Page 57 of The Duke's Spinster

She readied herself for Samuel’s aggressive lunge, and parried it away. She feinted right and moved left, letting him nearly go by her. He would turn quickly to strike, thinking he had won. In her mind’s eye she could see him smiling. And then…

He didn’t see it coming. He didn’t have a chance. She swung her arm high and around, snagging him high outside on his shoulder.

Three.

The crowd erupted. Her signature move had the men, all of them, on their feet shouting praises. For as long as she could bear it, she let the shouting pour over her. The referee was on his way over to her to confer her medal. It was a moment for the ages. They had never seen anyone strike like that before. Let alone…a woman.

She tore off her mask and slammed it to the ground.

The referee became a statue. The crowd was in a second, even louder uproar. A woman. How can she fence? Where’s the Duke of Baskim? Wait. Wait. Wait.

And then…

Hands were on her legs and around her waist. Wesley was there with James and Chris, and they were hoisting her upon their shoulders. It was scandal after scandal. But she didn’t care. She had the support, literally, of three dukes beneath her.

The three, plus a mixed crowd, were cheering for her with the loudest voices and largest grins. Chris, the quiet one, she had least expected such boisterous support from. James, she knew the least, yet he had been the one to steady her on Wesley’s and Chris’ shoulders. And Wesley must have been watching thewhole thing, for he had been at her side first. That thought thrilled her the most.

She glanced down to see that Samuel had an inscrutable glare reserved for her. Even amidst all the chaos, she saw Wesley nudge Samuel hard in the ribs. Then she overheard him hiss at his friend, “You can get your arrogant arse over here to support my future wife, or you can stand there like an imbecile who just lost to a woman.”

Or perhaps it was that threat that thrilled her the most.

*

After her triumph,Wesley used his carriage to take Boudicca home. They sat in her drawing room with tea between them. It had been such a rush to see her beat Samuel, though he had no doubts that she could, that this moment felt far too serene.

“You must know that you won’t receive the medal.”

“Yes, I figured.”

“And they’ll probably redo the tournament.”

“That makes sense.”

“But everyone knows you beat him. Fair and square.”

Her smile warmed his heart. “I suppose some people will try to spread gossip that it was all a scheme.”

“There are conspiracies about everything. It’s bound to happen.”

“People will say anything, but the majority will know the truth.” It was optimistic, but he still hoped it would play out that way. “Rest assured that anyone wanting to remain in good favor with the four of us dukes will agree upon the truth that a woman is the best fencer in London.”

“Even if only a few know the truth, that’s more than before. I’ve come a long way.” She took a sip of tea.

“We both have.” He sighed, wanting to tell her so much, and knowing this was the time to do it. “I need you to know something about me. My standards are so high because of my father. He had to have the best, and he made it known that I had to be the best. He drilled it into me that winning was everything. He would always tell me not to come home unless I won.”

“He couldn’t be serious, could he?”

“Locked-me-out-of-the-house-and-sent-me-away serious.”

“I see.”

“I’m telling you this because I feel as though today I finally saw Boudicca in all her fullness.” He raked a hand through his hair. “And…I want you to see me more fully because well, I want us to fully see each other.” It was not as smooth as he had intended, but it was just the way the words tumbled out.

Her raised brow invited him to add more to his already eloquent speech.

“I know you must hate me. I deceived you. There’s no excuse for it. It was one of the most imbecilic actions I’ve ever taken. But truth be told, it was thebestmost imbecilic action I’ve ever taken as well. Fate intervened and led me to you.” He stood and walked around the table, then kneeled at her side and took her hand in his. “It led me to you. If I must beg your forgiveness every day, I will do so.”

“In full transparency, I should tell you something about my sisters before you go any further.”

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