Later in the day, Elora rode her mare beside Edward, leading a large group of knights and servants. Her bottom was sore from the days of riding from Kingston, and with each step closer to the tall gates of Gracious Hill, she breathed a sigh of relief. They were almost there. As they neared, a small breeze tickled the back of her neck, and she reached to rub her sticky skin, swinging her gaze toward the fields. Her eyebrows rose as she noticed a knight on horseback, charging toward a quintain. It was too early to see any other knights here, let alone one practicing for the joust.
His lance struck the wooden man-like structure, and it spun. He ducked and successfully avoided the stick on the other end.
Admiration stirred inside of her. It was difficult not to be hit by the spinning quintain. He must be a skilled jouster. Oddly, she couldn’t take her gaze from him. She moved her horse closer to Edward. “Who is that?”
Edward followed her stare to the field and the lone knight. His eyes narrowed slightly. “It matters not. I will defeat him.”
Elora couldn’t help looking back at the knight. His form was good. And the quintain had not struck him. But it didn’t hit Edward either when he practiced. Perhaps Edward was correct. Perhaps? Of course, Edward was correct. No one had beaten him in a joust.
Still, there was something mesmerizing about that knight, something relentless and determined. He rounded his horse and charged the quintain again. She thought about warning Edward, but when she looked at her brother with his jaw angled and confident, his shoulders back and proud, she knew a warning from her would not be heeded. What did she know of knights and jousting?
She stared straightforward at the approaching gates. She knew her place. But she couldn’t help one last curious look at the knight.
He had stopped in the center of the field as if he owned it and stared straight at them. Tingles danced through Elora, and she imagined he was looking at her. For a moment, she couldn’t catch her breath. A grin crossed her lips, and she had to bow her head so Edward would not see it.
When they entered through the gates, a cheer rose from the villagers lining the street. Edward was one of the favorites to win the entire joust. He was a champion. Villagers called to him. Merchants cheered and made wagers at the side of the road. It wasn’t until they were almost to the citadel gates that Edward lifted a hand and waved to the crowd.
Around them, women shouted their undying love. Townspeople cheered. Merchants hollered for his long life. He was used to the adoration.
Elora again thought of the practicing knight in the field. He seemed more determined than Edward. She hoped Edward knew what he was up against.
After situating Elora in her guest room at the citadel, Edward departed to set up camp in the field with the other knights, leaving Elora in Sarah’s care. Her chambers were large with a window covered in thick velvet curtains and a tapestry against the stone wall beside it. A hearth was next to the door, bathing the room with warmth from a small fire. Elora knew that even though it was summer, the nights could be chilly. A wide bed was positioned against the far wall, cozy mahogany blankets covering it.
As it neared time for the feast, Sarah helped Elora don a beautiful red velvet gown tied in the front by a golden girdle. Sarah now stood behind her, plaiting her blonde hair into a braid at her back.
“You’re quiet,” Sarah whispered. “What’s wrong?”
Elora rolled her shoulders to ease the tension. “I feel like I’m being wrapped as a gift for a husband.”
A knock sounded at the door. Elora rose and folded her hands before her, calling, “Come.”
The door opened, and Edward entered. He glanced at Sarah, who dropped into a deep curtsey. “That will be all,” he said to Sarah.
Sarah cast Elora a glance before leaving the room and closing the door quietly behind her.
Edward’s gaze swept over her. “You are ready for the feast?” he asked.
Elora straightened slightly under his perusal. She nodded. “Have you set up camp?”
He glanced at the fire and then the bed as if inspecting them to make sure they were adequate for her. “All is prepared.”
She lifted a speculative eyebrow. “I suppose your friends have set up their camps around yours.”
He turned to her and smiled. “It is good to see them.”
She was glad he had a close group of friends to take his mind off the daily tasks of running the lands and castle. “I knew that was the reason we were attending this tourney.”
Edward’s grin slipped. “I have to defend my status as undefeated.”
“And all your friends being here had nothing to do with why we came,” she said dubiously.
He scratched his cheek. “Perhaps slightly.”
She hooked an arm through his. “I look forward to seeing them. Do you think they will recognize me?” It had been years since she had seen some of his friends.
“With me at your side?” Edward escorted her to the door. “They will know you.”
Together, they exited the room into the stone corridor. Richly colored tapestries lined the walls in testament to Lord Yves’s wealth. Torches were ensconced on the wall, lighting the way as they walked.
