‘Richard? Oh well, I suppose we had to meet some time. I pray there is no trouble. Please don’t let him provoke you, Guy.’ ‘The only thing that galls me is the wound to my pride if I have to step aside.’ She shot him an irate glance. ‘You cared little for his pride when I was promised to him. How do you think that made him feel—and his parents? I know they are suffering very badly over it and I do not wish to inflict on them any further distress. For my sake, I beg you to set aside your pride for a moment and don’t allow him to provoke you. It will be all right. He—he will ride on by.’ ‘If you believe that, then you are a fool, Jane,’ Guy growled without taking his eyes off the oncoming riders, ‘and if he tries anything, then he is an even greater fool.’ ‘If we meet peaceably, then I will happily be a fool,’ she replied tartly. ‘But I ask you not to harm him. Please give me your word that you won’t.’ Meeting her eyes, he nodded. ‘I give it,’ he said reassuringly.
