Her stomach flipped in doubt. Was that the reason he would not return to his family estate and claim his title? Did he have no intention of wedding her? She quickly shook her head, pushing the thought away. She would not believe it of Julian. He had said he intended to claim her! But as a wife? “He would if he could. But you wanted someone with a title.”
“Elora.” Edward took a deep, calming breath. “There are many unethical men. There are many dishonorable men. They would do anything for lands and titles. Even compromise an innocent girl.”
“You don’t know Julian! He is not like that. Lands and titles are not important to him.”
“Perchance wealth is.”
Elora scowled fiercely. “He is honorable and kind and…” She spun away from Edward. “You don’t know him. He’s not like that.”
“I know he is my opponent. Perchance he would do whatever it took to win the tournament. Even seduce his opponent’s sister.”
Edward’s words were logical. Rational, even. But no. Not Julian. “Julian is not like that. You never took the time to know him. Ask Mace.”
Two shadows broke away from the wall near the window and moved into the light. Mace walked beside a grinning Osmont.
Elora gasped at seeing Mace. Had he told Edward everything? Her eyes burned with betrayal. She glanced at Osmont with contempt. “You asked Osmont? I wouldn’t believe a word that comes from his lips.”
“He told me he saw you and Julian in the stairway and that Julian pushed you into the wall.”
Elora’s mouth dropped open at the lie.
“He said he would have told me sooner, but he’d promised you he wouldn’t tell,” Edward explained.
“He’s a liar!” Elora snapped. “Osmontwas the one who hurt me. Julian and he got into a fight, and I tried to stop it—”
“I told you not to see him,” Edward cut her off in a warning.
Elora stood trembling with emotion, silent for a long moment. Her hands tightened into fists. Finally, she shook her head in disbelief. “How can you believe him over me? Why won’t you listen to me?”
“Because you didn’t tell me. You snuck out, apparently numerous times, to see Julian, unguarded and unprotected.”
Osmont clucked his tongue. “What type of knight allows a woman to be in such danger?”
Elora shot a hateful glare at Osmont.
Edward continued, “You risked our family name. And you lied to me.”
She stood for a moment, trembling with rage and uncertainty. She took a shaky breath and frantically tried to calm herself. She opened her hot fists. “I’m sorry, Edward. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you.” She stepped forward, desperately. “But you would never have let me see him…” Her chin quivered. “…And I love him.”
Edward frowned fiercely and straightened imperiously. His gaze raked over her in disapproval. “It is just a girl’s infatuation. It isnotlove.”
He would never listen to her. She was just a girl to him, incapable of deciding anything for herself, even who she loved.
“You will not see him anymore. I will put guards at your door. You will not leave this room unless I escort you.”
She was a prisoner now. Tears rushed into her eyes. She lifted her chin. “This is why I didn’t tell you. You judge everyone! And no one can meet your standards.” She whirled desperately to his friend. “Mace,tellhim! Tell him about Julian’s character!”
Mace glanced at Edward and then her. He splayed his hands. “I… I don’t know him well enough. I cannot vouch for him.”
“Remember your place, Elora,” Edward warned and headed for the door.
Osmont grinned slyly as he followed him, stroking his dark mustache.
Mace paused before her with a gentle sigh. “I’m sorry.” He moved after Osmont.
Elora’s breathing came in shallow gasps. Never to see Julian again. She had brought this on herself. She should have told Edward from the beginning. But she couldn’t. He would have stopped her from seeing Julian then, just as he was doing now.
“Edward,” she pleaded in an unsteady voice.
