Chapter Eight
That evening, Boudiccaventured to The Practice Hall to release some pent up energy. She donned her fencing gear, complete with trousers, and began her exercises starting with the standing Y repeated twelve times. All the while she heard Wesley’s laughter over the moon comment and saw his smile after trying the white coffee flavor for the first time. He was kind. And kind of adorable. And a little bit adoring. She wouldn’t go so far as to say that it was genuine adoring, but…he had been willing to share his favorite ice. That said something about a person. He had also been willing to take the fall for ordering all the ices. That also said something. And then they had laughed together over such a silly joke about a wolf. Which also said something about him.
But with everything said about him, she still wasn’t sure what she really knew about him.
The door opened, and in walked her three sisters. It was more common than not for the four sisters to practice at the same time, though they all worked on their individual skills. And often they would spar with each other, for there were no other ladies of thehaute tonthey had brought into their coterie.
This evening it seemed as though all the sisters were interested in fencing. Rapiers clicked and clanged and within the hour, the two pairs were past perspiring and were full blown sweating through their gear. No wonder society deemed that this was not an activity for ladies.
Boudicca stopped to grab some water after winning the rounds against each sister. Fencing was her forte after all. She took a glass and poured some water, flanked by her sisters.
“So…”—Mimi gulped some water down—“Are you going to share what you’ve been up to the past few days, Bodi?”
Of course her sisters would pounce on her the first chance they got. She was surprised they hadn’t cornered her earlier. Almost four days had passed since the dare had been issued.
“I’ve been out.”
“We know,” Mimi intoned, hands on hips. “Do you think we’d be the last to find out? You know we live here, right? We’re aware the duke has visited. Multiple times.”
“Hmmm…” Boudicca stalled.
“Were you going to share with us, Bodi?” Joan asked quietly.
“We’re here for you if you want to talk,” Nobi chimed in now, too. “We’d like to know what’s going on. Four visits in four days…What’s he like? Does he make you laugh? Do you think he’s handsome?”
“I’d like to know what’s going on, too,” Boudicca confessed. “I don’t understand him.”
“He’s courting you,” Mimi announced.
“Yes…I realize that…but, I don’t knowwhyhe’s courting me.”
“You’re kind, intelligent, beautiful—”
“Possibly. But he doesn’t know that.” Boudicca had to interrupt.
“He must. He has eyes,” Mimi retorted. “Deep, brooding eyes…”
“Deep and brooding? Really Mimi?” Nobi tapped her rapier against her boot.
“If you haven’t noticed his eyes, you’re either deceiving yourself or you haven’t opened yours.” Mimi jabbed her finger into Nobi’s shoulder a couple of times as if to wake her up.
“It isn’t worth arguing over. His eyes are deep, and…brooding—”
“So you think he’s handsome then?”
Boudicca sighed. “Also not worth arguing over. It’s quite an obvious fact that Wesley is a handsome man.”
The sisters gasped collectively, which led to some giggles.
“What?” Boudicca defended herself when she shouldn’t have had to. “He is handsome. Why would I be contrary and say otherwise.”
“You called him Wes-ley,” Mimi sing-songed. “Wes-ley and Bo-di.”
“How childish, Mimi. Really.” Boudicca tightened her lips, but Mimi didn’t stop her singing.
“Wes-ley and Bo-di. Wes-ley and Bo-di.”
Nobi spoke over the immaturity. “Has he caused any floating feelings, loose limbs, fluttery heartbeat, or bouncy steps in you?”
