Page 53 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

“I’m not giving up hope yet, Lark. I need to find a way to learn the joust quickly because that will be my saving grace.”

“That is ridiculous. Ye’re a lady, and ladies dinna joust. Besides, it takes too long to learn and get any good at any new sport. Also, unless ye’ve forgotten, ye have no one to train ye anymore.”

A knock at the door took their attention.

“My lady, I am here to escort you to the great hall,” came Jonathon’s voice from the other side. Even though he’d been reprimanded more than once for coming up to her room, he still did it. She liked his determination and was glad he was here.

“It’s Jonathon!” Raven hurriedly ran to the dressing table and pulled a boar’s-bristle brush through her hair. Lark finished dressing quickly. “Just a minute,” Raven called out in a sing-song voice. “Lark, are you done dressing?” asked Raven. “If so, open the door, please.”

“Me? Ye canna open the door yerself?”

“I don’t want to seem too anxious to see him.”

“Och, ye are mad, Cousin.” Lark went over and pulled open the door.

“Good morning, Lady Lark,” Raven heard Jonathon from the corridor. She purposely took her time, not wanting to seem eager.

“Good mornin’, Jonathon,” said Lark with a smile.

“Lady Raven, we must hurry.” Jonathon stuck his head into the room, but was careful not to cross the line by stepping even one foot inside the bedchamber.

“Hurry?” she asked, strolling over to the door. “I don’t see why. I have nothing planned for the day.”

“If we’re going to get in a practice session before the next meal, we’ll have to leave as soon as we break the fast.”

“Practice? Leave?” Her heart sped up. “What do you mean?”

“I mean–” He looked both ways and then leaned forward, speaking in a low voice. “I mean, I’m going to continue training you in the joust after all.”

“Really?” She blinked several times in succession, not sure she’d heard him correctly. “What made you change your mind?”

“Let’s just say I’m not good at rejecting persuasion,” he answered with a sigh. “Now, are you ready to go? We’ll need to get back here early enough so I will have time to work on your armor later. I’m the only one at the castle smithy now, so I might have other jobs to tend to as well.”

“Nay, I’m not ready yet.” A smile slowly pursed up the corners of her mouth. She looked over at Lark and then back to Jonathon. Mayhap all hope wasn’t lost after all. She grabbed Jonathon by the shoulders, reaching up and kissing him on the mouth, and then let go just as fast. “Now, I’m ready,” she told him, feeling as if Jonathon was the only man she could trust.

* * *

“Again,” called out Jonathon, watching and cringing as Raven attacked the quintain, and in return got knocked on her ass. He ran over to help her to her feet. “Are you all right, my lady?” he asked, reaching down and pulling her up to a standing position.

“I-I’m fine.” She blew a puff of air from her mouth, lifting the stray strand of hair hanging in her eyes.

It had been three days now, and still the girl wasn’t getting any better at the quintain. She had mastered the rings, but was just too slow, not to mention she also had trouble holding the lance steady. If he didn’t do something soon, she was going to really get hurt.

“Jonathon, please just call me Raven when we’re not around the nobles,” she told him with a smile.

Her silver eyes lit up and she shyly looked up at him. He wasn’t sure what was happening here. Ever since he said he’d train her again, she seemed to change dramatically. Instead of her reminding him to use her title, now she was telling him to drop it. And instead of glaring at him menacingly, she was actually acting shy, if he wasn’t mistaken. Or mayhap was it flirting? He couldn’t be sure.

“I think that’s enough for today, my lady.”

“Raven. Call me Raven. Please.”

He wanted to, but just couldn’t bring himself to do it. It went against everything he’d ever learned about how to behave around nobles and how to address and talk to them.

“Lady Raven, I’m sorry but I cannot do that.” She looked sorely disappointed that he’d used her title.

“I’m not good at the joust, am I?” she asked. “Be honest with me.”

Damn, he was hoping she wasn’t going to ask him that question. He didn’t want to lie to her, but neither did he want to hurt her with the truth.