Page 20 of The Sword and the Damsel

Robert eyed Victor for a moment, then said, “I suppose I’ll join as well. I shudder to think what you might have in mind for entertainment, Cousin, but I wouldn’t want anyone to gain an unfair advantage over me.”

It worked.Brilliant.

“Sir Elias? Will you be joining us as well?”

Piercing blue eyes bored through Victor as Sir Elias stood silently observing him. “Fine. I will join,” Sir Elias said at last. “Like Sir Robert said, I wouldn’t want anyone to have an unfair advantage.”

Victor smiled, but it must have gone wrong because Sir Elias recoiled. No matter.

Like St. Patrick, I have played my flute and secured my snakes. Now to lead them to their demise.

“Come, gentlemen. Follow me.” Victor turned and led the way through the entry hall, out the portcullis, through the front courtyard, out the castle gates, and down Castle Street. He deliberately passed Birdie Street. Best to save that for later when they were all properly drunk. Instead, he led them to The Victory Cup, an establishment frequented by Winchelsea’s wealthier inhabitants that happened to hire irresistibly prettyserving girls. It was important to keep temptations close at hand. He wanted to give the suitors every possible chance to trip up.

“My lords, welcome,” said a saucy, red-headed wench, spreading her arms to display her decolletage and winking at them as they entered. “We are honored by your presence. Please make yourselves at ease.” She gestured to an empty table, polished to a dull gleam, at the front of the candle-lit room. The floor was covered in fresh rushes, and a musician played a lute by a roaring fire.

Victor pulled out the bench and slid into a seat. Lord Guy slid in next to him, followed by Lord Alphonse. Sir Elias and Robert sat opposite. Dear Lord, how he loathed the lot of them.

“My name is Kate, and I’ll be serving you this fine evening. What can I get for you gentlemen?”

Staring fixedly at her chest, Lord Alphonse said, “Your finest wine, and keep it coming.”

“Right away, my lord.”

“Best to bring us some bread and cheese too,” Victor added. He wanted them drunk but not so much that they made themselves ill. He didn’t want to have to wheel them back to the castle in carts, after all.

The serving girl returned swiftly with pewter cups and two sizeable jugs of wine. Once she finished pouring for them, Victor raised his cup.

“To the lovely Lady Alais.”

“And her ample dowry,” Lord Guy added, making Lords Alphonse and Robert chuckle.

“And her ample bosom,” Lord Alphonse said, laughing too hard at his own joke.

Victor clenched a fist beneath the table and took a deep breath.This is what you wanted, remember?They were here so that he could report back on their unworthiness. It wouldn’t dofor him to punch them senseless for revealing themselves exactly as he hoped.

Sir Elias wrinkled his nose and narrowed his eyes. “Sir Victor, if you please, would you tell us what you have to say about Lady Alais so that I can leave these fools to their drink? Their company offends me.”

Lord Alphonse sighed loudly and rolled his eyes. “Oh, come off your high horse, Sir Elias. I’ve seen how you look at her. You want to tup her bowlegged as much as the rest of us. Admit it.”

Sir Elias’s hand flew to the hilt of his sword.

“Gentlemen,” Victor said quickly, making a placating gesture. “Save it for the tournament.” Though truth be told, his own blade would be drawn right now were it not for his scheme to discredit them all.

He had to take control of this conversation before the others killed each other. Lord Daniel wouldn’t be pleased if his tournament fell apart because of a tavern brawl.

“Lady Alais,” Victor said loudly, gaining their attention, “is looking for a handsome champion—”

“Well, that rules you out,” Robert interrupted.

Why did Robert have to needle him like this? “I was never in the running. I am merely her bodyguard.”

“But surely you must have been tempted,” said Lord Alphonse, “spending all that time alone with a sweet little filly like that.”

They didn’t know,couldn’tknow, the things that went on inside Victor’s head. He clenched his hand harder beneath the table, digging his nails into his palm.

“Is she pure?” Lord Guy asked.

This time, Victor’s hand flew to the pommel of his sword despite his best intentions. “What did you say?”

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