“Time to strip down,” Reese said. “I don’t want you getting hurt.”
She had Ellen turn around and went to work undoing the buttons. Lulu hurried over and began doing the same thing on Reese’s dress. Soon, they stood facing each other in their chemises and bloomers.
“You do not have your . . . what did you call them,exerciseclothes?” Ellen asked.
“I laundered them today,” Lulu said.
“What is this?” Ellen nodded to the strap under Reese’s top.
“It’s a sports bra. They’re made to support a woman’s bosom when she’s active,” she said. “Now try that same move.”
“This is much better.” Ellen giggled. “As I work in the garden, I have often been jealous of my gardener’s worn clothing.”
Reese walked her through the moves again and then added some defensive ones. They practiced together until Ellen dropped her foil and clutched her hand.
“What’s wrong?” Reese set down her own weapon and took Ellen’s hand, examining it for bruising.
“It cramped until I could no longer hold the foil.” Her ladyship winced as Reese massaged the muscles.
“Your hand muscles aren’t used to this,” Reese said. “If you think you’d like to continue it, I can give you some exercises to help strengthen your hands. We ought to be able to find a ball or something else squishy for you to squeeze. You have to be patient, though, because it takes time to strengthen your muscles.”
“I would love to be able to do this. Even after my brother is here,” Ellen said, still breathing heavily from the exertion.
“You have enough open space in your bedroom to practice some of the moves there,” Reese said. “The more you do it, the stronger your cardio will get.”
“Cardio?”
“Heart and lungs,” Reese said. “You can strengthen them by exercising, and you won’t breathe so heavily.”
Ellen fanned herself. “Yes, and I’m glowing.”
Reese laughed. “My grandmother used to always say, ‘Ladies glow. Men perspire. Only horses sweat.’ But it’s good for your body to move around and work up a sweat.”
“I will need to bathe before bed,” Ellen said.
“Or just do a sponge bath now and bathe in the morning. It’s up to you how much you want your maid to know.”
“Oh, Clarisse, this has been the most fun I’ve had in a very long time.”
While they put the foils away and dressed again, Reese wondered what Ellen would think of kickboxing.
As the girls parted for the night. Reese grabbed Ellen’s arm. “Be aware that when you exercise late, it can keep you from sleeping because you’re all wired up.”
“I have so enjoyed myself that I believe my mind will be busy remembering all you taught me. That alone is quite exhilarating.”
Reese went to her room and picked up her now-dry exercise clothes. “I’ll need you to unbutton me again, Lulu.”
“Miss?”
“That room is perfect for exercising. You want to come with me?”
“If you promise to lock the door, I will stay here.” The maid yawned.
Reese put on a dressing gown over her skimpy attire and returned to the fencing room. She only had the candle from her room and set it on a table by the door. It would provide enough light for what she needed. She began her kickboxing routine and then her martial arts katas.
***
The next day, Ellen was too stiff to practice fencing.
