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."