Page 21 of The Sword and the Damsel

“I heard a rumor about her and a troubadour,” Lord Guy continued, oblivious to his danger. “Is she untouched?She seems almost too good to be true—beautiful with good childbearing hips and a dowry that—”

“She is pure as the driven snow.” If Lord Guy finished his sentence, Victor knew he couldn’t stop himself from running his sword through the wretch’s throat. “You mustn’t listen to gossip, Lord Guy,” he said, attempting to tamp down his violent urges and speak calmly. “I heard a rumor that you feel so inadequate in your manhood that you stuff lamb’s wool down your breeches every morning, and we all know that can’t be true.”

Lord Guy turned scarlet and clenched his jaw, staring down into his drink.

Good. That put the man in his place.

Victor didn’t actually know how far things had gone between Lady Alais and her troubadour, but he would be damned if he was going to sit and listen to a bore like Lord Guy insult her honor.

“I am sure the lovely Lady Alais is above reproach,” Lord Guy mumbled into his cup.

“Indeed, Lady Alais is all that is beautiful and virtuous,” said Robert with an inscrutable smile. “Any man would be lucky to have her for a wife, and I aim to make her mine.”

Sir Elias looked daggers at Robert, then turned back to Victor. “I tire of these fools and their posturing. What can you tell us that might aid us in wooing her? If you have nothing useful to say, I will return to the castle.”

Victor took a long, deep drink as he considered how to respond. He had no intention of helping this pack of braying asses in their courtship, but he had to say something. Perhaps he would have a little fun and lead them astray.

“What would you like to know?”

“What is her favorite flower?” asked Lord Alphonse, pouring himself another cup. “Ladies like flowers.”

“Violets.” Victor once heard her declare violets boring. He looked forward to seeing her expression as they all brought her bunches of them.

“Her favorite perfume?” Robert asked.

“Anything rose-scented.” In fact, she found rose scents cloying and wrinkled her nose whenever her friends wore it.

“But isn’t it really her father we need to woo?” Lord Guy asked. “Tell us about Lord de Vere. How do we get into his good graces?”

“By pleasing his daughter,” Victor answered a little too sharply. He still hadn’t forgiven Lord Guy for his earlier comments. In a calmer tone, he continued, “Lord de Vere has given her the freedom to choose, as long as she does so quickly. He wants her married by Christmas.”

Robert smiled triumphantly. “She’ll choose me. I’ve already got her wrapped around my finger.”

Victor took a deep, calming breath. He didn’t care. Hecouldn’tcare that Robert was right. There was no reason for his hand to grip the hilt of his sword once again. If his stomach churned at the thought, then it must have been something he’d eaten. Where Lady Alais bestowed her affections was none of his affair. His duty was to defend her honor until she married. That was all.

Sir Elias shook his head and stood. “I’ve had enough of these popinjays. I bid you all good night.” He headed for the door.

Too bad. Victor had failed to eliminate him from the running.Ah well.There was still time before the tournament.

“What a shame. His loss. What say you to moving along to a place that offers a bit more feminine hospitality?” Now to go in for the kill.

“No, thank you,” said Robert, rising. “I’ve no interest in your idea of hospitality. I believe I shall turn in as well.”

Victor knew very well that Robert enjoyed a brothel as much as the next man, but perhaps he was on good behavior for the sake of Lady Alais. And the man was his cousin. He shouldn’t always assume the worst of him. His father would want him to give Robert the benefit of the doubt. He nodded goodnight to his cousin and let him go.

“Shall we, gentlemen?”

He left coin on the table and led Lord Guy and Lord Alphonse off to Birdie Street.

Two down. Two to go.

Chapter Nine

The tournament wasthree days away, and the weather was chill and blustery. This was the first day in a week with no rain. Victor would have preferred to be at the tournament grounds, overseeing preparations, but instead, he was stuck accompanying Lady Carenza and Lady Alais on a visit to Silver Street to pick up tournament prizes.

“Sir Victor, it’s good to see you. I was beginning to think you were avoiding me,” Lady Alais said, giving him a wink as he bent to kiss her offered hand.

She was right. He was absolutely avoiding her. The rain had given him such a lovely reprieve from her company. Spending time with her had only sharpened his absurd and inconvenient attraction, which he was determined to ignore. Not that time away lessened his feelings. It only reduced the likelihood of his slipping up and making them known in some way. And it was his sworn duty to keep that from ever happening. For today’s outing, he intended to maintain as much distance as possible, keeping conversation and contact to an absolute minimum.

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