Page 26 of The Sword and the Damsel

“None?” Iselda’s eyes grew wide.

“Why should I let them think they’ve won my favor before the competition? Besides, if I singled one out, it would offend the others. And if I wore them all, it would offend them even more.” Alais looked at herself in the mirror. She wore a deep-blue velvet dress with a gold brocade silk panel in the front. The square neckline and tight lacing on the sides accentuated her curves. Her mother had lent her a sapphire necklace for the occasion, which added to her overall effect, and its dangling jewel nestled between her breasts, inviting illicit glances. She let her long hair hang brazenly loose, adorning it only with a simple deep-blue scarf to hold it back.

“Where did that scarf come from?” Iselda asked, pointing to her head. “I don’t think I’ve seen you wear it before.”

“No idea.”

She knew exactly where it came from and who had given it to her, but she didn’t want to give herself away to Iselda. Hopefully, Sir Victor would notice. It might be too subtle, but she didn’t want to do anything that might catch the attention of her other suitors. It was important to keep her options open for as long as possible. She would be delighted if Sir Victor took the hint and put himself forward, but she knew she would need to marry whether he did, or he didn’t. “How do I look?”

Iselda giggled. “Scandalous, but I’m sure that’s what you were hoping for.”

“Scandalous is good, as long as I haven’t crossed the line to shameless.” Alais turned to examine herself from all angles.

“I think you’re fine. Mother will approve.”

“But Carenza won’t?”

“No, she won’t.”

Alais smiled. “Good, then I’ve got it right. Shall we head out?”

They joined their mother and Carenza, who handed little Charles over to his wet nurse.

“You look lovely, darling,” her mother said. “Your suitors won’t be able to keep their eyes off you.”

Carenza frowned. “Won’t you be cold with that much skin exposed?”

Iselda giggled beside Alais, and Alais stifled a laugh and squeezed Iselda’s hand.

“I’ll be fine, Carenza.” Alais led the way out to the front courtyard where a carriage waited for them. They rode down through the city, out the western gate, and over to the tournament grounds where a growing crowd was gathered.

The Rossignol and de Vere banners waved and snapped in the breeze on either side of a central platform where their families would be seated under a canopy, half of which was red striped and the other half blue striped to match the tabards of the two teams of competitors in the melee.

Townsfolk and visitors milled around the tournament grounds in a festive mood as they alighted from the carriage. The elevated stands of tiered bench seating that extended out on either side were starting to fill with revelers, and on the opposite side of the field, there was more tiered seating dotted with guests.

A double palisade of wooden stakes lined the tourney field in front of the seats to prevent horses from bolting into the crowd. Moveable barriers enclosed either end. On one side they were festooned in blue and on the other in red to match the pavilion. The field itself was covered in sand to reduce the chance of injury to falling cavaliers. Soon, proud knights would take the field to display their might and prowess, and she would have a front-row seat to the whole display.

Alais wandered away from her family to see the rest of the grounds and hopefully find her friends. She walked behind the seating on each side where vendors set up stands to sell foods, beverages, ribbons, and flowers. Attendees adorned themselves in the colors of those they supported. She was already dressed for the day, of course, and needed no further adornment, but she pulled a coin from her purse and bought a pastry.

Wine and ale flowed freely, and the scents of roasting meats and sweet treats filled the air. She wandered over to watch a puppet show for the children for a few minutes and then caught sight of Simone in the distance.

Alais made her way past a juggler who was entertaining the crowd, drawingoohsandahswith their feats. She nearly bumped into one of the braziers placed at regular intervals so that people could warm themselves. Despite the chilly weather, the crowd was festive and raucous. Hundreds of spectators meandered through the grounds filled with excitement and good cheer.

Simone was with Lady Eugenie. What luck! Alais hurried to join them.

“I love your dress, Alais!” Lady Simone said, taking the edge of a long sleeve in her hand and fingering the velvet.

“You look lovely yourself, Lady Simone! Green suits you.”

“It brings out my eyes, doesn’t it?”

Lady Eugenie gasped and grabbed Alais’s arm. “Don’t look now, but Sir Victor is staring at you.”

He was? Alais and Lady Simone immediately swung their heads around to see.

“I said ‘don’t look’!”

Sir Victor stood beside Lord Daniel and was indeed staring at Alais with an intensity that made her blush and turn away.

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