She knew every man she won over helped make her escape less difficult. Cloud would anticipate her attempt to get his men on her side, and he would counter her gains at every turn. Time stood on the captain’s side. He had already earned his men’s loyalty and she had only a short time to do the same thing. If there was no opportunity to leave the ship before she reached Washington the crew would be of no help, no matter what they thought of her.
She brought Cloud his dinner and, as at lunch, no unnecessary words passed between them. She went to her cabin to wait for him to finish his meal. Lying on her bunk, she surveyed the room. She looked at the rapiers mounted on the wall against a blood-red velvet backing. Before, they had been merely decorations on an otherwise bare wall. Now they screamed purpose at her. She took one down, testing the weight and balance. She took a few short sweeps through the air, assuming the stance and grip Pauley had taught her. The hilt was too large for her hand; she knew her arm would tire easily. She put it back and tested another. When she had tried them all she chose the one that seemed an extension of her arm.
She had handled such a weapon many times since Pauley had instructed her. George had expressed an interest in teaching her for his own exercise. Though Francine had protested loudly, and always in French, Alexis and George found opportunities at the office. She was grateful for those lessons now as the proper moves came back to her. She knew she needed practice and more instruction, but surely among the crew there had to be someone skilled with a fencing épée. She touched her finger lightly to the point and pulled back quickly when she drew blood. She replaced the blade in its place on the wall. Then she went to get the captain’s tray.
“Captain,” she said, pouring him the wine he requested.
“There are some fencing blades in my room. Do they belong to you?”
“Yes, Danty.” He took a sip of his drink, not at all amused by what he knew was coming. He also knew he would not refuse the dogged determination in the amber eyes presently appraising him.
“Would you give me permission to use one of them if I can find someone to instruct me?”
“You have my permission. Who will you look for to teach you?”
“The best on this ship,” she said certainly.
“Then you better get this back to Forrest,” he pointed to the tray, “and start your search.” He allowed himself a wry smile when she left, sure of where her search would lead her.
Alexis quickly finished her work in the galley and got the weapon, eager to take advantage of the few hours of light left. When she went to the upper deck she saw Landis and several others sitting in a small circle, finishing their dinner. They motioned her to come over.
“You can sit here,” Frank Springer said. “If you promise not to use that thing on any of us.”
Alexis laughed. “Not my intention at all, Frank. In fact, I came to find someone who would be willing to teach me how to use this properly. Who’s the best among the crew?”
“With all due modesty, ma’am,” Tom Daniels spoke. “You are lookin’ at him.”
“I’m not interested in modesty, Tom. I’m interested in skill.”
“He’s your man,” Landis told her. “He’s the best.” There was a murmur of agreement and Tom grinned.
Harry looked at Alexis’s weapon as a ray of light caught the thin blade. It glittered for an instant as she changed its position. He spoke to her while he looked pointedly at Tom. “Daniels is the one you want unless you are including the captain. Don’t protest, Tom. You know it’s true. Captain Cloud is the best.”
Tom shrugged. “He’s right, Alex. He makes me look like a fumblin’ backwoodsman.”
To Tom’s chagrin the others readily agreed and Alexis thanked them for their information.
“I suppose I should have known,” she said, examining her sword. “I’ll ask him when he comes up.”
Harry laughed soundlessly, pointing behind her. “He’s coming now, and from the looks of it you are about to have your first go at it.”
Alexis spun around and saw Cloud coming toward her, carrying one of the swords she had found too heavy and awkward for herself. When he reached her he took the weapon out of her hand, placing his own on the deck, and tested the blade she had chosen.
“That was a good choice, Danty,” he said, giving it back to her. “It was mine when I was first learning. It’s not right for me now but when I was about your size it was perfect. I take it you are somewhat familiar with using one of these.”
“A little, Captain. You should have told me when I asked for it that you would be my instructor.”
“Would that have dissuaded you?”
“Not at all. Only saved me time.”
“Then there’s nothing to be learned by any more talking,” he said, bending to pick up his sword. “Let’s clear a place and begin.”
She nodded and Landis, Tom, and the others moved from their places, forming a larger, interested circle around where she and the captain stood.
“You’ll have to show me what you know,” he explained. He took the beginning position and thrust his sword in her direction. She blocked it easily and began advancing. He allowed her a few forward moves, then he rapidly sent her back to her starting place and a few more steps beyond that. He stopped to adjust the sword in her hand. “If you place your hand like so,” he said, repositioning her slim fingers on the hilt.
She nodded. “That’s better.”
