“Who has harmed you?” he asked, softening his tone.
She gripped the sword tightly, lifting the blade into a fighting stance. When he looked closer into her eyes, he saw fury, not fear. “Do you think I would let any man hurt me?”
Her words were meant to push him away, to convince him to leave her alone. And yet, he didn’t quite believe her. Something had happened, something that troubled her deeply.
“It’s late,” Honora continued. “Send word to me if you learn anything about the thief.”
He didn’t ask her why she cared about a stolen chest. It was apparent she needed something to distract her. And though he didn’t particularly want to get involved, he couldn’t allow a thief among them, either.
Inclining his head, he agreed. “I’ll help you.”
Thegamesbeganatdawn. Lord Ardennes had arranged several matches to test their skills—among them were wrestling, foot races, archery, and sword fighting. Ewan had selected wrestling as his first test of skill.
Before he approached the fighting arena, his brother Bevan offered a warning. “They don’t like Irishmen. Be prepared for treachery.”
“Don’t interfere. This is my fight.”
“If they threaten your life, I’ll interfere, tournament or not. You’re my brother.”
His older brother still held little faith. But then, Bevan had been preoccupied, as of late. His wife Genevieve was expecting their fourth child this summer, and Ewan knew Bevan would rather be at her side than here. Although no one spoke of it, they all understood the dangers of childbearing. His brother Patrick and his wife Isabel had miscarried more than once, and they had only one living son, Liam.
“I’m going to win this tourney,” he reassured Bevan quietly. And he would. There was no question in his mind that he would claim the victory. His brother still looked unconvinced, but at last, Bevan relented and stepped back.
Ewan moved toward the dais, where Lord Ardennes waited with his two daughters. The other suitors were dressed in preparation for the fighting, most wearing chainmail armor. All were Norman, and each one held the title of knight or lord.
It made Ewan uncomfortably aware that he was the lowest ranked among them. And though the earl had agreed to let him court Katherine, he suspected it was out of courtesy to his foster father—not because Lord Ardennes had any intention of honoring a match between them.
Uneasily, he awaited his turn to greet Katherine. Both women wore their finest gowns; Katherine in a cream-colored bliaud embroidered with gold, while Honora wore a dark blue gown. Their heads were veiled and crowned with silver bands.
Lord Ardennes was saying something that he couldn’t hear, and Honora stared off into the distance, her cheeks flushed.
“What was that?” he asked the man beside him.
“The earl is offering both daughters in marriage. His eldest daughter will wed before the younger.”
Honora was seeking a husband? Ewan tensed at the declaration. Now why hadn’t she mentioned that? She’d said nothing about remarrying. And she was supposed to wed before Katherine could choose a suitor?
From the guilt written on her face, it must be true.
Suddenly, he began to wonder if their chance encounters were not so coincidental. She’d crept into his bedchamber, for God’s sakes. As he drew closer to the dais to pay his respects, his irritation with Honora grew.
Of all the women in Christendom, Honora was the very last one he’d wed. Her stubborn nature clashed with his own, and he hadn’t forgotten the way she’d tormented him as a lad. The man who took her to wife would need infinite patience.
He forced his anger away as he bowed before Katherine. “Lady Katherine, you look lovely this morn.”
She smiled and offered him a white ribbon as a token. “I shall enjoy watching you fight, MacEgan.”
From his periphery, he noticed Honora glaring at him. He ignored it, for she had no cause to be displeased.
“I owe you a gift still,” he continued, directing his full attention to Katherine. “Is there aught you desire?”
She thought a moment. With a bright smile, she offered, “I should like to spend an afternoon getting reacquainted. The last time I saw you was years ago.”
Satisfaction poured through him, reinforcing his confidence. So, he did have a chance at winning her hand. The pretty blush upon Katherine’s cheeks made him feel like he could lift up a stone wall. “If it means spending time with you, I would be glad of it.”
Honora kept her gaze firmly fixed upon the fighting arena, but he sensed she was rolling her eyes.
Katherine beamed. “Excellent. We shall bring a meal with us, and Honora can come as well.”
