Page 72 of A Naughty Proposal for His Winter Countess
“This is just what I needed, thank you,” he said.
“You're welcome,” Daniel replied while turning a page. “Care to tell me why you're here so early?”
“I decided to get my trouncing over and done with,” Ben replied with a shrug. “Perhaps, I was too forceful on the marriage—”
“Youarewrong,” Daniel interjected, idly turning another page.
“but I won't have it hanging over my head for much longer,” Ben shrugged. “So, do we fence?”
Closing the paper, Daniel nodded, “We'll use the solarium; if you'll let me change I'll be right with you. Be warned, I am still disgruntled.”
Ben's mouth twisted, “I know.”
He was tugging his gloves on when Ben came into the room. He was fitted for the duel and had his gloves on as well. His dark, astute eyes flickered around the empty room.
Daniel handed Ben a dulled foil. “Are you ready?”
Taking the weapon, Ben gave it a few flicks then nodded. Doing the same, Daniel gripping the pommel behind the guard.
“Ten hits wins,” Ben proposed.
Taking his position, Ben, said, “Make it fifteen,”
“En garde,” Daniel said, while looking at Ben's feet. The man had excellent footwork, that allowed him to allude Daniel's strikes most of the time, but was lacking in blade work, “Allez!”
They circled each other before Ben lunged in, point extended. Daniel quickly snapped his wrist in a clockwise direction and stepped forward. Swiftly, he laid a slap on Ben's side, “Point.”
Disgruntled, Ben huffed, Daniel on the other hand grinned. “Maestro Guillermo said, ‘He who—”
“Thinks first, will strike last’, I know, I know,” Ben rolled his eyes.
For the next twenty minutes, both put their old master’s training to use and attacked with finesse and parried with accuracy. Daniel led five to one before Ben managed three strikes in quick procession.
“Don't get cocksure,” Daniel warned. “You were embarrassing yourself so I chose to be merciful.”
Benjamin laughed, “I'll believe that the day a pig spouts wings and flies.”
The invigorating exercise felt good and racking up more points, even better. Soon both were tied at fourteen, and had Daniel stepping back to flick his wrist. “Last point…allez!”
Ben sprang forward, his foil a flurry of strikes and feints, but Daniel knew Ben, and could predict that soon he was going to step feint to the right but try to cut around to his left while Daniel defended his right side.
Ben pivoted and just as Daniel had predicted, he tried to feint. With a victorious burn in his chest, Daniel parried the blow then swiftly laid the flat of his sword on Ben's open side.
They stood still before Daniel pulled away, “Match.”
“So it is,” Ben lowered his weapon. “I didn't mean to doubt you, Raster, but I cannot take any risks with my family. Aunt Barbara might be the matron, but I have authority in my Father's stead.”
“I realize,” Daniel nodded while stripping off his gloves. “Would you be able to reach him by any chance? I'd think any Father would love to be there when his daughter is going to be married.”
Shaking his head, Ben signed, “I doubt it. If there is any possibility I could find him somewhere struggling through the untamed jungles of India, it would take longer than a week for him to arrive.”
“I suppose I'll have to contend with you then,” Daniel jested, “his lackluster replacement.”
“I’ll let you have that one because I know you're enjoying the spoils of victory,” Ben said, before his face lost all traces of humor. He stuck out his hand, “Please don't hurt my sister.”
Taking the hand, Daniel shook it, “On my life, Ben. Come on, I've got a bath for you.”
“Carrington is hosting a card game tonight. If you come, we'll take it all.”
