Rosamund’s eyes raked over Sebastian, and the dinner gong sounded.
Unfortunately, I was seated between Baron Cornett and an aging gentleman, Viscount Bretagne. Jarrod was seated well down the table. I would never read Lord Allemond without Jarrod’s instructions. My father had trained me well in this regard for good reason. As I could only do one deep reading tonight, there may be someone else Jarrod might wish me to read, and he’d be displeased if I couldn’t accommodate his wish.
The room was filled with men with whom he may be seeking connection. I did notice him glancing at Allemond once or twice, but he didn’t appear concerned. Whatever Allemond’s agenda here, he was no great danger to any of us at the dinner table.
I was tired from the long day’s ride and nearly winced when Lady Violette announced dancing after dinner. Somehow, I stayed on my feet and kept a smile on my face as I danced with Rolf. I got Kai out on the floor twice, and to my surprise, he seemed to enjoy himself. Perhaps he liked having something to do.
Nothing about the evening struck me as remotely scandalous. I did notice a few men and women in low conversations with people to whom they weren’t married, but that was all. Even Sebastian, who’d expressed a plan to enjoy himself, spent much of the night speaking with Viscount Bretagne’s handsome son, Richard.
Finally, people began to drift away, and I felt it late enough to say our good nights.
Soon, with great relief, I found myself in bed beneath a down comforter with Rolf beside me.
“I found out Lord Allemond initially suggested our invitation,” I told him.
“Truly?” He frowned. “Perhaps he thought to provide us with another chance to embarrass ourselves.”
“Perhaps. I hope it’s nothing more. Remember he’s not above violence.”
“I doubt he’d try anything here, but I’ll speak to my father first thing tomorrow.”
Feeling better that this was out of my hands, I leaned back into my pillow.
Propping himself up on one elbow, Rolf touched my face. “Allemond or not, we wouldn’t be here without you, and I very much want to be here.”
Again, I couldn’t help drinking in his value of me.
“You did well tonight,” I answered. “Everyone saw you as one of their own.”
“I never thought I’d have the chance to try.”
“Surely you’ve been invited to some dinners or events.”
“No. Never. We’ve sometimes gone to Partheney when Kai’s entered a tournament, but none of the other noble families had much to do with us.”
“Tournaments?” I asked. “As in competition via combat?”
He kissed my forehead. “You’ll see tomorrow.”
Then he kissed my mouth, and we spoke no more.
Chapter 5
Everyone slept until midday and then spent time dressing. In the mid-afternoon we gathered in the dining hall for a casual buffet-styled meal.
As the afternoon waned, Henri Cornett walked to the archway and announced, “I think it’s time. Shall we go below?”
Kai’s eyes glittered, and I looked up to Rolf.
“What’s happening?”
“A small tournament, just for betting and entertainment. I heard some of the men discussing it last night.”
Of course, I knew what the word “tournament” meant, but I still didn’t quite understand how such a practice would fit into this house party. We all followed Henri out the dining room, down a passage, and through a door near the end.
I found myself in a stairwell leading downward. At the bottom of the stairs, I stepped out into a large underground chamber with no windows. Torches in brackets on the walls provided flickering light.
Rows of benches had been built in a circle all around the room, and standing on the top bench, I looked down into a pit on the floor below, about forty paces in circumference.
“An arena,” Rolf supplied.
The Cornetts had an arena built in their cellar? Had my parents ever stood here?
Kai left us, and I didn’t see where he went, but Sebastian and Jarrod stepped downward over the benches to find a place nearer the front.
They sat.
Rolf and I followed to join them. I ended up sitting between Sebastian and my husband. All around us, people began finding seats, chattering to each other, and I began feeling some trepidation over what was about to transpire.
“Who’s up first?” Sebastian asked.
“I’m not sure,” Rolf answered, “but I heard there would only be five matches, so I doubt they’d put Kai up too early. They’d want to save him for the end.”
There was a door at the back of the pit area below. That door opened and two men emerged. One of them was young Richard Bretagne and the other was a stranger, a stocky man in a leather hauberk.
Both carried swords.
I understood we were about to see a fight, but some of this still eluded me.
“Who’s the other man?” I whispered to Sebastian.
“Probably a mercenary,” he answered. “This isn’t a formal competition, just a bit of sport, so Henri must have hired a few men for the day.”
Standing, Lord Henri called, “Second blood!”
I glanced to Sebastian again.
Seeing my discomfort, he leaned closer. “It’s all right. They’ll only spar with each other, and no one aims for the face. The first man to strike a second cut on his opponent wins.”
“Oh, and Kai will take part in this?”
“Wait until you see him. He started competing at sixteen, and he’s never lost a match.”
I felt myself relaxing somewhat. Even if the men would cut each other once or twice, this didn’t sound like too violent a blood sport, and there were rules.
Sebastian looked over my head at Rolf. “Two silver pieces on Richard.”
Rolf studied the mercenary for a moment. “Done.”
Others around us began calling bets.
Henri stood waiting until all bets were placed. I could see him enjoying his role as host for this portion of the entertainment.
Once the small crowd fell silent, he nodded to Richard.
Within seconds, the bout began. Richard was slender but quick. His opponent was larger, stronger, and a little slower. The two men circled each other and then the mercenary took a swing. Richard dodged it easily and cut the man on the shoulder.
Sebastian and a few others cheered.
But as Richard drew his sword back to block, the mercenary took a back swing that was faster than I would have expected, and he nicked Richard’s collarbone. A line of blood flowed out.
This time, more of the small crowd cheered. It seemed most people had bet on Richard’s opponent.
The two men circled again, each one taking a few feints but not striking. Then, without warning, Richard darted forward and slashed. He barely missed, but the other man took advantage of the moment and stuck Richard across the arm, cutting through his wool shirt.
“Second blood!” Henri called.
The crowd cheered again.
“Bad luck,” Rolf said to Sebastian. “That’s two silvers.”
“The afternoon’s not over yet,” his brother answered.