Shattered Rainbows (FA 5) by Putney Mary Jo

Author:Putney, Mary Jo [Putney, Mary Jo]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance, General, Fiction
ISBN: 9781614171850
Publisher: Topaz
Published: 1996-02-02T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Catherine's heart almost stopped when Haldoran thrust his saber toward Michael's chest. Before she could cry out, Michael had parried the other man's blade.

"Are you mad, Clive?" she cried. "It's insane to fence with unprotected blades."

"Nonsense." Her cousin struck again. There was a piercing metallic shriek as sword slid along sword. "This is merely sport. No injury will be done. Will it, Captain?"

"As harmless as playing charades," Michael said with ironic humor. He blocked another blow. "What sportsman could resist?"

"Glad you agree." Clive punctuated his words with teasing jabs to test his opponent's skill. "But the finest sport is hunting in the Shires. Have you ever done that?"

"I've never had that privilege, but good hunting can be found elsewhere." Michael gracelessly warded off the other man's saber. "I've had splendid runs in Spain with local greyhounds."

"That sounds rustic but amusing." Haldoran advanced and there was a noisy clash of blow and counterblow. Conversation flagged, replaced by harsh breathing as they fought up and down the center of the gallery. Clive was a first-rate swordsman, quick to take advantage of any weakness. Michael was slower, his moves almost awkward by comparison.

Catherine watched in suffocated silence. Though her cousin claimed this was sport, if Michael failed to defend himself well enough he might end up seriously wounded, or worse. It took time to recognize that he was deliberately holding back. His offensive blows might be ineffective, yet somehow his sword was always positioned to protect him from his opponent's blade. Though he retreated again and again, he was never cornered. It was a performance of consummate skill. Only someone who knew him well would guess what he was doing.

The fight ended when Haldoran suddenly broke through his opponent's guard. Catherine gasped when she saw the blade stabbing for Michael's throat. At the last possible instant, Michael jerked his saber up to ward off the blow. Clive's blade bounced and skidded downward. The tip grazed the side of Michael's wrist, leaving a trail of scarlet.

"My dear fellow, I'm so sorry." Haldoran stepped back, the point of his sword dropping. "I didn't mean to draw blood, but in the pleasure of engaging a worthy opponent, I forgot myself." His apology was belied by the triumph in his eyes.

"No harm done. It's a mere scratch." Michael set his saber on a cabinet and pulled out his handkerchief.

Heart pounding, Catherine swept across the gallery and inspected the damage. Luckily, it was as minor as Michael claimed. She bound his handkerchief around the shallow cut. When she had finished, she gave Haldoran a furious glance. "You have appalling ideas of sport, cousin."

"It won't happen again," he promised. "Next time, we can use the blunted foils. But it was a rare treat to cross swords with a skilled fighter. Once again you were unduly modest about your ability, Captain."

"I've merely learned to do what needs to be done." Michael tugged his sleeve over his bandaged wrist. "Thank you for an entertaining visit, Haldoran."

"The pleasure was mine. Society on the island is often rather flat.

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