“My blood’s sugar?” Ellen shook her head. “You speak of such odd things.”
“I’m sorry. I can explain or we can go back to the self-defense I was showing you.”
“You will explain later?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then please continue the self-defense.”
“Okay,” Reese said. “That technique I mentioned isn’t something you’d do casually to a man, only if you felt yourself in danger and needed time to get away.”
“I do wish you to show me more of these joint locks,” Ellen said with a conspiratorial smile. “There have been times when Lord Howard will take my wrist. He is quite strong and has a painful grip. It would give me comfort to know how to break free.”
They ate quietly for a few minutes, Ellen apparently lost in thought. She shifted her gaze to Reese.
“Something bothering you?” Reese asked.
“The women where you live sound so very . . .physical, almost manly.”
“Meaning not lady-like?” Reese asked, amused. “Do you think I’m manly?”
“You, no, but—” Ellen started to say.
“Men don’t have an exclusive right to be active,” Reese said. “Though, to be honest, women where I come from haven’t been allowed this much freedom until the last few decades. When my grandmother was a little girl, females were discouraged from being physical. They were told they weren’t strong. But by the time my mother was in school, attitudes had shifted. Once women were allowed to participate in sports, everything changed.”
She pulled back the loose sleeve of her gown and tightened her muscles. Ellen’s mouth made an “O” as she touched the curve of Reese’s bicep.
“They used to think that if women lifted weights we’d become very muscular like men. But until I did this you never noticed my muscles, did you?”
“No.”
“I work on this, because I want to be strong, so I can do things for myself and not have to rely on others.”
“You are so independent,” Ellen said. “I think it takes bravery to be independent, though my brother would say that it takes arrogance.”
“Is he independent?” Reese asked.
“Yes, he is very independent.” Ellen grinned. “And very arrogant.”
“Why am Inotsurprised?” Reese asked. “I think this will probably be the last time we’ll get to do this for a while.”
“Why?” Ellen asked, alarmed.
“Because with your brother and his guests running around, we’d have a greater chance of being caught. Do you think your brother would approve of what I’m teaching you?”
“No,” Ellen said. “I think he would not be pleased at all.”
“I’m not trying to corrupt you, but I believe that you need to know that you do have some control of your life.” Reese glanced out the window. “Would you like to go for a ride tomorrow? I’d like to see the estate’s tenant village.”
“I have never visited it.” Ellen put down her napkin and stood. “I enjoyed seeing Nellie’s pretty little village. The children were sweet, and Mister Taylor so entertaining.”
Reese swallowed the knot that tried to form in her throat. She didn’t want to think of Jem with the kids.
“I will send word,” Ellen said. “We must change.”
Chapter 14
REESE HAD TO BITE BACK a smile at Ellen’s giddiness the next morning as they prepared to head out to the Kellworth tenant village. She had asked the cook to bake some treats to bring with them.
