Page 93 of The Duelist for the Ton
“Portia, is anything the matter?”
She shook her head. “No, brother. Have a pleasant evening.”
Rather than continue to interview her, he nodded, then placed his hand against her cheek.
“All will be well, I assure you,” he said. “If Reid hasn’t called on us by tomorrow, I shall break down his door myself. Or…” He hesitated. “Would you prefer it if I didn’t go out tonight?”
She shook her head. “No, brother, I would not deny you the pleasure.”
He patted her cheek. “I confess I shall miss you when you’re married. I trust you’ll not forget your bad-tempered older brother.”
“How could anyone forgetyou, Adam?”
He let out a laugh. “I’d wish you luck, but I rather think it’s Reid who’ll be in need of it.”
“Anyone marrying into our family will need luck on their side, brother.”
He smiled, then took his leave. His orders echoed through the house until the front door opened and closed behind him.
Rather then disturb the staff, Portia chose to take supper in her bedchamber while Nerissa set out the Farthing’s and Gerard’s attire. That way she could refrain from taking any wine without Reeve noticing. Doubtless the butler viewed a woman who spoke her mind as akin to a harpy—one who deserved to be bound and gagged until she learned her place.
By the time she slid into bed, her body seemed to thrum with excitement. Not the usual sense of anticipation that beset her on the eve of a duel, but something more—a sense of havingreached a pinnacle, the completion of her quest, in knowing that this duel was to be her last.
As she rose an hour before dawn, Nerissa already moving about her chamber, a sense of completion filled her soul. Rather than regret not being able to continue as the Farthing, she felt a sense of relief.
I’m ready to bid you goodbye.
“Beg pardon, Lady Portia?”
“I realize that I don’t mind giving all this up as much as I expected,” Portia said, holding up the mask.
“It’s only natural,” Nerissa said. “You’re different now you’ve…” She blushed and averted her gaze. “I-I mean…everyone changes. Our wants and needs change. You’re about to embark on a new life—one that will give you new freedoms and challenges. And you are doing the right thing by stepping toward that life with the determination to succeed.”
Portia laughed softly. “Since when did you become so wise, Nerissa? Or is it that I’ve only noticed it today?”
Nerissa blushed, plucked the Farthing’s tricorn hat out of the trunk, and brushed it.
“Perhaps it is I who has changed,” Portia said. “I’m more willing to heed the counsel of others rather than assume I know the best course of action.”
She crossed the floor and glanced out of the window. Through the thin mist, she could discern a diffused light—fingers of pale blue stretching across the sky. Birdsong filled the air, the first rush that came as the birds, having woken, began their day by asserting ownership of their territories and calling to prospective mates.
“It’s going to be a hot day,” Nerissa said.
“Yes, and by the time the sun has risen, the Farthing will be no more.”
The mist had almost completely dissipated by the time Portia entered the park, Nerissa at her side. The crunch of their boots on the gravel echoed across the park. But there wouldn’t be anybody about to hear, save Sir Heath, his opponent, and their seconds. Anyone else wandering about at this hour was unlikely to wish to be seen—ruffians meeting to trade items obtained through nefarious means, illicit lovers conducting clandestine liaisons among the rhododendrons…
Portia smiled to herself. To think, at last, she understood not only what activities those illicit lovers engaged in, but why. Such wonderful, wicked pleasures were hers for the taking.
Now he’s changed me forever—from a girl into a woman.
Then the little voice of doubt slithered into her mind.
Why has he not called?
“Thereyou are!”
A sharp voice cut through the haze in her mind, and Sir Heath Moss appeared before her. Beside him stood his second, and Portia recognized Lord Maybury.
