Page 24 of Chivalry in the Meadow
“Squires do not ride publicly,” he said, his tone now arrogant. “Only knights ride in the parade,”
“Mia,” Lilly stood. “It’s time we turned in. Are you ready to go?”
“Yes.” Mia drank the last of her cider and stood.
Sir Cedric stood as well, and Mia realized all the knights had stood. These gentlemanly ways were something she wasn’t used to.
“Will you be attending the joust tomorrow?” Sir Cedric asked.
“Yes,” they both answered.
“Excellent,” he said. “I expect to be victorious again. No man can best me.” He leaned toward Mia. “Especially when I have such a lovely lady cheering me on.”
Mia blushed.
He reached for her hand, and taking it, bent to kiss the back.
She caught her breath.
His lips were warm upon her hand, and she suddenly felt warm all over.
As he raised again to stand, he whipped out a red rose from behind his back and presented it to her. “A beautiful rose for a beautiful lady.”
“Oh!” she let out her breath in a rush, “Thank you!”
“Quite welcome. Until tomorrow, my sweet,” he said and then sent her a dazzling smile.
My sweet, he called me his sweet. Oh, how romantic.
“Ladies, remember to bring your favors to the tourney,” Sir Elias said.
“Favors?” Mia asked, still dazzled by the romantic overture by Sir Cedric.
“I’ll explain it to you later,” Lilly said. She addressed the group. “Good night, all.”
Five of the knights bowed.
“Fare thee well, ladies,” Sir Elias said.
Lilly’s face lit and she waved. As they turned to walk back to Finn’s tent, she said, “I wonder where Sir Throne was? All the knights except him were there.”
“I haven’t seen him since the parade,” Mia said. In truth, she didn’t want to. Something about him scared her. She looked down at the red rose she was carrying.
“That was so romantic,” Lilly said. “Him giving you a rose.”
“It was,” Mia agreed. She was floating on such a high from the romantic gesture that she barely felt her feet touch the ground. They were at the tent before she knew it.
A lantern inside flickered.
Mia pushed up the flap of the tent for them to go in and stopped short.
They both froze.
What in the world?Mia’s eyes widened in shock at the sight.
Chapter Four
Inside the tent, their bags had clearly been shifted.
