Page 30 of The Sword and the Damsel

To the crowd, he announced, “For our final prize today, Lady Carenza, my wife, will bestow a jeweled clasp to the knight that she deems has demonstrated the most valor. The prize goes to Lord Guy!” The crowd’s response was tepid. He was a dull choice, which was why Carenza chose him, Alais suspected.

Lord Guy made his way up to the platform and bowed to Carenza. She handed him the clasp, and told him in crisp, quiet tones, “I will kiss your cheek, and you will stand still for it. No sudden movement. Do you understand?”

Lord Guy gulped.

Carenza gave him a chaste peck on the cheek and sent him on his way.

“Ladies and gentlemen, that is the end of our tournament. Now go eat, drink, and be merry,” Daniel announced to the crowd who started heading toward the food stalls.

Alais headed over to her mother. “May I head back to the castle and rest a bit before the feast? I’m feeling a bit lightheaded.”

“You’re feeling unwell, Lady Alais?” It was Sir Robert.Of course.Exactly who she didn’t want to see.

Chapter Twelve

“Iwas hopingI might entice you to take a walk with me, my lady, but if you’re feeling unwell, perhaps we might rest under those trees?” Sir Robert was all charm, seemingly recovered from the strange rage that overtook him during the tournament when he was fighting with Victor.

“I would need a chaperone.”

“I’ll do it,” offered Carenza. For once Alais didn’t mind having her do the honors. If anyone could scare off Sir Robert, it was Carenza.

Sir Robert took her hand and placed it on his arm, leading her over to a bench under a nearby tree with a brazier underneath. Carenza seated herself at a discreet distance on the opposite bench and turned her attention to the passing crowd.

“Are you cold, my lady?” He put a solicitous and unwelcome arm around her.

She shuddered and shook him off.

“No, my lord. I’m quite comfortable.” She gave him a prim smile. “The tournament was very exciting. I’m relieved no one was seriously injured.” Alais could tell he was about to launch into an amorous speech, which she wanted to avoid, so she cut in with, “Can I ask you a personal question?”

He smiled and looked her up and down lasciviously. She was sure he had a misguided notion of what she was about to ask.

“I couldn’t help but notice that you and your cousin seemed angry at each other during the tournament. What happened between you?”

He cleared his throat and furrowed his brow. “Thatisa rather personal question, my lady.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry. But I couldn’t help but wonder, watching the way you two fought.”

She inched away from him on the bench. He inched forward.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out, he answered, “You are perceptive, my lady. My cousin and I don’t see eye-to-eye on many things. I saved his life in Spain—”

“Yes, he told me.” She was in no mood for his bragging.

“Did he?” He cocked his head and pursed his lips. “Well, you’d think he’d be a bit more…friendly to me under the circumstances. I don’t like to speak ill of others, especially to a lovely lady, but he hasn’t been the same since his injury. He seems to feel…. How do I put this? He seems to feel inferior, jealous. The poor man resents me.”

This solidified Alais’s low view of Sir Robert in a way that nothing else could. It was plain to her that whatever resentment might exist was entirely on Sir Robert’s side. Perhaps he was jealous of Sir Victor’s status as the heir, or his superior skill as a swordsman. Sir Victor had never spoken a word against his cousin despite the obvious hostility between them, and here Sir Robert was implying Sir Victor was jealous, inferior, and resentful. But Alais was practical. She didn’t expect a perfect husband, yet she refused to marry a jealous liar.

“But I didn’t ask to speak to you so that I could talk about my cousin. I want to speak about us.” He grasped both of her hands in his, and she forced herself not to recoil. The feel of her hands in his was so very different from Victor’s touch. She just wanted to pull away. Alais tried to keep from grimacing andmade herself listen to him seriously. She would hear him out and say no, and that would be the end of it.

“My lady, my affection for you can hardly have escaped your notice.” He raked her with a lecherous gaze that rested a bit too long on her chest. “And I daresay you have some feelings for me too unless I am much mistaken. Lady Alais,” he tightened his grasp on her hand and gave her his most smoldering and ardent look, “Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

He didn’t wait for an answer before launching himself at her and pulling her into a sloppy kiss that made her feel cold all over.

“Wait,” she yelped as soon as she could pry herself free. “You haven’t heard my answer yet. That was excessively forward, my lord.”

His brow furrowed, and she could see storm clouds forming behind his eyes.

“I am flattered by your proposal. I hold you in high regard, but I’m afraid I must refuse. I’ve given it careful consideration, but I don’t think we’re well suited. I’m sorry, my lord.”

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