They rode through the darkness at a steady pace so the horse wouldn't trip, and Raquel held on tight to Sergio. She still couldn't believe that he had actually come to find her – that he was taking her home. The autumn air was cold as it rushed past, and she shivered even in Sergio's coat, and pressed herself closer to his back to absorb his warmth. In spite of the cold, she was aware of how strong he felt, of how the muscles in his back kept shifting as he moved with the horse, and part of her wished they would never arrive at the house, that she could keep holding him forever – but arrive they did. He stopped his horse in front of the front door and threw the reins at a waiting footman, then dismounted. She could have easily jumped down from the horse herself, but she preferred to wait until he reached up and lifted her down with careful hands.

"Thank you", she smiled.

"Don't mention it", he murmured. "Let's go inside so you can get warm."

They walked into the library, where a figure was waiting in front of the brightly burning fire.

"Raquel!" Elena said as she saw them come in, then she rushed to them. Raquel saw her hesitate for just a moment, but then her friend reached out and embraced her.

"I'm so glad you're safe."

"Oh", Raquel suddenly realized as she hugged her back. "So that's how Sergio knew where I was. You told him."

Elena pulled back and nodded. "My footman overheard the Count say where you were going, so I rushed here to warn Lord Marquina. Raquel… did he hurt you?"

"No", she said. "No, Sergio found us in time."

"She was holding him a gunpoint", Sergio said, a hint of pride in his voice. "She would have been fine."

He unhooked the Count's two pistols from his belt and put them on the table, and Raquel suddenly felt a stab of worry.

"Sergio… are you really going to duel him tomorrow?"

"Yes", he said. "My honor as a gentleman depends on it."

"But I don't want you to get hurt! Can't you call it off?"

"He damaged your honor. I can't let that stand."

Elena gave her a sharp look.

"Did he…"

"No", Raquel said, blushing. "No, nothing happened, so my honor doesn't need defending."

"He was alone in a room with you, at night, in a secluded inn", Sergio said. "That alone is enough."

"But I…" Oh, it was hard to admit this, she felt so ashamed now… but she felt like she had to say it. "I went with him voluntarily. You can't fight him for that."

"But you changed your mind, right?"

"Yes, I did."

"And when I came in, he was trying to keep you there against your will?"

"Well… yes."

His expression hardened.

"Then I'm fighting him."

"But duels are illegal!"

"That is completely beside the question."

"It really isn't!"

He gave her a stubborn look, and Raquel turned to Elena with a pleading expression.

"Can you talk some sense into him, please?"

"I do have to admit that this seems unnecessary, Lord Marquina", Elena said, frowning. "These old honor codes are desperately outmoded. I would very much like to see the Count pay for his actions, but I don't believe you should risk your life over it."

Sergio drew himself up.

"A gentleman is only as good as his word. I said I would fight the Count, and I will."

"But don't you remember…" Elena started, but Sergio cut her off.

"I do. It doesn't matter."

"Remember what?" Raquel said, but Sergio shook his head.

"This is not up for debate. I still consider myself to be a man of honor, no… no matter how 'outmoded' you may think that is. If I can't defend that honor, and the honor of those dear to me, then I am nothing. Withdrawing from a duel is a sign of utmost cowardice, and that is unacceptable."

Raquel looked up at him, her heart beating fast. The honor of those dear to me. She couldn't believe he would fight for her.

He cleared his throat.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to send a message to Andrés and then I'm going to bed. I have to get up before dawn."

He turned to Elena.

"Lady Godfrey, could I ask a favor of you?"

Elena raised her eyebrows, but nodded, and he continued:

"Would you be so kind as to sleep here tonight? I… I don't want my wife to be alone tomorrow morning while I'm gone."

"Of course", Elena said immediately. "I'll gladly keep her company."

"Thank you. Then I wish you both goodnight."

He turned to go, but at the door he hesitated, then turned back and looked at Raquel.

"I'm glad you're back", he said quietly. "Welcome home."

…

"You should go to bed, Raquel."

She hesitated, and Elena said:

"We can talk more in the morning, but you must be exhausted."

Raquel still hesitated. Memories of the evening flooded her mind every moment Elena stopped distracting her. She didn't want to stop talking, she didn't want to go away from the warmth of the fire and the comforting presence of her friend.

"Elena… I really don't want to be alone right now."

Elena got up from her chair.

"Say no more. I'll come up with you and help you undress."

"Thank you", Raquel said, relieved that she wouldn't have to face the dark alone.

They went up the stairs, and Raquel first showed Elena the guest room where she would sleep, then they went to her bedroom. Entering her room again after all these weeks was so strange. Everything looked so familiar, but strangely lifeless at the same time, like the room had been waiting for her to return. She realized that she, herself, had also been waiting to return. She put her candle on the bedside table and her eye fell on something white on the bed. It was her wedding dress, exactly where she'd left it. As she ran her fingers over the white fabric, she honestly couldn't say what she was feeling.

Elena was waiting by the door, giving Raquel a moment to herself. Raquel took her wedding dress off the bed, then smiled at her friend.

"You can come in."

"Alright, sit down so I can do your hair."

"I can call a chambermaid for that."

"It's the middle of the night, let them sleep."

So Raquel sat down in front of her mirror, and Elena started taking out the many pins that were holding up Raquel's hair.

"All these damn pins", she muttered. "How many are in here?"

Raquel smiled. Elena was wearing her usual ponytail, and wouldn't need any help when she went to bed later.

When Raquel's hair was down, she stood up so Elena could undo the buttons at the back of her dress.

"The top ones are undone already", Elena said in surprise.

Raquel flinched as the memory suddenly resurfaced of Alberto kissing her neck. She felt herself start to tremble, so she took a breath and tried to push the memory down.

"Raquel?" Elena said, concern in her voice. "Are you alright?"

On an impulse, Raquel turned around and hugged her friend. Elena hesitated for a moment, then carefully closed her arms around Raquel and gently patted her back.

"It's alright", she said softly. "You're safe now."

Raquel took a number of deep breaths, then let go of her friend, wiping her eyes. She turned around again, and this time, Elene was able to unbutton her dress without any problems. All of Raquel's things were still in London, so she got into the bed in her shift, huddling gratefully underneath the blankets.

"Do you think you'll be able to sleep?" Elena asked.

"I don't know…" Raquel said. "I'm tired, but… but I'm so worried about Sergio."

Elena nodded. "I understand. But duels aren't often fought to the death anymore these days, usually just until first blood, and I've known many a duel that was called off at the last minute because the offender apologized."

"Alberto won't apologize", Raquel whispered.

"Still", Elena said. "Death from duels is rare these days. It's the gesture of the thing that matters most: showing that you're willing to risk your life for your honor, or… or someone else's."

Raquel felt a stab of guilt. Sergio would be fighting for her tomorrow.

"Accidents happen though", she said, a little desperately. "And I think Alberto has great aim. What… what if something happens to Sergio, Elena? What if he… if he…"

"Calm down", Elena said steadily. "Don't assume the worst when it might not happen. Raquel, do you have anything that might help you sleep?"

"Yes", she said. "There's a bottle of laudanum in the pocket of my dress."

Elena nodded and went up to get her a glass of water, then poured a few drops of laudanum in it.

"Why do you keep laudanum in your pocket?" she asked as she came back to the bed. "You don't use it regularly, do you?"

Raquel hesitated. "Every once in a while."

"That's alright, then", Elena said, handing her the glass.

Raquel drank it down eagerly – it had been several hours since her last dose, and her entire body hurt. Then she fell back into the pillows. Elena got up, but Raquel reached out and took her hand.

"Will you… will you stay just a little longer?"

"Yes", Elena said. "I was just going to put away this glass. I'll stay with you until you're asleep."

"Thank you", Raquel said, feeling truly grateful that her friend was here, that Sergio had asked her to stay.

They talked softly for fifteen more minutes, then Raquel felt the laudanum take effect, and before she knew it, her eyes closed and she was asleep.

…

Sergio woke up in the complete darkness that preceded dawn, his heart beating in his throat. He didn't regret his decision a single moment, but this kind of violence didn't come natural to him, and he was nervous. He'd never fought a duel before, and he knew the Count had. Nevertheless, like any nobleman's son, his father had taught him the principles of a duel, just in case. The practice had been outlawed many years ago, but plenty of men of rank still dueled in secret, and nobody was ever convicted for it, since the jury was made up out of other noblemen, most of whom had fought a duel or two themselves in their day. Sergio knew, if he died today, the Count would not be punished for killing him.

He dressed in the dark, then went downstairs to find his father's old pair of dueling pistols, which had been gathering dust for years. He oiled and loaded them with care, then he fetched the Count's pistols from the library, and waited. As the very first hint of dawn crept into the sky, he heard hoofbeats outside, and he opened the door to his brother. He'd known he would come. Andrés was not the most reliable person when it came to other matters, but Sergio knew that in a situation like this, his brother had his back, unquestioningly.

"So", Andrés said, grinning, as he dismounted and threw the reins at the footman. "Who are we fighting?"

"Count Vicuña."

His brother nodded in approval.

"Good. I didn't like the way he kept hanging around Raquel, I'm glad you're bringing him to justice."

They would be taking the carriage out to the meeting place, in case Sergio wouldn't be able to ride back because he was wounded – or worse. Before he got in, Sergio took a last look over his shoulder at Raquel's bedroom window, and he suddenly regretted that they hadn't said a proper goodbye. If he died now, he would never be able to make it up to her… all the things he'd done wrong, all the hurt he'd caused her. He knew a lifetime wouldn't be enough to erase how he'd wronged her, but he wanted at least a chance to set things right. He prayed he would be given that chance.

"Come on, get in", Andrés said impatiently from inside the carriage. "It's starting to get light, we don't want him to think we got scared."

Sergio firmly turned his eyes away from her window, and stepped into the carriage. A moment later, they were off.

…

When they arrived at the meeting place, the Count wasn't there yet, and for a moment Sergio wondered if he would show up at all, but then he shook his head – the Count was many things, but he wasn't a coward. He and Andrés waited in silence, watching the early morning mist drift over the quiet heath, their breath forming little clouds in the air. Finally, a carriage approached from the other side, and two figures stepped out, one of them wearing a bright red coat, the other a plain brown one – like Sergio, the Count had brought a second who would take him home if he got wounded or died. The four men walked towards each other in the early morning light.

Before the actual duel, there was the formality of asking for an apology – if the offender apologized and the challenger accepted, then honor would be restored and the fight would be called off. Sergio didn't expect the Count to apologize, but it was tradition and it couldn't be skipped. Andrés stepped forward – it was the job of the seconds to negotiate this part of the duel.

"Count Vicuña has offended the honor of Lord and Lady Marquina. We demand a formal apology."

The man in the brown coat stepped forward.

"Count Vicuña recognizes no offense and will not apologize."

Andrés nodded.

"Then we fight."

Sergio held out the two silver pistols to the Count, who took them with a look of disdain on his face and hooked them on his belt.

"So, Marquina… what will it be?"

Since Sergio was the challenger, he could decide under what conditions the duel would take place. There were several options: they could fight until first blood – or until one of them could no longer stand – or they could fight until death. It was Sergio's choice.

"First blood", he said.

The Count sneered.

"I knew you were a coward."

Andrés took a step forward, but Sergio put out a hand to stop him, and addressed the Count with quiet dignity.

"I will not let you make me a murderer."

Before the Count turned around, he shot Sergio a look, and Sergio realized with absolute certainty that, no matter what they had just agreed on, the Count would be aiming to kill.

…

Raquel woke up with a sick feeling of dread in her stomach. She glanced out of the window and saw that it was almost dawn. She rang the bell for one of the chambermaids to come help her dress, then went downstairs, where breakfast was already served. Only a few minutes later, Elena joined her at the table.

"I heard that you were awake", Elena said as she sat down. "How did you sleep?"

"I slept alright", Raquel said. "Thank you for staying with me."

"Of course."

Raquel returned to stare at the food with a feeling of nausea. Right now, Sergio was out on the heath fighting to defend her honor, and who knew what would happen to him. She couldn't possibly eat.

Elena shot her an apologetic look.

"I hope you don't mind that I eat something, Raquel. I'm really hungry after riding so far last night."

Raquel shook her head.

"Of course you should eat."

Something suddenly occurred to her.

"Why did you come here, Elena? Why did you tell him where I went? Not that I'm complaining – on the contrary – but I thought you'd be of the opinion that I was free to go wherever I wanted, and with whomever I chose."

"Yes", Elena said, suddenly looking a little uncomfortable. "That was my opinion, but then I… received some troubling information."

"What was it?"

Elena looked up and gave Raquel a concerned look.

"I don't want to hurt you. Or worry you. I think it's better if you don't know."

Raquel frowned at her.

"I'm not a child, Elena. Tell me."

Elena sighed.

"Alright. A while ago, when the Count first started getting close to you, I wrote to a friend in Spain. You know I didn't like the Count from the beginning, so I enquired if my friend had any information on him. A few days ago, I got a reply, but I didn't see it until last night."

"What did it say?" Raquel asked.

"It said that Count Vicuña had had to leave the country in disgrace after a scandal with… with a married woman."

Oh, Raquel suddenly realized. She hadn't been the first, then. She suddenly remembered Mary Blackhill – oh, of course she hadn't been the first. She buried her face in her hands in shame – she felt so stupid.

"I'm sorry, Raquel."

"No", she said, looking up again and taking a deep breath. "I don't care, really. I… I just can't believe I fell for his lies. What happened with this woman?"

"Well, your situations are very similar… The Count ran off with her, much like he ran off with you yesterday, promising to marry her. He didn't, of course – he dishonored her and then left her. She… well… she didn't take it well."

"What do you mean?"

Elena shook her head, rather sadly.

"She took her own life."

Raquel felt herself go cold, but Elena wasn't done yet.

"Her husband found the Count and demanded retribution. He challenged the Count to a duel."

"What happened?" Raquel whispered, dreading the answer.

Elena gave her a long look.

"The Count killed him", she said.

Raquel felt sick. Sergio.

…

Sergio turned to Andrés and looked at him. What did you say to someone if they might be your last words? Andrés took him by the shoulders.

"Take a deep breath. Keep your head. Steady aim."

Sergio nodded.

"Andrés, if I die…"

"You're not going to die."

"But if I do… give Delia my love. And tell Raquel… tell her…"

He hesitated, unsure of what he wanted to say.

"Tell her I'm sorry. For everything."

His brother nodded solemnly.

"I will."

He wanted to embrace his brother, but that would feel like showing weakness in front of the Count, so he merely squared his shoulders.

"Alright. Here we go."

He turned to face the Count, they each drew a pistol and nodded at each other. Then they turned around simultaneously to take ten steps in the opposite direction.

Time slowed down for Sergio as he took those steps. His heart was pounding and his mouth was dry, but he felt a peculiar sense of clarity and purpose. He did not regret this. Whatever happened, he had no regret.

As he counted his steps, the faces of the people he loved and had loved flashed before his eyes. His mother, his father. His brother. Tatiana and the children. Delia. One step left. Raquel.

He took the final step, then turned, feeling steady and focused, and aimed low. His finger tightened on the trigger and the gun went off with a bang, which was echoed across the field by the firing of the Count's gun. Sergio froze as he heard a bullet whistle past his ear, then the world swam before his eyes for a moment as he realized – he hadn't been hit. He felt faint with relief. The Count had been arrogant, aiming for the head – it was the surest way to kill, but it was a small target and easier to miss than the chest. That arrogance had saved him.

His vision cleared and he looked across the field to see that the Count was on the ground – he'd hit him, he'd actually hit him – the Count was clutching at his thigh, exactly where Sergio had been aiming. First blood. It was over.

Sergio walked back towards Andrés, feeling giddy and more relieved than he ever had in his life. He'd survived, and he'd conducted himself with dignity. His honor was safe. Her honor was safe.

His brother laughed and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Well done, man! I've never been prouder."

Sergio couldn't help but smile – he would be going home without a scratch.

"Thank you", he said. "I didn't think I could…"

"Marquina!" the Count suddenly shouted, scrambling upright.

Sergio turned, only to see the Count unhook the second pistol from his belt. Before he could react in any way, the Count aimed it straight at Sergio, and fired.