Read Online An Affair Downstairs by Sherri Browning - Free Book Online Page A

realize who was out here. I doubt he’ll recognize you.”
    â€œPerhaps I should remove my hat?” she asked.
    â€œNonsense. The earflaps will protect your ears. The report can be rather loud.”
    â€œIf we ever pull a trigger.” She let the tone of her voice reflect her displeasure.
    â€œProbably not today for you, but I might demonstrate a bit. I did take the liberty of sending word that you were missing tea today in favor of a shooting lesson. That might draw Brumley’s attention. Back to stance.”
    â€œWhen? When did you send word?” She didn’t recall him telling anyone.
    â€œWhen we were in the shed selecting the rifles. You were distracted with choosing a suitable weapon. That’s when I called over one of the grooms from the stable and told him to get word to the house that you would be having a lesson.”
    â€œBrumley knows.” She tried not to sound too impressed with Winthrop’s foresight.
    â€œHe knows. He might be watching, or the knowledge that you’re truly an aspiring Artemis might have put him off already.” He seemed to be taking great pains to avoid meeting her gaze.
    â€œGod willing.”
    â€œMmm. Now, stance. You’re too tense.”
    â€œToo tense? How so?” She straightened her posture until her spine locked up, and instantly realized her problem. “Oh. Too tense. Yes.”
    â€œYou need to have balance and control, but you need to be comfortable and fluid at the same time.”
    â€œFluid?” How could she be fluid?
    â€œTry this. Close your eyes. Now imagine that you’re by the ocean with the waves rolling in. You’ve been to the seaside?”
    â€œOn holiday.” She nodded, forgetting to keep her eyes closed. She shut them again. “In Brighton. Yes.”
    His hands closed on her shoulders and he began to rub.
    â€œOh!” She jumped. “No, don’t stop. It feels wonderful, but it startled me. I didn’t expect your hands…on me.”
    His hands. On her. She tried not to roll her head back and give in to the wild rumblings inside her.
    â€œRelax. So much tension in your shoulders and arms. Try to let it go.”
    She nodded. “I’m trying.”
    â€œImagine the ocean washing your tension away, the waves rocking you gently side to side. You’re the RMS Mauretania about to set sail.”
    â€œI might faint again,” she thought suddenly with alarm, her eyes popping open.
    He sighed and dropped his hands from her shoulders. “It was working. You were just beginning to relax, and now you’re tense again.”
    â€œI’m sorry. I’ve never done this before. Why don’t you show me how to stand? Perhaps I’ll loosen up as we go.”
    â€œYou’re going to part your legs slightly, putting one in front of the other. That’s it, left foot front. Your weight is mostly going to rest on that foot. Bend your legs slightly. You don’t want to lock up.”
    â€œRight.” She bobbed a little. “Knees bent, not locked up.”
    â€œGood. Maybe not quite so bent.” His arms went around her to help physically adjust her position. Her breath caught in her throat. “There. Perfect.”
    â€œI’m not sure. It doesn’t feel right. One more time?” She wanted his arms around her once more, but he shook his head.
    â€œNo, you look good. Nearly ready.”
    â€œNearly?” She would never get to hold a rifle, let alone shoot one.
    â€œNext, we need to determine your eye dominance.”
    â€œEye dominance?”
    â€œPut your arm straight out in front of you and point at that tree.”
    â€œWhich tree? We’re surrounded by trees.” They’d positioned themselves at the edge of the woods, far enough away from the house but close enough to be seen at a distance.
    â€œThe center tree. Very well.” He shook his head and walked up to the tree, then shouted back.