Drake knew that she was trying, doing her utmost to find her way back to some sense of normalcy. He could see perhaps better than anyone else the strength it took for her to remain, to smile and to converse.
And then the day of their first training session came and Drake found himself at odds, pacing his study like a caged lion, unable to make sense of this tension that lingered within him.
Indeed, she was putting herself at risk by coming over here. If they were found alone together, she would most definitely be ruined. Yet, it was not that concern that had him on edge. It was, indeed, the trust she placed in him, the hope that what he had suggested would finally set her free. But what if it did not?
In order to ensure her safety as much as he could, Drake had given most his staff the afternoon off. He had drawn the curtains on the street-facing side of the house, ensuring that Lady Leonora would not be seen by anyone.
And then she suddenly stood in the door frame to his study, that black cloak once more draped upon her shoulders, the hood drawn deep into her face. She looked at him curiously, a hint of shyness in her eyes as she looked down at the simple linen dress she had chosen that day. “Will this do? I wasn’t quite certain what to wear?”
Drake nodded, his throat suddenly dry as he gestured for her to come inside. “Does the dowager countess know that you are here?”
Removing her cloak, Lady Leonora placed it on the back rest of a chair. “She does. I told her everything, and she will make up an excuse if someone should notice my absence.”
Drake took note of the soft rose upon her cheeks. “I must admit, your grandmother is a fairly unusual woman.”
A soft chuckle drifted from her lips. “I assure you; you are not the first one to think so.”
“Then why would she allow it? Even encourage it? Is she not aware of the risks that are involv—?”
“There are always risks,” Lady Leonora interrupted, her hand suddenly balled into fists at her sides. Her eyes were hard as they looked into his, and she breathed in deeply, seeking to calm herself. “I suppose, she believes that in this case the risks are worth it considering what I have to gain.”
Not wishing to upset her, Drake merely nodded and refrained from voicing any further doubts. “Very well. Shall we begin?”
A slight tremor shook her delicate frame, but she lifted her chin and nodded. “What first?”
Drake held her gaze. “First, I shall approach you.”
Again, she tensed, but nodded.
Drake was about to take a step toward her when he stopped himself. “Do I have your permission?” he asked, wanting her to know that he would not act against her will.
Ever.
A knowing smile flitted across her face. “You do.” Again, her hands balled into fists as she kept herself from retreating.
Looking into her eyes, Drake took a step toward her. “Tell me how this makes you feel.”
Lady Leonora blinked a couple of times, and he could see her mind beginning to analyze her own reaction. “My pulse is quickened, and I feel every muscle in my body tensing. My breath is coming faster and—”
Drake took another step toward her, and she clamped her lips shut, staring at him. “I will not harm you,” he told her earnestly, his gaze not veering from hers. “Do you believe me?”
Lady Leonora nodded. “I do.”
“Then breathe,” Drake instructed as he continued to move closer. “In and out. In and out. Look into my eyes and nowhere else.”
Without questioning him, she did as he bid her. Her breath slowly evened, and some of the tension left her shoulders. She still looked like a frightened little deer, but she was no longer about to bolt. And then Drake stood no more than an arm’s length away from her, her chin slightly raised so she could hold his gaze.
“Are you all right?”
She nodded. For another heartbeat, her eyes remained on his before they moved over his face, to the tip of his head, taking in his full height. They swept over his shoulders, down his arms and to his hands before she lifted them once more. “You’re tall,” she observed with a slight chuckle, her voice barely audible, nervous tension still lingering upon her face. “What now?”
Wondering if she would be up to the task, Drake said, “If you feel comfortable, I want you to try and push me away.”
She frowned. “Push you away? I thought you would teach me how to fight.”
“We will get to that,” Drake replied, noting the way she allowed herself to be distracted by the conversation. It was a good sign. “However, before we can do so, you need to get used to being close to me. I will not lay a hand on you, but you need to touch me if you want to learn how to fight. Fighting involves contact. There is no way around it.”
She bit her lower lip, doubt in her eyes. “I could use a weapon. A stick perhaps.”
“A weapon can be taken from you and used against you,” Drake counseled. “If you do not want to, we don’t have to—”
“I want to!” Lady Leonora insisted. She inhaled a deep breath, then lifted her hands looking at them as though they did not belong to her body. “You want me to push you away?”
Drake grinned at her and set his feet apart. “I want you to try.”
Challenge lit up her eyes, and that nervous flutter retreated once more. Nevertheless, her first push possessed no more strength than that of a mild breeze drifting through the trees. Drake knew she was afraid to touch him, but she had to get past that. “Again.”
Shifting her own footing, Lady Leonora once more lifted her hands, fingers splayed. Her eyes fell from his and settled upon his chest, her target area. Then she extended her bent arms and gave him a slight shove, all the while maintaining that last bit of distance between them.
Once again, Drake barely felt it. “If you want to throw me off my balance, you need to put your full body weight into this.” He cocked one eyebrow at her, daring her to refuse him. “If you merely extend your arms, you will never knock me off my feet.”
She regarded him quizzically. “What if you fall?”
Drake could not help but chuckle. “Do not worry about me.” His gaze urged her on. “Again.”
And this time, Lady Leonora did move. She moved away from that safe space and came toward him, almost flinging herself forward, her hands outstretched. This time, Drake felt a dim thump as her hands collided with his chest. This time, he was called upon to use his muscles to keep himself from rocking backwards. “Better,” he told her encouragingly. “Again.”
For the better part of that afternoon, Lady Leonora kept trying to knock him off his feet while he remained firmly in place. Still, with each try she grew bolder, her nervousness replaced by a single-minded determination. Her touch was no longer tentative, but full of purpose, and by the time darkness fell over London, she was out of breath. Her cheeks shone with color, and her eyes glowed with accomplishment. In all the weeks Drake had known her, he had never seen her so much at peace with herself.
Perhaps this would work after all.
Chapter Fourteen
Where To Strike
Every night Leonora returned home from Lord Pemberton’s townhouse, she fell into bed utterly exhausted. Her muscles ached, and her lungs demanded release. Still, she felt…good. There was no other word for it. The training sessions brought her peace of mind, something to focus on, something to accomplish. She could feel her body grow stronger as she continued to lift the weights as he had instructed. She knew she was no match for a man towering a head or two above her, but her increased strength made her proud and gave her hope.