“Do you see any flaw in Sir Edward?” Gilbert asked.
“Possibly,” Julian admitted. Sir Edward was a great jouster, but there was something in the way he held his lance, bringing it down at the last moment, and then positioning it. He was talented, Julian would give him that. It was difficult to find a fault in his style, but instinct told him it was the way he held the lance. Julian tried to concentrate, but his gaze again slid to the stands. She isn’t there, he reminded himself.
“You wouldn’t see it if there was a flaw in his style,” Baldwin grumbled from beside him. “You’re too distracted. How do you expect to win if all you do is look for her?”
Julian didn’t bother responding. Nothing he could say would ease Baldwin’s concern, even though Julian was confident Ellie was not a distraction.Ellie.He should begin thinking of her as Lady Elora, Lord Edward’s sister. What a shock that had been! Why hadn’t she told him the truth? Maybe it had been the mystery that attracted him to her. Then, he thought of their kiss, recalling how soft her lips were and how velvety her skin was. He had kissed many women, but there was something innocent and enticing about Ellie. Something delicious he couldn’t push from his mind.
“Sir Julian?”
Turning a glance over his shoulder toward the greeting, Julian found his opponent, Sir Mace, standing across from Baldwin.
“I wanted to congratulate you on your win.” He held out his arm.
Julian grasped it just below the elbow. “Thank you.” Many knights had sought him out and offered congratulations. He overheard many others whisper, “beginners’ luck.” Julian couldn’t blame them for doubting him. They didn’t know his skill. They didn’t know how much he desired to be the victor and how hard he had worked for it. “You weren’t injured when the horse dragged you?”
“Nay. I’ve had worse,” Mace said, brushing off the comment. “One time, I was unhorsed and hit my head so hard, I was unconscious for three days.” Mace rubbed his crown. “With the luck of our Lord, I was still able to joust when I woke.”
“I remember that,” Julian admitted. He had seen the joust Mace was speaking of and remembered his concern about Mace’s unconsciousness. Jousting was a dangerous sport. Many knights died from injuries sustained in the crossing of lances. “This is my mentor, Sir Baldwin,” Julian introduced.
Baldwin and Mace clasped arms. “You were lucky,” Baldwin offered. “I’ve heard tell of knights not recovering from head injuries.”
Mace nodded, smiling. “Aye. I was lucky. Some say my hard head saved me.” He looked at Julian. “How long have you been competing in tourneys?”
“This is my second one. My biggest one.”
Baldwin glared at Mace shrewdly. “You’re friends with Sir Edward.”
“Aye. We’re good friends. Grew up together.”
As a hail of cheers rose from the spectators in the stands and around the field, Julian snapped his gaze to the joust. Edward’s opponent teetered in his saddle, clutching the pommel to stay on his horse. They had missed seeing the impact, but it must have been a solid hit.
Mace grinned. “Edward is the best.”
Julian half-shrugged, his gaze focusing on Edward. “The best are meant to be defeated.”
Mace’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “You think you can beat him?”
“I’m certain I can.”
Elora had not returned to the jousts again that day. Sarah informed her Julian had defeated another knight. Pride and warmth blossomed in her heart despite the fact that Edward told her she couldn’t see him again.
Now she sat in the Great Hall, facing the double wooden doors during the evening meal. This feast was for castle guests only, but Edward was renowned enough to be welcomed and Mace attended under Edward’s invitation.
Edward had introduced her to Sir William. He was younger than the others but first in line to his father’s lands and fortune. Her gaze swept over his features—a hawk-like nose, small lips. Nothing at all like Julian’s lips. Startled, she pushed the thought from her mind. Sir William’s small eyes stared at her as if waiting. Had he said something she missed?
“Are you jousting in the tournament?” she quickly recovered.
He pulled back, his lip curling and his nose wrinkling. “Never,” he said with distaste. “I find this entire affair repulsive.”
Eyes wide in disbelief and teeth clenched, Elora glanced at Edward, who had taken a seat beside her. He was busy speaking to Mace.
“My father insisted I attend. He said all the wealthiest women would be here,” Sir William explained.
He sat at her side, showing more interest in the tumblers tossing bags in the air, and minstrels singing tunes, than the rowdy knights. She could not believe Edward would even consider this man with his lack of enthusiasm for the joust. His distaste for knights and jousting was in sharp contrast to her family’s interests. Edward must be desperate. Desperate to be rid of her. Desperate to move on with his life and find a family for himself. She felt an instant’s squeezing sadness. She wanted to bolt from the room, away from Sir William, away from her obligation, away from everything. Instead, she waited and hoped. Hoped? For what? She didn’t know, but her gaze focused on the wooden doors at the end of the long aisle.
Many knights and nobles entered through those tall double doors and took seats at the tables. But none of them were Julian. She wished to get a glimpse of him, just one more look. Lord Yves’s would have invited him for winning his joust.
The rhythmic twang of harp music played, and servants rushed to do the bidding of the guests. She felt the world was hurrying by, and soon it would be time to retire.
