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''But he took my mother's." He frowned, and Mariah noted again the fury in his eyes. "Now, if you will excuse me." He sidestepped around her and hurried after the other men. |
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Mariah did not intend to be left behind. She followed, holding her pink skirt off the ground so she didn't trip in the mud. But Ainsley and Thorn ducked inside a door into the dirt ramparts that surrounded the fort. Mariah was stopped from pursuing them by Maitland, who had apparently been waiting for them. The sharpness of his features seemed underlined by his broad, nasty grin. "So our brave Thorn is finally about to meet his comeuppance." |
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Swallowing her dislike for the man, Mariah asked as calmly as she could, "Aren't there laws against dueling?" |
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"Army regulations forbid such fights, of course, but who here is going to arrest young Shepherd? He just happens to have chosen a time when our commander, Captain Edmonstone, has gone east to confer about the Indian situation." |
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"What a coincidence." Mariah didn't attempt to hide her sarcasm. She glanced toward the door through which Thorn and Ainsley had disappeared. Shepherd paced outside. "What are they doing in there?" |
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"That is the way into the casemates, where we store weapons and ammunition. Thorn is choosing a weapon. It is the prerogative of the person challenged to a duel." |
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"He'd better select marshmallows at thirty paces," Mariah muttered. |
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Maitland looked puzzled, then asked, "May I see you to town, Miss Walker? Perhaps you can wait at Allen's trading post." |
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"Surely you do not wish to be present at the duel. Your friend Mr. Thorn's demise will not be a suitable sight for a lady to observe." |
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"What makes you think he'll lose?" Not that she wanted to see him kill Will Shepherd, but surely the more seasoned Thorn would be a better shot. If Thorn forgot his stupid sense of gallantry and defended himself. |
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"I have seen young Will practice for this event. He will |
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