After a pause, Sir Henry continued, "So, I wish to ask this one question... Are you, Lady Lydia, this Fighting Duchess we have heard about?" Lord Michael Northwood said, "We don't make a habit of announcing ourselves, but yes. My lovely wife, Lady Lydia, is indeed the Fighting Duchess. I would hope you will be discreet with this knowledge?" "Of course," Sir Henry said with a smile and then went on, "My wife had so wanted to test her fighting skill against the Duchess. Would your wife be willing to fight Suzanna? Of course, I have a nice amount of gold to put up as a wager, that I think my Suzanna can win." |