Page 35 of Promised to the Forbidden Laird
Roy selected the lighter of the wooden swords.
“This isnae a weapon,” he reminded her as he placed it in her hands.
Donaldina examined it. “It bears a remarkable resemblance tae one.”
“It is a length of wood intended tae prevent ye from removing one of me ears while learning.”
“Only one?”
“Grip it.”
Roy looked at her hands. “Nae as though ye intend tae strangle it.”
“I thought determination was desirable.”
“Control is desirable. Determination without control is how Cormac fights.”
Her fingers relaxed immediately. Roy stepped behind her and adjusted her right hand on the hilt. Her skin felt cool under his touch. He disregarded the sensation and moved her other hand below the first. “Keep the wrists firm, but nae rigid.”
“How does one remain firm without becoming rigid?”
“The same way ye govern a council.”
Donaldina glanced back at him. “By permitting men tae speak until they reveal themselves as fools?”
“It is one method.”
He stepped away before the warmth of her back could become another difficulty requiring discipline.
“Feet apart,” he instructed, and she widened her stance.
“Nae that far. Ye are preparing tae defend yourself, nae straddle a river.”
Her eyes narrowed. She moved one foot inward.
Roy tapped the inside of her boot with his practice sword. “Turn this one. Bend the knees. Keep yer weight balanced.”
“I am balanced.”
Roy pressed two fingers gently against her shoulder, causing Donaldina to stumble sideways. She quickly regained her stance, her face showing clear offense.
“Ye were saying?” he asked.
“That ye pushed me without warning.”
“Men intending tae seize ye will seldom offer one.”
Something changed in her face. The playfulness vanished so quickly that Roy wished the words back.
He lowered the sword.
“Again,” he said, more quietly.
This time, he showed her how to settle her weight through her legs rather than holding it high in her shoulders. He corrected the angle of her elbows, the position of her feet, and the manner in which she lifted the blade.
Donaldina listened with an attention more complete than many soldiers gave him. She asked no useless questions. When she failed, she repeated the movement until she understood why.
Roy expected stubbornness. He was not expecting patience.
