Beautiful Innocence, page 14
‘By learning to defend yourself. Have you found anyone willing to teach you yet?’
‘Not yet, but I will.’
‘That is most unlikely, but if you are set on the idea, then you need to learn not only to defend yourself, but to control your emotions as well.’
Now she was fuming. How dare this man she had only met once, come here and tell her what to do. ‘As I’ve said, this is none of your damned business, and why would my family ask you for help? Who the hell are you, anyway?’
The corners of his mouth twitched. ‘Language, Miss Stevens. I am sure the owners of this hotel would not be pleased to know you are swearing at one of their guests. Not at all ladylike.’
‘I ceased being a lady when I was left for dead in a garden, sir. You can go back to my family and tell them I am offended they should send someone my uncle met on his travels to ridicule me. They have broken their promise to me by telling you where I am, and they will most certainly hear from me about this. Now, if you will excuse me, sir, I have other duties to attend to.’ She spun round and found her way blocked by another man in the doorway, a huge grin on his face.
‘I’d say you’ve got your hands full with this one, sir.’
‘Who are you?’ she demanded.
‘He’s your bodyguard, Joe Lambert.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous! I don’t need a bodyguard.’
‘You do, miss, until Mr Dan has taught you how to deal with that nasty boy.’
‘Did you manage to arrange everything, Joe?’
‘Yes, sir, I’ve found the very place, and have cadged a nice thick layer of carpets.’
‘Well done. Now all we have to do is persuade Miss Stevens to cooperate.’
‘Ah, I’ll leave that to you, sir.’
Hester was glancing from one man to the other and sighed, her fury subsiding just a little. There was something she didn’t understand here. ‘All right, tell me who you really are.’
‘That’s easy,’ Lambert grinned. ‘We’re policemen.’
She gave them a suspicious look. ‘Then why aren’t you in uniform?’
‘We’re a special kind of copper, miss, and we don’t want villains to know they are being watched. Mr Dan is an expert at working in the shadows, and he’s our instructor. You couldn’t have a better man to teach you how to deal with anyone who means you harm.’
She had to admit she was now intrigued, and she studied the tall man with the unreadable expression. He was certainly impressive, and she knew her brother had liked him from the first meeting, but she had been too traumatised at that time to take much notice of him. Her uncle and family obviously trusted him, or they wouldn’t have asked him to come to help her, and she felt ashamed she had greeted him so rudely. ‘I see, and you would do this for me?’
He inclined his head. ‘When do you have free time?’
‘The mornings are always busy with guests coming and going, but I can often snatch an hour in the afternoons. I am also off duty after seven in the evenings and have Wednesday afternoons free.’
‘We will start the lessons every evening at eight, and an extra session on your free afternoon. We don’t have a lot of time, so you will have to work hard.’
‘Oh, I will.’
‘We will meet you outside at 7.30 this evening. Oh, and I would like an extra pillow, please.’
‘I’ll have one sent up to you, sir.’ She hurried out and closed the door behind her softly. ‘I’m going to trust you, Uncle, so I hope you know what you are doing,’ she murmured to herself as she ran down the stairs.
The two men stared at each other, and Joe whistled through his teeth. ‘I don’t think she believed a word we said, but my goodness what a beauty.’
‘And with a temperament as fiery as her hair.’ Dan grimaced.
‘Don’t worry, sir, after a few bruises she will forget the whole thing.’
‘I doubt that. What concerns me is that she was badly injured, and we don’t know what her condition is now. We will have to work out a way to avoid hurting her too much.’
‘Well, if you come with me, sir, I’ll show you the room I’ve prepared, and we can work something out.’
‘Good idea. I need to keep up your training as well.’
It was only a short walk to the church hall where Joe had managed to rent the use of one of the rooms.
‘Wonder how our three colleagues are getting on?’ Joe said.
‘They are probably bored. Surveillance is a lot of hanging around with nothing happening, but that boy needs to be watched.’
‘What are the chances of getting him for the attack on that young lady?’
‘I haven’t been able to find proof it was him, or who else it might have been. Unfortunately, I fear that justice is out of reach for Hester Stanmore.’
‘So, the only way to know for sure would be if he attacks her again.’
‘Let’s pray that doesn’t happen, Joe.’
‘Well, she is determined to put up a good fight if faced with anything like that again.’
‘I think if we can clear her name that is about all we can hope for.’
When they walked into the room, Dan checked the layers of carpet – four in all. ‘Where did you get them?’
‘From the other rooms. I told the rector it was for police business, and we would put everything back when we’d finished.’
‘Well done.’ He removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. ‘All right, let’s see how soft it is. Attack me.’
The time appeared to move at a snail’s pace as Hester waited to have her first lesson. She had been too distressed to take much notice of Uncle Harry’s new friend on that awful day after the trial. In fact, she had been unaware he had been there most of the time. He had said very little and had seemed to blend into the background, which was silly. How could anyone miss such an imposing man? However, meeting him again had immediately made her furious that her uncle and family had sent this stranger to her. Policemen! She didn’t believe that for one minute. Just because she was female, they thought she would believe anything they told her – and she resented that. She’d had enough of being ridiculed and called a liar. This evening would prove if he really was as good as the other man had told her, and she doubted that. It was a mystery why her family had been taken in by him, but on second thoughts maybe it wasn’t. Hadn’t she almost believed him as she’d listened to him earlier?
By the time she left the hotel to meet them she had worked herself into a fighting mood.
The room they took her to was empty except for several carpets spread on top of each other in the middle of the room, and an old wooden bench.
‘I notice you still have a slight limp,’ Dan said the moment they had arrived. ‘So, before we begin, I need to know if your injuries are completely healed.’
‘There is still a slight weakness in that foot, but it improves day by day, and apart from that there are no lingering problems.’
He nodded, walked over to the bench and took some clothing out of a bag he had left there. ‘Put these on and remove any restricting garments you are wearing.’
She studied the items he had put in her hands and then glared at him. ‘You expect me to wear these?’
‘I do.’
She thrust them back at him. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. I am not wearing trousers!’
‘Very well. Tell the rector we won’t need the room after all, Joe.’
‘Right you are, sir.’
‘I’ll walk you back to the hotel while Joe clears up.’
She stared from one man to the other, stunned. ‘What about the lessons?’
‘There will not be any lessons, unless you are prepared to follow my instructions.’
He meant it – he really meant it, she fumed inwardly. Joe was already rolling up the carpets. ‘Wait, where can I change?’ she asked, taking the clothes out of his hands.
‘There is a room through that door you can use.’
She stormed out. The man was insufferable. Why on earth did her Uncle Harry have such a high opinion of him?
The clothes were too big, but she tucked the shirt in and tied the trousers up with a long silk scarf included in the bundle for that very purpose, she suspected. Why on earth did she have to dress like this for a boxing lesson? There wasn’t a mirror in the room, but she felt hideous, and probably looked it as well. This man would pay for the indignity he was inflicting on her.
‘Take your shoes off and sit on the bench,’ he told her the moment she came back.
Without a word she did as ordered.
‘Let me have a look at your foot.’
She lifted it and flinched as his fingers probed the injury.
‘How did your foot get this badly injured?’
‘The brute stamped on it.’
He looked up then, and for an instant she thought she saw fury in his pale eyes, but he said nothing as he wrapped the foot and ankle in a tight bandage.
‘See how that feels.’
She stood up and took a few steps, then nodded. ‘That feels all right.’
‘Good, now come and stand on the carpets.’ They faced each other with Joe standing slightly to the side of them. ‘Now, tell me exactly what happened that night and how you tried to defend yourself.’
‘Why do I need to go all through that again?’ she protested. ‘Viscount Ardmore tried to kiss me, and I pushed him away. That made him mad, and he pulled me into the garden.’ She clenched her hands together, not wanting to relive that night. ‘I fought for my life, and as I recovered, I wanted justice – I still do, but I’m not going to get it, am I? If he comes near me again, I want to be better prepared. Now, are you going to show me how to do that, or are you just going to stand there asking questions?’
He moved towards her, and she took up a fighting pose she had learnt from her brother when they were children playing around.
‘If you think you are going to beat him with the boxing method, then you are very much mistaken,’ he said softly.
‘What other way is there?’ she asked, dropping her hands.
The next instant she was in the air and landing with a thump on her back, but Joe was supporting her enough to cushion the blow. Nevertheless, she was out of breath as she scrambled to her feet.
‘When you can do that to me you will be able to defend yourself against any attacker.’
Taking deep breaths, she glared at the tall man in front of her. ‘That wouldn’t be possible, you are a strong man and twice my size!’
‘It doesn’t depend upon size or strength. What you need is speed, and the element of surprise. I only have time to show you one simple move, but if you can master that it will give you time to get away from anyone trying to attack you.’
She didn’t believe him, but she was going to let him try and prove it. ‘Show me.’
Over the next few days, she endured bruises and frustration as she tried to learn the necessary move. It sounded simple enough; unbalance them and they will fall. The problem was she really couldn’t believe it was possible for a female to trip a grown man onto the floor, especially this one.
After a particularly intense session, Dan walked out of the room, and she sat on the bench, head bowed in defeat.
‘Don’t give up, miss.’ Joe sat beside her. ‘You’re nearly there and he’s pleased with your progress.’
She shook her head, thoroughly depressed. She had really wanted to be able to do this. ‘I’m not, and he’s about to give up on me.’
‘He wouldn’t do that.’ Joe lowered his voice. ‘I shouldn’t be telling you this, but he cares, and has agreed to be our instructor for the next six months to get the help he needs to try and find the truth about the attack on you. He has family commitments, but he’s put those aside to try and help you.’
Her head came up sharply in astonishment. ‘He’s trying to prove the Viscount was guilty?’
Joe nodded. ‘There are four of us under his orders. The other three are shadowing that young man at this very moment.’
Dan returned then and she watched him with renewed respect as he walked towards her. He moved with flowing grace, and she saw something that had passed her notice before. This man was dedicated to seeing justice done, and the knowledge that he had been prepared to give so much time to help her, made her eyes swim with tears. She had misjudged him and that filled her with shame. When was she going to stop making mistakes and start trusting people again? That brute had made her change her outlook on life and people, and she damned well wasn’t going to let him do that to her as well.
He stooped down in front of her, concerned to see her so distressed. ‘Are you hurt, Hester?’
She gulped, wiped her hand quickly over her eyes and looked up. He had never used her first name before, and for some reason that pleased her. ‘No more than usual. You are a good, patient teacher, so why can’t I do this?’
‘Because, deep down, you don’t believe it’s possible. You’ve got to know in here,’ he thumped his chest, ‘that you can defend yourself in this way. You get in position and then hesitate, and that will give your attacker time to recover. The movements must be quick and smooth, without the slightest hesitation.’
‘That’s hard, because I look at you and Joe and know there isn’t any way I can catch either of you off balance. It just isn’t possible.’ She grimaced. ‘It was a crazy idea, and not the first I’ve had by any means. It’s always been a bad habit of mine.’
‘I don’t believe you are defeated, Hester. Where is that determined girl I saw put the mighty duke and his son to shame in front of a room full of people?’
‘She’s gone into hiding. None of this would be happening if I had listened to advice and not gone ahead with insisting he be brought to justice for his attack on me. The repercussions to those I love is hard to live with.’ She looked at him, anguish in her lovely eyes. ‘And now, others like yourself are being dragged into the mess I have made. I deeply regret my decisions.’
‘You mustn’t feel like that.’ He took hold of her hands and shook them gently. ‘You’ve got a lot of people on your side now, so don’t you dare give up. You wanted to learn how to defend yourself, and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe you could do this.’
A glimmer of hope lifted her spirit. He was right, and she owed it to everyone not to let her confidence sink like this. It wasn’t like her – and it wasn’t her!
She stood up. ‘You honestly believe that a woman can defend herself against a man in this way?’
‘I do, and I’m not asking you to toss a man in the air. All you need to do is catch him by surprise and unbalance him. He will go down, I assure you.’
‘And what do I do then?’
‘Run like hell to the nearest place of safety.’
She burst into laughter, her respect and attraction to this intriguing man growing. ‘That I can do. Show me again.’
She concentrated hard, trying to do as he had told her and not hesitate, she was soon back to her real self, determined and unbowed by doubts, determined to please him if she possibly could. She had done the right thing, although the outcome had caused many problems, but they would all come through this stronger than they were before. From what she had learnt about Dan over the last few days she now knew he was not a man to say meaningless words. He had told her that a woman could master these moves to defend herself and she would not give up. If she did, she would have wasted everyone’s time and let herself down. That was not something she was about to do!
Back at the hotel Dan stared out of the window, deep in thought, then after a while turned to Joe. ‘I want you to run an errand for me.’
When told what it was, Joe nodded. ‘Do you think that will help?’
‘I hope so. Hester has lost her confidence, and the guilt she is suffering is holding her back.’
‘I agree. I’ll go right away.’
‘Thanks. I’ll book an extra room.’
Hester was keyed up with determination as she walked into the room on her afternoon off. The two men were deep in conversation, and she stopped in surprise to see a young girl with them.
The girl walked towards her, smiling. ‘Hello, Hester, my name is Faith and I’m Dan’s sister. It’s a pleasure to meet you.’
‘The pleasure is mine,’ she replied politely. ‘I didn’t know Dan had a sister.’
Faith laughed. ‘I was an unexpected late arrival.
’Dan came over then and placed an arm around his sister’s shoulder. ‘I don’t believe I managed to convince you a female can defend herself against an aggressor, so Faith is here to show you it can be done.’
As she studied the slim young girl standing beside her tall, strong brother, she found it hard to believe.
‘Let’s get to it, shall we?’
Faith grinned at Hester before walking over to the carpets, talking all the time to Dan and Joe. The next instant Joe was on the floor.
Hester gasped. It had happened so quickly the movement had been a blur.
Still smiling, Faith turned as if she intended to come over to Hester, and then her brother was also down.
‘Don’t think they allowed me to do that,’ Faith said as she sat next to Hester on the bench. ‘You can do it as well.’
‘You moved so quickly.’
‘My brother is a good teacher. He told me you have the ability but lack confidence.’ She took hold of Hester’s hand and smiled encouragingly, then spoke softly, ‘Look at them now. They are deep in conversation and not taking any notice of us. Now is your chance.’
Dan had his back to her, so Hester moved silently towards him, then tapped him on the shoulder. When he turned, she stepped in and without the slightest hesitation he was unbalanced and on the floor. Laughing and elated by her success she hid behind Joe as her place of safety, and in the next couple of seconds he was also down. She was doubled over with laughter as both men got to their feet, but the moment she saw their expression the amusement died. ‘Didn’t I do it right? You’re not hurt, are you?’
Dan reached out, picked her up and swung her round and round. ‘That’s my girl, I knew you could do it. You just needed another woman to show you it was possible.’
Joe had a broad smile on his face. ‘That was expertly done, miss, and I pity any man who tries to hurt you again.’
