Page 19 of The Sword and the Damsel

“Embellishing for the lady, no doubt, as any singer worth his salt should,” Daniel said, inclining his head toward Alais. “Sir Victor, can I borrow that lute? I wanted to play something I’ve been working on for our friend Bertrand here.”

Sir Victor handed it over, and Lord Guy looked on, defeated. With a friendly nod in her direction, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Alais feeling slightly bereft.No, that would be silly with five suitors sitting here with me, though I confess I’m barely interested in entertaining them.

“Finally, he’s gone,” Sir Robert mumbled.

What did he have against Sir Victor? Weren’t they cousins?

“Do you visit your aunt, Lady Helisende, often?” she asked, wondering if the hostility had something to do with their conniving aunt.

“She’s not my aunt, I’m afraid. My father’s brother married her sister, so while we’re distantly related through marriage, there’s no direct connection. And thank heavens for that, because she doesn’t like me very much. She’s always preferred my cousin,” he said, casting a dark glance at Victor.

Well, that was interesting. It was a relief to know he wasn’t close to Lady Helisende, but the mystery of his enmity toward Sir Victor only grew.

Abruptly, he moved to stand in front of her, offering her his hand, and when she took it, he helped her to stand. “My lady, I was hoping you could tell me about that tapestry over there. Ithas a most unusual floral pattern,” he said, offering her an arm with the clear intent of leading her away from the other suitors. Alais took his arm and followed his lead. Perhaps they could find a quiet spot for kissing. She wouldn’t mind that at all.

Unfortunately, her mother saw as they passed.

“Sir Robert,” the baroness said. “Did I hear you say you were interested in that tapestry over there? I’m so flattered you find it interesting. Some of the needlework is my own, you know. I’d be happy to show it to you and tell you anything you want to know.”

Defeated, Sir Robert was forced to excuse himself and take her mother’s arm, and Alais had to return to the other suitors who, if she was being honest, were boring her to tears.Sheep, one and all, she thought to herself.With the possible exceptions of Sir Robert and Sir Elias.Though she didn’t particularly fancy the idea of finding herself with Sir Elias. He was so stiff, and he hardly ever spoke. And she was certain he was about to dismiss her question about Canterbury when Lord Alphonse interrupted. Not to mention that the intense gaze thing was beginning to wear on her.

As she settled back into her seat, she cast a wistful gaze about, looking for Sir Victor. He’d rescued her once. Any chance he might do so again? Unfortunately, he was nowhere to be found.

Time dragged on as she waited for the evening to end. Her mother refused to relinquish Sir Robert, which meant she was stuck with the others and their tiresome conversation for the rest of the night.

To her surprise, Lord Louis was her savior. None of the others had anything interesting to say, but then Lord Louis began to regale her with marvelous stories about her father in his youth and all the mischief he used to get up to. He was still too old to consider as a husband, but he was a gifted storyteller, and that was entertaining.

At last, the evening came to an end. Hopefully, she could arrange with her mother to meet her suitors individually going forward. Managing them as a group was grueling. There had to be a better way.

As she drifted off that night, she found herself thinking not of her suitors but of that surprising performance by Sir Victor. What word should it have been instead of “queen”? Someday, she promised herself, she would get a proper answer. He was a vexing man! She would track him down the next day and see if he’d share what he knew.

Chapter Eight

When Lady Alaisleft the hall, Victor finally came out of the corner where he’d been lurking. Yes, lurking. What else could he call it? He’d been standing in the shadows, avoiding everyone while watching Lady Alais’s suitors fawn all over her, and trying to keep himself from marching over and giving them all a taste of his fists.

Except Lord Louis, who seemed respectful enough, looking at Lady Alais like a beloved daughter rather than a prize horse to be bought. Not that Lady Alais would ever agree to wed Lord Louis, thank heavens.

Time to go to work. Clearly, all of these suitors were unsuitable. Victor merely needed to find out why for Lord Daniel. When Lord Daniel had first given Victor the assignment, it was all he could do to conceal his cringe. But after watching this pack of idiots all afternoon, he was warming to the idea. It was time to go make some friends and sabotage all their hopes and dreams regarding Lady Alais.

Shoving off from the corner, he headed straight to the center of the pack of wolves. “Gentlemen, gentlemen,” he cajoled, arms wide. “The night is young. Don’t tell me you’re retiring already. Come have a drink with me, and I’ll tell you everything I know about Lady Alais. I’m her personal guard, you know,” he said, leaning in and lowering his voice persuasively. “You might learn something to your advantage.”

He was improvising, but it seemed to be working. All eyes were trained on him.

“Thank you for your kind offer,” said Lord Louis. “But I must decline. You young men go enjoy yourselves. I’m too old for carousing.” He bowed out with a kindly smile and headed for the door. A good man. An old man. One definitely too old for Lady Alais.

That left four—Lord Guy, Lord Alphonse, Sir Elias, and his cousin, Robert.

“Excellent proposal,” said Lord Alphonse, who was already slurring his speech slightly from drink. He threw an arm around Victor. “As you say, the night is young. What say you, gentlemen?”

“Yes, an interesting proposal, cousin,” said Robert, eyeing him suspiciously. “You do know more than any of us about Lady Alais. Why exactly are you volunteering to tell us?”

Of course, his cousin was wary. Robert had never trusted him an inch, even though they’d grown up together. It was disappointing, really. All Victor had ever wanted was to be friends, but his cousin always treated him as a rival. And Robert had been particularly unfriendly ever since Victor’s injury, as if he was disappointed that Victor had the gall to survive, thereby snatching Guestling from his waiting hands. But his cousin couldn’t possibly be that greedy and resentful, could he? After all, Victor had no plans to marry, so Guestling would pass to Robert in time. Still, his father always told him he should treat Robert as a brother, so that was what he would try to do.

If Victor was feeling charitable, which he wasn’t, Robert was a reasonable match for Lady Alais. Not a brilliant one, but Lady Alais didn’t seem to care about lands and position. And the two of them seemed to genuinely like each other. Victor knew he shouldn’t let old family prejudices get in the way of Lady Alais’s happiness. Nonetheless, the idea of the two of them togethermade Victor’s skin crawl, though he didn’t like to examine why too closely.

“I like a bit of sport,” Victor said with a shrug, knowing Robert would bite. The man couldn’t stand to see anyone else win. “I think the competition will be more interesting if you are well informed. Besides, you haven’t had much of an opportunity to taste the pleasures Winchelsea has to offer, cooped up here in the castle. It’s a very hospitable little town with a surprising variety of entertainment. It would be a shame for you all to miss out.”

“Well, I’m in,” said Lord Guy, rubbing his hands together. “It is rather dull here at the castle.”

---