Page 43 of The Red Woman on Mars

She nearly forgot she despised him.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

20 Sols to Presentation Day

In the morning, Luz and Wim departed early for an obstetrics appointment with Dr. Chavez. “I’ll be back soon,” Luz whispered in Vivian’s ear. “I can’t wait to hear your opinion of last night’s dinner. Privately.”

Vivian grinned. “You’re on.” The night had ended amicably enough, but Vivian could tell none of the Martians had been sorry to see River depart.

As soon as the couple had left for the doctor, Vivian grabbed a hat and walked out the door. She intended to make the most of her time at the Yarrow Estate after spending so many days isolated within the walls of the dormitory. The vast, craggy grounds boasted a manicured garden, a badminton court, decorative greenhouses, and numerous modest staff homes. Walking without a destination, Vivian heard a faint clanging sound. Curious, she followed the sound up the path to the elevated inner courtyard of Yarrow House.

On the redstone patio, Xavier and August were locked in an altercation. Vivian froze. The two men had seemed so close the night before. What could have changed?

August laughed and brought his sword—his sword?—down hard on Xavier’s bicep, causing Xavier to drop his sword reflexively.Vivian let out an involuntary gasp, looking for the well of blood that was sure to follow.

August stepped back and held up his blade. “Too easy. Where are you this morning, X? Your mind’s not on the bout. Mooning over a certain lady?”

Xavier bent to retrieve his sword and scowled, rubbing the unmarred sleeve of his arm. “I am doing no such thing.” He raised his sword arm. “Again.”

This time, Xavier attacked his cousin with a high, chopping motion, pushing August back farther and farther, closer to Vivian, who stood still and unobserved against the wall. August parried the thrusts, and the two locked in a flashing dance of steel. With a hard blow, August disarmed Xavier and knocked him to the ground. He pressed the sword tip, blunted with a rubber stopper, to Xavier’s throat.

“Your technique is terrible today, X. The lady is available, you know. And it would keep our aunt offmyback for a spell. Quit being stubborn. Do you yield?”

What lady?They’d mentioned no one at dinner last night. She wondered if they were speaking of Ivey, who had made no secret of her interest in pursuing Xavier.

Not that it made any difference to her.

Xavier grabbed the sword edge in both hands and twisted it out of August’s grip. In one sweeping motion of his leg, he knocked his cousin off his feet.

“Ow,” August complained, sitting up and rubbing his head. “Not fair. You wouldn’t perform that move with a sharpened sword.”

“I don’t play fair.” Xavier reached one hand out and helped August to his feet.

August’s eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Vivian standing nearby. “Ah, Miss Bowen, good day. I’m pleased to have a witness to X’s unsportsmanlike behavior.”

“I’ve never seen a sword fight before.” Vivian rubbed her arms.

“I’m sure it won’t be your last,” August replied. “Swords are the weapon of choice on Mars.”

“Why swords?”More Regency playacting?

“You don’t know?” August pointed upward. “The integrity of the domes could fail in a gunfight, and we’d all be dead in a matter of moments. We don’t make guns on Arcadia.”

Vivian frowned. “Guns can be smuggled.”

“The Intelligence enforces the prohibition.” Xavier retrieved his fallen sword and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to clean it. “One of the few good things it’s ever done.”

August turned his back to Xavier and quickly put a fist to his forehead. Xavier, rubbing a spot on his sword, didn’t appear to notice.

“Would you care to try it, Miss Bowen?” Xavier asked.

“Me?” Vivian exclaimed. “Wouldn’t I hurt you?”

Xavier gave a scornful laugh. “If you managed to land a blow. I’ll take my chances.”

August’s brows drew together. “I don’t know about this, X. Fencing between Earthers and Martians is dangerous.”

Xavier tossed her a sword, and it sailed slowly through the Martian gravity. Vivian, to her surprise, easily caught it. She smiled and threw her ribboned hat to the side to land on the ground next to the fountain.