Page 68 of Hooked

I watched in wonder. I was so used to her quiet, meek ways that seeing her thus was shocking. It was also a revelation. I hadn’t realized until that moment how much I worried about Emeline’s ability to take care of herself, to stand up for herself. The worry that my meek little friend would be trampled by whatever woes life had in store for her dissipated as I watched each slash and thrust. Dear Emeline might be quiet, but there was a warrior in her.

In the next moment, Falstone disarmed her and she stepped back, breathing hard.

He smiled at her. “Don’t get overconfident. When you do, you leave yourself vulnerable.”

She nodded, pushing a loose lock of hair out of her face.

“Have you had enough for the day?” he asked. “Or shall we take a break and get back to it?”

“Get back to it,” she answered before turning away from him, walking toward a water skin that lay in the grass. She picked it up, raising it to her mouth, and caught sight of me. Her cheeks immediately flushed but she said nothing, only taking a drink.

“Cecily.”

I turned to Falstone, who looked happy to see me.

“I see you’ve been keeping your most promising recruit a secret,” I commented.

He jogged over to me. “I told her it was up to her who she shared her hobby with.”

I looked past him to where Emeline was fiddling with her waterskin. “I’m very impressed, Emeline. You look like you have a natural talent for it.”

Her cheeks reddened more, but this time she smiled and glanced up at me. “Thank you.”

“You’re right about her talent,” Falstone murmured to me. “I’ve never met someone with so much drive, coupled with focus and humility.”

“How long have you been training her?”

“Several months. She approached me in Dalthia. She’d seen me working with Johnny and asked if I’d show her a thing or two. Of course I was happy to do it, but I thought she’d lose interest after a handful of lessons. I was very wrong.” He took a long drink from his own water skin then turned back to me. “So.” He leaned his shoulder into the wall, looking down into my face with a grin. “I have a break just now.” He dipped his head a little bit, his eyes on my mouth. “What shall I do with my time?”

I put a hand to his chest and pulled my face back, stopping his advance. “I’m afraid it’s going to cost you, soldier.”

I expected disappointment, but instead his eyes lit with amusement. “Really? And how much does a kiss from this fair maiden cost?”

“A thimble.”

He tipped his head back and laughed. “What an odd request.”

“More specifically, the thimble you stole from me all those weeks ago. I need it back.”

He tilted his head as he looked at me with affection in his eyes and mischief curving his mouth. “And you think I have this bobble?”

I sighed dramatically. “I certainly hope so, because I need to get back to work, and my other one has been misplaced.”

“Very well.” He reached in one of the small pockets of his jacket and pulled his hand out, the thimble balancing on the tip of one finger. “Will this do?”

“Yes,” I said, plucking it from his finger. “Quite nicely, in fact.” Then I rose up and kissed him more thoroughly than perhaps was strictly appropriate with Emeline only a few paces away.

21

Two days later, as I came out of the morning room with Marilee’s tea tray in hand, I caught sight of Falstone standing in the entry. I brightened immediately. He had that effect, making me feel lighter, happier, even though at that moment he wasn’t even looking in my direction.

He stood beside a stranger who looked like a gentleman farmer. The man held a broad-brimmed hat in his hands, turning it in a circle as he waited. He glanced up at the sound of my approach and I gave him a small smile before turning my gaze back to Falstone.

Falstone followed the man’s gaze and caught my eye, his expression turning suddenly nervous.

“There you are,” he said, clearing his throat. “This gentleman would like to have a word with you.”

I felt my forehead peak with interest and turned a curious gaze back to the man. “Yes, sir?” I asked with a dipped curtsey.