Page 34 of Shining Knight
The crowd marched down to the targets to see the results and they were both astonishingly accurate.
“Farnsworth, you be the judge,” Perth said.
The duke looked carefully but shook his head. “There is not a clear winner. I say either a rematch from the distance or go farther.”
Eugenia had said as much when laying out the terms, but Perth still raised his brows and looked to the lady.
“Farther,” she said, accepting her arrows from the servant and marching back to the starting line.
Perth watched her with a narrowed gaze but said nothing and accepted his own arrows. Graham thought perhaps he was finally seeing Eugenia for herself. The crowd moved back towards the shooting line, murmuring their thoughts.
“She is quite a marksman,” Lady Emily said appreciatively.
“She is very competitive,” Lady Hambridge added a bit apologetically.
“Such behavior is not very ladylike,” Kitty Ravenhill put in bitterly.
The targets were reset and both competitors took their places. Eugenia repeated her process and fired her three shots methodically. Perth took his time again and they all marched farther down the field to survey the outcome. Graham did not know if he preferred Eugenia to win or lose. However, she was a fiendishly good shot and as they neared the targets, it was obvious she had beaten Perth.
“Yes!” she exclaimed with laughter.
Perth eyed his target with disgust and then turned to Lady Eugenia. He held out his hand, clasped hers and bowed over them. “Congratulations, my lady.”
Graham could tell by the look on his face what it had cost him to lose. Whether it was falling to his betrothed, a lady, or loss in general, he could not say.
Eugenia beamed with pleasure and then looked at the crowd. “Shall we try pistols now?”
Perth remained quiet, waiting for his guests to answer. Ever the gentleman, Graham thought with some displeasure.
“Tinsley? You owe me a rematch. Petersham? Hardy? I know you love to shoot,” she goaded, very likely without realizing it.
“I think perhaps another time,” Graham remarked, trying to warn her from doing further damage.
She looked at him with frustration, so he walked over and guided her to some trees, away from the others. “If you are trying to impress Perth with your demureness, you are instead making a spectacle of yourself.”
“Whatever can you mean?” she asked with disbelief. “I thought we were having a shooting contest. Is the point not to shoot your best?”
He sighed and shook his head. Perhaps she never would understand. “The point is to have fun, and it is even acceptable to win. However, the guests have been standing out here for hours watching you and Perth.”
Realization dawned on her face. Her chin quivered, but she nodded and then walked back to the assembled guests. “I apologize. I did not mean to become so impassioned.”
Perth smiled. “There is no need to apologize, but perhaps everyone else might wish to return to the house for refreshments. I am happy to stay out here and shoot pistols with you.”
“That is kind of you, but there is no need. We will have plenty of time for shooting later on.”
She took his arm and they began walking towards the house.
Yet again Graham was left amongst the others, speculating on what the status was between Eugenia and the Earl.
“Has it been settled then?” Miss Ravenhill asked her brother, a few steps behind Graham.
“I had not heard, but not if I have anything to say about it.”
“You had best to do something quickly, for my efforts have not been successful.”
Nor will they be, Graham thought with contempt. Just what was Ravenhill about? Graham would have to remind Eugenia again to be careful—that is, if she was still speaking to him.
