An Uncertain Choice(25)

Could I willingly relegate myself to a life of quiet and solitude? I’d always thought I could. It would be a noble service and sacrifice to God. But could I do it? And did I even want to anymore?

I was disconcerted by how quickly over the past week I’d adjusted the thoughts of my future. Where once I’d resigned myself to the idea of life as a nun, now I wasn’t sure I’d be able to endure it. And that was more than a little frightening, for what if I failed to fall in love and had to go to the convent after all?

Sir Collin finished the last words of his song and then grinned from his steed next to me. “Do you think I missed my calling, my lady? Should I have become a minstrel instead of a knight?”

I laughed, once again noticing how little I’d done so in recent years. I suppose I’d had little to be merry about. “Your songs have brought me great cheer this day.”

“Are you sure Sir Collin’s songs haven’t soured your appetite, my lady?” Sir Bennet jested from my opposite side, where he’d been riding for most of the hunt. “I usually lose mine when I have to listen to so many.”

“Then perhaps I should switch to my stories,” Sir Collin countered. “Since I know how well you enjoy those.”

“Please. Spare us all. Your stories are the worst kind of torture imaginable, worse than a skinning alive.”

At Sir Bennet’s words, my stomach did indeed sour. I’d suffered too many nightmares of late, especially of gruesome torture.

Upon seeing my subdued expression, Sir Bennet’s laughter died away and was replaced with concern. “I’m sorry, Lady Rosemarie. I pray you will forgive me for speaking so glibly about torture methods.”

I shivered and nodded. “You meant no ill will, sir.”

Both of the knights grew silent and exchanged looks over my head. Did all of them know about my aversion to torture and the incident with the criminals in the town square?

I still hadn’t discovered which of them had been the one to dash to the rescue. If only they or their horses wore their family emblem. The coat of arms with the fire-breathing dragon would certainly identify the rescuer and put an end to my curiosity. As the days passed, I longed to acknowledge how much I’d admired the knight’s courage, and properly thank him for his daring deeds.

I could simply ask which of them had done it. Today was the perfect day to pose the question, while we were all together.

If only we were all together.

My gaze strayed to the forefront of the hunting party. I could barely see Sir Derrick from where he rode at the head of the group. Nevertheless, the rigidness of his back and the broadness of his shoulders made him easy to recognize.

A tiny prick of irritation needled me as it did every time I thought about the fact that he hadn’t yet planned his special day for me. After Sir Collin’s garden dinner and entertainment and then the art fair with Sir Bennet, I’d begun waiting to see what Sir Derrick would plan for me. I didn’t know how he could devise anything more lovely than what I’d already experienced.

It had been two days, but surely he would plan something. He wouldn’t be so cold that he’d do nothing at all with me. Would he?

He certainly didn’t appear eager to single me out and spend time with me. Of course he was always polite whenever we were together, but he lacked the enthusiasm of Sir Bennet and Sir Collin.

Had I done something to offend him, to make him dislike me? Part of me whispered that I shouldn’t care, but for a reason I couldn’t explain, I did.

“My lady, this looks to be the spot the duke has chosen for our picnic.” Sir Bennet reined his horse as we broke into a clearing.

I halted next to him and smiled at the scene that met me. In a meadow dotted with the most beautiful array of wildflowers, a canopy had been erected. Underneath the canopy were blankets for us to sit upon. And upon those blankets lay an arrangement of platters of fruits, cheeses, breads, and pastries.

“It would appear that our leader is a romantic at heart,” Sir Collin winked.

Sir Derrick had already reached the picnic spot and dismounted his horse. As we got closer I could see him handing the reins to one of his squires, who led the steed away to a distant area where the rest of the hunting party would relax and eat. We spurred our horses into a trot and arrived at the canopy laughing and breathless. Sir Bennet helped me dismount and led me into the shade of the tent. He situated me on the center blanket as carefully as if I’d been one of the colored glass creations we’d seen at the art show.

“Thank you, sir.” I smiled up at his eager face. My heart fluttered at the nearness of his presence, his strong muscled jaw, the smooth shaven skin, and how every wavy strand of dark hair stayed in its proper place.

He hovered above me, taking in my appearance as I’d just done to him. “I didn’t think it was possible for you to become any lovelier than you already are. But every day that I see you, you grow more beautiful.”

His words caressed me, making me want to curl my toes. His gaze dropped to my lips and blue heat flared in his eyes. He licked his lips, and my pulse fluttered at the thought that perhaps he was seriously considering kissing me. He wouldn’t, would he? So soon? So publicly?

My heart raced. Did I dare let him?

“No fair, Bennet,” Sir Collin said while ducking under the canopy. Even though his words were lighthearted, something hard flashed in his eyes as he glanced at his friend. “You can’t whisper endearments into Lady Rosemarie’s ear. I’m the only one who gets to do that.”