A Grave Inheritance by Kari Edgren

a damned fool, and if he were any other man I would have challenged him to a duel right then and there.”
    “Are you insane?” I cried, trying to twist my head around to look at him. He was holding me so tightly, my movement accomplished very little other than bringing my cheek closer to his own. “You might have died! And then where would you have been, with me stuck in the middle of the Atlantic too far away to help?”
    Henry was undeterred by the rhetorical nature of my question. “Dead, I guess.” He laughed, his deep voice tickling my ear. “Don’t worry, Selah, there is not a man in England who can stand against my sword, the king included.”
    Cocky bugger. I would have laughed except for the severity of the situation. “I thought dueling was illegal in England.”
    “Only for those careless enough to get caught. Otherwise it’s perfectly acceptable.”
    “And if one happens to be careless?”
    “Fines for the most part unless a death occurs. Then it’s considered murder and tried accordingly.”
    I swallowed hard, grateful I hadn’t yet shared James’s thoughts on my being a mistress. Best friend or not, I had a bad feeling that Henry would feel compelled to act on the insult. “Others are sure to disapprove of me and may even share the king’s opinion. You must promise never to duel on my account.”
    “I’ll not stand by and let people make a mockery of our love.”
    “Good heavens, Henry! What will it matter if you are dead?”
    “You’re here now, my guardian angel, come to keep me safe.” He buried his face in my hair and inhaled deeply. “I’ve missed the way you smell. It’s so different from other women, sweet like violets, with something wild mixed in.”
    “Be serious. If you get hanged for murder there will be nothing I can do but stand by and watch it happen.” He nuzzled my neck, sending warm tremors all over my skin. “Stop that,” I said, pulling away. “Unless you promise not to duel, I’ll sail back to the Colonies this very evening. Some conceited dolt is sure to insult me, and I’ll not live in fear of losing you. I would rather you marry Amelia than die protecting your stupid honor.”
    “You don’t mean it.”
    “Yes, I do, so you best let me know right now whether or not I should seek passage.”
    Henry laughed again. “I would lock you in the Tower myself if I thought you would really try to leave. All the same, I solemnly pledge not to duel without good cause.”
    “You’re jesting! You might as well swear not to breathe for all the good it will do. I assure you, someone is going to insult me before this is done. I almost think you’re hoping for a fight.”
    “How about profound cause? Will that suffice?”
    “Hardly,” I huffed, resting back against him. “I’ve promised you my heart, yet you refuse to do the same in return. Maybe you should marry Amelia after all if satisfying your pride means more than my love.”
    “Merciless woman,” he said, in between nibbling my ear. Then he took my hand and placed it over his heart. “Can you feel that?”
    I closed my eyes, pressing my hand flat against him. “Yes, I feel it.”
    “It belongs to you, Selah. I gave it freely and have no intention of taking it back. You are the only woman I love and the only woman who will ever bear my name. The king may bluster and threaten all he wants and I promise to behave myself on your behalf. As for any other man who is fool enough to insult my future wife, I’ll be hard pressed to show the same patience. But for you, I will do my utmost to seek other recourse before submitting to a duel.” He bent his head down and kissed me again, his warm mouth emphasizing the point. My hand was still over his heart, its rhythmic thump beating softly in my own chest.
    “Very well,” I said, near breathless when he had finished. “That seems the best I can expect and so I must trust in your sensibility.” Finding his hand, I laced our fingers together. He flinched