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But her footwork had disposed of that plan in under three minutes.

She watched Flynn reset with an expression he hadn’t seen on her face before: a calculated gaze mildly interested in what her opponent would try next, and Adam barely managed to keep his mouth from hanging open.

Her weight distribution was correct; her back foot carried more than most beginners understood to give it, with her blade hand forward and not crossing her body.

When Flynn had attacked from the left, she had not retreated either. When he’d thrown the beat attack, she had absorbed the force instead of fighting it and closed the distance before Flynn had his line back, which required a response that did not come from instinct.

Fascinating.

He couldn’t look away from her, almost forgetting that his daughter was standing at his side. Juliet’s hair had come loose, several pins giving way at once during one of the faster exchanges, and the better part of her updo had unraveled over her shoulders.

Now, she swept it back with her free hand, tilting her face toward the sun to clear it from her eyes, and Adam’s gaze trailed down to the line of her throat and the color in her cheeks. He was also well aware that he was not being remotely gracious about this.

She drew the back of her wrist across the side of her neck where the heat had gathered, and he drew a sharp breath.

Damnation.

What was this? Was she trying to seduce him right now? Or was he just that weak to her…especially since he couldn’t keep the memory of their kiss from surfacing even now, at the worst possible time? That much could be the case, because the only thing on his mind now as he watched her was to drag her back somewhere private, so he could kiss her senseless, until neither of them could breathe. So that he could finish what his footman had so frustratingly interrupted two nights ago. So that he could⁠—

Get a hold of yourself!

He chided himself now, closing his eyes for a breath spell and inhaling another calming breath.

If he did not get himself under control at this moment, his member would soon begin to push against the confines of his breeches, seeking the comfort of the woman who was now very surely taunting him. Eloise was right beside him too…certainly, he couldn’t be that inappropriate in front of her.

Juliet turned toward him, and he met her eyes head-on, because that seemed preferable to being caught not meeting them. Now, she was the one with her lips curved up in one corner.

What a minx.

He watched her walk toward him, his gaze trailing down to track the casual swing of her hips. When she got close enough to him, she held the foil out, grip first.

He reached for it. She had not let go. He took the blade side below the guard, and for a moment they were both holding it—her fingers wrapped at the hilt, his closed beneath the guard, four inches of air between their hands. He could see the flush along her collarbone, and her eyes, when they came up to meet his, did not immediately move away, and he was aware that Flynn was standing twelve feet to his left and that Eloise was at the fence…but none of that knowledge was of any use to him.

He still wanted to take her.

By God, he was losing his senses.

Juliet released the foil and turned to Eloise. “See?” She gestured between herself and the foil now in Adam’s hand. “There is nothing you cannot achieve without putting your mind to it.”

“You were magnificent,” Eloise announced, her voice bright. “Sergeant Flynn looked quite terrified.”

“I did not,” Flynn said, with considerable dignity, even though his lips twitched.

“You stepped back,” Eloise pointed out, placing her small hands on her hips.

Flynn grunted, “Tactical repositioning.”

Juliet laughed and started back toward the house, her hand going to Eloise’s shoulder when Eloise stumbled on a rough patch of ground. She steadied her without breaking stride, and Eloise leaned into her as she walked.

“You will teach me,” Eloise said now, jumping up and down on the spot.

Juliet’s brows shot up. “Will I?” she asked, and Adam saw her glance at him, because he was still staring at her. She looked away immediately, her neck flushing from his regard.

Damnation. She was seducing him, all right.

“Yes. I have decided.” Eloise looked up at her as though she already considered the matter settled. “If Miss Green objects, I will inform her it is educational.”

Juliet cocked a brow. “And if your father objects?”