Tapping her cane once more, the dowager stood. “Good. Everything is settled. I think we should get started. Come with me.”
The dowager exited the parlor, clearly expecting them to follow her. Which they did.
The dowager led them to the ballroom where she had indeed thought of everything, including a screened-off changing area for Katie. Her maid Millie was there to assist as well.
Sebastian would do without wearing the fencing jacket. He did not require it in any case for their first lesson.
“My dear, I feel that if I hover, it may impede your success,” the dowager said to Katie. “There are things you must know to learn the sport, and I trust Lord Soren to show those without compromising you. I shall leave the ballroom door open, and Millie will sit just outside the door in case you need anything.”
A blush stole over Katie’s face. “Thank you, Your Grace,” she said.
“Please, we know each other so well. You may call me Duchess.” The dowager glanced up at Lord Soren. “As he does. We can be more formal in public.” She looked at Paula. “Come Paula. Let me show you my collection of silk scarves,” she said, dragging a bemused Paula behind her. Millie followed close behind.
Even though the doors to the ballroom were open and Millie was sitting just outside, Sebastian could not help but be aware of the fact that they were alone. Katie took a step toward him, her gaze meeting his. How beautiful she looked and how tempting it would be to take her in his arms and kiss that luscious mouth. He pushed those thoughts aside. He was there to teach Katie how to fence, not indulge his secret whims.
He could read the excitement in her lovely face, along with nerves, and he wanted to help ease her anxiety.
Clearing his throat Sebastian picked up an epee. “There are different rules for scoring depending on the different weapons used. But since you are learning for self-defense, we will focus on the movements and not the scoring aspect. That way, most of what you learn is transferrable to the foil.”
“Oh, I have a foil,” Katie said, retrieving a parasol hooked on the back of a chair. “The duchess gave it to me the other day while she and my mother were having tea. It seems my mother approves of my learning as well.”
She pressed the underside of the frilly white parasol and slid out a foil. “Voila!” She grinned, waving the foil in the air with a flourishing motion.
Sebastian couldn’t help but smile at her endearing enthusiasm. “Did she show you the foil she has hidden in her cane?”
“Yes,” she said, handing him the foil to examine. “I thought it was a secret though.”
He laughed. “If it is, it’s the worst kept secret in London.” He handed the foil back to Katie. “It’s finely made. I’m glad the dowager and your mother realize that learning to defend yourself will help you in the long term to vanquish some of your fears.”
Katie nodded, her face solemn, her eyes glistened with tears. “Forgive me,” she said in a husky voice, blinking furiously.
Damn! The last thing he wanted was to make her cry. He reached out and took her hand in his. “No, it is I who should ask for forgiveness. I am sorry, Katie.” He took a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.
“Thank you, but it was not your words,” she said in a soft voice, dabbing her face. “I am truly happy that you are helping me vanquish my fears.”
Her extraordinary blue eyes met his and it was all he could do to keep from taking her in his arms and kissing her tears away. God help him, but it was getting harder to resist those bow-shaped pink lips.
He glanced at the open door, reminding himself that Millie was sitting out there, and while there was a significant distance between them and the door, and he knew Millie could not hear most of what they said, the young maid could walk in at any moment, as could the dowager. “I am glad you are happy about learning to fence,” he said, clearing his throat again. “Shall we begin?”
“She nodded, a wobbly smile on her face.
“There are common terms to learn—many of which you have probably heard. The first is en garde—a phrase that means ready and summons both opponents to the fighting stance, which is thus.” He demonstrated the stance with his foil. “You face your opponent with your fighting side forward. Allow me to show you.” He stepped behind her. “We are both right-handed, so we will face each other with our right sides, thusly.” He eased her into position, showing how to use the left arm for balance. Warmth spread through him as soon as he touched her. It had been this way from the first moment he’d met her. And he wondered if she felt it as well. “Now you try,” he said, his voice sounding ragged to his ears. He stepped back to give her room.
Katie quickly sprung into the en garde position. She had done it perfectly. “How did I do?”
He swallowed. She looked beautiful, even with the silly fencing jacket covering her slender curves. “Well done. You look like you are ready for the next step.” He nodded as he picked up his foil. “As I mentioned, we’ll dispense with the scoring rules, as that differentiates the weapons in this sport. This is for self-defense, so you must strike from any angle possible.”
Sebastian taught her the meaning of riposte, parry, block, and thrust, demonstrating each move first and then helping her parrot each stance. They spent the next two hours practicing each move over again until she knew each one by heart.
Katie had moved past her tears and was completely engrossed in learning each stance. Sebastian was impressed by her endurance and strength of will. Never had he enjoyed fencing more than he had with Katie—not only sparring with swords but verbally sparring with her as well. Her humor was quick and her eyes gleamed as she parried him word for word.
“Let’s try it once more. En garde!”
Once they assumed their position, Katie thrust with a look of sheer determination on her face. Then she stopped. “You’re certain I cannot hurt you,” she said, panting from the last half-hour of exertion.
“Yes, I am certain.” He laughed and blocked her, showing her one of his many blocks.
He reposted, and she parried.
