Wings of the Morning (Kensington Chronicles) (28 page)

the look of astonishment on his wife's face. Sunny had told

herself she was beyond surprises, but it just wasn't so.

"He tells me," Brandon went on smoothly, "that you hold

your own very nicely."

Again Smokey only smiled Brandon waited, but still she

said nothing. Smokey's teacup was halfway to her mouth

when he asked the question.

"Will you fence with me?"

Brandon's respect for her doubled as she calmly raised the

cup to her mouth, drank, and just as calmly placed it back in

her saucer.

"I'd have to change my clothes."

"So would I," Brandon informed her, and Smokey nodded

"In the den, in one hour?"

"I'll be there," Smokey told him. She thanked Sunny for

the delicious lunch. When she exited a moment later, Darsey

went with her.

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"You can't be serious," Sunny spoke as soon as the door

closed. Brandon chuckled at her look of horror.

"I'm not going to hurt her, love."

"Are you sure?"

"Quite sure. I've never known a woman who fenced, and I

must admit I'm more than a little curious. Chelsea wanted to

learn for years. When she finally badgered Rand into showing

her, she cut herself. Now there's nothing clumsy about my

sister, and I just wonder how proficient Smokey will be."

Sunny raised one eyebrow in the direction of her mate. "If

you're thinking of telling me I can't watch, don't waste your

breath."

Brandon laughed "I wouldn't dream of it, sweetheart, but

let me warn you not to get too settled in. I sincerely doubt it

will take long to prove the better swordsman."

smokey's small-booted feet were muffled by the carpet

as she walked into the den. Parks closed the door behind her,

and Smokey was glad for the few minutes of privacy. She had

changed into her work clothing and stood comfortably gazing

around the room, waiting for Brandon. She knew he would be

along any minute, but in the meantime she studied her surroundings.

The den was as masculine a room as she had ever seen,

done in navy and gold with hunting trophies everywhere. It

was easy to see why Brandon chose this room for their match.

All the norniture sat back against the walls, leaving the middle

of the room wide and clear. Huge windows on three of the

four walls made the light ideal.

Smokey was studying an embroidered hunting scene

when the door opened. Sunny walked in, followed by Darsey

and then Brandon. Smokey stood calmly, her hands clasped

behind her back. She watched both Brandon and Sunny study

her and smiled at their expressions.

Sunny, whose look was almost envious, was thinking how

well suited Smokey would look at the helm of a ship. Brandon

on the other hand, thought she looked ten years old. His face

gave nothing away, however, as he opened a case and invited

Smokey to select a foil. She chose a sleek weapon with an

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Italian grip. Carefully weighing it in her hand, she walked

confidently to the center of the room.

Darsey had seated himself in a comfortable chair, and

Sunny stood in indecision. Smokey's first mate looked settled

in for the afternoon, but if Brandon's predictions proved

accurate, it would be awkward to sit down, only to have to rise

again in a few minutes. After another moment of hesitation,

she took the sofa.

Smokey stood still and watched as Brandon moved toward

her. As he came forward, Smokey read something in his gaze.

Her own lit with amusement.

"Is that doubt I see in your eyes, Lord Hawkesbury?"

"I must confess that it is," he told her with a grin.

"I'll have to see if I can put your doubts to rest," Smokey

responded easily, and just held her laughter.

Fighting his own mirth, Brandon bowed low and straightened

"Engarde" he said, and their swords clashed.

Only moments into the match, Smokey sliced one of the

buttons from his vest, and Brandon's demeanor, much as the

pirate's, changed in an instant. His every sense was alert as his

small but worthy opponent parried every thrust. As with

Haamich Wynn, Brandon found himself to be stronger, but

Smokey was faster.

He also found her gaze unnerving. Her eyes rarely left his.

Brandon began to believe she could anticipate his moves

before he made them. He feigned moves, tried the offense and

then the defense, but to no avail. She was with him every step

of the way.

Had he not needed every ounce of concentration, he

would have laughed at his own conceit in the matter. Darsey's

comment that she could hold her own was turning out to be a

gross understatement.

As time passed in the most intense fencing either of them

had ever done, each participant began to think of an end

Brandon was drenched with sweat, and his arm was screaming

at him. Smokey's own face was beaded with perspiration,

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and her arm ached as well. She was tiring fast and about to cry

truce when Brandon surprised her with a fast lunge and flick

of his wrist. He flipped the foil right out of her grasp. They all

watched as it spiraled neatly through the air to land beneath

the north windows.

Smokey sighed with relief and bowed to Brandon, whose

chest was heaving.

"I thank you, Lord Hawkesbury," she said "You are a

worthy opponent."

"As are you," Brandon gasped "Allow me to apologize to

you, Miss Simmons, for ever doubting your skill."

The two smiled at each other, and Sunny let out a small

sigh of relieved laughter. She felt completely wrung out, and

all she had done was watch. Darsey stared at Smokey like a

proud father. Everyone began talking at once until Brandon,

who had been facing the door, spoke.

"Well, Dallas, welcome back."

The other three turned in surprise. Smokey immediately

felt apprehension rise within her. Dallas' face appeared to be

set in stone, and she knew in an instant he had seen the match.

Embarrassment flooded her, and she wondered if he thought

she was out to prove something. She didn't know how to tell

him that this was the farthest thing from her mind

They all watched as Dallas came forward, unaware of how

badly he wanted to take Smokey out to talk with her. The way

she kept her head down and eyes averted, stopped him, however.

Brandon began to question him about his trip. Dallas did

not comment on the fencing. Some minutes passed before

Smokey slipped soundlessly away. Everyone noticed her departure,

but no one commented

Many hours later, Sunny knocked on Smokey's bedroom

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door, a note in her hand Smokey opened the door but did not

immediately ask her in.

"Are you really not hungry?"

"I didn't say that in the note, Sunny. I said I didn't feel

well."

The younger woman stared at her, and Smokey stood back

to give her entrance. Garbed in a pale silk creation that

perfectly suited her dark hair and gray eyes, Smokey looked

lovely. To Sunny's gaze she looked completely ready to join

them downstairs, but she had obviously made up her mind

otherwise.

'You look wonderful. Are you pleased with the way Ken-dra

did your hair?"

'Yes, thank you."

The conversation died then, and the silence became

uncomfortable. Smokey took a small walk around the room.

Sunny watched her intently.

"Are you wishing right now that you'd gone back to London

on the first day?"

"No," Smokey told her after a moment. "I wouldn't have

wanted to miss these days with you, Brandon, and the baby,

but I'm afraid I never dreamed Dallas would return right then,

and in a rage to boot."

"I don't know Dallas the way you do, Smokey, but I'm not

really sure he was angry. Surprised maybe, but not angry,"

Smokey sighed. "I don't know him all that well myself, but

I'm embarrassed, and the thought of facing him makes my

stomach hurt. So rather than come down and sit at the same

table with him and pick at my food, I felt it best that I stay

away."

"Why would you be embarrassed? Certainly not because

of your fencing. You should be proud of your skill."

"It's not that really, although it didn't help."

"What is it then?"

Again Smokey sighed. "I'm just afraid that he'll feel obligated

toward me since he brought us here. I fear that he'll

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force himself to be witty and entertaining when he really

wants nothing to do with me."

Sunny didn't think there was any bigger fairy tale in all of

England than the story of Dallas Knight wanting nothing to do

with Smokey Simmons, but Smokey wasn't up to hearing that

at the moment. Smokey was feeling hurt and vulnerable, and

on the off chance that Sunny was wrong about Dallas' feelings,

she refused to push Smokey. Instead she prayed Moments

later, someone knocked

"It's probably Darsey," Smokey commented as Sunny went

to answer it. Dallas, in dark suit and white shirt, stood in the

hall.

"I've come to escort Smokey to dinner. Is she ready?"

Feeling like an anxious mother at her daughter's coming

out, Sunny backed away from the door to allow Dallas a view

of the woman within. When Dallas stepped across the threshold,

Sunny quietly made her way from the room. Smokey,

wishing Sunny hadn't gone, licked her suddenly dry lips as

Dallas' eyes met hers.

"May I have the pleasure of escorting you downstairs?"

Smokey told herself to say no, but she couldn't follow

through. With just the slightest nod of her head, Dallas came

forward and offered his arm. Smokey placed her hand within

the crook of his arm and walked with him from the room.

Not a word was said as they descended the stairs. Although

Smokey didn't look at him, she was aware that Dallas seemed

to be looking all around them as they walked. When Smokey

thought they would be headed into the dining room, she

suddenly found herself whisked behind the stairs, into the

picture gallery at the rear of the entryway, and into Dallas'

arms.

Smokey blinked as she looked up with wide eyes into his

face. He bent close to speak to her and forced himself not to

kiss her With one arm snugly around her, he reached with the

back of his free hand to stroke the soft skin of her cheek, his

eyes warming as they held hers.

"I missed you," he finally said

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"You did?" Smokey was truly surprised

"How could you think that I wouldn't?"

Smokey shrugged, feeling helpless and uncertain.

"Oh, Smokey, what have I done? You didn't wake up before

I left, and I hated the thought of leaving you a note." Dallas

stopped. There was so much to be said and no time right now.