An Uncertain Choice

The sunshine poured down on the three noble knights decked in their best plate armor, their helmets concealing their faces. I couldn’t keep my gaze from straying to the one wearing the emblem of the red dragon. From the stiff but bold way the knight sat on his steed, I now had no doubt it was Sir Derrick.

“Before you begin your day of fighting . . .” I stood and spoke the words expected of me. “I would like to bestow my favor upon one of the knights.”

“Would you like the men to remove their helmets, Lady Rosemarie?” the duke asked.

I shook my head. “There’s no need, your Grace.”

His brow quirked. He was correct in assuming that I didn’t know for sure which man sat behind each helmet. But for me, it didn’t matter.

Along the opposite side of the list, dangling along the makeshift fences and congregating on benches that had been erected, the town — ?at least those not quarantined and dying from the sudden outbreak of disease — ?had come out to witness the tournament. My people already were murmuring, clearly recognizing the red dragon emblem. Honoring the bearer of that emblem would send the message that I would reward kindness and bravery and that I wouldn’t tolerate torture.

I slid my gauzy scarf out from around my neck. It was pale blue, the color of the gown I’d worn, and it matched the cloudless blue sky overhead. As I held it out, the silk fluttered in the gentle summer breeze.

“I wish you all good health and fortune this day.” I glanced at each man, including the other noblemen who’d gathered to participate in the jousting. “I pray the best man will win.”

Only then did I let my gaze land upon the knight with the red dragon. “But although I wish you all my favor, I must bestow a special blessing upon only one.”

The crowd grew silent.

I pointed the scarf toward Sir Derrick — ?or at least I believed it to be him. “Sir, this is for you.”

As the red dragon knight bowed upon his steed, the townspeople erupted into clapping and cheering. The knight spurred his horse toward me, pulling it alongside the tent in front of where I stood. I had to bend to hand him the scarf, and as I did so I caught a glimpse of gray eyes through the slit in his helmet.

It was indeed Sir Derrick.

The intensity in his eyes sent a shimmer of anticipation through my chest and into my heart.

He reached for the scarf, but for an instant I clung to it, suddenly needing to do something more that would let him know my favor went deeper than mere gratefulness for his daring deed with the criminals in the marketplace.

The advice of the women rushed back through my mind. This was neither the place nor the time to begin a conversation with him or ask him questions. But I could smile at him, couldn’t I? And compliment him?

“I wish you well today,” I whispered, giving him what I hoped was my prettiest smile. “I’m sure you’ll be glorious.”

When I released my grip on the scarf, he didn’t budge. Instead he leaned in closer. “And when I win the tournament, my lady, what shall you bestow upon me then?”

“What will make you happy, sir?” I repeated the words I’d spoken to him that day in town when he’d accompanied me with my deliveries to the poor.

His eyes crinkled at the corners, the sign of his smile and his remembrance of the question I’d asked. “I shall think on it.”

“Then I’ll be anxiously awaiting your answer.”

His gaze dropped to my lips. His eyes darkened, and the crinkles disappeared. “Perhaps I’ll lay claim to my reward at the day’s end.”

My heart gave an unexpected flip. I didn’t know quite what to make of his words, except that perhaps he might claim a kiss from me.

He started to back away. I couldn’t let him ride away without encouraging him further. “If you wish to lay claim, sir, then make sure you win.”

The crinkles returned to his eyes and merriment danced to life there. He said nothing more as he rode away. But he lifted my scarf high into the air toward the townspeople, earning more cheers and whistles.




My spirit stayed high the rest of the day. I found myself enjoying the company of the other ladies, even if their banter was inconsequential and about matters that hardly interested me. As the day progressed and my servants brought me news that the poisoned nobleman still lived and was recovering, I found myself appreciating the tournament even more.

The knights took turns charging at each other, gradually eliminating all but the best. Of course, the three noble knights were among the men left unseated for the final rounds. Yet, I was more than a little relieved when Sir Collin and Sir Bennet were finally bested, leaving Sir Derrick in the last joust of the day with one of the other noblemen. How would I have chosen whom to cheer for without stirring more angst between them? I supposed it was inevitable that I would have to single one of them out for more attention. If I was to have any chance of getting married in less than two weeks, I couldn’t dawdle in making a decision. And that meant narrowing down the prospects to one.