Lady Alex's Gamble by Evelyn Richardson

Author:Evelyn Richardson [Richardson, Evelyn]
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 2010-02-13T07:07:13+00:00

Chapter 16

The door had barely shut behind them when the major clapped Alex on the back. "Good show, de Montmorency!

Devilish good show. Knightley does not take kindly to being beaten, but it will only serve to whet his appetite the more. Why, next time you ought to be able to demand fifty thousand a game."

"Surely not," Alex demurred. "Besides, I can't risk that much, nor can I be assured of walking away a winner. Tonight was a very near thing."

"Nonsense, you had him from the moment the cards were dealt."

"Perhaps," she conceded. "But still, it was a good deal nearer a thing than I am comfortable with."

"Stuff and nonsense. You are far too modest. But come, join me in my chambers. Radlett will make us some punch and you will tell me how the devil you managed it. There were several deals when I could not see how you knew to proceed."

"Ah." Alex grinned. "That would be telling, wouldn't it. And what if I wish to beat you again sometime?" The major chuckled and they strolled along for some time in companionable silence.

As they rounded the corner onto Piccadilly, three dark shapes detached themselves from the shadows. The ruffians lying in wait for dandies flush with wine and winnings from the table had not counted on their quarry appearing so early 154

Lady Alex's Gamble

by Evelyn Richardson

in the evening. Grinning at each other, the two largest pounced on their unwary prey while the third remained out of sight until his assistance was needed.

Taken completely unawares, Wrotham was momentarily thrown off balance by the attack and it took him some minutes to recover. As it was his assailant who had led the offense, Alex had a moment's warning before hers was upon her and was able to grab her walking stick and lay it about. The heavy gold head applied energetically to her attacker's knees, though not very good science, was effective. In the meantime, the major had managed to assume a more advantageous stance and delivered a bruising right to his opponent's jaw. The fellow staggered a moment, shook his head, and came charging like a wounded bull at Christopher. He was a brute of a man, taller than the major by several inches and outweighing him by at least two or three stone, but Wrotham, known throughout his regiment for his pugilistic skill, stepped lightly aside, throwing the man off balance, which allowed him to deliver another punishing blow. The thief was stopped dead in his tracks. A look of astonishment came over his face and he toppled over like a brick wall.

The major turned quickly to see how his companion was doing. Alex. who had been coached by Tony in many of the manly arts, but not boxing, was at somewhat of a disadvantage. Had the contest been with swords or pistols, she would have been able to hold her own, but as it was, she was forced to adopt rather rough-and-ready methods, which consisted of dancing around her

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