Page 130 of Doxy for the Ton
“Hush!” the manservant said, pulling the Farthing toward the carriage. “It’s time we left.”
“But—”
“It’s too dangerous,” the servant said. “You can’t help her.”
Mayhew watched the exchange with amusement, then aimed the pistol at Mimi.
Alexander darted toward her and shielded her with his body.
“Shoot if you wish, Mayhew,” he said. “But you shan’t harm the woman I love.”
Mayhew laughed. “Very well, seeing as you’ve given me permission.”
He squeezed the trigger, and Mimi let out a scream, pulling Alexander to one side and stepping into the line of fire.
The pistol clicked, but did not fire.
“You need to cock it again, you fool,” Sir Heath said, but before Mayhew reacted, Foxton snatched the pistol from his grip, cocked it, then fired into the air. The shot echoed across the park, and a volley of quacks of protest carried across the air from the Serpentine. The hackney carriage jerked forward as the horse startled, and the driver tugged at the reins, coaxing the animal into submission.
“Enough!” Foxton said. “You’ve had your satisfaction, Mayhew. Get your sorry arse out of my sight before I kick you into the next country.”
Mayhew hesitated, but Foxton stepped toward him, his powerful body dwarfing Mayhew’s form.
“Try it,” he said. “Cross me and there will be no proxy to save you.”
Mayhew shriveled under Foxton’s gaze, then scuttled off, Sir Heath in his wake.
Foxton turned to the Farthing. “You should be ashamed of yourself, sir, trading on the misery of others. Leave now, and pray to the Almighty that I never discover your identity.”
The Farthing hesitated, then slipped into the hackney carriage, his manservant following. Shortly after, the driver cracked his whip and steered it out of the park.
“Sawbridge, get yourself home and get that wound seen to,” Foxton said.
“You’re hurt?” Mimi asked. “Oh, Alexander—why did you do it?”
“For you, my love.”
She lifted a trembling hand to his face, and he winced as she brushed her fingertips across his ear.
“He missed,” she said.
“I don’t think so,” Foxton replied. “The Farthing’s too good a marksman. A death is always difficult to explain. This way he earns his fee neatly and quietly. Much like a whore, his motivation is money, not honor.”
Mimi stiffened, and Alexander drew her close.
“That’s enough, Foxton,” he said. “Leave me be.”
Foxton’s eyes widened, then he gave a sharp sigh and shook his head. He bowed to Mimi. “Ma’am, I trust you’re recovered from your ordeal at Mayhew’s hands.”
“A little, thank you,” she said, her voice wavering.
Foxton glanced toward Alexander, his eyebrows raised in expectation. Then he gave a mock bow.
“Oh, you’rewelcome, Sawbridge,” he said. “There’s nothing I like better than to wander about Hyde Park in the dark for an ungrateful, lovesick fool.” He nodded to Mimi. “Your servant, ma’am.” Then he strode away, his footsteps crunching on the gravel.
Alexander began to shake. Mimi slipped her arm through his and steered him onto the path and toward the park gates.
“What were youthinking?” she asked.
