Elora’s gaze swept over the spectators. Lord Yves was a very good speaker. Every person in the crowd turned to him, listening intently. She grinned, enjoying the excitement permeating the air.
Lord Yves lifted both arms and shouted, “Go find your champion!”
A deafening chorus of applause and cheers erupted. Trumpets sounded, and the nobles around her spoke to each other in enthusiastic tones.
She swiveled her stare to the surrounding lords and ladies dressed in their most beautiful, expensive dresses. The ladies wore silk that shimmered in the sun as they fanned themselves. The men were adorned in surcoats with precious gems and pearls sewn into them.
As the Grand Marshall, a hefty man who looked as if he would crush the poor horse beneath him, took the field and announced the rules of the tourney, Elora’s stare again moved over the crowd. There were so many people! It truly was exciting!
“Good day, Lady Elora,” a voice greeted.
Elora turned to see Lady Bethany of Sudbury. Her brown long braids hung down on either side of her head. Rumor had it she didn’t think her hair was long enough and had purchased a dead woman’s hair to add to her own. She wore a red bliaut with flaring sleeves.
Dread welled up inside of Elora. She had never been friends with Bethany, but she placed a sociable grin on her lips. “Good day, Lady Bethany.”
Behind Bethany, two other ladies greeted Elora: Lady Jennifer and Lady Lynda. They were like a pack of animals, always seen together, always sitting near each other, always gossiping. They were all friends supposedly, but Elora knew they would betray each other quickly if the rewards were great enough. She nodded a greeting to the others.
“It is a beautiful day, and the knights are truly glorious,” Lady Bethany said.
Elora agreed. “Quite.” She knew why they had chosen to be kind to her this day. It was because of Edward. As a single wealthy knight, the ladies were eyeing him as a future husband. If they could become friends with her, they might be able to get closer to Edward. They invariably had ulterior motives.
“I saw your brother,” Bethany said, looking at the field. “He is magnificent.”
“Splendid,” Lynda added.
“Amazing,” Jennifer chorused.
“Yes,” Elora agreed. And he was. His parade armor had been polished to perfection. It had taken his squire and two other men hours to scrub the shine into it. She felt bad for them. Their arms must hurt this morning.
An awkward moment of silence stretched.
Jennifer exchanged a glance with Lynda before turning back to Elora. “Your dress is stunning,” Jennifer complimented.
The tone of her voice was not sincere, so Elora didn’t believe her. “Thank you.”
They surrounded her, giving Elora chills of unease. What did they want? Was this about Edward, or was there something else?
Bethany leaned closer to her. “Have you heard any rumors of rebellion?”
Frowning, Elora snapped her head to look at her.
Drool formed in the corner of Bethany’s lips. “Rebels loyal to Prince John are rumored to be at the tournament. It’s positively intriguing!”
Elora straightened. “My house and my family are loyal to King Richard,” she proclaimed, lifting her chin in indignation. “Are you insinuating we are not?”
Bethany’s mouth dropped open. “No! Forgive me, Lady Elora. I wasn’t implying that. I was just warning you.”
“Are you threatening me?” Elora demanded.
“No! I beg your forgiveness,” Bethany said. “I meant no offense.” She stepped away from Elora, and Jennifer and Lynda immediately came to her side, comforting and protecting her.
Trumpets blared, and a cheer rose from the crowd, drawing Elora’s attention. Imagine speaking of such things in the open where others could hear!
The parade of knights had just begun. Knights rode their destriers eloquently through the field; their spotless armor gleamed beneath the rays of the sun. They filed into the field of honor in a line. She immediately spotted Edward near the front. A rump cover in the deep burgundy color of their heraldry blanketed his black horse. His parade armor shone radiantly. His full helmet shielded his head, and a red feather at the very top bobbed every time his horse took a step. His squire ran before him, bearing a long pole with a crimson flag and a black phoenix on it, the Kingston family heraldry.
As their favorite knight rode by, cheers and shouts erupted from the crowd behind the fence surrounding the field. Many adored Edward, as he was one of the knights favored to win the tournament. By the look of it, the entire town of Gracious Hill was here to see the parade.
A roar arose from the gathering as Osmont trotted by the stands, his fist raised in the air. Elora kept her expression impassive as she watched him. Arrogant brute, she silently alleged. She skimmed the line of knights and realized she was searching for the knight who had saved her. The thought startled her, and she looked self-consciously down as if hiding her thoughts from the other nobles.
