Colin has been gone for over an hour and I’m still sitting here on the couch with this knife in my hand. I cannot believe what I just did. I once had a duel at dawn in London – with pistols. We were both such bad shots that the only casualty was my rival’s horse – and he was only slightly maimed. I am shaking all over and I cannot get my heart to stop pounding. Perhaps Colin is right -- perhaps I am a loose cannon.

I retrieve my poetry – or what’s left of it from the floor. All right, so it isn’t the best verse I’ve ever written, but it is heartfelt. I really would marry Bree today – if she’d have me, that is. I mean, we don’t know each other that well, but she makes me laugh and more importantly, she inspires me to write. She’s the first thing in this horrible town that I’ve found inspiring at all. I can only hope Colin will keep his part of the bargain. I can’t imagine that Bree would relish having a barbarian for a neighbor, much less a husband. I hope she doesn’t end up dead at the hands of a different barbarian. I could use a drink.

I pour myself a big glass of my favorite port and look in the mirror to find that my eye is swollen – almost shut. Wow! Those are some incredible colors! I touch the side of my nose and nearly pass out. Well, at least it’s not broken. My lip is cut and still oozing. The lengths a guy will go to when protecting his muse!

I decide to call it an early night. I’m exhausted and I hurt all over and I’m not sure if love is worth all this grief. I down the port, repair the door as best I can, and head off to bed. Hopefully I’ll be able to pick up where I left off tomorrow. Hopefully...