Complications by Clare Jayne

his actions, but that would only
make things difficult for you and worse for your family.”
    “You need not explain; I am not such a fool
that I am not aware of that. Besides, every member of my family plus Miss
Daventry have already said as much, although Miss Daventry did at least suggest
I inflict a painful injury.”
    Mr Brightford gave a snort of amusement
then glanced out of the window. “I think this is them.”
    Mr Saverney’s carriage pulled up next to
theirs and he got out accompanied by Sir Bridton, the son of a successful
merchant. As Benjamin stepped outside into the unexpectedly cold drizzle of
early morning, he saw that Mr Saverney was pale but that his mouth was set in a
determined line. He bore little resemblance to the charming liar who had won
Lottie’s heart.
    The gentlemen approached each other and Sir
Bridton said, “It is my duty to ascertain whether there is some peaceful way to
resolve this argument.”
    “There is not,” Benjamin said flatly.
    Sir Bridton opened a box containing two
pistols and presented them to first Benjamin then Mr Saverney, who each took
one, Benjamin testing its weight and the unfamiliar feel of it.
    They took their places back to back -
almost like a dance, Benjamin thought - then Sir Bridton gave the word and they
began walking. The twenty paces stretched out ahead of him, straining
Benjamin’s patience. He finally reached twenty and turned round to see Saverney
aiming at him. A shot rang out - loud in the stillness - and Benjamin was
jerked backwards several steps, arm exploding in pain. Damn, it was his
shooting arm too.
    He gritted his teeth and lifted his
throbbing arm to take aim. Saverney went pale and it was clear how much effort
it took for him to remain in place. Benjamin made the shot then he let his arm
drop to his side with a groan of pain. The wound was bleeding profusely.
    The next thing he knew Brightford was by
his side wrapping a neckerchief tightly round his arm, which stopped the bleeding
but made the pain even worse.
    “Did I hit Saverney?”
    Brightford hesitated. “I am not certain how
severely hurt he was. He was hit around the stomach area.”
    Benjamin grimaced at this news. “I was
aiming for his arm.”
    “Do not worry about it. Bridton will fetch
him a doctor. You need to return home so that I can do the same for you.”
    * * *
    Lottie had had a restless night worrying
about the duel and she awoke hearing male voices downstairs. She realised Mr
Brightford had arrived and as she was in her nightgown it was too late to go
down and wish Benjy luck. As she listened to them leave the house and the
carriage drive away, this increasingly felt like a terrible failure on her
part.
    She got out of bed and began to dress, not
bothering to call her maid at such an hour. The least she could do now was be
waiting the moment Benjy returned. She heard her parents descending the stairs
and joined them for breakfast, although she could not face the thought of food.
She sat with them in silence and sipped a cup of chocolate.
    The time inched by until finally they heard
the sound of the door knocker. They all jumped to their feet, getting to the
hallway as the butler opened the door. Benjy and Mr Brightford entered the
house and she went cold at the sight of blood all over her brother’s shirt and
jacket.
    She gasped and her mother made a horrified
exclamation as Benjy said, “I am fine.”
    Mr Brightford added, “It is only his arm
that is injured - it looks far worse than it is. I have sent my carriage to
bring back the doctor.”
    “We are grateful, sir,” Papa said.
    Refusing offers of help, Benjy walked up to
his room, the rest of them trailing after him. Lottie helped him to remove his
jacket and shirt while her mother rang for a maid to fetch warm water so they
could bathe the wound. As he sat on his bed Benjy looked far too young to have
been injured in such a way.
    “How is Saverney?” Papa asked.
    “The wound was either in his side