A scrubbed Kendrick and eager Fletcher, who showed no signs of flagging even though it was past midnight, met Dominic at the fencing academy.
Kendrick’s friend had continued to lodge Evangeline and her children because of the convenience of a wet nurse. He was also a comfort to Evangeline, who continued to worry she might harm the children on accident. Dominic thought it highly unlikely, but he was more than happy for them to remain at Fernside. He had determined to assist Evangeline in handling her transition from human to vampire, along with Elspeth. However, it created a lot of anger in him for Laurent, Elspeth had confided to Kendrick one night.
Kendrick had made the appointment thinking that beating on each other with swords a sufficient outlet for feeling helpless. All in all, though, he was feeling quite cheerful about Dominic. What better way to pull someone back to the land of the living than to care for another?
Kendrick spent the first half hour instructing Fletcher on how to hold the blunted training sword and how to do a few simple thrusts and parries, recruiting Dominic for demonstrations.
“This is a weapon and not a toy, for all that it is a training weapon,” Kendrick told Fletcher seriously. “You respect it similarly.”
“Right you are, guv,” Fletcher said, taking hold of the training foil with reverence. “Bloomin’ great pig sticker, ain’t it?”
“However, if you’re ever attacked by a vampire, you need silver.”
“I know that, guv. Reavers are scared of silver.”
“We aren’t scared,” Kendrick corrected him. “It burns us, like thrusting your hand into fire would sear you. To take down a vampire, you need silver, and you aim for the heart.” He demonstrated the strike. “In a real fight, you may not get a second chance.”
“Need a pretty wicked knife for that,” Fletcher observed.
“You would.” Kendrick made himself a note to commission silver-plated daggers for the human members of their household. He had sworn oaths of protection. To his mind, that included giving his dependents the tools to protect themselves.
“You must do something about his elocution,” Dominic said as they watched the boy practice his lunges and return to the ready position. The boy was small but quick; he could be a swordsman if he wanted to be. And who knew? With regular meals and safety, he might have some growth in him yet.
“First Genevieve has to get him to agree to learn to read,” Kendrick said dryly. “Are you ready?”
“Ready to trounce you? Of course,” Dominic said, laying aside his coat.
“One of these days, I really must find another broadsword.”
“Oh, no. You’re just disappointed the attacks against you have dwindled down. You’re not about to cleavemeopen if you get a little too enthusiastic.”
“What if I found wooden practice broadswords?” Kendrick suggested with a longsuffering sigh.
“Maybe. A very conditional maybe.En garde.”
The men spent a very companionable time slashing at each other with swords. Partway through their duel, Fletcher wandered over to watch. However, when he started to yawn, even with the rapid, thrilling moves they were performing, Kendrick called a halt.
“Bed for you,” he informed Fletcher.
“Naw,” Fletcher said, but he spoiled it by yawning so hugely, Kendrick could see his tonsils.
Kendrick laughed and scooped the boy up as Dominic set the room to rights and extinguished the lights.
“Here, put me down, guv! I ain’t no parcel to be toted about!” Fletcher said in dismay.
“Neither is Genevieve. I carry her all the time,” Kendrick said. The boy’s weight was negligible for Kendrick’s strength. “Climb on my back if you’d rather.”
The boy agreed to this, resting his chin on the shoulder that did not sport the hilt of Kendrick’s sword, his arms around Kendrick’s neck. They only walked a block before he felt Fletcher’s body relax.
“The stubbornness of youth,” Dominic murmured. “I have enjoyed having August and June in my house. Children say the most astounding things.”
“They do. Their power of absorption rivals the sponge. I’m glad that the housing situation has turned out so well,” Kendrick added. “I had hoped it would benefit everyone for the family to remain at Fernside.”
“It’s the most curious thing, Kendrick,” Dominic said, stopping at the street where they would part ways. “It feels as though something in me is waking up again.” He rubbed a hand absently over his chest before bidding Kendrick a good evening.
Kendrick smiled a little as he turned towards Carmine House, Fletcher snoring quietly on his back and exhaling little puffs of steam into the air.
The next night, Genevieve arrived at the Ossuary’s new dressmaker’s station just in time to see Sparrow unearth the bolts of fabric purchased to outfit London’s vampires in ball finery. Miss Singh and Miss Doyle, who had been hired on as dressmakers to assist in crafting everyone’s ball attire, exclaimed over the bounty.
