Page 41 of The Viscount's Silent Pugilist

Josie approached from the side. She hesitated before resting a hand on Genevieve’s shoulder. Perhaps she was worried that she would shy from her touch, but she trusted Josie and Franny with all her heart.

“My lady,” Josie said. “This is Gen. She is our new pugilist. She prefers not to talk in large groups.”

In small groups, either. Her siblings and Horatio were the only exceptions. But there was no way to correct Josie without talking. The bloody irony.

“I do so respect female pugilists,” Lady Milton said, her voice sincere. “And I dare say, I find people who prefer to listen quite refreshing.”

“Ladies,” Lady Siddons called. “Please take your seats because we are almost ready to start the meeting.”

The parlor quieted as the ladies arranged themselves around the room. Josie sat beside Franny, and Roseanna folded herarms across her chest and propped herself beside the door as if she were a sentry.

Surely no one would care that Genevieve had changed her mind. She doubted Roseanna, who always exhibited a calm nonchalance, would try to stop her.

As Genevieve prepared to stand and flee, Lady Milton grasped her hand, startling her so much that she remained seated. “You look so familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?” she asked.

Recalling the dark alley where Jonathan had rescued her, Genevieve’s cheeks heated. Luckily, she didn’t have to respond because Lady Siddons banged a gavel on the long table at which she, Lady Davenport, and Bridget Wentworth sat. Unfortunately, now that the meeting had started, it was too late to run from the packed room without calling attention to herself—so much irony.

“I call this meeting of The Lady’s Autonomy League to order.” Lady Siddons brought her hand to her heart. “My goodness, we grow in ranks every week.”

“Soon, we will need to knock down the wall to make a bigger meeting room,” Bridget said. “Oh, I know. We can include knocking down walls in our exercises. How marvelous! An army of female warriors formed from hard physical labor.”

“Keep my sister-in-law away from all hammers, mallets, and axes,” Josie called.

The ladies laughed. Meanwhile, Bridget put down her pen, stood, and pretended to cut into the wall with an imaginary ax.

“Hmm,” Josie murmured. “That might actually be an exceedingly beneficial method of training.”

“A battle axe with a battle ax,” Bridget announced.

Some of the younger ladies sniggered.

Lady Siddons rolled her eyes. “Our first order of business is that I would like to introduce our new members. Bridget, are you ready?”

Sighing dramatically, Bridget plopped into her chair and picked up her pen.

“First, we have Lady Celeste Milton,” Lady Siddons said.

The beautiful woman beside Genevieve stood. “I am so pleased to be here,” she declared as confidently as if she were the queen herself.

Lawks, no.Hopefully, they were not going to introduce Genevieve. She did not want to stand and have everyone look at her.

Then how are you going to box in front of people, silly girl?

Boxing was different. She was a superior athlete. She was a terrible orator. At least she hoped that they were different, or she was in way over her head.

“Next, I would like to present Mrs. Patricia Benson.” Lady Siddons extended her hand palm up, presenting a gray-haired woman with a sparkle in her eyes. “Patricia is Franny’s landlady and Edward’s dearest friend, as well as a strong supporter of female-owned businesses.”

Franny blew a kiss to the smiling woman who stood. The cheerful landlady waved, rearranged her skirt, and then sat.

“And finally, we have a future lady prizefighter in our midst.” Lady Siddons swept her hand in Genevieve’s direction. “Gen Blue.”

As in Blue was now her surname? Heavens, she was going to faint dead away, and with her luck, she’d land in Celeste Milton’s lap.

“Gen The Ghost,” Franny called.

“The Ghost. The Ghost,” the ladies chanted.

Genevieve forced her quivering legs to stand. She made a half-hearted wave. However, she couldn’t find the courage to make eye contact with anyone.