“Oh yes. I might have competed in tournaments if I wasn’t so busy managing the treasury. It’s a very important responsibility.” He paused, then added, “Our family isimmensely wealthy.” He paused, as if expecting me to fall all over him because he had money.
If only he knew how many immensely wealthy people I had robbed in my lifetime.
“I’ve found that it isn’t how much money someone has that matters so much as what they do with their wealth,” I commented lightly.
“We build a great many churches,” Leopold said swiftly. “And we distribute supplies to the needy.”
“Those are noble causes,” I remarked.
Beside me, Leopold shifted in his chair. His fingers tapped a few times against his knee before he stilled them. He was beginning to grow frustrated with my lack of enthusiasm.
Good. Now he just needed a nudge in the right direction.
“Are you friends with King John?” I asked, careful to emphasize the title.
“Yes.”
I finally turned to face him full-on. “Well, I am glad to hear of someone who supports him. Everyone seems to be on his brother Richard’s side. They just don’t understand, do they?”
Leopold brightened at once and he leaned forward. “Yes. Exactly. I fully support John. He is a much better choice between the two of them, isn’t he?”
“Absolutely.” I bestowed a dazzling smile on him. “I’m glad you can see the truth past all the lies people spread.”
Leopold sat a little straighter, his chest lifting beneath his fine coat. I turned my attention back to the tournament before he could enjoy himself too much.
Baron was about to take his first turn. He stepped into the ring and swung his massive sword in a few easy circles.
A murmur moved through the crowd around us.
“That’s the new sheriff,” Someone whispered.
“Yes, that’s Blackwell’s boy.”
Several girls near the rope barrier leaned closer, their voices dropping into breathless giggles as they took in Baron’s broad shoulders and the way the black leather fitted across his powerful frame.
“Impressive man, that one,” I observed, nodding toward Baron.
Leopold frowned. “He looks mean.”
“He probably is,” I responded. “Heisthe Sheriff of Nottingham, after all. I wouldn’t ever want to make him angry.”
“I can’t imagine anyone would ever be angry with you.” Leopold’s voice turned smooth again. “You’re too pretty.”
“Oh, I wish no one ever got angry with me.” I released a gusty sigh and let my shoulders droop. “But unfortunately, servants tend to be blamed for everything. The head housekeeper is very strict with us.”
On the field, Baron raised his sword in salute to his opponent, a stocky knight with a broad chest and a round buckler strapped to his arm. Baron’s own shield was a large black kite shield with the Nottingham coat of arms painted on the front.
The signal was given.
The knight came forward first, quick for a man of his size, and Baron met him without retreating. Their swords struck, metal ringing against metal. The knight pressed hard, trying to force Baron back, but Baron absorbed each blow and returned many of his own. He blocked every advance, letting the knight spend his strength then attacked back, each strike landing with enough force to make the knight stagger. The knight’s boots dug into the dirt as he tried to hold his ground, but Baron drove him back step by step.
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.
“You probably could do with a night off from all that work, couldn’t you?” Leopold hinted.
“I do get one night in ten off,” I said.
The crowd had begun chanting, clapping in rhythm with each of Baron’s blows that struck the knight’s shield.
