Page 55 of A Winter By the Sea
Emily averted her gaze and cleared her throat. “My ... Um, my sister asked me to tell you she will not be able to fence with you today. Her friend came and invited her to take tea at the York Hotel. It was all rather last minute, and Georgie could not refuse.”
“I don’t blame her. Though unfortunate for me. I was looking forward to the exercise. I don’t suppose you would take her place?”
Emily hesitated. “I ... am not as athletic as Georgiana, as you surely know from my poor attempts at kicking that ball. And the only experience I have with fencing comes from the books I’ve read. You would have to start from the beginning.”
“You watched us. Well, that is, until you almost nodded off.”
She chuckled. “True. And I admit to attempting to advance in the parlour while wielding a quill, but that is the extent of my practice.”
“Come. Have pity on me. I could use a diversion.”
“Very well. Though I hope you won’t regret asking me.”
“Never. Now, what is this?” He held up the blunt-tipped practice sword.
“A foil.”
“See, you know something already. Please remember to strike your adversary—that’s me—with only the blunt tip.”
“I shall try.”
“To start, we salute. Hold the foil before your face, like this.”
She did so.
“Now stand in first position.” He faced her, heels together. She mirrored his stance.
“Hold the foil in your right hand, slide your left partway along the foil, then raise it with both hands above your head.”
He made the move look easy, but Emily found it hard to emulate.
“When you hear ‘On guard,’ or ‘En garde,’ point the foil at your opponent with your right hand while stepping forward with the right foot. On guard!”
Again Emily tried to follow his instructions, but she felt awkward and clumsy as she attempted it.
“Bend at the knees. Breathe!” he encouraged. “This is only an exercise. There will be no examination, I promise you.”
“That’s a relief.” She tried again, this time more fluidly.
Then she lost her grip on the foil.
He set his aside and walked toward her. “Keep your hand firmly clasped around the hilt, or your opponent could disarm you.” He took her hand in his and positioned it correctly. “Like this. The back of your hand down, the nails up.”
She liked the warmth of his hand on hers. The gentle patience of his voice.Careful, Emily, she reminded herself.
“Now, the next move is to strike out. Hold your arm straight, point the foil at my chest, and as you do, straighten your left arm. Ready? On guard; strike out!”
Emily did so and almost lost her balance. She steadied herself and tried again.
“Balance, balance ... good.”
Inwardly, Emily groaned, knowing she cut a poor figure as a fencer. She wished he could see her dancing a quadrille instead.
“Next, step out with the right foot, and strike me with the tip of your foil. Ready? On guard; strike out; attack.”
At her weak noodle-armed attempt, his serious expression crumpled and his shoulders shook with laughter. “No, no. You would never best an opponent if you struck him like that.”
They returned to their former positions and practiced the movements for some time until they gradually became easier for Emily. By then she was breathing heavily.
