“I feel it too,” Reese said with a chuckle. “I’ll show you some stretches that will help. It’ll hurt but will make the stiffness better.”
Ellen looked dubious but gave it a try. “I do not understand how you are able to do that.” She shook her head at Reese doing the splits. “Did you grow up in a circus as a contortionist?”
“Very funny.” Reese jumped to her feet. “We have to stretch our muscles, or we lose flexibility as we get older.” She went through her usual stretching routine, pausing periodically to give Ellen alternative moves.
“I do not hurt as much.” Ellen moved her arms and legs.
“I told you so. Now,” Reese said, “I’m going to teach you some self-defense moves.”
“I do not understand.”
“They’re ways to get away if someone grabs you.” Reese held out her arm. “Grab my wrist like you plan to force me into the shrubbery and have your way with me.”
“I would never—and you are woman.” Ellen stepped back, her cheeks flushed.
Reese barely kept from barking out a laugh. The poor girl’s blushing would probably give her some problems if she ever did get her London Season.
“Of course you would never do anything like that, and yes, I’m a woman. I need you to pretend that you’re a bad man so you’ll take my arm hard like a bad man would. Do you understand? It’s acting.” She wished she hadn’t made that comparison because it immediately made her think of Jem. She had gone two years without him in her life and survived. Why, after only a few days around him again, did his absence feel like she had a gaping hole in her life? A hole that nothing, and no one, but Jem could fill.
“I am always in the company of people who are responsible for my safety,” her ladyship said. “I cannot imagine a time when I might need to protect myself.”
“You obviously haven’t read the same Regency romances I have.” When Ellen frowned, Reese added, “Think of it as a way to give you self-confidence in awkward situations. Or what if your brother refuses Sir Slimy’s request to court you, and he decides to carry you off? He plots to find you at a party where he will get you in a compromising situation. Just when someone comes in the room, he kisses you.” At the girl’s horrified expression, Reese nodded sagely. “See, you’d be ruined. These people are such idiots that they’d force the girl who’s just been assaulted to marry her attacker.”
“I had not thought.” Ellen had paled.
“Then you need to know how to put guys like that in their place.” Reese held out her hand. “Pretend that I’m you, and you’re Sir Slimy.”
Ellen tightened her jaw and took Reese’s wrist with surprising strength. “Good girl!” Reese used her other hand to trap Ellen’s and did a swift move to raise the girl’s elbow at an awkward angle. She gasped, and Reese let go.
“Pretty sweet, isn’t it,” she asked.
“Sweet, indeed.” Ellen nodded. “What was it that you called it again?”
“They’re joint locks because you use the other person’s joints against them, but you should think of them as escape moves. If you’re ever in a situation where you feel threatened, the most important thing is to get away. Sometimes, the only way to do that is to make it so your attacker can’t follow you.” Reese paused, trying to think of a delicate way to explain the more tender parts of the male anatomy. She opened her mouth, closed it, and then opened it again before snapping shut her jaw.
“You know something you fear will embarrass me, am I correct?” Ellen asked.
“It’s that mushroom thing again,” Reese said.
“Where they feed me rubbish and keep me in the dark?” The corner of Ellen’s mouth twitched.
“Exactly.” Reese grinned. “They ‘protect’ unmarried ladies—at least of the upper classes. The problem is that your ignorance makes you a target for unsavory people. Have you ever seen a horse give birth?”
“Yes, I have.” Ellen swallowed.
“Have you ever seen how the mare got pregnant?”
“Grandmama had a most embarrassing chat with me last year,” Ellen said, her voice soft.
“You do understand that men and women—” She broke off when Ellen nodded vigorously, her cheeks red.
“That part of a man’s anatomy is very tender. If you use your knee and thrust it between his legs—” Ellen swayed, and Reese broke off, reaching to take the girl’s arm and lead her to a chair. “Here, put your head between your knees. We don’t want you to faint.”
Ellen did as she was instructed, making a pathetic picture in her chemise and bloomers.
Lulu had risen, but Reese waved her back, feeling bad that she had pressed the topic.
“I’m sorry.” Reese patted Ellen’s back sympathetically. “I’m a terrible friend. Maybe there are times it’s okay to be a mushroom.”
