“I think not. I remember the day clearly in my mind. Every detail. The sun was shining. It was hot. I remember because you made me practice with the quintain again and again. I was exhausted. My horse was frothing. And then came Osmont. Not tired, not run into the ground. And you told him to show me how a real knight jousted.” Julian shook his head in disgust. “Of course, he defeated me. And you reminded me.” Julian’s jaw clenched; his lips twitched with fury. “You reminded me of how worthless I was.”
“I knew it would push you to do better.”
“It only pushed me away from you.” Julian faced him. “I haven’t seen you in years. What. Do. You. Want?”
Lord Luther sighed. “I am old. My lands need a lord when I am gone. My lineage needs to continue.” He looked at Julian. “I want my heir back.”
Julian’s eyes narrowed slightly. He didn’t believe that was the real reason Luther was here. And Julian wanted to hurt his father, as his father had hurt him. “Even an heir as worthless as I am?” He shook his head. “I am not your heir any longer. I have no intention of ever claiming heirship to you or your lands. You made it clear long ago I was not the son you wanted. So be it. Good day… Lord Luther.”
Julian stalked out; his fists clenched tight. He was trembling with anger. He ground his teeth. He almost collided with Baldwin as he emerged from the tent. Baldwin’s gray mustache drooped around his lips even more than usual, emphasizing his deep frown.
Julian couldn’t… He couldn’t speak to him at the moment. He grabbed Storm’s reins, swung himself up into the saddle, and spurred the steed across the grass.
Elora paced the room of the castle, wringing her hands. With each step, her red velvet dress swooshed around her legs. She was breathing rapid gulps of air and fanning herself.
Sarah stood near the window, watching her. “It will be all right. Simply tell your brother the truth.”
Elora glanced at Sarah, her mouth agape. “Tell him we snuck out of the castle and were almost swept up in the brawl in the town?” She shook her head. “You know Edward. He would be furious.”
Sarah scratched her head in thought. “Tell him you met Sir Julian after the feast?”
Elora rubbed the middle of her forehead. “I don’t like lying to him.” She knew she should tell him the truth, even if he locked her in her room for the duration of the tournament. She sat on the bed, her shoulders sagging. “You are a very bad influence on me.”
Sarah grinned and shrugged. “You’re welcome.”
A firm knock came at the door, quickly sobering them.
Elora straightened, biting her lower lip nervously.
Sarah walked across the room and opened the door. Edward brushed by her like a dark storm cloud. Sarah quietly closed the door and moved to a corner of the room where she began mending one of Elora’s dresses.
Elora took a breath as Edward stopped before her, his hands on his hips.
He stared down at her with a crease of displeasure in his brow. It was the same look their father had bestowed upon her often.
She firmly met his disapproving gaze.
Edward inhaled deeply as if to compose himself, before demanding, “Tell me of him.”
“I don’t know much. He is Sir Julian of Helmsley.”
Edward’s eyes narrowed. “Where did you meet him?”
“You are treating me as though I did something wrong. What have I done?”
“You gave him your favor.” He turned and threw his hands up in the air. “Elora, think of how this looks.” He whirled on her, his lips clenching together tightly. “We know nothing of this knight, this man. You must see the ramifications of what you have done. How others will view this. Lord!” He ran his hand through his hair. “We are searching for a husband for you. You should only have given your favor to a prospective suitor.”
She bowed her head, guilt weighing heavy on her shoulders.
He inhaled, his chest expanding, and let it out slowly. “You must not see this knight again.”
“Edward!” she protested, partly because he was telling her what to do and partly because she fully intended to see Julian again—if he would see her.
“Our family name, our place in society, dictates a wealthy husband. A man with a name as distinguished as our own.”
“Youdictate that. No one else.”
“That is what Father wanted. He wanted someone who could care for you. Someone with lands and wealth. Someone with a title equal or greater than our own.”
