The queen did make sense. It would be easy to jump to conclusions based on her mother’s vocal intentions. Marion didn’t want to offer attention to anyone if she were not genuinely interested in them. So that was the question. Was she genuinely interested in the earl? She reached into her pocket and withdrew the kerchief she’d brought.
The queen caught sight of it and said, “I am pleased you have that with you. I expect that is for the earl?”
“Aye, but I do not know where to put it.”
The queen chuckled softly. “You put it wherever you like. I placed one for my cousin before yesterday’s joust. You may do so for today’s. It can be tied to his spear or handed to him to tuck into his gauntlet. The choice is yours.”
There was something rather naughty at the thought of tying the thing to his spear and so Marion knew what she would do if the opportunity presented itself. And she was not about to tell the queen the earl had encouraged her.
Silver horns blew their clear tones announcing the participants’ entrance. Marion leaned forward to get a clearer view of them trotting in atop their horses in a singular line with a shining black-armored rider leading them.
She was nudged by the queen when the rider stopped before them and bowed to them. Marion’s heart beat like a rapidly thumping hare as she stood and took the steps needed to greet the rider. His mouth was hidden behind his helmet, but his eyes were not, and they bore into hers as he raised not his arm, but his spear to her.
She drew a shaky breath as she slowly wrapped the kerchief around the tip of his spear and tied a double knot to secure it.
“I wish you luck, my lord,” she said.
“And I thank you for your favor,” he said. “You shall sit with me during today’s repast, aye?”
She released a slow breath and nodded then smiled. “Aye, my lord.I will sit with you.”
He then bowed to her and took his position among the participants who were in line to receive blessing from the king.
Marion sat as the king then stepped forward with much the same messaging as the day before. This time her eyes never left the black knight’s as his never left hers.
The king’s words were a blur to her as her senses seemed to heighten. She became keenly aware of every inch of him and let her mind drift back to their dance and how safe and right she felt in his arms. The muscular curvature of his breast plate was the exact shape of him and clearly was molded for him specifically. Marion’s cheeks heated at the thought of seeing that chest bare. What would he feel like? A wave of his leather scent washed over her, giving her goosebumps on her arms. The spell was only broken when he had to move to the edge of the tournament area to take up his place for the first joust. As he passed by, she was certain he winked at her.
*
Alexander was invery real danger of becoming obsessed with the lass if he did not get himself together. Alain strapped his spear to his arm as Alexander got into position. Maybe it was a mistake in having Lady Marion tie her favor to his spear. He should have taken it from her and tucked it into his armor, for now, in lining up to best his opponent, he would not be able to miss it. And worse, he now couldn’t very well remove it for fear of disappointing her.
“Are you unwell?” Alain asked with concern in his tone.
Alexander shook his head. “I am well.” He blocked the lass from his thoughts and focused on the rider opposite him. Leaning forward, he waited for the flag to drop then kicked his heels into the horse’s side and rode hard toward the rider. A split second before hitting the man in the chest with his spear, the kerchief moved over the top of thespear and an image of her lovely face floated before his eyes. The sight of it was enough to distract him so that his aim shifted, and he missed the rider. He was not so fortunate, for the rider had aimed to unseat Alexander and was successful since he was not hit.
With his balance displaced, he fell hard to the ground on his back, the wind leaving his body with a great woosh. His head snapped backward as his skull slammed against the back of his helmet. He closed his eyes as stars formed and the world spun about him.
“My lord!” Alain’s voice was distant as Alexander tried to regain his bearings.
When he opened his eyes again, his helmet was off and both Alain and the king were staring down at him with a worried expression.
“Can you sit up?” the king asked.
Alexander rolled to his side and then attempted to sit up, but the dizziness in his head kept him going, so Alain caught him and kept him stationary. Thankfully the spinning settled quickly after that. Both men helped him to standing and onward to the palace. Inside, he was brought into a chamber and made to sit on the cot. Alain made to work removing his armor and gauntlets. Then removed his tunic and shirt underneath.
“My surgeon will be here momentarily,” the king said. “It is important for you to tell us if you feel pain anywhere.”
In truth, he felt pain pretty much everywhere, but for the king’s purposes he understood what the man meant.
“It is my pride mostly. I do not feel as though I have broken anything.”
“You gave us quite the fright, Argyll,” the king said. “What happened?”
Alexander was almost too mortified to say. And even more now, realizing that Lady Marion would have seen the whole thing. But there was nothing he could do about it now. What was done was done. Maybe now he would be able to leave this mad place and returnhome. He made to stand, and when he did, the chamber spun all around him and he landed in a heap on the stone floor.
“That’s it. You are to stay here until my surgeon gives you a thorough examination. Where on earth could he be?” With that, the king left the chamber, saying he would go in search of him.
“Seriously, Alexander, what happened?” Alain’s tone was full of concern and carried none of the normal sarcasm and jest.
