But we were adults now. How much trouble could he possibly get into on his own?
Ben nodded for me to enter the grove first. As the oldest, I was always the one to test the grass for snakes. Apparently, that would never change. I straightened my back, then marched through the overgrowth and into the trees. I followed the sound—apat-pat-boom—as it continued, winding around trees and saplings.
I had not been inside the grove in some time. Sunlight sparkled through the leaves, which danced in the wind that blew through my hair, pushing me toward this new world I’d just entered. I caught myself staring at the treetops and slowing my steps to appreciate its beauty.
The sound grew louder, and though Ben seemed unperturbed, I could not place the sound nor make sense of it. I turned around and around until the corner of my eye caught movement.
I stopped in my tracks. Ben grasped my arm.
Mr. Winston stood facing a tree. His back was entirely bare and glistening with sweat. His arms were tense with strength, thick and angled with muscles into his shoulders and down his back to where his breeches hung low on his hips. His wide shoulders drooped, and on his hands, he wore strange leather gloves.
I’d altogether stopped breathing.
I stared—indeed, I could not peel my eyes away from the sight—frozen in place, but feeling scorched all over.
He lifted his hand and pushed against a long leather bag shaped like a bolster hanging down in front of him. Then, in the blink of an eye, he pulled back and thrust his fist hard against it.
I sucked in a breath, dropping my journal and covering my mouth with a hand.
Mr. Winston spun around, and his gaze caught mine. “Miss Newbury.” His voice rang with surprise.
My eyes took in the arc of his collarbone and the rise and fall of his bare chest that was flushed from heat and lined with shadows and curves over every inch of him. My stomach tightened and swirled and sent tingling waves all through me. “Mr.... Winston.” I breathed, then rushed to clear my throat. What was wrong with my voice?
He let out a breath; his smile was almost shy, but that couldn’t be. He was bold and brash and exuded nothing but confidence. “Let me just ...” He motioned to his shirt and jacket hung over a low branch.
Blinking, I turned away, pulling Ben along with me. “Benjamin Nigel Newbury, did you know he’d be here half-dressed?” I seethed, leaning in.
“Here, yes. Half-dressed?” He smirked, mischief in his eyes.
“I thought it would be just the two of us this morning, Mr. Newbury,” Mr. Winston said.
I looked hesitantly over my shoulder. He’d dropped his gloves and fumbled to get his shirt back on. He rolled up his sleeves as he walked toward me.
Ben shrugged with an innocent smile. “Ros insisted on joining us.”
My lips parted, and my face was so hot I felt dizzy. “I hadno idea—”
Ben laughed. “You’ve startled my poor sister to say the least. She is quite undone.”
Mr. Winston’s shirt clung to his chest and the waves of his muscles. I’d seen him in the pond, but drowning must have clogged my senses, for seeing him now,trulyseeing him ... I swallowed hard.
“I am not”—I cleared my throat—“certainlynotundone.”
Mr. Winston nodded with humor evident in his eyes as he watched me intently. He scooped up my journal and handed it to me. “Then you’ll join us for your brother’s lesson?”
“His what?” I choked on air, exerting every effort to focus on Mr. Winston’s frightening bruises instead of ... everything else.
Ben had removed his overcoat and started to roll up his sleeves like Mr. Winston had.
My attention wandered to the scene behind him. “What is that?” I asked, motioning toward the long bag Mr. Winston had hit only moments earlier.
Mr. Winston looked over his shoulder. “The ancient Greeks called these heavy bagskorykos. They used them for training their fighters. I believe you’ve seen it before.”
His bag from yesterday.
Then he picked up his leather gloves from the ground behind him. “And these are mufflers,” he said, trailing back. “Have you ever seen a mill?”
My brows constricted, and my mind went to work puzzling out what on earth he meant. The gloves were unlike any I’d seen before. I glanced to Ben, who seemed entirely enthralled.
