Page 12 of The Sword and the Damsel (The De Veres #2)

“I was hoping I might entice you to take a walk with me, my lady, but if you’re feeling unwell, perhaps we might rest under those trees?” Sir Robert was all charm, seemingly recovered from the strange rage that overtook him during the tournament when he was fighting with Victor.

“I would need a chaperone.”

“I’ll do it,” offered Carenza. For once Alais didn’t mind having her do the honors. If anyone could scare off Sir Robert, it was Carenza.

Sir Robert took her hand and placed it on his arm, leading her over to a bench under a nearby tree with a brazier underneath. Carenza seated herself at a discreet distance on the opposite bench and turned her attention to the passing crowd.

“Are you cold, my lady?” He put a solicitous and unwelcome arm around her.

She shuddered and shook him off.

“No, my lord. I’m quite comfortable.” She gave him a prim smile. “The tournament was very exciting. I’m relieved no one was seriously injured.” Alais could tell he was about to launch into an amorous speech, which she wanted to avoid, so she cut in with, “Can I ask you a personal question?”

He smiled and looked her up and down lasciviously. She was sure he had a misguided notion of what she was about to ask.

“I couldn’t help but notice that you and your cousin seemed angry at each other during the tournament. What happened between you?”

He cleared his throat and furrowed his brow. “That is a rather personal question, my lady.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry. But I couldn’t help but wonder, watching the way you two fought.”

She inched away from him on the bench. He inched forward.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out, he answered, “You are perceptive, my lady. My cousin and I don’t see eye-to-eye on many things. I saved his life in Spain—”

“Yes, he told me.” She was in no mood for his bragging.

“Did he?” He cocked his head and pursed his lips. “Well, you’d think he’d be a bit more…friendly to me under the circumstances. I don’t like to speak ill of others, especially to a lovely lady, but he hasn’t been the same since his injury. He seems to feel…. How do I put this? He seems to feel inferior, jealous. The poor man resents me.”

This solidified Alais’s low view of Sir Robert in a way that nothing else could. It was plain to her that whatever resentment might exist was entirely on Sir Robert’s side. Perhaps he was jealous of Sir Victor’s status as the heir, or his superior skill as a swordsman. Sir Victor had never spoken a word against his cousin despite the obvious hostility between them, and here Sir Robert was implying Sir Victor was jealous, inferior, and resentful. But Alais was practical. She didn’t expect a perfect husband, yet she refused to marry a jealous liar.

“But I didn’t ask to speak to you so that I could talk about my cousin. I want to speak about us.” He grasped both of her hands in his, and she forced herself not to recoil. The feel of her hands in his was so very different from Victor’s touch. She just wanted to pull away. Alais tried to keep from grimacing and made herself listen to him seriously. She would hear him out and say no, and that would be the end of it.

“My lady, my affection for you can hardly have escaped your notice.” He raked her with a lecherous gaze that rested a bit too long on her chest. “And I daresay you have some feelings for me too unless I am much mistaken. Lady Alais,” he tightened his grasp on her hand and gave her his most smoldering and ardent look, “Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

He didn’t wait for an answer before launching himself at her and pulling her into a sloppy kiss that made her feel cold all over.

“Wait,” she yelped as soon as she could pry herself free. “You haven’t heard my answer yet. That was excessively forward, my lord.”

His brow furrowed, and she could see storm clouds forming behind his eyes.

“I am flattered by your proposal. I hold you in high regard, but I’m afraid I must refuse. I’ve given it careful consideration, but I don’t think we’re well suited. I’m sorry, my lord.”

Carenza gasped, and Alais glanced at her. This was the right thing to do, wasn’t it? Carenza gave her a little, encouraging smile as Alais turned back to her suitor.

“But your father and Lord Daniel approve,” he said, scooting closer and grasping her hands again.

“They don’t object, but the final choice is mine. I’ve decided this is not the right match for me. I’m sorry to disappoint you,” she said, scooting away and pulling her hands from his clasp once more.

There, she’d done it. If he had any chivalry at all, he would accept her rejection and leave her alone.

His eyes narrowed, and that ugly sneer she saw during the tournament was back. “What did Victor tell you about me?”

“What?”

He grabbed her shoulders a little too harshly as he glared at her. “He told you some lie. That’s why you’re refusing me.”

“He told me you saved his life, and he told my father and Daniel that you were a good match for me, that he knew of no reason why they should oppose a marriage between us.” She plucked his hands from her shoulders and pushed them away, as she gave him a warning look.

He regarded her with a scowl, and his face bore no resemblance to the handsome man she’d first admired. “So after all of your flirtation, after leading me on shamelessly, you’re rejecting me out of hand?”

The words hit her with the force of a slap. She gasped. “I beg your pardon?”

“After the way you behaved, riding with me back to the castle that day you were injured, accepting my gifts…You’re wearing my clasp right now. I gave it to you in front of everyone right before the tournament. I don’t believe this!”

How had she ever thought this man could be a match for her?

“I’m sorry if you feel I led you on. You can have your clasp back,” she said, unfastening it from her dress and handing it to him. “I think I should return to my family.”

“I’ll make you regret this. I promise you that.” His eyes narrowed to slits, and there was no hint of his usual flirtatious warmth. He was a snake ready to strike.

Alais shivered and recoiled.

“Sir Robert.” Carenza moved from her bench to intervene before Alais realized she’d even gotten up. For once, Alais felt a swell of gratitude for Carenza’s interference. “Don’t threaten my sister,” the duchess said with an imperious tone, and she gave him a glare that made him flinch. With that, she reached for and took Alais’s hand. “I think it’s time we go.”

Alais was more than happy to let Carenza pull her away. She was trembling all over, barely aware of her surroundings as they weaved their way through the crowd.

As soon as they were out of sight and earshot, Carenza stopped and pulled her into a hug. “I’m so proud of you, Alais! You did the right thing. I was absolutely certain you were going to marry him, but I’m so glad you saw through him in the end. He’s a waste of time. You deserve better.”

Alais was stunned. Carenza had never told her she was doing the right thing.

Now her older sister dragged her over to Daniel and their father who were absorbed in a logistical conversation with Sir Victor.

“You’ll never believe what Alais just did.” Carenza interrupted, positively bubbly. “She turned down Sir Robert! I’m so happy she saw through him. Oh, it is such a relief!”

Her father and Daniel looked confused. Sir Victor looked at Alais, fire in his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat.

“My love, I thought you wanted Alais to get married,” Daniel said hesitantly.

“Of course, I do,” Carenza said. “But not to some stuffed shirt who spends more time on his hair than I do. And he threatened her when she turned him down. Can you believe it? He said, ‘I’ll make you regret this. I promise you that.’ As if he was already plotting revenge. Good riddance is what I say.”

“Lady Alais,” Sir Victor said. “Would you like me to accompany you back to the castle? I don’t like that he’s threatened you.”

Yes, she would have liked nothing better, but did she dare offend her suitors by disappearing like that?

“I appreciate the thought, but I’ve been looking forward to this tournament for so long,” she said, straightening and squaring her shoulders as best she could.

Her father shook his head. “Sir Victor’s right. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you, however unlikely it is that he would take action.” Turning to Sir Victor, he said, “Can you go get her maid? You should head back quickly.”

Thank heavens for her father.

“As you wish, my lord. I’ll return as soon as I’ve seen her safely home.”

Sir Victor bowed his head and disappeared. Several minutes later, he returned with Dora and a few other servants who were headed back to the castle.

Alais set off in a carriage with Dora, still shaken by her encounter with Sir Robert. She’d been looking forward to this day all month, but it was turning out so differently than she’d expected.

Sir Victor followed the group by horse. She swore she could feel him watching her through the carriage walls, but she didn’t dare turn to look out the window.

“What happened, my lady? You look distressed,” Dora said, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze.

“Sir Robert proposed, and I turned him down. He didn’t react well.”

Dora’s eyebrows shot up. “You turned him down? But I thought you and he…”

“I know. I did too, but today made me realize he’s not a nice person, however handsome he might be.” Alais stared fixedly at her lap.

Dora looked at her long and hard then nodded. “Then you made the right choice, my lady.”

“If that’s so, why do I feel so awful about it?” She’d certainly learned her lesson about trusting a pretty face. Sir Robert might show a fair face to the world, but his temperament was distinctly unattractive. She felt like a fool for being taken in.

Dora patted her hand and gave it another squeeze. “You just rest and refresh yourself. I know you’ll be going to the feast this evening, so you’ll need your strength.”

Alais rested her head on Dora’s shoulder and closed her eyes. She didn’t want to go to the feast, but she knew she had no choice. Hopefully, Sir Robert would opt not to attend. She would be quite relieved if she never had to see him again. Her other suitors didn’t fill her with enthusiasm, but she needed to make a decision quickly now that the tournament was over. She could only hope that Sir Victor would take her encouragement and declare himself. Otherwise, she was stuck with choosing between Sir Elias and Lord Louis since her father advised her against Lord Alphonse and Lord Guy for reasons he refused to share.

The coach halted, and Sir Victor opened the door to help her down. As she put her hand in his, she searched his face for some sign that he might be moved to action. He looked at her intently, as if trying to hold something back, but what that was she couldn’t guess. If only she could speak on her own behalf! But that was not how things worked. A lady could not ask a man. The question had to come from him.

“My lady, is something wrong?”

She had stood and stared too long, she realized.

“I—” She stopped, uncertain of how to proceed. “You fought bravely today. It was thrilling to watch. I admired your skill and grace.” Squeezing his hand, she tilted her head slightly closer to his. His head inclined almost imperceptibly toward hers. His lips parted. It was the unconscious prelude to a kiss, she was certain. They drew closer and closer. Her breathing grew ragged.

Dora cleared her throat, and sanity returned. Of course, they couldn’t follow through with their inclination, especially standing in the middle of the courtyard surrounded by servants, but she let the spell hold them for several seconds before she dropped her gaze demurely to the ground with a private smile.

“I shouldn’t delay you,” she said, relinquishing his hand. “I’m sure you need to get back to the tournament grounds.”

He retrieved her hand and placed it on his arm. She thrilled to the feel of the muscled tendons beneath her hand, and the heat of him moving over her from his side. “At least let me accompany you inside.”

She gasped. He never touched her if he could avoid it. He was always so careful to keep his distance. Now, she took full advantage, putting her other hand on his arm as well and leaning into him. His muscles tensed at her touch. Such delicious muscles.

“Have you ever considered marrying, Sir Victor?” A lady couldn’t ask a man, but she could hint.

His muscles became even more rigid beneath her touch.

“I would like to marry, but I doubt I’ll ever find a woman willing to have me.”

“You shouldn’t doubt yourself. I’m sure any woman would be proud to have such a husband.” I would, if only you’d ask.

His face reddened, and he blinked as if surprised. “You are too kind, my lady. If only others were so kind, perhaps I might marry after all.” He covered her hand with his and looked at her with such intensity, she thought she might melt on the spot.

“Women have been unkind to you?”

He gave a mirthless laugh, and suddenly she remembered her own first meeting with him.

“Oh.” She turned bright red. “ I was unkind to you.”

He shrugged. “You were honest.”

She took a deep breath. “I was hideous. And wrong. Will you forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive.” He raised her hand to his lips slowly and deliberately and kissed it. She could hardly breathe. “My lady Alais, I—” He paused, running his thumb over the back of her hand ever so gently.

“Yes?” What was he going to say? Was he going to declare himself at last?

Alais held her breath, watching the complex play of emotions across his face, wondering what his next words might be. But then he blinked, leaned back, and let her hand go.

“I should go back to the tournament grounds. May I take my leave, my lady?”

Oh. He didn’t want her after all. Perhaps she’d been imagining things. What a fool she was!

“Of course.”

She stood frozen, watching his retreating form, unaware of the swirl of activity around her in the main entrance hall. He glanced back once, and the look he gave her would have melted stone. Maybe all was not lost after all. As he turned away, hope sparked in her heart once again. What was she to make of this man?

Dora tapped her on her shoulder, startling her. Collecting herself, she let her maid lead her back to her room where she changed out of her fancy dress and lay down for a rest before dinner.

“Do you think he’ll propose?” She stared up at the canopy over her mattress before turning her head to look at Dora.

Dora gave her a long, considering look. “We’re talking about Sir Victor?”

“Yes.”

“I confess, my lady, I’m glad you finally took notice of him. I think you’re well-suited. Until today, though, I didn’t think you held him in any regard. He may not have thought so either, but I think he’d have to be blind not to see it now.” Alais sat up on her bed as Dora carefully hung her extravagant dress in her wardrobe.

“Do you think he returns that regard?”

“Very much so, though he might lack the confidence to make it known.”

“If I’d come to my senses sooner, I might have given him more encouragement.” She stood up and started pacing. “I’d much rather marry him than any of the others, but I’m worried he doesn’t think I’d consider him. I don’t know how to show him, and I may not have time before I have to make a decision. Why do men have to be the ones to propose?”

“Shh,” Dora said, taking her elbow and leading her back to bed. “Rest, my lady. It will all turn out for the best, I’m sure. I’ll come back in an hour to help you get ready for the feast.”

Alais curled into a ball beneath the blankets and stared at the wall, unable to think of anything except the hard fact that her entire future would be decided in the next few hours.