“Oh yes, they were still quite young though, Michael was the only one worth watching then.”
“Where do they practice?” My friend asked, still peering around the corner, as if they would return immediately for her viewing pleasure.
“Back behind the house. The best view is in the kitchens. Perhaps you ladies would like to take tea in the music room today?”
“The music room that overlooks the back of the house?”
“The very same.”
I jumped in. “Yes, I think that is an excellent idea. Do you not agree, Jules?”
“Oh yes, I should like the music room very much.”
And so it was, that tea was served in the music room this afternoon. If that was an unusual occurrence, no one said anything and the footmen’s smirks were kept to a minimum. And neither Juliet nor myself commented if Mary lingered with the tea tray or checked on it rather more often than was her usual habit.
* * *
“Hugh is very good,”Juliet commented between sips of tea, peering out the window with interest.
“He practices frequently. I think it helps relieve stress.”
“He must be very stressed then. Michael is quite out of practice.”
“Yes, but I don’t think Tom has quite grown into his limbs yet. He may prove a challenger for Hugh in a year or so.”
“I look forward to it. Perhaps Michael can get some practice in now that he is closer.”
“And perhaps we can supervise the practice while it occurs?”
“Well, yes. They’re quite sweaty, aren’t they?”
“They certainly are. I think I prefer it when Hugh does not wear the fencing costume.”
“The lamé?”
“Is that what it’s called?”
“I believe so.”
“Whatever it is called, I prefer the shirtsleeves.”
“I agree. But I came here to be supportive after our conversation last week.”
“And you were distracted by the magnificent sight of your husband losing horribly to mine?”
“Yes, he is going to get another blackened eye if he is not careful,” she commented with rather less concern than a black eye should garner. Perhaps, not Michael’s though.
“At least he will be quite handsome while he does it. I wonder what the excuse will be this time?”
“You know he thinks them up in advance to amuse you.”
“I suspected. I did have a question. Hugh said something the other day, that he was thinking lecherous thoughts about my mouth?” Juliet giggled a bit at that, turning away from the play-fighting briefly. “I take it you understand his meaning?”
“Well, I cannot say for certain. But I would suspect he means he was thinking about your mouth on his…” She flushed with her explanation.
“That is done?”
“Well, I do not know what isdonebut…” Juliet had done that? Prim and proper Juliet had actually?
