The wrong side of the dueling field

"Has your sense of reason gone out the window along with your mind?" Andrew asked as soon as his study door was closed behind him and Paul was seated across from him. Paul was beyond furious he really didn't care that he wasn't using his rational mind. He was mad that his brother would even think of Liberty in that way let alone touching her that way as well. When he put Liberty in her room he had put his anger aside but now it was back out and he was about to challenge Sam to a duel.

He knew that Andrew was only trying to help but Sam had crossed the line this time. "No, I have a perfectly good reason to challenge my brother." Paul replied after a minute. Andrew cocked his head to the side his eyes boring into Paul's asking a silent question. "If you knew what type of person my brother was you'd know why I have to do this. It's for the safety of not only Liberty but for the protection of other women who suffer at the hands of Sam. I refuse to believe that Liberty would have any feelings for my brother." Andrew sat down and sighed he studied Paul.

"And I don't believe it either Paul, but it doesn't give you an excuse to throw your life away to duel your brother. I may not know your brother but if Brooke were to be raped, I would go directly to the authorities and arrest the man who so much as touched her. The authorities can help in this matter just go to them Paul and let them handle this." Paul shook his head he wouldn't be deterred from his wrath. No the authorities would be on Sam's side and release him the minute he spun his tale. No, he needed to be in a place that he couldn't touch a girl for the rest of his life even if that meant that Paul would have to go into exile and be fired from the ministry he would go as far as killing Sam.

"Sorry but the authorities will not help in this matter, are you going to be my second or not?" Paul pushed.

Andrew raked his hands through his dark hair and sighed once again. "I guess, where and when is this stupid duel going to happen?" Andrew ground out his bright blue eyes as cold as eyes. Paul didn't care that his new friend was mad for his stupidity, he didn't have time for Andrew to be md at him he had a duel to fight. "I'm waiting for his reply for the type of weapon but it's at Cornwall at dawn tomorrow." Paul said flatly and just as suddenly a footman from Cornwall knocked on the door and came in. The man handed Paul the slip of paper and instantly his green eyes went wide and his face went white. He did not think that Sam would choose such a weapon. He handed Andrew the one line letter claiming they use pistols as weapon of choice. Paul may be a little better at rapiers but not pistols. This made it a slim chance that either brother would come out of this alive.

The men stayed quiet for the remainder of their meeting. Andrew's butler asked if either one of them were coming down for dinner. Having a change of pace lightened the tension in the air about both men. Paul wanted to go to dinner to see his wife one last time before heading off to his death march but she wasn't at dinner. Damn it all why did he have to let his anger get the better of him and he did something irrational. After dinner Paul dashed a note off to Liberty and told the butler to give it to her when she woke up.

Jonathan cornered him in the hallway with a mixture of anger and worry in them. "Has your brain crawled of your ear boy?" he snarled at Paul pressing him to the wall. Paul had only seen him mad once and that was a part of his past he did not wish to revisit.

Paul put his hands on the older man's wrists "I have not lost my mind and I'm not calling this duel off either. Sam needs to be put in his place." His voice had a sharp edge to it. "It doesn't give you a right to throw your life away have you even thought about how this would affect Liberty or she feels about this or even thought for one moment that the reason she didn't tell you sooner was because she was afraid that you would do this?" This made Paul think, he never had he even thought this would upset her. Sure he knew that she would be sad that he was gone but he had told Andrew, that if he did not make it through this, he could give her another season in London. The thought that another man would treat Liberty wrong made his gut clench. Nice men were hard to come by around here and Paul knew that any other man would not treat her right, the way she was supposed to be treated.

Paul steeled his spine and said "yes, I did take in to account that she will be upset if I were to not make it and if I don't I would like her to have a season in London. I hate to think of something like that someone else would love her. If by some slim chance I do make it she will be furious with me. I can't take back my challenge John, this goes beyond my male pride, my brother has crossed my line he has to be put in his place or killed." John Banks furrowed his brows.

"Did you even listen to what you just said? Have you considered the consequences if you lived? Not only would my little girl hate you for the rest of your natural lives, but you would have to go into exile because you killed your titled brother. I know Liberty loves you very much and I know she would try everything to try to stop you because I know she would try to die right along with you. Paul you are the only one who could ever treat her the way she is supposed to be treated. You are one of my favorite son-in laws and I like you very much but this, I can't even look at you the same way anymore." John let go of Paul and without another word walked away.

After John talked to Paul he went up to his and Liberty's guest room where he found his wife already asleep. On a makeshift table there was an empty plate and glass. Paul smiled slightly At least she ate something. He went to the bed and leaned over to kiss her, probably for the last time. He held his breath as a tear fell off his hooked nose and onto Liberty's bare shoulder. She didn't even stir. Afterwards he found Andrew, Brooke, and the physician from earlier were waiting for him at the entrance.

"Is there any way I can talk you out of going Paul?" he shook his head. "You've been great all of you, and I'm happy I'm part of this family but this is something I have to do." He kissed Brooke on the cheek and went to the waiting carriage. Andrew gave Brooke one final and really long farewell kiss before entering the carriage as well. The ride to Cornwall was silent and monotonous. When they finally made the long trek it seemed that dawn was fast approaching. The men hopped down from the carriage and went inside the giant mansion.

A butler who must have been already informed took them to the dueling field where a sandy blond haired man was talking to his physician and a darker haired man Paul knew as his cousin Louis. It figures Sam would have picked Louis, Louis was the best shot in the family. Andrew may be good with a sword but he wasn't sure about his aim with a gun.

"About time you should up I was wondering if you chickened out." Sam's cocky voice said as soon as Paul and Andrew were in ear shot. Paul glared at his older brother. The two of them looked identical almost except Sam's eyes were a tint darker green than Paul's. "Let's just get this over with." Paul ground out taking the pistol from Andrew and walking toward the field. It was a long grassy field that the Grime family used to play various lawn games or have a duel. A light breeze whipped by.

Both men walked solemnly down to the field. "We stand back to back" Paul said as he and Sam got onto the field. They stood back to back. "Ok now we count five paces pivot and fire." Paul swallowed audibly, his heart was speeding like a race horse. One more swallow and then Paul started to count. "One…two…three…four…" Paul knowing that Sam would cheat and fire on four pivoted just in time. However, the bullet that Sam had fired made contact with Paul's abdomen. Paul's legs buckled underneath him and before he hit the ground and passed out he fired his gun back at Sam and he thought he heard his name being called. "Paul! No!" was the scream that he heard before everything went black.

Liberty woke up with a start as she heard a carriage leaving the grounds of Rockhurst. She looked around her room for any signs that that carriage didn't have her husband in it. "Paul?" Liberty called out but there was no answer. Panic started to form in the pit of her stomach. Where could he have gone? Please be in this house please Paul I need you. "Paul?" she cried out again but again no answer. Liberty rang for a maid and instead got a butler.

"Do you know where my husband is?" she asked the man. The man shook his head. "No ma'am but he did leave you a message." The butler rummaged through his pocket and handed Liberty the missive.

With shaking hands Liberty opened the sealed piece of paper:

Dearest Liberty,

This has been the hardest thing to ever write in my entire life, but I must say good-bye. Don't try to stop me because I've made up my mind to duel Sam. I-if I should not make it in this duel, do me one favor. Have a good life, do that for me Liberty, Have grand life. A life filled with love and happiness. I want you never to stop smiling, I always loved it when you smiled, it lit your entire face and you are the most beautiful woman I ever set my eyes on. I asked Andrew that if I should not make it, to let you have a season in London. Even though, I would hate to think that someone else is loving and caring for you I want you to have it all. Remember Liberty, I will always love you even after I die. I love you forever my darling.

Love always,

Your loving husband Paul Grimes

Tears stung the back of Liberty's eyes and blurred her vision a she ran down the hallway. She went out the servant's door so not to be noticed. She went to the stables in nothing but her filmy night trail and asked for someone to ready her carriage. Within five minutes she was being helped into the carriage and she was on her way to Cornwall. Even if the horses went at the speed of light it would still take a long time to Cornwall, it was located in the far east of England. By the time she got to her destination the sun was just peeking out of the horizon. She got out of the carriage and ran as fast as she could to find someone who knew where her beloved husband could have gone. The door was locked so she tried around the side of the house and noticed off the side was a field where some people were congregated.

As fast as her bare feet could carry her she ran down the hill toward the field. When she came closer to distinguish who the people were Sam pulled the trigger and Paul fell to his knees but not before firing back at his brother. "Paul No!" Liberty screamed running toward the field. She was stopped by Andrew who had seen her running toward the action. He took her in both his strong arms and picked her up off the ground. "Leave me alone Andrew! I want to see Paul! Paul!" She screamed and kicked at him until they were safely inside the building.

Andrew plopped her down on a bed. He looked at her up and down, and liberty try as she might tried to cover her body form his intense look. She was in such a state that she completely forgot to cover up. He waited until her sobs were quieted a little. "Liberty, I know Paul did something really stupid but in his mind it was to protect you. He was worried for you and all of us were for a while. But don't forget whatever the outcome, he will always try to protect you and love you." She didn't look at him and her lower lip trembled. "I-I already know that and I love him but I don't want to lose him Andrew." A new wave of emotion came over her and Andrew came over to her and wrapped his arms around her. "Shh, it'll be alright." He crooned in her ear as he rocked her.

After a few minutes later her nerves calmed down. She felt hallow inside, no emotion would stick to what she felt now. Andrew's bright blue eyes bore into her plain hazel ones. "What do you say to some breakfast?" he asked softly, somehow his words calmed her and she nodded. "Good because I'm starving. Although, you might want to put different clothes on." He looked at her filmy night trail, that she was hoping that Paul might like. She rang for a maid and Andrew left to await her. Another few moments and she was wearing a light purple day dress that one of the maids let her borrow from the late lady Bonnington and was being escorted to the breakfast room by her brother-in-law.

They ate in silence but the only other thing that made a sound was the occasional scrapping of the fork on plate. After breakfast Andrew escorted Liberty on a long walk. They spent the entire day together in silence. Later in the afternoon Liberty started to get worried about Paul again so Andrew took her inside. She never knew how nice Andrew was until today, she knew he was polite but to spend an entire day in her presence must be stretching it a bit.

Andrew and Liberty went to where the physician had taken Paul and a loud gasp escaped from Liberty's mouth. On the bed was Paul but his exposed skin was white almost translucent. The physician looked up from his work. "Don't worry Mrs. Grimes he is still alive. If I weren't here he would probably have bled to death. The brother is right next door I don't think he's any better off either." The physician said seeing that Liberty was on the verge of vapors. She could feel Andrew's affectionate squeeze.

Liberty turned around and went to where Sam was, He looked better than Paul did. He may have lost a lot of blood he still had his completion. Liberty felt anger bubble up inside her. She wanted more than ever to kill this man in front of her for hurting her relationship with her husband and then almost killing her husband. It was a small leather bound note book that caught her eye.

She tried to ignore her curiosity and make her anger more pronounced but her curiosity won over and she walked over to the small table and looked at the familiar book. She flipped through it and realized that it was Paul's diary. So this is how he found out about Mr. Dawltry and me! Oh my God I'm going to kill him when he wakes up.

Liberty gave no notice to the fact that Andrew had been talking to the physician in charge of Sam's health. She was too enraged that Paul had left his journal here of all places. She was going to the door when Sam woke up. "Hey you whore, I'm sorry you're married to my brother. Heh if you weren't married to him I would make you my own." That was it, not only did he make her furious by calling her a whore but the fact that he still wanted her as a sex buddy really pushed her over the edge. Before Andrew could do anything Liberty lifted the book she held in her hands and brought it down with a resounding smack on Sam's face. Proud that that silenced the king ass she turned and left the room. She pulled up a chair next to her unconscious husband and rested her head on his chest and cried.

Paul wiggled and groaned under the pain of the flesh wound in his abdomen. He slowly opened his eyes to see if he was still dreaming of Liberty severing his head for what he had done. Instead of seeing a furious wife he found her dabbing a cool wash cloth on his forehead. She smiled at him with a watery smile. She must be happy that he's alive. For a time Paul thought that he had gone home to the lord but no he was wrenched back here to reality. He was really happy to see her as well.

Paul wriggled at the stinging sensation in his abdomen and looked at the doctor. He was changing the stitches on his flesh wound. "Mm what year is that brandy you're using?" Paul groaned knowing that brandy stung a lot worse than regular alcohol on an open wound. The doctor looked at the small green bottle. "1793?" Paul wriggled gain. "That was a bad year." In the corner an all too familiar laugh came to Paul's ears. He looked around Liberty, who was quite mad at Paul's last comment, to see Benjamin Collins sitting in a chair by the door.

"What are you doing here Benjamin? Don't you have better things to do with your life? Like spend it with your wife and new daughter?" Paul's question's made the man stiffen at once. "Actually I invited him here, thought Liberty could get her mind off of your well-being for a while but that didn't work. She's been your side ever since she left Sam's room." Andrew's unmistakable voice drifted from the door. How long had he been out? Why was Liberty in his room when he was in this condition? He didn't feel embarrassed about her seeing him naked, that's exactly what got them married to each other. He didn't want her to look at his vulnerable body.

As if reading his mind Liberty said "you've been out for a week now, I thought you were dead Paul." She cried, his heart squeezed for her. Slowly he put one of his hands on her back and rubbed up and down. Before he could say anything to comfort her she bent over and kissed him. Paul felt the tingly sensation go from his lips to his toes. God he'd missed her and the way she kissed.

Paul hadn't realized that he and Liberty were alone now. Liberty untucked the counterpane of the bed and snuggled right up to him. Why was she doing this? Wasn't she mad at him for his actions? Was she torturing him by being this close to him? No all she did was rest her head on his bare chest and drew lazy figure eights into his blonde chest hair. Paul couldn't help but feel a certain calmness about her which was not the typical Liberty way. He continued to rub her back and reassure her that he was alive and well.

After she got her tears out of her she looked at him seriously and he knew what was coming. "Just tell me why you did this?" She asked getting her wits about her but not getting out of his bed. "I'm sorry Liberty, I didn't mean to get you this upset." He said soothingly. She shook her head on his chest. "That's not what I meant, why did you fight Sam?" She sat up and looked down at him. He adjusted himself and sat up next to her.

He took a hold of Liberty's face and turned it to face him. She was starting to tear up again so he told her. "It's because he hurt you again and this time he went too far." He said soothingly and he caught some of the tears that began to spill. "t-then why did you write that horrid note?" her voice caught and she exhaled a raged breath.

"Not everyone survives a duel and I was thinking of the possibility that I wouldn't make it. As much as it pained me to think anyone but I would be caring for you, I had to think of it. I know you're mad at me for writing that note but it was better than you finding out from Andrew that I was no longer alive and then you'd be in a worse position than you are now." When she cocked her head he elaborated "you would be a young widow and have a child to care for on your own. So I thought that if I did write that note you'd at least know what would happen if you did become a widow. It truly the hardest thing I had to write. I couldn't stop crying when I wrote it. I love you more than any other person. I just wanted what I thought was best for you is all." He bent over to kiss her but she bent away and got out of the bed. She was now mad at him he could tell.

"How dare you! How dare you think for one moment I would even want to any other man? If you were to die, Michael and I would have managed on our own. Paul, I've loved you for a year and a half now I don't want another man. I would feel sad that you weren't around but I would tell Michael that his papa was the best man to ever grace England. I love you and only you Paul, and if it wasn't for your stupidity of leaving your journal here the last time you were here, we wouldn't be in this position." He was confused what was she talking about? What journal? He had his answer in less than a minute when she chucked a small leather bound book at his head.

Paul caught the book and flipped through it. Oh no he really did screw up this time this was definitely the missing journal he'd been looking for ever since they left Cornwall in the summer of 1812. Before he could apologize again for his stupidity Liberty had left the room slamming the door behind her as she left.

I must confess this was the saddest chapter I've written so far and I couldn't stop myself from crying when I wrote that note for Liberty. If anyone cares I used some of what one of the Doctor's tells Rose. I thought it would sound dramatic.

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