When Julian was announced for his next joust, her head snapped up in attention, and her back straightened in anticipation. Her fingers curled over the bannister of the railing.
Julian mounted the field, riding his brown horse around expertly to scattered, tentative applause.
Elora watched his movements and mastery of his steed with something akin to pride. She took a deep breath of approval. He was amazing. Confident strength oozed from him. His gaze moved over the crowd, and Elora was thrilled that he might be looking for her.
He took a lance from Gilbert on his side of the field and cantered his steed toward the stands. Julian paused before the stands to bow to Lord Yves.
He was absolutely amazing. His helm was not yet on to cover his face revealing his square jaw and chiseled good looks. Elora swallowed heavily in awe.
Then, he swiveled his head, and his gaze pinned her to the spot.
Shivers of delight raced through her body, and she inhaled a shaky breath.
He marched his steed up to the edge of the stands, right toward where Elora stood.
She couldn’t move as he approached. Her hands clutched the bannister tightly, her back so straight it ached. Dread and excitement fought for control.
He stopped feet before the stands and lowered his lance over the wooden railing to her.
Edward’s gaze snapped to her in shock.
For a moment, she didn’t move. She didn’t breathe. All eyes were upon her. He was asking for her favor. Should she grant Julian her favor over one of Edward’s close friends? Her favor would be powerful. Her name alone was sought after by many knights.
Yet, Julian did not know her name. He was asking for her favor without knowing about her wealth or title. She had never given her favor to anyone before.
Time seemed frozen. She felt Edward’s shocked stare piercing into her. She sensed the stares of the surrounding nobles like little pinpricks across her back; she could even hear muted whispers. The weight of her decision fell about her shoulders like a ton of bricks.
Staring at Julian, everything else suddenly seemed to fade away. His heated kiss came to her mind. His hard body. The tender touch of his fingers.
A genuine smile stretched across his lips as if he were remembering the kiss as well. A smile meant only for her.
Her heart melted. She reached up and removed the veil from her head and tied it around his lance.
Gasps erupted around her. Murmured talking buzzed through the air like the sound of gnats.
Julian bowed his thanks, and she couldn’t help but smile in return. He turned away, cantering his steed down the field to his side of the yard, his lance raised proudly to display her fluttering favor.
Elora was still smiling as she lifted her gaze to meet Edward’s fierce glower of disapproval. Her grin vanished instantly, and she turned back to the field. Her fingers became cold despite the warm sun.
“Who is he?”
“How does she know him?”
Curious whispers encircled her. What a scandal it would be if they discovered she had snuck off to his camp. It would tarnish her family name. It would damage her reputation. What was she going to tell Edward?
Chapter Ten
The trumpets sounded, blaring a deep-toned rhythmacross the field to announce the start of the joust. The opponents pulled on their helmets and took up their lances.
Tremors raced through Elora. Once again, Sir Garrett, the knight Julian faced now, was favored to win. He was a seasoned jouster. No one had heard of Julian before. No one knew of him.
The horses charged at each other, kicking up small puffs of dirt in their wake. Both knights simultaneously brought down their lances to couch them beneath their elbow. They drew closer to each other.
Elora wasn’t sure if the thunder she heard was the horse’s hooves hitting the ground or her pounding heart. She squeezed her hands tightly.
Julian’s lance struck Garrett’s shield, splintering. The impact jarred Garrett, and his lance jerked aside, missing Julian altogether.
A sigh of relief escaped Elora’s lips.
