Julian’s grin grew to a full-fledged smile. His deep blue eyes twinkled. He held her tight against him as if he would never let her go. “A long time ago in a field, I helped a young girl capture the attention of her father by suggesting she show an interest in daggers.”
Slowly, the memory returned. Her lips parted in surprise as she recalled white flowers and a boy sitting amidst long stalks of grass, sharpening an old rusty dagger.
He reached into his tunic and pulled forth the dagger with the elaborate handle she had given him. “I couldn’t have known that same girl would capture my heart and save my life.”
Elora stared at him in disbelief. He had been the one in the field all those years ago. He had suggested taking an interest in knives and daggers. He was the one! Her gaze scanned his face. All this time, he was the one. Her stare shifted to the dagger. An indent marred the surface of the polished blade where the knight’s sword had hit it.
“I tucked it inside my armor for safekeeping, and in case I needed it,” Julian clarified. “Apparently, I did need it.”
The dagger she had given him had saved his life! She blinked as his words sank in. What else had he said? She shifted her gaze back to his clear blue eyes. He said she hadn’t just saved his life but had also captured his heart.
“Will you marry me if I am Lord of Eaton?” he asked. “I can give you everything you deserve.”
She stepped back, horrified, pushing at his chest. “No! No. Do not bend to your father because of me. We will figure out some other way. Somewhere—”
Julian chuckled, stopping Elora mid-sentence. “I am hardly bending to my father.” He looked over his shoulder to where his father stood with a grimace of loathing. “We are negotiating terms of his ransom.”
Elora met his father’s gaze. When she looked back at Julian, joy bubbled inside her.
“And they are going to be rather expensive.”
She lifted her chin. “Then, I shall marry you. Whether you are lord or sir, I care not. I only care that I love you.”
Julian claimed her lips again. She sighed against him.
“I love you, too, Elora. More than you shall ever know.” He chuckled softly. “Even though I forfeited the joust, I feel I am the most victorious knight here, for I have won the most cherished prize.”
Epilogue
Kingston, England
Two Months Later
Julian stared out over the Great Hallin Kingston Castle. Knights, nobles, barons, and dukes, as well as commoners, had all arrived for the celebration feast of his marriage to Elora. The large room was crowded with guests, and dulcimer notes filled the air. In the middle of the long aisle, a caged bear growled, while a juggler moved through the room entertaining the guests. The charred smell of venison drifted across the assembly.
Julian was a lord now. He had lands and a title. But most satisfyingly, he had married the greatest beauty and the love of his life. He glanced at Elora across the room as she spoke with her brother. Edward sat in a chair, his leg wrapped and propped on another chair. A smile curved his lips as he listened to Elora. Edward’s leg was on the mend, but servants still had to help him walk. Julian had a suspicion he would be walking on his own soon. One day, he had passed Edward’s open doorway and spied Edward testing his limits in secret by trying to stand on his leg.
Julian’s stare shifted over the crowd. His gaze alighted on his father where he sat alone, eating. His father had come to the ceremony, not out of respect or love for Julian, but out of obligation to Edward. Edward was a wealthy, favored lord. Edward had everything Julian’s father coveted.
Soft pings of the dulcimer echoed from the corner as Julian’s inspected the gathered assembly. Gentle laughter tinkled through the air from a pocket of seated visitors. Mace sat at a wooden table, surrounded by men. He was deep in his ale, telling some fantastical tale to the enthralled group around him.
Julian spotted Gilbert standing near a wall, speaking quietly with Sarah. Julian grinned. He had a feeling his squire harbored feelings for the young woman.
Gilbert nodded and then moved away from Sarah to approach him. He came up the two stairs to the dais where Julian and Elora’s head table was and leaned toward Julian. “No word. No one has seen Baldwin. I’m sorry, Julian.”
Julian nodded, a pang of disappointment tightening his chest. When they had departed Lord Yves’s tournament, Julian had asked Gilbert to try to find Baldwin. Julian had hoped to see his mentor again and explain why he had given up becoming the champion. But Baldwin had disappeared. He probably didn’t want Julian to find him.
Baldwin had envisioned Julian as the champion of the jousts; it had been his dream, as well as Julian’s. Celebrating Julian’s marriage to Elora would only be a slap in the face to all they had worked so hard to accomplish. Julian wasn’t surprised Baldwin wasn’t here. But he wished his friend had come.
As Gilbert left, Julian lifted his gaze and looked at Elora. Dreams change, he thought. He’d never believed he would want something more than being a champion. Elora straightened, curls of gold falling about her shoulders. Her tiny, curvy form was accented beneath a fitted gown of red silk. Julian’s gaze lingered appreciatively on her for a long moment. She turned to him as if he had called her. Julian felt a jolt like lightning move through him. Every time her gaze met his, his heart beat a little faster.
As she approached, he appreciatively watched the sway of her hips.
She came to a stop beside him. “Is everything well, m’lord?”
Julian mentally shook his head at the title. He would never get used to it, not from Ellie’s lips. “Aye.”
She tilted her head to the side. “Are you having second thoughts?”
