THE NIGHT BEFORE THE DUEL

Dane held her eyes. "Are you certain that you don't remember who did this to you?"

Amelia remained quiet for a while. "I remember. It was Caroline. She pushed me." She said it gently.

His face darkened. "Are you certain she is the one, or do you just want to accuse her because she is my mistress?"

Amelia gasped, staring at Dane in disbelief. She couldn't believe that Dane could even think of her that way.

"Are you insinuating that I'm lying?" She blinked back the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. "Why would I lie for such a thing?"

Dane studied her. "Can you prove it was her?"

"Yes. I just need to talk to her." Amelia nodded.

Dane didn't say anything else.

***

Caroline was standing in her bedchamber in a dainty yellow-striped muslin gown; her hands were visibly shaking. Her face went pale as she saw Amelia at the doorstep. "You!"

"Yes, me." Amelia closed the door and confronted her. "How could you push me down the stairs?"

"I didn't push you, your grace. You must