Page 20 of A Bluestocking’s Secret Courtship

While they ate breakfast, Evangeline focused on her drawing. She barely glanced up when Xavier returned the tray to the sitting room and asked Regina if she felt up to sparring with him.

Uncle Charles had taught Evangeline and her two sisters to defend themselves with ancient fighting moves he’d learned on a sojourn to the Far East, but Regina was the only one to have mastered Wing Chun. Evangeline and Sophia kept up basic skills simply because their older sister needed a sparring partner from time to time, but neither of them was an even match for her.

Regina was a warrior repackaged as a slender, blonde, beautiful woman. Thankfully, her husband was happy to fulfill the role of sparring partner now. Evangeline had better ways to fill her time than warding off punches from her sister.

Evangeline added a vegetable stall and merchant to her sketch while Regina and Xavier moved to an open area of the courtyard. They assumed their fighting stances. Xavier initiated the first attack. Regina's movements were graceful yet precise as she blocked his strikes, her skirts swishing as she pivoted.

At home, she wore trousers, but practicing in her usual attire made the most sense to Evangeline. An attacker wasn’t going to wait while Regina changed out of her gown.

The scratch of Evangeline’s charcoal against paper mixed with the sounds of an occasional soft thud when Regina landed a hit. Xavier wasn’t quite fast enough to strike her, but he would pull his punches anyway even if he was. The fountain's gentle splash provided a constant backdrop to their morning routine, along with the voices of neighboring women and children playing in adjacent courtyards.

A flash of light across her drawing made Evangeline look over her shoulder. Sir Jonathan stepped from the foyer, blinding sunlight reflecting off the glass as he closed the door. His eyebrows rose as he spotted Regina and Xavier sparring. They stopped, turning toward him.

“Wing Chun,” Evangeline offered. “Uncle Charles taught us.”

Sir Jonathan’s surprise gave way to a smile. “You did tell me about your unconventional upbringing. Please, Mr. and Mrs. Vistoire, don’t allow my unexpected presence deter you.”

“If you are certain we won’t disturb you,” Regina said. “Evangeline is absorbed by her one true love, so we cease to exist in her eyes.”

“Then I will sit quietly and not interfere with her process.”

“I notice you,” Evangeline said to her sister. “Believe it or not, I am capable of noticing my surroundings while performing other tasks.”

Regina laughed lightly. “I’m only playing.”

She and Xavier returned to their practice, and Evangeline patted the bench.

“Don’t listen to her, Sir Jonathan. Your presence is welcome. Would you like to see my drawing?”

He sat beside her and took the sketchbook she offered, his eyes widening. “You’ve captured the columns and shadows perfectly. And your restoration…”

He lowered the sketchbook and glanced at her. “It is amazing, Miss Darlington. The stalls and shoppers—even the restored statue. You’ve taken us back in time.”

She warmed at his praise. “The book from Lord Dominic’s library was very informative. I have taken some license and applied my imagination, but I tried to keep the details as accurate to the book as possible.”

Regina landed another hit, followed by Xavier's quiet chuckle. Evangeline smiled, shaking her head. “It’s fortunate Lord Dominic’s walls are tall. Those two would probably scandalize the neighbors.”

“The neighbors have high walls, too. Who knows what they are getting up to in private.”

“Well, I appreciate your lack of judgment.”

“And I am pleased your sister is feeling better.” He shifted on the bench, his knee brushing hers and sending a scorching wave of heat through her. She took back her sketchbook, fighting the urge to fan her face.

“We are continuing our tour of Athens today,” she said. “I would invite you to join us, but I imagine your research is most pressing. That is the reason you are in Athens, no?”

Since traveling with her brother-in-law, she had inadvertently adopted some of his speaking patterns.

“Erm…yes.”

“I’m surprised you chose this area, given how well researched it already is,” she said.

Perhaps he was here for the same reason Uncle Charles had come to Athens. Sir Jonathan’s area of expertise might be frame drumming, but with such a monumental event—the discovery of a fabled group—his interests could have shifted.

“Athens has personal significance.” His voice wavered slightly. “It was the first place my parents brought me to tour once I was old enough to travel.”

Her arm fell limp at her side. Had she imagined a flicker of pain in his eyes?

“My father was fascinated by the Acropolis. Some see ruins, but he saw everything as it used to be. He talked about returning for years.”