An Uncertain Choice

Sir Collin and Sir Bennet surrounded Sir Derrick, along with his squires, patting him on the back and congratulating him in high fashion. They guided him toward my tent and didn’t stop until they’d congregated below me. Sir Derrick’s hair was plastered to his head, his forehead grazed with several cuts, and his cheeks coasted with the dust of the field. Even so, my pulse raced forward with unusual speed at the sight of his face angled up at me, with his grin wide with pride and his eyes bright with victory.

“Lady Rosemarie,” he called with a gallant bow. “As the champion of this tournament, I have come to dedicate my victories to you.”

With a smile, I rose. A servant proffered a red velvet pillow with a crown of laurels resting upon it. I lifted the crown. “Sir, I accept your dedication, and in return I bestow upon you this crown. You have fought valiantly, and we honor you.”

I had to lean over the edge of the gallery to place the crown upon his bent head. And when he straightened, I found my gaze colliding with his bold one, reminding me that I owed him much more than a wreath of greens.





Chapter

16




I neared the head table, my hand resting on the duke’s arm. The warm summer breeze teased my hair, which Trudy had arranged in long, dangling curls. My steps were light and my heart sang in tune to the lutes the minstrels were playing.

At my approach, the guests had risen from their tables, which were arranged in a U shape around a center stage where everyone would enjoy the play-actors’ open-air performance after the feast. As I climbed the steps of the raised dais where the guests of honor sat, I could feel Derrick’s attention on me from the end of the head table. In fact, I’d sensed him watching me from the moment I’d started across the field and toward the tables the servants had arranged for the feast.

I hadn’t dared to look at him for fear he’d see the anticipation that had been building within me all the while Trudy and the other servants had been bathing and dressing me, ridding me of the dust of the tournament.

The scent of roasted boar turning on spits in the nearby fire pits was tantalizing. It was extra work for my kitchen staff to prepare the feast outdoors near the tournament site, but I was hoping the leftovers would be easier to distribute to the townspeople, who sat on blankets nearby. And I hoped my servants would also be able to enjoy some of the festivities and play-acting.

When I reached the edge of the table, I was near enough to Derrick to catch a whiff of his soapy, clean scent. Like the other knights, he’d shed the armor and grime of the day and was now dressed in his feasting attire.

I trembled under the intensity of his stare and peeked at him out of the corner of my eyes as I passed. The tiny glimpse was my undoing. Even though he stared at me boldly, there was a nonchalance about his stance that gave me pause. He was positioned farthest away from me again, and yet he didn’t seem to mind.

Would the dinner and theater production afterward be a repeat of the dance? Would he ignore me all evening, even while I longed to be near him and speak with him?

The thought sent a cloud through my cheerfulness, and I stopped. At my halt, the duke peered down at me with concern. “Is everything all right, dear one?”

If Derrick was determined to ignore me, then I must find a way to engage his attention, especially now that I knew why he was giving in so easily to his companions. My thoughts returned to all the suggestions the noblewomen had given during the tournament. I inwardly cringed at the thought of trying some of the things they’d mentioned.

I didn’t know quite how to formulate my response to the duke — ?especially without appearing too forward. My conscience urged me to pass by, to go to my spot at the center of the table without saying more. After all, if Derrick was determined to keep his distance, who was I to interfere with his resolve? I already had the devotion of Sir Collin and Sir Bennet. That should be enough.

But strangely, it wasn’t.

The duke waited for my response.

“Your Grace,” I whispered, standing on tiptoe to reach his ear. I swallowed the nervousness that threatened to prevent me from saying anything. “I should like to honor the winner of the tournament by giving him the seat next to me during dinner.”

The duke pulled back and studied my face. A sparkle sprang to life in his eyes and his lips twitched with a smile. “I’m glad to hear it, Rosemarie,” he whispered in return. “He’s a good man, and he deserves the honor.”

I bowed my head in agreement and also to hide the burning in my cheeks.

The duke faced the gathering. “Lady Rosemarie would like to honor the winner of today’s joust by giving him the highest seat of honor at the table.”

The guests clapped at the announcement. Derrick hesitated and glanced at Sir Collin and Sir Bennet. The other two knights’ smiles and laughter faded. Derrick nodded at them almost apologetically before finally rising from his spot. He bowed to me and then took the duke’s place at my side, offering me his arm. I took hold of him, certain I was now blushing furiously.

“Thank you, my lady,” he said as we moved toward the table. “You’re most kind.”

“You’re most deserving, sir.”