Alexander smiled easily. “I imagine you and I will often share the dance floor together, my dear, only minus the swords.” He gently tapped her sword with his. “I await your first move, my lady.”
He had truly been surprised when her sword circled his and knocked his momentarily to the side. She possessed more skill than he had anticipated.
“Nicely done,” he said as he made to attack. They moved together as if they were truly dancing. Her sword struck his blade harder than Alexander expected, and he had to scramble to keep her from running him through.
Taking a closer measure of her style, they circled slowly, recovering their breath. “Formidable,” he remarked. “You are truly quite formidable. Whoever taught you, taught you well.”
“I could say the same of you, but I shall not,” she retorted.
Alexander laughed. “I adore your spirit, my lady.”
She boldly declared, “Shall we begin again, my lord, or do you require more time to reclaim your breath?”
“As you wish, my dear,” he said as he extended his sword again in anon gardestance.
Rapiers clicked.
Balance teetered forward and back.
Whole pace and a half.
Each attempting to claim the advantage.
Alexander used his height and weight to overshadow all the skill she obviously held. He did not wish to harm her, only to have her listen to his tale of her family.
Though he already knew it was there, it was then she noticed it: A trickle of blood marked his cuff. “You are injured, my lord,” she declared in concern.
He glanced at the nick marking his broken skin. “It is nothing. It is not important if I do not win your trust.”
Before she could respond, they heard someone calling her name and rushing the stairs. Alexander turned again in preparation to fight whoever meant to “save” her. He wondered if he had erred, and Honfleur had found another means to sneak in and out of the house. Was that the reason the kitchen door was not locked?
“Audrey!” a familiar voice called, and Alexander knew he frowned.
“Here!” she responded.
Within a matter of seconds, Navan Beaufort stood in the open doorway. “You fair, girl?” he asked Audrey.
However, before his sister could respond, Alexander demanded, “What in Hades are you doing here?”
