Chapter 14
Fourteen
Esther couldn’t sit still on her seat in the town hall.
Alexander was warming up, throwing shadow thrusts with his foil. She didn’t understand much about fencing or swords, but the foil was a piece of art. The guard had the carved pattern of a bunch of roses, and the blade shone with a silver gleam every time he moved it.
He paused to wave at her, and she waved back.
Mother, sitting next to her, poked her with an elbow. “The duke looks smitten with you.”
“As I am with him.”
As the defending champion, he would fence only against the fencer who qualified for the final.
Alexander’s rival was none other than Lord Warwick, whose sour expression ruined the festive atmosphere.
The official raised an arm. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the final of the National Fencing Championship. Alexander the Great”—the crowd cheered—“will duel with twice county champion, Lord Benedict, Viscount of Warwick.”
Esther tapped her heels on the floorboards as the two fencers faced each other. The official stepped back, and they began fencing, and she didn’t understand anything of what was going on. There was a lot of thrusting, sword crossing, and yelling, but she had no idea who was winning.
When the official shouted, she cheered.
“What are you doing?” Mother said.
“Alexander scored.”
“No, darling. Lord Warwick touched the duke with the tip of his foil when he performed an Italian lunge.” She put her lorgnette on her nose.
Esther angled towards her mother. “Since when do you understand fencing?”
“Since I started practising when I was fourteen.” Mother’s voice lowered as she blushed. “Then my father ordered me to stop because he said fencing wasn’t for ladies, and I’ve missed it terribly since then.”
She held Mother’s hand. “You never told me.”
“I wanted to give you a good example, but then you started playing cricket, and I couldn’t forbid you to practise something you loved, and I was proud of you. Despite your father grumbling, you kept playing. I wish I had your strength when I was young.”
“I had no idea.”
The official shouted again.
“What happened?” she asked.
“The duke scored. The next round is decisive.” Mother patted her cheek. “I was strict with you, but I’m glad you had the courage to keep doing what you wanted.”
Not really. She hadn’t truly been herself, not as she was with Alexander. “Why don’t you start fencing again?”
Mother chuckled. “At my age?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“I would feel ridiculous.”
“No, you would feel wonderful.”
Alexander moved as if he were dancing. The only thing she understood was that he was quick and agile and elegant.
The official shouted again.
“Botheration, what is it now?”
“The duke won!” Mother clapped. “I might ask him to help me start fencing again when he becomes my new son.”
After shaking hands with Lord Warwick, Alexander ran towards her among the cheers and applause from the crowd. He beamed so brightly tears welled in her eyes.
“You were magnificent.” Her voice cracked a little.
He kissed her hand, but Mother cleared her throat. “May I borrow Esther for a moment?”
Mother put down her lorgnette. “Only a moment, Your Grace.”
Esther giggled as Alexander led her across the hall, weaving through people congratulating him, journalists asking questions, and other competitors shaking his hand. He exited the hall and headed to the end of the hallway.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Somewhere quiet.” He showed her to a small office and locked the door. “This is the best day of my life, and not just because I won the championship, but because you were here to see me.” He cupped her face and kissed her. “I’m so happy you came to watch me.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for anything in the world.”
“I love you, Esther. I just wanted to tell you.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you, too.”
“I decided not to give up fencing.” He held her by the waist and lifted her.
She laughed. “Good choice.”
“If it is, it’s thanks to you.” He put her down. “You give me hope and happiness.”
The honesty with which he declared that emotion left her breathing hard. She hadn’t realised how much she needed to be herself and be appreciated for that until she’d met him.
She hugged him tightly. He held her, close to his chest.
They’d won more than a championship.
One year later
Stretching out in his bed, Alexander stared at the collection of his cups shining on the shelves in the morning light. A year had passed since his competition in Brighton, but winning hadn’t been the best part of that day or the year.
Marrying the love of his life had surpassed any victory he’d ever achieved.
He pulled Esther closer and kissed her forehead. The bedsheets smelled like her, and with her tousled hair and crumpled nightgown, she was stunning.
“Did you sleep well?”
She snuggled close to him. “No, because someone woke me up a few times to do wicked things.”
“You poor thing.” He scattered kisses on her face. “Don’t worry. Your mother will punish me today when we meet for her fencing practice.”
“She’s taking it seriously.”
“She wears glasses during practice.” He kissed her neck. He adored her neck; it had a swan-like shape he could caress for hours. “How is your cricket team going?”
“Very well. We have five teams of all women joining the league.” She yawned. “We aren’t officially recognised, but I don’t care. I want to have fun.”
“What a coincidence. So do I.” He put a hand on her hip.
She giggled. “I want to visit Brighton again and maybe start a women’s cricket championship there.”
“Your wish is my command.”
THE END