Page 72 of Snapdragons
“This is more dangerous than I thought.”
He set her thumb atop the first knuckles of the neighboring fingers, then ran his thumb lightly over it. “Yes, it is,” he whispered.
All thoughts momentarily fled her mind at the slow, lingering brush of his fingers. Something about having seen such irrefutable proof of how strong he truly was made the gentleness of his touch all the more upending.
He seemed to re-collect himself before she did. A quick breath and he was back on task. “Pull your right arm back now, bent at the elbow. And set your right foot a little farther back than your left. Not overly much—you don’t want to throw off your balance—but a little.”
She adjusted her feet, making changes as he suggested them.
“Your arm and shoulder position is important too.” Niles set his hands on her shoulders and adjusted the angle so she faced the bag but with her left shoulder a little forward and her right alittle back. His hands slid to her arms, tucking her elbows in and raising her fists up toward her face.
She tried to pay attention to his explanation, but his hands on her arms, even through the thick layers of her riding coat, were incredibly distracting.
His hand wrapped around her right fist. Heavens, it was difficult to even breathe.
“As you punch the bag, thrust your right shoulder forward with it, and twist your arm so your fist hits the bag straight on. And hit it with your knuckles, not the flat of your fingers.”
Penelope nodded. It was impossible to actually speak.
Niles let go of her hand, much to her dismay. He placed himself on the other side of the hanging bag, his shoulder leaning into it and his hands holding it in place. “Whenever you’re ready, Penelope. Think of everything and everyone who has cut off your air over the years, and hit the bag with every ounce of frustration you feel.”
She closed her eyes for just a moment. She thought of those in Dublin society who had made her feel so unwelcome. Of being labeled the Little Banshee by her neighbors. Of Mother wishing aloud that Penelope’s beauty hadn’t proven an utter waste. Of Liam abandoning her and brushing aside her attempts to make things right.
She tensed her arms and shoulders and opened her eyes once more. She followed Niles’s instructions as precisely as she could. Her clenched knuckles stung as they made contact with the rough burlap. But it was a cleansing sting. Invigorating.
A surge of excitement swept over her. “Niles!”
He stepped out from around the bag, grinning as if she’d just won some sort of pugilistic championship; she assumed such a thing existed. “It’s very satisfying, isn’t it?”
She bounced, something she hadn’t done in ages. “Amazing. May I hit it again?”
He laughed as he returned to his position of keeping the bag from flying about. “Whenever you’re ready, Penelope.”
She hit it again, harder this time now that she knew she wouldn’t miss. It really was tremendously satisfying. She spun around, laughing with delight.
“Careful,” Niles said, a smile in his tone. “You’ll find yourself a devotee of pugilism before you even realize it.”
“Oh, Niles.” She threw her arms around him. “Thank you.”
He pulled her into a true embrace, tucking her close. She leaned into him, reveling in the warmth and strength he exuded.
“I probably don’t smell overly nice at the moment,” he said.
“If you let go, I’ll utilize my newfound skills to pummel you.”
Penelope felt him laugh, even though he didn’t make a sound. She slipped one hand to his chest and laid it, open palm, over his heart. She’d felt him breathe and laugh, but she wanted to feel the rhythm of his heart, to know if it was beating as ardently as hers was.
He set his hand atop hers. Such strong hands but touching her so gently.
“I’m sorry I didn’t go to Cornwall,” he whispered.
She closed her eyes, breathing deep,feelingthe moment. “And I am glad I chased you to Yorkshire.”
His lips brushed over her forehead. Every inch of skin his lips touched tingled. Her heart raced, but the feeling was too distracting for her to be able to make out his pulse beneath her hand.
He lightly kissed her temple. “I’m glad, too, Penelope.”
She turned her face just a little. Just enough. And he didn’t need to be asked. Niles kissed her, a soft and tender tease of his lips on hers. His powerful arms held her fast, one hand splayed against her back as the other cupped the nape of her neck, keeping her head at just the right angle to continue kissing her.
