Page 85 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
“Oh, I do like the sound of this,” Nell spoke up with an unusual glee. Goodness, this was a side to her friend Macie had seldom seen.
“I will not hurt ye,” Mrs. Johnstone assured Finn, her tone not quite sincere.
“We both know better,” he countered.
She flashed a half-smile. “A brawny man like ye could not possibly fear a woman old enough to be your mum.”
“I should’ve stayed in Scotland,” Finn uttered under his breath.
Mrs. Johnstone flashed a look of challenge. “Ye know what to do.”
“Blast it.” Finn muttered, as if for his own ears only. And then, louder. “This is for ye, Macie.”
With that, he charged headlong toward Mrs. Johnstone.
Macie gasped. Surely Finn—all six lean-muscled feet of him—would not attack a woman. “Stop, Finn!”
Her plea was unnecessary.
Mrs. Johnstone’s arm whipped forward, blocking his advance. With sure, confident motions, she seized his arm. And twisted it. Hard. Another quick, sure movement, and she slammed him to the floor.
Ooof.Finn landed with a thud. Lying flat on his back on the rug, he stared up at the ceiling. “Blast it, I’d forgotten how much that hurt.”
Mrs. Johnstone brushed her hands together as if wiping away dust. “All part of the training. Ye know that, Finn.”
For a moment, Macie took in the display without a word. For her part, Nell could not hide her delight at the spectacle.
“Most impressive,” Nell gushed. “Might I have a go?”
Finn shot her a glare. “Not on yer life.”
Mrs. Johnstone extended a hand to Finn, but he waved it away as if anticipating a double-cross. “I am capable of getting up on my own,” he said gruffly, even as he continued to face the ceiling.
“Is that so?” Macie could not resist teasing him. “It does appear she got the better of you.”
Coming to his feet, he flashed a grin. “Would ye believe me if I told you I was acting?”
“Not for a moment.”
“Ye’re a shrewd lass, I’ll give you that.” His grin broadened. “’Tis only my pride that’s wounded.”
“As I mentioned, whatever indignity ye’ve suffered is for the greater good.” Mrs. Johnstone turned to Macie. “I am not here to act as a chaperone; I am here as a teacher.”
Curiosity washed over Macie. “In the art of manual combat?”
“Not precisely.” A thin smile played on the older woman’s lips. “I am here to teach ye to withstand a threat.”
“To drop a man to his knees?” Nell added with bloodthirsty enthusiasm.
Mrs. Johnstone’s brow furrowed. “If need be.”
Nell’s eyes gleamed. “When shall we begin?”
“I’d no inkling you had a taste for such...” Macie struggled for the right word. “Violence.”
Finn slanted her a glance. “It’s always the quiet ones, ye know.”
“Indeed,” Nell replied with a grin.
