Page 32 of The Sword and the Damsel

Sir Victor bowed his head and disappeared. Several minutes later, he returned with Dora and a few other servants who were headed back to the castle.

Alais set off in a carriage with Dora, still shaken by her encounter with Sir Robert. She’d been looking forward to this day all month, but it was turning out so differently than she’d expected.

Sir Victor followed the group by horse. She swore she could feel him watching her through the carriage walls, but she didn’t dare turn to look out the window.

“What happened, my lady? You look distressed,” Dora said, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze.

“Sir Robert proposed, and I turned him down. He didn’t react well.”

Dora’s eyebrows shot up. “You turned him down? But I thought you and he…”

“I know. I did too, but today made me realize he’s not a nice person, however handsome he might be.” Alais stared fixedly at her lap.

Dora looked at her long and hard then nodded. “Then you made the right choice, my lady.”

“If that’s so, why do I feel so awful about it?” She’d certainly learned her lesson about trusting a pretty face. Sir Robert might show a fair face to the world, but his temperament was distinctly unattractive. She felt like a fool for being taken in.

Dora patted her hand and gave it another squeeze. “You just rest and refresh yourself. I know you’ll be going to the feast this evening, so you’ll need your strength.”

Alais rested her head on Dora’s shoulder and closed her eyes. She didn’t want to go to the feast, but she knew she had no choice. Hopefully, Sir Robert would opt not to attend. She would be quite relieved if she never had to see him again. Her other suitors didn’t fill her with enthusiasm, but she needed to make a decision quickly now that the tournament was over. She could only hope that Sir Victor would take her encouragement and declare himself. Otherwise, she was stuck with choosing between Sir Elias and Lord Louis since her father advised her against Lord Alphonse and Lord Guy for reasons he refused to share.

The coach halted, and Sir Victor opened the door to help her down. As she put her hand in his, she searched his face for some sign that he might be moved to action. He looked at her intently, as if trying to hold something back, but what that was she couldn’t guess. If only she could speak on her own behalf! But that was not how things worked. A lady could not ask a man. The question had to come from him.

“My lady, is something wrong?”

She had stood and stared too long, she realized.

“I—” She stopped, uncertain of how to proceed. “You fought bravely today. It was thrilling to watch. I admired your skill and grace.” Squeezing his hand, she tilted her head slightly closer to his. His head inclined almost imperceptibly toward hers. His lips parted. It was the unconscious prelude to a kiss, she was certain. They drew closer and closer. Her breathing grew ragged.

Dora cleared her throat, and sanity returned. Of course, they couldn’t follow through with their inclination, especially standing in the middle of the courtyard surrounded by servants,but she let the spell hold them for several seconds before she dropped her gaze demurely to the ground with a private smile.

“I shouldn’t delay you,” she said, relinquishing his hand. “I’m sure you need to get back to the tournament grounds.”

He retrieved her hand and placed it on his arm. She thrilled to the feel of the muscled tendons beneath her hand, and the heat of him moving over her from his side. “At least let me accompany you inside.”

She gasped. He never touched her if he could avoid it. He was always so careful to keep his distance. Now, she took full advantage, putting her other hand on his arm as well and leaning into him. His muscles tensed at her touch. Such delicious muscles.

“Have you ever considered marrying, Sir Victor?” A lady couldn’t ask a man, but she could hint.

His muscles became even more rigid beneath her touch.

“I would like to marry, but I doubt I’ll ever find a woman willing to have me.”

“You shouldn’t doubt yourself. I’m sure any woman would be proud to have such a husband.”I would, if only you’d ask.

His face reddened, and he blinked as if surprised. “You are too kind, my lady. If only others were so kind, perhaps I might marry after all.” He covered her hand with his and looked at her with such intensity, she thought she might melt on the spot.

“Women have been unkind to you?”

He gave a mirthless laugh, and suddenly she remembered her own first meeting with him.

“Oh.” She turned bright red. “Iwas unkind to you.”

He shrugged. “You were honest.”

She took a deep breath. “I was hideous. And wrong. Will you forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive.” He raised her hand to his lips slowly and deliberately and kissed it. She could hardly breathe.“My lady Alais, I—” He paused, running his thumb over the back of her hand ever so gently.

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