Suddenly, he grinned. “Or rather, I can, but I’d not be so cruel as to voice it aloud.”
Winston’s temper flared. “Keep your tongue, Duskwood.”
“That is fighting talk,” Oswald said, turning his body to the side, adopting a ready stance. “En garde!”
The next exchange was furious. Winston attacked, but Oswald turned him aside, deflecting each thrust. Sweat stung Winston’s eyes. His breath came faster. He would not yield. He never yielded.
“Shall I hazard a guess?” Oswald said, somewhat red-faced after the fury of Winston’s assault.
Their blades were locked, hilts pressed between them.
“Golden hair. Green eyes. A certain companion your mother insists upon parading through your halls…”
“Enough!” Winston shoved hard, breaking free. He lunged again, desperate for an advantage.
The doors creaked open. Light spilled into the hall. Winston’s heart thudded as Adeline stepped inside. Her gown was simple, yet the sight of her struck him like a blow to the chest. She paused upon seeing the duel, eyes widening at the spectacle of sweat and steel.
She is an ordinary woman. Not even a significant title!
Her eyes were too bright, too expressive. Her hair too silky. Her bosoms too…he looked away from her. It felt as though he had been staring at her. That she had stared back. Only a heartbeat had passed since she walked through the doors. Winston’s stare had been the barest glance. But in that glance, time had stood still. It was enough for Oswald. As Winston’s focus dissolved,Oswald’s rapier darted past his guard and tapped cleanly against his sternum.
“Six!” Oswald crowed.
Fury ignited. Winston rounded on Adeline, rapier still clenched in his fist.
“You! Out. Now.”
Her chin lifted, defiance blazing in her eyes.
“Excuse me, Your Grace. That is no way to address me. Or anyone for that matter. Being a sore loser is no example to set for your daughter.”
The words cut deeper than Oswald’s blade. Winston’s pride screamed to answer, to snarl that he would not be losing at all but for her endless distraction, the way she had undone him since the moment she stepped into his life. But to admit that was unthinkable. Strength lay in solitude. Always. Alone, a man could divide his duty cleanly between the land of which he was custodian and those who shared his blood. Attachment beyond that was weakness, an opening for pain, for ruin. He would not allow it. Still, his chest burned with more than exertion.
“I am the master of this house, and I will decide how to address those who serve me,” he said, coldly, turning fully to face Adeline. Oswald was no longer his opponent.
She did not quail, a fact that called to him like a siren song.
She is fierce. Brave and…no. She is a common governess. She is a member of staff. A glorified servant.
“I serve your daughter and your mother.”
“I pay the wages of Louisa’s governess.”
“If you believe that entitles you to speak to me the way you just did then I resign.”
They drew closer. Winston felt that Adeline was wielding words instead of a rapier and he was determined she would not strike him.
“So, you would be like all the others,” Winston said.
“The others?”
“Abandon Louisa at the first hint of difficulty.”
“I do not propose to abandon her.”
“You just did.”
“I was a guest in your house before you agreed to employ me as a governess. I will still be Her Grace’s Lady-In-Waiting,” Adeline countered.
