Page 91 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke
Jane nodded. “This evening we’ll begin with balance.”
“Balance?”
“It matters more than strength.” He motioned toward the floor. “Stand naturally.”
She obeyed.
The duke shook his head. “No.”
She blinked at him in surprise. “I beg your pardon?”
“You are standing like a lady.”
“Iama lady.”
“Exactly.” His eyes flicked to her slippers. “Place your feet farther apart.”
She complied. “Wider.”
She sighed dramatically. “I am beginning to resemble a stable boy.”
“You are beginning to resemble someone who will remain standing if pushed.” He came around behind her.
Without warning, his hands settled lightly at her waist. Jane forgot how to breathe. His touch was careful, gentle, and entirely innocent. That did not stop every muscle in her body from becoming suddenly aware of him.
“Relax,” Hector said in a low voice that tickled the back of her neck and sent shivers racing through her body.
“I am relaxed.”
“You are very rigid at the moment, my lady. It’s not helping our lesson.”
She closed her eyes for the briefest moment and breathed slowly, willing the tension away.
His hands shifted slightly, adjusting her stance. “There.” He stepped away. “Better.”
She turned to face him. “Is this truly how gentlemen fight?”
“Gentlemenrarely do.”
She tilted her head. “You fight.”
“I have.”
“You speak as though there’s a difference.”
“There is.” He demonstrated the stance himself. “It is not fighting that one learns first.”
“What is it?”
“How not to fall.” He nudged her shoulder gently.
She instinctively shifted her weight and remained upright.
“Again.” He did it once more. Then he did it again from a different angle.
Each time she compensated a little faster.
His eyebrows rose. “You learn quickly.”
