“Off with it,” Sharp commanded, leering and motioning with his sword, motioning impatiently.<\/p>\n
Epee made a face, but obediently shucked his waistcoat and tossed it to join his neck cloth and afternoon coat. “You are in fine form today, my Lord Sharp.”<\/p>\n
Sharp bowed. “Thank you, my Lord Epee.” He grinned and raised his sword. “Shall we continue?”<\/p>\n
Back and forth across the ballroom they went, early evening keeping the room pleasantly cool, though very soon they would have to pause to light candles.<\/p>\n
If, Sharp thought as he landed a mark, they were here long enough to bother with the candles.<\/p>\n
He drew back. “That is another to me. Off with the shirt.”<\/p>\n
“You were not nearly this good when we dueled in the square,” Epee groused good naturedly, stripping out of his shirt and tossing it to join the growing pile.<\/p>\n
Sharp saluted him with his sword. “What can I say, my love, I am inspired.”<\/p>\n
“I cannot think why we began doing this,” Epee said, rolling his eyes and struggling to appear unaffected by the compliment. “Swords and nudity are not a good combination.”<\/p>\n
Lifting his sword, Sharp grinned. “Anything involving you naked is a good thing. Besides, at some point we will adjourn to finish this duel in more suitable quarters. Once I have you out of those breeches.”<\/p>\n
“Try it,” Epee said, and lunged.<\/p>\n
The next bit of clothing to go was Sharps own afternoon jacket.<\/p>\n
Perhaps they would need the candles after all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
“Off with it,” Sharp commanded, leering and motioning with his sword, motioning impatiently. Epee made a face, but obediently shucked his waistcoat<\/p>\n