Osmont’s tiny eyes narrowed. “I wish I had thought of it. But I did not.”
Elora squinted suspiciously. “I don’t believe you.”
Osmont shrugged. “I tell you, it was not me. But I do have to wonder at your intense defense of Sir Julian. It seems… strange being that you are Edward’s sister. Your loyalties should lie with your brother.” His glare moved over her face, and his eyebrow rose. “At least to protect him from the truth.”
Elora straightened, and her lips tightened. “I did everything you asked. It is not my fault that you couldn’t use the information to win.”
Osmont’s nostrils flared in anger, and he looked around to see if anyone were near enough to hear before leaning in and whispering scathingly, “I have to wonder if you gave me the correct information.”
Lord, she hated Osmont, but she knew enough to be cautious of him. She was glad she spoke to him with Mace close by, who would rush to her assistance if need be. “And now you are calling me a liar. After you enlisted my aid to help you win. Something an honorable knight would never have done.”
He shoved closer to her, seizing her wrist tightly. “Do not ever mock my knightly virtues.”
Elora yanked at her arm, but Osmont held it firmly in a painful grip. “You have no knightly virtues. You follow Edward around, hoping for his attention. Didn’t you get enough attention from Julian’s father?”
Osmont pulled her closer, hovering over her like a menacing storm cloud. Drops of spittle rained from his mouth. “You don’t know what you are speaking of.”
“Oh, but I do,” she hissed. “Julian told me how his father took a liking to you and trained you instead of him.”
“Julian is weak. He’s always been weak.”
“And yet, he beat you. What does that make you?”
Osmont bared his teeth and seized her shoulders. “You should be careful about how you speak to me. I can still tell Edward the truth.”
“Tell Edward what?” Mace asked, approaching them.
Osmont released her immediately, a fake good-natured chuckle issuing from his throat. “Lady Elora and I were just speaking of old times.” He looked back at her. “Isn’t that right?”
Elora hesitated. She knew she should rush to Edward and confess everything about Julian, including how Osmont had discovered her and Julian in the stairway. She should tell Edward how Osmont had demanded she uncover Julian’s strategy to beat him. Then Osmont would hold nothing over her. But she couldn’t do that. If she did, Edward would never allow her to see Julian again.
“Yes. We were just speaking.” She rubbed her tender wrist where Osmont’s fingers had gripped her.
Mace stared at Elora for a long moment, as if he weren’t quite convinced. Then he nodded and offered her his arm. She lay a hand on it, and they turned away without a backward glance.
After a few steps, Mace glanced over his shoulder at Osmont and then at Elora. “Whatever you were speaking of looked heated. Perchance Julian is not the only one who should watch his back.”
Elora took a deep breath. Mace was right. Osmont was becoming dangerous. She couldn’t keep the truth from Edward much longer.
A man wearing a fitted green bliaut intercepted them, the long hem trailing in the dirt. “Pardons. I saw the entire thing, m’lady. Are you well?”
She studied him. He was much older than her. His jaw was square and clean-shaven; his gray hair hung in strands to his shoulders. She nodded. “Thank you.”
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lord Luther of Eaton, Sir Julian’s father.”
Chapter Nineteen
Julian charged down the list atop Stormwithout a saddle to practice controlling his horse with his legs. That would give his shoulder time to rest and satisfy Baldwin. The wind blew Julian’s hair back from his face as he leaned forward slightly. Even though his arm felt better, he knew he had to take it easy. He needed to be in full form on the morrow for his joust against Edward.
“Concentrate!” Baldwin called from his position at the side of the practice field.
Gilbert had remained at the tent to guard the weapons.
Julian turned Storm by using just his weight and his legs. He moved his body in rhythm with his horse. As they galloped down the field again, his gaze shifted to the citadel in the distance. Its towers loomed high over the fields like a stone mountain. Elora was inside somewhere.
“Julian!” Baldwin called.
Julian reined Storm to a stop before Baldwin.
