Page 29 of Highland Sword
“Are you planning to hide in the shed all morning?”
Morrigan’s challenge was not to be ignored.
Aidan straightened. “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread… as the poets say.”
“Well, you’re no angel,” his brother scoffed. “So have a go. You could use the exercise.”
She gestured to the rack. “Grab a weapon.”
“Here,” Sebastian said, tossing him the dirk he’d been using. “She’s tired me out, but I’d still like to cross swords with Blair, if he’s willing.”
“Aye, I’m always willing,” the Mackintosh fighter said, going over to draw some weapons.
“Mark him up a bit more as you please, Miss Drummond,” Sebastian told her. “But pray, don’t kill him. He’s the only brother I have left.”
She cast a sidelong glance at Aidan. “I make no promises.”
With a chuckle, Sebastian moved off with Blair, giving the two of them space.
They began in silence, testing each other with measured attacks. She was good, but he was better. She was fast, but he was stronger. If there was one weapon he could wield better than his brother, it was this one.
“I see you’ve been studying the books.”
“My skills don’t come from pages.”
“Confident.”
“I have to be when I spar with quick-witted barristers.”
“Are you flattering me?”
“No, I’m trying to get you to let down your guard.”
He would have preferred to stand around and talk. But she was the epitome of focus.
Morrigan had tremendous speed, but he also had the advantage of reach and height. When she attacked down low, he parried and knocked her backward with a jab to her shoulder.
She tried to get inside, and he deflected the move. She dropped her hand, and he had a chance to knock her on her ass, but he didn’t.
His instincts were like the hammer on a cocked pistol. He knew what to do, and she recognized how good he was. She couldn’t get to him.
In skirmish after skirmish, Aidan held his own but kept himself on the defensive. Like a gentleman, he held back.
Finally, she dropped her hands in frustration. “What was your brother going on about?”
“What did he say? I couldn’t hear.”
“He said you’re an expert with the dirk.”
“I am.”
“Then attack me.”
“I’d prefer to walk in the gardens or argue with you about your choice of reading.”
She rolled her eyes. “We are in the training yard. Attack me.”
“We’ve been doing well. Just because neither of us have been run through…”
