Page 27 of The Sword and the Damsel

“I think he was staring at something else just past me,” Alais said, suddenly warm despite the brisk weather.

“No, he fancies you. I’m certain of it,” said Lady Simone. “It’s too bad about his face. I’m told he used to be quite handsome.”

“I think his injuries show his valor,” Alais objected, realizing it was true. Somehow, in her eyes, his scars made him all the more attractive.

“Whose valor are you commending, Lady Alais?” asked a deep voice behind her. She turned to see Sir Robert in all his armored glory, crowned with golden ringlets. “Oh dear, I see you’ve forgotten the pin I gave you. Here, let me give you this to wear instead.”

Before she could object, he pulled off the silver clasp of his cloak and pinned it to her dress. She couldn’t think of a graceful way to say no. His fingers brushed the bare skin along her neckline as he took his time fastening it in place. For some reason, she didn’t feel the usual rush of warmth at his touch. She sighed as he stepped away.

“There. Now everyone will know how much I adore you. I already have your handkerchief tied to my lance.” She’d lostquite a few handkerchiefs over the last week at her mother’s urging. He took her hand and kissed it using his tongue once again, though this time, she didn’t like it nearly as much as she had before. Her friends collapsed against her with sighs and giggles as soon as he turned his back.

“I want one of those,” said Lady Eugenie, practically drooling as she watched him walk away.

“I want three of those,” declared Lady Simone, not to be outdone.

Alais’s glance strayed to Sir Victor, and she stopped giggling. She only caught his eye for a second but the heat and fury she saw before he looked away was enough to dispel her frivolous mood.

To her surprise, he walked over to her and offered a curt bow. “Excuse me, ladies. Lady Alais, you should rejoin your family. We’ll be starting soon.” He gestured for her to follow him toward her seat, careful as always not to touch her. When they were far enough from her friends not to be heard, he murmured, “You’re wearing my scarf.”

Good. He noticed. She gave him an inviting smile. “It matched my dress.”

“Someone might think you mean something by it.”

She paused and looked him in the eye, smiling flirtatiously. “Would they now?”

“Someone might think you mean something by that pin too.”

Oh dear. What must he think? “I couldn’t very well refuse in front of everyone.”

“Why are you wearing my scarf?” His eye bored into her with smoldering intensity, and she could hardly breathe.

At that moment, her mother came up and saved her from having to invent a response. “Where have you been? They’ll be starting soon. We need to head to our seats. Thank you forfinding her, Sir Victor.” Her mother started to drag her to the platform with their seats.

“Wait, Sir Victor!” she called after him. “Will you be on the red team or the blue team in the melee?” She already knew, but she wanted him to know she knew.

“Blue.” He said gruffly.

“Good. Then I wore the right color.” She grinned and turned without waiting to see his reaction, then headed to her place on the platform. Trumpets announced the start of the tournament, and the crowd settled into their places in the stands.

Alais took her place in front. While technically a spectator, her mother had made clear that she was also part of the spectacle. This was as much an opportunity for her to show off her beauty and her courtliness to the assembled knights as it was for them to show off their prowess to her. Daniel’s voice rang out, asking the day’s competitors to join him on the field. Servants handed pewter goblets to each of them.

“Good knights, Winchelsea welcomes you and is honored by your presence today!” Daniel bellowed. “Each of you comes seeking glory and renown, and I am certain that your valor on the field today will do each and every one of you credit. But this is a competition. Only three of you will walk away with prizes. Lady Isabella de Vere will award this destrier to the winner of the joust.”

Her mother stood and curtsied to Daniel and gestured to a restive and sleek black war horse being led across the field by a stable hand. The crowd burst into applause and chatter about such a fine and costly gift.

“Lady Alais will offer a ring to the best swordsman.”

Alais stood and offered a curtsy then held up the ring. While the ring wasn’t as valuable as the destrier, she was well aware thatshewas part of the prize. The crowd whistled and hooted as she smiled at her admirers.

“And my lovely wife, Lady Carenza, will offer a jeweled clasp to whomever she deems the most valiant competitor outside of the other two winners.”

Carenza stood, taking Daniel’s arm, and holding up the clasp for all to see. The applause for Carenza was enthusiastic but respectful.

“As is traditional, the winners will receive a kiss in addition to the prize.”

There were hoots and cheers from the crowd and several of the competitors at that. Four of Alais’s suitors looked at her with lascivious intent. Lord Louis, much to her amusement, was looking at her mother, blushing furiously. Victor’s gaze was fixed on the ground.

“Watch yourselves, my lords. Lord de Vere and I will be close at hand to see that you don’t get carried away.”

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