Page 74 of Doxy for the Ton
“How so?”
“You’d then be at risk of facing the infamous Farthing.”
“Thewhat?” Alexander asked.
Lady Portia Hawke approached. One friendly face, at least—Foxton’s sister had been almost civil to him in Hyde Park the other day. He nodded at her and was encouraged when she returned his smile.
“The Farthing is the latest sensation,” Thorpe said. “He makes a living fighting duels by proxy. If a man fears for his life due to a lack of prowess with a pistol, he hires the Farthing to do the deed instead.”
“And who isthe Farthing?”
“Nobody knows. He’s called the Farthing because he’s capable of hitting a farthing at fifty paces.”
“Nobody possesses that level of marksmanship. A man that skilled would have no need for disguise. Unless…” Alexander glanced at Thorpe. “Where did you say your wife was tonight? Isn’t she an infamous duelist?”
Thorpe’s expression darkened. “Henrietta is skilled with a sword, not a pistol—and she knows better than to profit from dishonor and cowardice.”
“I thought a duel was the ultimate act of honor.”
“But to hire another to fight it on your behalf?” Thorpe shook his head. “Nothing could be more dishonorable. The Farthing is to be reviled, not revered. Ah, Lady Portia. How pleasant to see you.”
Lady Portia scowled, her eyes dark with distaste.
“Forgive us, Lady Portia,” Alexander said. “A duel is not an appropriate subject of discussion when ladies are present.”
“Or, indeed, at all,” she said. “If you’ll excuse me.”
She turned her back and disappeared into the crowd.
“Quite the pariah, aren’t you?” Thorpe said. “How about we indulge in a wager? Fifty guineas says you’ll not find a single woman to stand up with you.”
Alexander shrugged. “Very well. I care not.”
Thorpe let out a snort. “Sometimes a man can be too rich.” Then his eyes widened and a broad grin stretched across his face. “How about we make it a round one hundred if you can get that lovely creature overthereto dance?”
“Which lovely creature?”
“By the entrance. I’ve not seen her before, which, at least, means you’ve a fair shot at her if she’s not heard of you. Though you’ll have a fight on your hands. I wonder if the poor woman knows that the unattached males in the room will view her as fresh prey to fight over?”
Alexander craned his head to get a look, but the door was obscured by Colonel Reid’s tall form.
Then the colonel moved aside and Alexander caught his breath.
A vision of beauty stood in the entrance.
She was dressed in pale-purple silk that shimmered in the candlelight. The simplicity of her gown was not overshadowed by the fashionable creations adorning the other ladies. Rather, in its elegant lines that accentuated her form, it outshone every other gown in the room as the sun outshone a candle. Her hair was fashioned into curls, dotted with tiny violet flowers that matched the stone in the choker she wore around her neck. The jewel glimmered as her chest rose and fell, the only evidence that she was a living, breathing woman—as opposed to the statue of a goddess.
The murmur of conversation dissipated as the crowd turned toward the newcomer. For a moment, uncertainty shone in her eyes, as if she believed herself unworthy of the company.
But she was wrong. They were unworthy ofher.
“Lady John Rex!” the footman announced.
A murmur rippled through the crowd and her eyes widened with alarm as she glanced about.
Then her gaze fell on Alexander, and his heart soared as her lips curved into a smile.
He stepped away from Thorpe and approached her, hand outstretched. But before he reached her, their hostess appeared.
