The glint in his eye left no doubt that he was teasing her.

"An adventure?" Elizabeth asked. "Pray tell your lordship, what adventure can you possibly pursue here in your ancestral hamlet?" Elizabeth couldn't imagine that lying low in the country could be considered an adventure to him.

"Why, my dear, we have all the prerequisites of an adventure at our beckon—an old estate with hidden passages, a damsel in distress, a knight errant, an ogre if you will, and treasure of sorts, not to mention the henchman and a posse of supporting characters." John counted off each point. "The ogre is definitely due for recompense, don't you agree?"

"The ogre—now his appearance would truly take away the appeal of this adventure." Elizabeth shifted in her seat, taking a deep breath as she adjusted the small pillow behind her. "No, thank you. I have not quite recovered from my last adventure with that miscreant."

"We will have to deal with dear old Freddy eventually," John sighed, looking just as weary as she felt.

"I know. However, if it's all the same to you, I prefer he not see me like this—" Elizabeth looked away, forcing her body not to betray her fear. After a short pause she continued, "He has a penchant for delighting in the pain of others, more so, if he is the cause for it. I refuse to fulfill his perverted satisfaction."

***

John regretted bringing up the ogre, Fredrick, but he like Elizabeth knew that they had to eventually address her future plans. Her features were closed off, removed, but just as quickly he saw the spark that lightened in her eyes, giving way to her curiosity.

"Why do you keep calling him Freddy? Are you acquainted?"

A small smile tugged at John's mouth. "He doesn't like it,"

"How do you know that?" Elizabeth asked.

John shrugged, "Let's just say, what he did to you is not the only score I have to settle with Freddy."

"Oh."

"Regardless, I have Robert ferreting what information he can. We'll know soon enough what he has been up to, and believe me we will deal with Freddy as he deserves." John clenched and unclenched his hand. "You have my word on that."

"Thank you," Elizabeth simply nodded, and turned back to the fireplace.

***

John seemed lost in his own thoughts. Every so often Elizabeth sneaked a peek at him. Having a man in her rooms was scandalous at any hour, but she couldn't help wanting to prolong his stay. She loved the way the glow from the fire softened his features. What was he thinking about? Stop staring at him.

Lately her woolgathering was solely focused on him. What it would feel like to run her fingers across his face, through his hair. Even the memory of his embrace earlier, when he comforted her still preoccupied her thoughts. Would his long eyelashes feel as soft as they appeared—Stop it.

"Care to share your musings?" John asked. He had not moved, his chair still facing the hearth.

"What?" Oh God, what do I say?

"You have this look about you," John continued, "as if you are a cat and have found yourself locked in the larder, with a fresh bowl of cream."

Elizabeth covered her face with her palms, blocking his view. This is entirely too embarrassing. That's it! "I was considering my predicament."

"Which predicament are you referring to?" John asked.

"I only have the one. What are you including on your list?" Fredrick is the source of all my problems, the blackguard!

"You have to be more specific, you have a number of issues, there is the inheritance of course," John counted off. "Your current guardianship, your impending marriage, and let's not forget your penchant for sneaking about the estate in boys' clothes," John smiled wolfishly, "Three can be fixed rather easily but the last, that one takes some getting used to—again."

"You were perfectly fine when Mei wore breachers on the ship," Elizabeth said accusingly. Does it bother him that I wear them? Do they make me un-lady like?

John rose from his seat, kneeling before her. He reached for her face, using his thumb to gently smooth the line between her brows. "I didn't mean any offense, I was merely teasing you. To be perfectly honest, I find you wearing them rather—appealing. Beyond the practicality of it of course."

"You don't think poorly of me for wearing them?"

"I wouldn't dream of it." John sat back on his haunches. "Besides, it's not like it's my first time seeing you in them." John brandished his full smile, "You were a hoyden even back then."

He laughed as Elizabeth chucked the book at him.

"You wound me, my lady," John caught the book midair and sat back with the hearth behind him, his body shielding her from the ember glow. "You know, we are going to have to work on your throwing arm. You should at least be able to hit your target."

Elizabeth wrung the hem of her chemise. "May I ask a favor—since you brought it up," Elizabeth asked.

"If it is within my power," John replied, as he watched her repeated movement.

"I know this sounds un-lady like, even impractical, but it occurs to me that part of the reason I was badly injured —is because—," just say it! "I couldn't better protect myself."

"You shouldn't need to protect yourself," John returned, his voice hardened.

"Right—don't get angry. Hear me out, I abhor being the damsel in distress, the useless and tiresome heroine. I shouldn't need you—or any man to protect me."

John watched her quietly. His features were closed off, and pensive. Did I offend him? Elizabeth replayed the conversation in her mind. She didn't think so. Perhaps reminding him of Fredrick was just as unpleasant for him as it was for her. I would be damned if I ever let the blackguard get his hand on me again. But how can I protect myself? If—if—I could... the image of John flying through the air flashed through Elizabeth's memory. If I could do that—that was it!

"Can you teach me to protect myself?"

***

John wanted to protest against her self-deprecating descriptions, but he too was guilty of treating her like the damsel in distress. Useless and tiresome are not the attributes I would highlight when describing this hoyden. Nope, not going to use those words. One should never challenge women and their sensibilities, it was always best to keep his one's own counsel.

Elizabeth waited for his answer. John was close enough to see the glow from the flames dancing in her eyes. Under different circumstances, he would have found this scene quite entertaining, but he recognized that she had shared a vulnerable moment with him and that he needed to be sensitive to her feelings.

"It's not that learning hand to hand combat is not practical, per say, rather that mastering this form of fighting is not as simple as it appears. For starters, I have been practicing with them for almost five years, and as you could see for yourself, I am nowhere near being a master. At best I am a neophyte, I learn faster than most, but I don't have the strength or stamina those two have developed," John explained.

Elizabeth looked defeated as she realized the reality of what he was sharing. John quickly added, "However, just because you can't master the art it doesn't mean you can't learn from it. There are other things I can teach you as well. The things I teach you may not be everything you imagined. However, you will gain an element of surprise when you may need it most."

Elizabeth stood and offered her hand to him. "When can we start?"

John took her hand in his and allowed her to pull him up, making sure he assisted in case her ribs still bothered her. He had noticed her favoring her side earlier. "I will make you a deal, we can start as soon as your ribs are healed."

"They are better now, we can start on the morrow," Elizabeth beamed.

John pulled her hand turning Elizabeth against his chest. "Try to free yourself," he said.

Elizabeth struggled against his arm, attempting to escape John's grasp. She trembled as pain radiated through her chest and back. John loosened his hold without saying a word.

"I can't start tomorrow," her voice quivered.

John reached for her again, this time turning her gently towards him. "Don't rush the healing. The ointment Mei gave you will help with the muscles but the bones will take a bit longer."

He ran his hand down her back, resting at her waist. "When you can easily turn to both sides we can start with the training."

Elizabeth nodded, leaning against him. Her hands holding the fabric of his shirt before linking around his back. The light scent of ointment clung to her as a constant reminder that she was still recovering. Knowledge of her injuries was all that controlled the desire that came over him. John lightly brushed a kiss on her forehead, "I should go."

"You should."

Neither actually let go for some time. John was glad he had already accepted the inevitable. The hoyden in his arms was going to turn his world upside down.

***

Author's Note: Hope everyone is doing great this summer. As always, thao my readers for coming along on this journey with me. It is definitly one of my favorite things to do. Please make sure to vote, and subscribe. You can also find me on Instagram