Page 31 of His Wicked Secret
“And will you be wearing this same outfit on your missions?”
“Well, no.”
Jonathan slapped his hand to his head and groaned.
“You have to learn to protect yourself with the natural hindrance of your clothes, yourusualclothes.”
Audrey frowned. “At some point, yes, but in order to study effectively, I believe this way first is better. It is entirely possible that I might have to dress as a boy for a mission or to escape capture.”
He sighed. “Lord, you have an argument for everything, don’t you?” She knew he didn’t expect an answer, but she found prodding him strangely satisfying.
“Of course I do. Now, teach me. Where do we begin?” She moved into the center of the room, wondering if he would try to grab her again. She would have a better chance of escaping him without her pesky skirts getting in the way. She stared down at his stocking feet. “May I ask, why did you remove your shoes?”
“I do not wish to step on your tiny feet. The last thing I want to do is hurt you.”
Part of her wanted to say that he had already hurt her plenty, with his cold and distant nature. Teasing her only to back away, like a cat who’d lost interest in a new plaything. But she couldn’t help but throw his own argument back at him.
“And will my attackers be so considerate on my missions?”
Jonathan cocked his head. “You will hardly be able to learn if you are limping about with broken toes. Now, if we may finish with the verbal sparring, perhaps we can begin with something more physical. I think I should teach you a bit of boxing first, begin with how to move your feet and protect your face,” Jonathan said. “That way, our later lessons will make use of your new skills. No sense in showing you how to escape a hold unless you can defend yourself once you’re free.”
Audrey’s heart beat a little faster. This was really happening. “I think I’m following you.”
“So come closer and mimic my stance.” He pointed to a spot on the floor beside him.
He had one leg, his left, slightly forward and his right leg behind him. His hands were balled into fists close to his face. He looked fierce. She did the same, feeling awkward at having her legs braced so far apart. Skirts were so confining. One could scarcely run in them, let alone stand with one’s legs apart. Yet she couldn’t deny the power and stability she now felt. If this was the way men felt all the time, she was jealous. A pang of disappointment shot through her. She adored dresses, but this freedom was irresistible, and the thought of changing back into skirts afterward was not a welcome one.
“Not bad.” Jonathan left his position and was now standing on the other side, examining her body.
Without warning, he shoved her right shoulder. She nearly fell but kept her balance.
“What was that for?” she gasped.
Jonathan ignored the question. “Good. You’re still on balance. Balance is vital.” He continued to examine her, and she frowned at him. “Now, your hands.” He pried open her balled fists and freed her thumbs, then folded her fingers back into position. “Never tuck your thumbs inside your fingers.”
“Why not?”
“If you punch hard enough, your fingers will press back against your thumbs and break it. You won’t be putting up much of a fight with broken thumbs. I assure you, the pain is excruciating.”
His face twisted as he said this, and she wondered if he had personally experienced it. “Did you ever…?”
“Not from fighting, no. But when I was twelve, my thumb was caught in a drawer I shut with too much vigor. It had to be set, and I cried like a babe.”
“How ever did you manage that?”
“It is not something I am proud of. A moment of youthful anger and frustration. I simply wasn’t paying attention.”
“Oh, that’s so dreadful, I—” She started to step out of her position, but he smacked her bottom with his hand so hard that she squeaked.
“Stay in your position,” he said. She turned to him in anger, ready to lash out, and before she knew it he’d smacked her bottom again. “That is another lesson for you to learn. You may think that anger will give you strength in a fight, but in truth anger blinds, and that makes you vulnerable.”
Audrey winced. Her bottom stung. Skirts, as irritating as they were, at lease provided a much better cushion. Of course, she hadn’t thought that spanking would be part of her lessons. She glared at him, but rather than anger she saw humor in his green eyes.
“Now, when you have your fists up, you must keep your face protected. Use your left hand to block your face, and keep your right hand closer to you. Do you have a guess as to why?” To her surprise, his instructional tone was not condescending.
She thought about what she was trying to punch. “If it is closer to my body, I will be able to strike with more force?”
“Exactly.” Jonathan’s grin made her stomach flutter, and she tried to focus.
