. “It will look as if we are taking care of Calloway’s problem,” he said. “Besides, I told Hastings where we were going, and he will pass along the message.”

“You told... ?” Alexander quickened his pace to catch up to the man and see his expression. “When?”

Forester smirked. “Before the garden party ever started. I told him if we did not return after escorting the duke from the property, that we would be... ah, well, you can see for yourself.” He waved an arm ahead of him.

Alexander stumbled to a halt as he caught sight of the building they were heading toward. “Angelo’s? Why would you take me to a fencing club?”

“Because I recently discovered that it works marvelously for ridding me of pent-up anger, and I have a feeling it will do the same for you.”

He had no idea. Grimacing, Alexander considered refusing to go inside, but he could recognize the kind gesture for what it was. He had made a surprising friend in Nick Forester, and now that he apparently no longer had any brothers, he needed to keep as many people in his life as he could. Still, fencing? Admittedly, it had been a few weeks since he’d last picked up a foil, but years of training with Hugh would not be easily forgotten.

“I will only agree,” he said carefully, “if you are my sole opponent, Forester.”

Forester raised an eyebrow. “I cannot decide whether that is an insult by way of your perception of my skill or a statement of your lack of one.”

Surprisingly, Alexander managed a laugh, relaxing ever so slightly. “It is me admitting that I hope you will not take it as an insult when I beat you quickly.”

Forester’s grin grew. “I warn you, I am known to be quite proficient, and that is not merely a rumor.”

“You could be Angelo’s most skilled student, but that would not change the outcome.”

“I never took you for a boaster, Alex Bailey.”

“Fight me, if you dare. Otherwise, I will have to content myself with walking.”

“Very well.” Forester looked too interested in the idea of fencing as he led the way into the academy.

Foil clashed against foil as they entered the training room, further agitating Alexander’s nerves, but he slipped his jacket off anyway. A few good matches would likely do exactly as Forester hoped and rid him of some of the aggression boiling beneath his skin. Thankfully, everyone else in the place seemed fixated on their own matches, leaving Alexander and Forester on their own. Alexander grabbed a couple of foils, handing one to Forester, and then he stood en garde.

“This is your last chance to change your mind,” he warned.

Forester laughed. “And why would I do that? I simply must satisfy my curiosity now.” Then he struck.

To his credit, Forester had a fair amount of skill, with a strong attack and nimble riposte. When Alexander made his first contact, it was not without some measure of effort.

“I am impressed,” Forester admitted as he returned to the en garde position. “But I am only warming up.”

The next contact came after much more back-and-forth, leaving Alexander warm with exertion. He actually smiled this time, shaking his head at Forester. “That was a much more difficult score,” he admitted, tugging his cravat loose and unbuttoning his waistcoat to toss it aside. “Perhaps you would like to really fight now.”

Laughing, Forester adjusted his hold on his foil and readied himself, though he looked rather winded. “I look forward to it.”

Alexander smirked at him and then attacked, though he planned to delay this next point as long as possible, just to see what Forester could do. There would be no amusement in winning too quickly, but he also wanted to push himself and stretch his limits. He would have to find a balance between the two, and he welcomed the challenge. His sparring matches with Hugh had never allowed that.

Hugh. Alexander’s frustration returned as soon as he thought about his brother. The fool had gone and challenged Calloway, insulted Olivia most thoroughly, and made himself the subject of the worst sort of gossip, all within a single conversation! It was utter madness, and Alexander threw his anger into each parry and advance.

Forester lasted nearly two minutes against him before Alexander’s foil tapped his chest a third time, and he lifted his hands in surrender, breathing heavily. “I concede,” he said with a grin.

Applause broke out around them, startling Alexander. He hadn’t realized anyone had stopped to watch, and now embarrassment washed over him. Perhaps he should not have fought so hard, though Forester had been right about the fencing helping him work through his frustration.

Lowering his foil, Alexander held out his hand. “I did warn you.”

Accepting the handshake, Forester chuckled. “You did, indeed. But I did not expect quite so much fury from such a calm and quiet man.”

Alexander smiled. “You failed to remember who taught me to fence.”

“Ah yes, the Rowdy Duke. I have heard he cannot be beat.” Forester ran a hand through his hair, still fighting to catch his breath.

Alexander should have taken Forester’s level of skill and matched it, rather than allowing himself the victory. But it was deucedly difficult to concentrate when he could not stop thinking about how Hugh had responded to Calloway’s proclamation. He certainly believed Hugh when he said the matter had not been settled, but how much worse could things get?

“Based on the way you just fought,” Forester continued, “I am guessing you are one of the few who can best your brother.”

“You guess wrong.”

Alexander’s stomach dropped at the sound of his brother’s voice.

A collective gasp ran through the academy as men parted to make way for Hugh, who looked far more calm than he had when he left Calloway’s house. Strangely, that made Alexander more nervous, and he gripped his foil tighter as he fought to catch his breath. What did he think was going to happen? That Hugh would attack him here in the middle of many of his peers? He hated that he couldn’t immediately discredit such thoughts.

This was new territory, unexplored in his lifetime of knowing Hugh Bailey.

“Isn’t that right, Alexander?” Hugh said, taking a few slow steps forward. “You have never managed to beat me with a sword... or anything else.”

It was then that Alexander realized Hugh was holding a dueling sword. The air rushed out of his lungs, leaving him dizzy. They had sparred for years, but always with the knowledge that it was practice, with no real intent to harm. Hugh had clearly had not come here to spar.

He had had the dueling sword in his possession before ever arriving at Calloway’s.

Alexander took a step back, hoping to keep the situation civil, but the men around them had begun backing up, giving the two brothers more space, as if they knew exactly what was about to happen. He shook his head. “Your Grace, I suggest we take this conversation elsewhere.”

Hugh shook his head and unbuttoned his waistcoat with one hand, never taking his cold gaze off Alexander. “This conversation will happen here. Now. You made a fool of me, and I cannot forgive such disrespect.” He lifted his sword, showing Alexander the very sharp and dangerous point. Then he nodded toward his driver, who stood nearby with the case that held the matching blade. “Take up your sword.”

Alexander considered dropping his foil, but it was the only thing that could keep him safe if Hugh did not back down. It would not do much against the heavier épée that Hugh held, but it was something. The moment he touched that dueling sword was the moment he agreed to the challenge. “I will not fight you, Brother.”

A hand touched Alexander’s shoulder, and Forester spoke low enough that only Alexander could hear. “While I abhor the notion of duels,” he said, “I fear your brother may not give you a choice, Alex. Take the sword while you have the chance, or you may lose your life.”

For a moment, Alexander thought perhaps he could simply ask the spectators to swarm Hugh and subdue him, but based on the fear in the eyes of everyone within his sight, few, if any, would be willing to go up against a duke. Alexander had a single ally, and he would not put Forester in danger.

Though he hated to do it, Alexander handed his foil to Forester and took up the dueling sword. It felt heavy in his hand, like its weight was made of more than metal. How many men had held this sword against Hugh, hoping to come out the victor? How many of them had died?

“I am sorry, Hugh,” he said, frowning at the sword he held. “I wish I had tried harder to convince you to change for the better.”

Hugh laughed. “You think I needed to learn anything from you? You are weak, Alexander! I thought separating you from that ghastly Moore girl would save you from becoming a pathetic excuse for a duke’s son, but it seems my efforts were in vain.”

“Juliet has nothing to do with—” Alexander’s blood turned to ice as he realized what Hugh had just said. “What... what do you mean, your efforts?”

“She was nothing . And yet, for some blasted reason, she was something to you, and I knew she would continue dragging you down to insignificance until you were worth nothing alongside her. I did what I had to.”

Alexander couldn’t breathe. “You...” His thoughts blurred, though he knew deep down that he should not have been so surprised to learn Hugh had paid someone to compromise Juliet. “She died,” he gasped, locking his eyes on his brother. “Because of you.”

“I could not have guessed her parents would send her away or that her carriage would topple over. At least you had the sense to look higher when you set your sights on Miss Calloway, or I might have had to—”

The clang of metal on metal echoed throughout the chamber, though Alexander did not remember lunging. Hugh had managed to block his strike, and they stood there as if frozen in ice, neither of them moving, despite their blades being locked together.

“You killed the woman I cared for more than anything,” Alexander growled. “And if you breathe one threat against Miss Calloway, you will not breathe another.”

Hugh narrowed his eyes. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you have caused by turning against me? I will be ruined, and you will be ruined right along with me.”

Behind Alexander, Forester snickered. “That’s the difference between you and Alexander,” he said. “Alex has friends who will ensure he still has a way to survive.”

Alexander did not dare turn around. “Forester, I beg you to keep out of this.”

“Unless, of course, you want your pretty wife running into my arms for comfort after you are dead,” Hugh added. “Her fiery personality could make for an amusing diversion.”

Two men grabbed hold of Forester before he could lunge forward, and the commotion was enough to give Alexander a chance to pull back from Hugh without risking being struck. He held his sword between them, the point directed at the duke’s heart.

“Enough,” he snarled. “If you wish to fight anyone, you will fight me.”

“Gladly.” Hugh struck, his blade crashing against Alexander’s.

Whenever they sparred at home, they kept to the rules of engagement, each man taking his turn to attack and defend. Now Alexander was nearly blind with rage and fear, hardly aware of his movements as he struck, parried, dodged, and struck again. The sound of the clashing swords filled his ears like thunder. Hugh snarled, fighting with the fury of a man with nothing to lose. Alexander fought with the desperation of a man with everything to lose.

Hugh was the first to break ground. Alexander’s attack forced him backward, and Alexander quickened his attacks, but Hugh parried and regained his footing. His riposte came with fury, too forcefully for Alexander to properly block the oncoming blade. Hugh’s sword slid along Alexander’s and caught his sword arm, leaving a bright-red gash and a flash of pain that Alexander ignored.

Hugh did not. “You have never been good at the offensive, Alexander,” he sneered. “Always defensive, which means you will always lose. Does it hurt?”

Whether he meant his arm or losing in general, Alexander did not respond. He simply jumped back into the duel, catching Hugh off guard and forcing him back several steps until he slammed into the wall.

Hugh grabbed Alexander’s wounded arm and squeezed. Alexander cried out, involuntarily dropping his blade. Hugh struck, but he was too close to have any leverage. Alexander spun out of the way and then threw his shoulder into Hugh’s stomach. They both toppled to the ground, each trying to gain control over the sword in Hugh’s hand.

As he struggled, Alexander kept imagining what would happen if he lost this fight. Hugh’s anger would not be satisfied, and Olivia would forever be in danger. Her life would be in danger now. Hugh would never stop until he had destroyed everything he had been denied.

Alexander ripped the sword from Hugh’s fingers, and both men scrambled to their feet. Alexander wasted no time, throwing his fist into Hugh’s jaw. The duke stumbled but remained upright. Alexander struck once more, and a dazed look entered Hugh’s eyes before he tried to lift his hands to defend himself.

With one final blow from Alexander, Hugh crumpled, glaring up at him as he fought to breathe. Alexander touched the point of the sword beneath Hugh’s chin, his hand trembling.

“No more,” Alexander begged, all of his anger dissipating as he gazed at the fear in his brother’s eyes. Hugh really thought he would kill him. That was not the man Alexander wanted to be, and he would never be able to look into Olivia’s eyes if he killed his own brother.

He nearly laughed as he choked down air and tried to calm himself. If he killed Hugh, he would be locked away for the rest of his life or even put to death himself, not to mention the guilt that would torment him. No matter his anger, the cost of such a drastic action was far too great. Both to his mortal life and his immortal soul.

“Are you too much of a coward to kill me?” Hugh asked, rightly guessing at Alexander’s hesitation.

Forester cleared his throat where he stood just within sight, his expression cold as he looked down at Hugh. “He will always be a danger to Olivia if he is alive,” he said to Alexander quietly.

Clenching his jaw, Alexander used his sword to lift Hugh’s chin higher. “No,” he said slowly. “He will not be. Not anymore.”

Hugh snarled, “You are a coward.”

“And you no longer have any power over me. You cannot hurt me or anyone I care about.”

Hugh narrowed his eyes as he lay there on the floor. “What of Mother?”

Fear pinched Alexander’s heart, though he forced himself to remain in control. “I will relocate her somewhere far from your reach, and she will live out her days in peace. Finally.”

But instead of sinking in defeat, Hugh smiled. It was a gruesome, twisted grin, but a smile nonetheless, and it chilled Alexander to the bone. “You will have to find her first.”

Alexander’s hold on his sword faltered. “What does that mean?”

“It means I sold her house months ago. I have no idea where she is or if she is even alive.”

The sword slipped from Alexander’s hand, clattering on the floor. Alexander looked up and met Forester’s shocked gaze, though he could barely see through the overwhelming panic that washed over him. Months ago? But where would she have gone? She barely had any money as it was, and if she hadn’t received anything from Hugh since being forced out of her home, then how would she have... ?

Alexander broke into a run, leaving Hugh and their audience behind with only one thought running through his head: he had to find his mother and pray she had not endured more than she could survive.