Page 39 of The Viscount's Silent Pugilist

Occasionally, Genevieve felt the duke’s gaze on her while he and Roseanna worked on the sandbags. If only Jonathan were here. Alas, his presence—or lack thereof—could not andwouldnot determine her success. She concentrated as hard as she could as Franny taught her how to stay inside and outside an opponent’s reach.

Franny had just given her a few moments to rest when Lord Davenport strolled into the gymnasium, the beautiful Lady Milton by his side.

Suddenly, Genevieve was aware of her sweat-soaked, masculine clothing.

“Our new student is here,” Franny said. “Better late than never, I suppose.”

No!Genevieve fought her desire to whimper.

Arms folded over her chest, Franny regarded Genevieve with a raised brow. “I see.”

What in the dickens did she think she saw? If she assumed Genevieve was jealous of the pretty dowager, she was one hundred percent wrong.

You are an untruthful charlatan.

Fine. She was a jealous dunderhead.

“I used to be quite envious of Lady Milton,” Franny said. “She has a past with my husband. Now that I know her better, I rather like her. She is passionate about women’s autonomy and, like some of our other wealthy patrons, is willing to fund our causes. And once Edward married, she stopped flirting with him. She no longer flirts with Nicolas either.”

It seemed Lady Celeste Milton had a past with many men, though since she was currently flirting with Jonathan, Genevieve found this tidbit less than comforting.

“Do not fret, she is not here for pugilism training,” Franny declared, interrupting Genevieve’s thoughts. “Someone broke into her house a few weeks ago and stole valuable jewelry, so she wants to learn to defend herself.”

Genevieve wasn’t worried she’d have to fight the woman because if that were the case, she’d run circles around her. She was upset because Jonathan had avoided her all day and might well have been with the beautiful countess while she dined with his mother.

Lady Milton laughed at something Jonathan said. He smiled at her. She left his side to approach Josie, who was leading the ladies’ class in an exercise and movement session.

Jonathan peacocked across the gymnasium, stopping to talk to the duke.

“Shall we continue?” Franny asked.

Genevieve nodded.

“We are going to return to the drill where you have to follow my lead.” Franny slid her hands back into the mitts. “This time, we are going to speed things up. Ready?”

Genevieve dropped into her stance, knees bent, one fist protecting her jaw, the other poised to jab.

“Go,” Franny said, as she held a mitt in front of her.

Genevieve shot her fist out.

The mitt slid to the side.

Genevieve’s hip snapped with her cross.

Franny held both mitts face down.

Genevieve bent her knees and brought her fist up and through it, right then left.

Franny moved quickly, with no discernible pattern, while Genevieve focused and responded quickly.

“Bravo,” Lord Davenport said from behind her.

Genevieve had been so focused that she had not noticed his approach.

“Ignore them,” Franny said.

Egad!Who all was watching? Genevieve stuttered, throwing a cross when she should have left hooked, and then a left hook when she should have jabbed.