Page 35 of The Sword and the Damsel

Her mother stopped pacing. “I have been forthright with you about the specifics of what a man and a woman do together. I need to be absolutely sure. Did he touch you between the legs?”

“No.” She shivered in revulsion.

“Did he press any part of himself between your legs?”

“No.”

“Was there any sticky white liquid?”

“No. I told you, nothing happened.”My own mother doubts me?

“He didn’t spill the blood of your maidenhead?”

“How could he if he didn’t touch me?”

Her mother stood still and glared at her. Alais glared back with all of the outraged fury she could muster.

“None of this would have happened if you’d only said ‘yes’ to his proposal.”

“I’m sorry. What?” Her mother might as well have sprouted another head; it was incomprehensible.

“He was a perfectly respectable match. I can’t understand why you turned him down.”

Alais was speechless. “I can’t talk about this.” She rushed to run from her mother’s study and flee down the hall. Her mother grabbed her arm before she could leave the room.

“Go wait for us in the solar. I’ll send Dora. The rest of us have to go through with this farce of a dinner. We’ll speak in an hour or so. Stay out of sight.”

Alais made her way to the solar, her eyes blurred with tears. She sat in a dark corner, wishing she could disappear into the wall. Dora came in to see to her but wouldn’t make eye contact. When Alais begged her for a hot mint infusion to calm her nerves, Dora finally offered a brief, sympathetic look.

“Nothing happened, Dora. You know nothing happened. You do all of my laundry. I couldn’t have hidden it from you.”

Dora blinked. “You’re right, my lady. I’m so sorry for doubting. I’ll get you that infusion.” She gave Alais a quick hug and scurried out. At least one person believed her, not that the word of her maid was likely to be sufficient to clear her name with anyone else, but it was something.

Her marriage prospects were doomed. No one would want to tie themselves to her now. She felt hot bile in her throat as she thought about Sir Victor hearing Sir Robert’s lie. Shame coursed through her veins. She didn’t want to see the look on his face, didn’t want to see the shadow of disapproval in his eye. For some reason, his disapproval would be the most damning of all.

*

When Victor arrivedat the castle, the whole family was gathered in the solar. Lady Alais sat weeping silently in the corner. She looked up briefly when he came in, deep shame in her eyes, but she immediately dropped her gaze back to her lap. He achedfor her, certain she thought he was one more person, come to condemn her.

“Sir Victor, I’m glad you’re here,” said Lord Daniel. “I’m sure you’ve heard.” He glanced at Alais. Her eyes were squeezed shut.

“I have, but I don’t believe it. I think this is Robert’s revenge for Lady Alais’s rejection.” He risked another glance at Lady Alais, who was now staring at him with wide, hopeful eyes. He tried to convey faith and courage to her as he returned her gaze.

“Whether it’s true or not hardly matters if everyone believes she’s compromised,” Lady de Vere said, glowering at Lady Alais. “If you’d only accepted his offer…”

“Isabella, enough,” said Lord de Vere. To Victor’s surprise, Lady de Vere relented and took her husband’s hand. “It’s clear what needs to happen. She needs to marry immediately, or, if no one can be found, she needs to go to the abbey.”

“No, Papa, please, not the abbey!” Lady Alais’s eyes filled with tears again.

Forcing her to live a religious life would crush her spirit, and the mere thought filled him with dread on her behalf. If only Victor could sweep her up in his arms and carry her far away from their accusing stares!

“Sir Victor, are any of her suitors still here, or have they all left?” Lord Daniel asked, looking like he’d rather be anywhere but where he was.

“I’m sorry to say they’ve all left, my lord.” Victor exhaled. “Cowards,” he added through gritted teeth.

“Then, Alais, I’m afraid you’ll have to go to the abbey,” said Lord de Vere as gently as he could manage.

Lady Alais looked like a caged animal. “Wait! No! There has to be some other way. Carenza, you know I’m not cut out for life at the abbey. I hate it there.”

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