Page 30 of Chivalry in the Meadow
Oh, no! They’re fighting over me. Tugging at me as if I were some toy to be won.
“I had her first,” Sir Cedric said, tightening his hold on her.
“You didn’t want her,” Sir Thorne said. “You wanted that blonde from last night. This red-haired beauty fell into your lap from your dumb luck.”
“Whether or not I want her, isn’t the issue,” Sir Cedric said. “I had her first, so she’s mine to put down.”
He glared at Sir Alaric. “I realize you don’t have a shred of chivalry in your soul, but if you did, you’d know finders’ keepers’ rules apply to her.”
Mia gasped again.
Sir Cedric’s gaze dropped for a moment, to her bosom, which was heaving, in proper wench fashion, and added in a much softer voice, “Not that I don’t appreciate the wubby, but I’d prefer one that wasn’t conducted on horseback.”
Her cheeks flamed with heat then, her embarrassment total.
This wasn’t the moment to argue with him, or to investigate the man who held her too close, this was the moment to request he put her down, slowly and carefully as they sat atop his tall horse.
“Please put me down,” she said. “Gently.”
Keeping one hand upon her, Sir Cedric unhinged his metal helmet and took it off, pulling off a soft white cap before shaking out a glorious mane of shoulder-length golden hair. Even red-faced, from riding under the hot morning sun, he was handsome. Tanned face, sun-streaked hair, vivid blue eyes, and a chiseled chin with a dimple in the middle.
“I’m the damsel in distress,” Mia said. “You dashed up, and rescued me from your horse, in the very best brave knight manner, so thank you. Nowpleaseput me down gently.”
“You nearly ran her over,” Sir Alaric said. “She’s uncomfortable. It’s ridiculous for you to keep her, when she wants away from you. Release her,” he ordered.
“She’s safer with me, than with your ill-mannered black stallion,” Sir Cedric growled back. “Here, you, wench whatever your name is, let me have your arm.”
“Address her as a lady,” Sir Alaric growled back, in warning.
“When she’s not dressed as one?” Sir Cedric raised a brow. “Dressed as a common serving wench, one of the lower classes, it’s clear that’s how she wishes to be treated here.”
“Wait. What?” Mia shook her head. “No.”
“Put her down. Now,” Sir Alaric said, his deeper tone implying an or else.
“Remember what happened the last time you two went off script,” Sir Throne said with a sly grin.
“For the last time,” Sir Alaric said, his tone hard as iron, “Put. Her. Down.”
“Really, Sir Cedric,” Sir Elias spoke, trying to ease the tension between the two men. “There are gentler ways of holding a woman on your lap, and the lady has asked you to put her down. Gently.”
“Please, my dear, ignore these men. I will help you,” Sir Cedric said as he moved his hands across her body.
“No! You’ve done enough,” Mia said, as she tried to push his hands away. “Remove your hands from me, sir!”
With that, Sir Cedric raised his hands in the air, completely away from her. “You had but to ask,” he said.
Quickly Sir Alaric’s strong hands moved upon her waist and lifted her down.
“Are you alright?” his quiet voice spoke near her ear once she was on the ground.
“Yes,” she nodded, still feeling the heat in her face as the knights all watched.
As Sir Cedric sat atop his horse, now she could see he wore a gorgeous white tunic embroidered with golden dragons, white tights, and knee-high; white leather boots tied on withleather garters. He and his horse wore white with gold threads everywhere.
The program listed him as the white knight, and he more than fit the part.
“That big horse came out of nowhere,” she said, looking at how big and tall the white horse was. “Frighteningly fast.”
