Page 12 of Kissed By a Scoundrel
Katie folded the note and tucked it into the pocket of her skirt. Pouring a cup of steaming chocolate, she rejoined her family at the table.
Thomas had piled a platter with rashers of bacon, ham, and scrambled eggs. “It’s a good thing I fence every day at En Garde,” Thomas said, patting his stomach. “Otherwise, I’d probably gain half a stone every Season.”
Frankie giggled as she spread red currant preserves on a thick slice of toasted bread. “Even if you did, I would still love you madly.”
“Katie’s interest piqued as she sipped her chocolate. “The press has been favorable in their articles about the club. It’s become quite the thing among the younger gentlemen of the ton.”
“Yes, it has, thanks to Sir Jonathan Nelson,” Thomas said, slicing into the ham. “He and his brother, the Earl of Shefford, have made it one of the premier clubs in England.”
“All I know is, that I am happy you don’t come home with bruises—something that doesn’t happen when you visit Gentleman Jackson’s pugilism club,” Frankie added with a shudder. “I still don’t like the idea of wielding knives at each other.”
“Swords and foils,” Thomas interjected with a smile. “We use swords and foils, not knives, darling.”
“Whatever they are called, they are still sharp,” Frankie said.
“Boys and their swords,” Mama said with a chuckle.
“To be honest, I quite admire that Nelson makes a point of training boys how to fence,” Thomas added. “It’s important to teach them from a young age. It builds strength, agility, and confidence. I plan on teaching our sons as well.”
“What about teaching our daughters?” Frankie countered.
“Their brothers can protect them,” Thomas said.
Katie almost choked on her chocolate as a thought suddenly came to her.
What if I learned to wield a sword?
Her brother had said Nelson taught boys. Surely as a grown woman, she was as capable as a boy. Perhaps she too could benefit from learning. The more she thought about it, the more sense it made.
Ever since the attack last year, Katie had felt vulnerable as well as anxious that it could happen again. And if it did happen, what would she do? She hated feeling this way. Weak and defenseless. It was a feeling she had never experienced before the attack. She had never even thought about being able to defend herself. Perhaps if she had, Wendel would be alive today.
I need more information. Could she ask Thomas? Would he even be amenable to her idea? Her brother was very protective. But he could not be around every hour of every day. He had his own life and responsibilities to his growing family, his title, and the estate…
“Have you finally decided on a list of possible names?” their mother asked, drawing Katie from her thoughts.
Frankie and Thomas exchanged twinkling glances. It was common knowledge in the household that the married couple were keeping their ideas for names under the utmost secrecy. They had been open to suggestions, but the actual list of possible names was kept under lock and key. Which only made their mother even more determined to drop hints whenever she could.
“We have several names in mind,” Frankie said, arching a delicate brow.
“We just aren’t ready to share them,” Thomas added.
“Meaning you are still debating?” Katie said, her lips twitching with humor.
“Frankie has very strong opinions,” Thomas quipped with a grin.
“I know it must seem trivial to some,” Frankie said. “But I feel the name of a child is important.”
“Not trivial at all, Frankie,” Katie’s mother replied before turning to Thomas. “It’ll be a grand surprise! Nevertheless, I do hope you’ll share it with us soon,” she added with a wink.
“Maggie is certainly excited about becoming a big sister. It’s all she can talk about,” Frankie said. “She is consumed with painting pictures of what she thinks her baby brother or sister will look like.”
“Oh, how lovely,” Mama said. “I cannot wait to take Maggie on walks when we get to Latham Manor. She is so talented at drawing and painting, and she’ll have so much to inspire her in Sussex.”
Katie smiled at her mother’s enthusiasm. They all adored the five-year-old child, who was Frankie’s stepdaughter from her first marriage to Lord George Gallwey. Katie had spent many hours reading to Maggie and playing with her in the nursery. The sweet and emotionally intuitive child had been instrumental in helping Katie get through the past year. Thomas and Frankie doted on Maggie. They were wonderful parents and Katie knew they would be equally so with their new baby.
“She is quite the artist,” Thomas said proudly. “Whenever I visit the nursery, another portrait has joined the others. Maggie has them lining the wall beneath the windows. It won’t be long before we see how close she comes to what her brother or sister looks like.”
“Perhaps we should take bets,” Katie offered. “Isn’t that what they do in your club, Thomas?”
