Page 29 of His Forsaken Duchess
“You have to breathe with the arrow, feel its path before you loose it,” Cedric explained, stepping closer to demonstrate. He pulled an arrow from the quiver and nocked it, drawing back the string with practiced ease. “See? It’s about understanding the tension and letting it work for you, not against you.”
She nodded, her eyes darting between the bow and his hands. “And the aim? How do you ensure it’s precise?”
Cedric smirked. “That’s the challenge. You trust your instincts, but you temper them with practice.” He lowered the bow and handed it to her. “Here. Try.”
Audrey hesitated, the bow feeling awkward in her hands. “You make it look far easier than it is.”
“That’s because I’ve been doing this for years,” he said, his tone teasing. “Now, let’s see what you’ve got.”
She lifted the bow, her fingers fumbling slightly as she tried to mimic his earlier stance.
Cedric sighed, stepping behind her. “You’ll need to adjust your posture,” he said, his voice low.
His hands lightly touched her elbows, guiding her arms into the correct position. The faint scent of roses drifted toward him, soft and warm, filling his senses.
His chest tightened as the scent lingered, the warmth of her body against his briefly disarming him.
Focus, Hall.
“Keep your shoulders relaxed,” he murmured, his breath fanning her ear. “If you’re tense, your aim will suffer.”
Audrey’s voice wavered as she replied, “I-I think I’ve got it.”
He stepped back, watching as she pulled the string and loosed the arrow. It shot wide, missing the rabbit entirely and hitting a nearby tree. Cedric laughed, the sound breaking through the quiet of the forest.
Audrey huffed, lowering the bow with an indignant look. “It’s my stays,” she declared, lifting her chin. “They’re far too tight.”
Cedric chuckled, shaking his head. “Ah, yes. Blame your stays. Certainly not a lack of experience.”
She glared at him but couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at her lips. “If you had to endure such a contraption, I’m certain your aim would suffer too.”
He smirked, his gaze lingering on her flushed cheeks and bright eyes. She was so unlike the poised and proper duchess he had imagined. This version of her was adventurous, curious, and captivating in ways he had never anticipated. And it terrified him.
A rustling sound drew his attention, and another rabbit hopped into view. Cedric’s instincts took over. He plucked the bow from her hands and nocked an arrow in one swift motion, loosing it with precision. The rabbit fell instantly.
Audrey darted ahead, her skirts swishing as she crouched down to examine their catch. She looked up, her expression bright. “You shot it squarely in the eye!”
Cedric joined her. “The fastest way to bring it down.”
She picked up the rabbit, holding it with a surprisingly steady hand. “And you were worried about my dress. It’s red. No one will notice.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Point taken, Duchess. Point taken.”
Cedric shot three more rabbits as they made their way back to the castle, Audrey carrying them in the folds of her cloak without complaint.
As they neared the castle gates, she glanced at him and asked, “Are you cold?”
His eyebrow rose. “Now you ask if I’m cold? After you’ve stolen my coat?”
She laughed, the sound light and melodic. “I didn’t steal it! You offered it.”
Cedric let out a mock sigh. “You see, princess, you have this habit of coming into my life and taking things.”
Audrey turned to him, her expression curious. “And what, pray tell, have I taken?”
His mind wandered briefly to Cecilia’s ruby necklace, its absence gnawing at him. The thought darkened his mood, and he quickened his pace.
“Never mind,” he muttered.
