Fists on her hips, Javenia tipped her little chin up like she’d seen her mama do. “Now go home, Duncan, and think about what you have done.”
Either he was too hurt to protest or too embarrassed to stay, because Duncan Boleyn fled like a ghost was on his heels.
Satisfaction filled her chest and Javenia gave one curt bob of her head before turning to see if Algenon needed help.
He’d already scrambled to his feet, a glare narrowing his hazel eyes and creasing his brow. Ruddy brown curls flopped all over his head, a few sticking up where Duncan had grasped them. Without saying a word, he marched over to his friends.
“That was amazing,” Nathaniel said, his eyes open in awe. “I’ve never seen a girl fight like that.”
“M-m-me n-n-neither.” Johnathan ducked his head, his white-blond hair falling in stringy clumps over his wide forehead.
Javenia grinned.
Algenon did not. “I think it was terrible. Now Duncan will think we need a girl to fight for us.”
She crossed her arms and glared. “Would you rather I’d let him pummel you?”
“I was doing just fine on my own.”
“Not from where I stood. He threw you into the bush like a sack of potatoes.” She raised both her eyebrows at him like she’d seen her father do when he was proving a point.
Algenon mirrored her crossed arms. “Nuh-uh. I only tripped over a root. I’d have taken him down soon enough. But you had to stick your nose in where you shouldn’t.”
Dropping her hands to her sides, she clenched them into fists. “Ungrateful cur.”
“Who’re you calling a dog?” Algenon came nose to nose with her, the top of his head only an inch shorter.
“You.” She jabbed a finger into his chest. “I come to your rescue, and all you can do is whimper and whine like a whipped puppy.”
He gave her a shove. She stumbled back, indignation filling her little chest. No one treated her like that. No one. So she bent over and gave him the same bull-like charge she’d gifted to Duncan Boleyn.
Algenon tried to step out of the way, but she caught his side with her bony shoulder, the force sending him tumbling into the shallow stream. His head submerged for only a moment before it popped up. He sputtered, spitting out dirty water and wiping his eyes.
Nathaniel laughed. Johnathan merely stared at her.
She couldn’t help the smirk that pulled at her lips. “And now you’re a wet dog.”
Nathaniel doubled over with laughter until he fell in the dirt. “She got you good.”
“Quiet,” Algenon whined as he trudged toward the shore. “I just tripped.”
“Over w-what? N-no r-r-roots th-this time.” Johnathan chuckled, then slowly rose to his feet and limped toward her. “W-what is-is y-y-your name?”
She eyed him for a moment, wondering if he too would twit her, but only pure interest filled his gaze.
“Javenia Harris,” she finally said.
His nose scrunched up and trepidation filled his eyes.
“She goes to church with us,” Nathaniel said, barely containing his laughter. “You know. Lady Upton’s daughter.”
Worry still clouded Johnathan’s face as he wrung his hands together. “I k-k-now who sh-she is. My m-mother is friends wi-wi-with hers.”
Nathaniel’s face cleared. “Don’t worry, John. You’ll be able to say her name. Eventually.”
“Or you could forget it,” Algenon grumbled.
“No, I like her.” Nathaniel glared at his friend, then turned to her. “Want to play pirates with us?”
