Simon also gave her advanced lessons in self-defense, including a hold that cut off blood to the brain and could render a person unconscious in seconds. She accidentally knocked him out when practicing it. He’d woken blinking a horrifying couple of minutes later and emphasized that the hold shouldn’t be held for long or she’d risk injuring the brain of her victim.
Just as important but less dramatic was augmenting her wardrobe. The city’s most fashionable modistes were too busy to produce new garments quickly, so Suzanne ordered only some grand gowns to be worn after they returned from France. She was able to buy a plain bonnet and a ready-made cloak, and she and Jenny made several garments that suited her role as a modest wife of modest circumstances.
But when shopping for fabric, Suzanne found a length of beautiful, blazing red silk that gave her an idea. She bought enough material to make a gown that could easily be made flamboyant, working on it privately so no explanations would be required. She’d almost finished the gown and was hemming the full skirt when Jenny came looking for her with a question.
Jenny’s gaze immediately fastened on the scarlet gown. “Goodness! It’s . . . very bright. But the fabric is beautiful and that color looks well with your dark hair.”
“It’s not a very respectable color, though, is it?” Suzanne held up the garment to her face, which showed the color but not how very low cut the bodice was. “I don’t know that I could bring myself to wear it in public, but . . .” She gave a delicate pause. “I think the colonel would like to see it in private. Don’t mention this, though. It’s to be a surprise on the right occasion.”
Jenny smiled conspiratorially. “I won’t mention it even to Edgar!”
Happy to change the subject, Suzanne said, “He seems much happier these days.”
“Oh, yes! He’s almost his old self again now that he has a job and he’s useful. The exercises the colonel suggested have been helping, too. His left hand will never be what it was, but it’s much better. He can do almost anything with it.”
“Good for patting his sweetheart?” Suzanne said teasingly.
Jenny blushed and excused herself. Smiling, Suzanne finished hemming the scarlet gown, then carefully wrapped it in plain linen and put it at the bottom of her travel case. She might not need this gown, or the pistols, but she liked to be prepared.
* * *
Two days before their planned departure, she was doing her final packing when Simon entered the bedroom with a bouquet of fragrant spring flowers, which he presented with a flourish. “For the loveliest of ladies,ma belle!”
“How nice of you!” She buried her nose in the blossoms, enjoying the scents—and realized that something different was buried inside. Curiously she separated the flowers and found a neat little dagger in a leather sheath. She blinked and pulled it out. “You are so romantic,mon chéri!” She clasped the weapon over her heart and gave a soulful sigh. “Flowers fade but a dagger endures.”
He grinned. “I thought that if I was going to bring more potential mayhem, I should include flowers. The sheath can be strapped to your ankle or thigh, or perhaps concealed under your stays. Try it different ways to learn where it is both comfortable and accessible.”
“Will you give me a demonstration of how to carry and use it?” she asked. “I’m sure there are useful techniques.”
“I like to hold a knife with the blade pointing up for an underhand stroke.” He demonstrated with the knife in the sheath so there would be no accidental injuries. “It’s easier to block an overhand stroke than one coming up from below.”
She took the sheathed weapon and tried striking both ways. “I see what you mean.” She slid the dagger from its sheath and examined it more closely. “It’s a lovely little knife that fits my hand well.”
“As with the pistols, it’s good to have weapons that are comfortable and easy to use. When danger strikes, the faster you can respond, the better. If you have to think about what to do, it may be too late.”
They did a little mock scuffling with the sheathed knife so that she had a better sense of how to use it. “You’re quick,” he said approvingly as he dodged back from a strike that could have sliced into his abdomen and done serious damage if the knife wasn’t in its sheath.
“I’ll practice more strikes to get a better feel for it,” she promised. Then she sat on the edge of the bed and drew her skirts up provocatively. “Shall we try to decide the best location for wearing the dagger?”
His eyes darkened as he caught one ankle, then bent to kiss her inner thigh. “This will take time to determine,” he said huskily.
“We have time,” she murmured as she pulled him onto the bed with her. They ended up laughing together as hands slipped below clothing with mischievous intent.
They had learned well what pleased each other and it wasn’t long until laughter became moans and muffled cries. Suzanne convulsed under his touch before yielding to boneless relaxation and deep internal throbbing.
As she struggled for breath, she wondered when she would be able to open herself to him entirely. The mere thought made her tense until she forced herself to relax. They had come so far already. Surely someday she would be capable of full marital intimacy.
But for now, all her attention should be on driving her husband to madness. And she knew exactly how to do it....
* * *
The day before their departure, Simon found Suzanne attaching a ribbon to an otherwise very plain bonnet and asked, “Will you join me for a serious discussion with Philippe? He’s less suspicious of you than of me.”
She set the bonnet aside and rose. “He’s much less so than he was.”
He offered his arm. “True, but the topic of the discussion will raise his hackles.”
Together they climbed up to his bedroom. Simon tapped on the door and Marie called, “Come in.”
