An Uncertain Choice(40)

“You’re so lucky to have their attention, my lady,” the young woman spoke again, staring into the list — ?the fenced-off area where the knights were preparing for the first joust. Most of the young noblewomen were married, but a few single daughters had come to join the festivities with their parents.

I watched the proceedings with fascination. I hadn’t witnessed a jousting tournament since my parents had died. Yet even if the proceedings were grander than what I remembered, I was aware of what was expected of me. As the queen of the tournament, I’d need to bestow my favor upon one of the knights. And even though I wanted to be fair to all three of my suitors, I’d already determined to reward that favor to the knight who wore the coat of arms with the red dragon. I must properly thank him for his rescue of the criminals that day in the marketplace. He deserved it, and my townspeople would expect it.

After getting to know the three men, I was convinced the red dragon knight and Sir Derrick were one and the same. Today, I would discover for certain.

The few unattached women around me were giggling and making eyes at the knights who had begun to assemble in front of us. Upon their snorting mounts and decked in their gleaming armor, they were indeed a sight to behold. And yet I didn’t see the fire-breathing dragon among the coats of arms displayed by the various noblemen participating in the tournament.

Maybe a part of me hoped that by awarding Sir Derrick my favor for the tournament, he’d change his mind and decide to try to win me after all. But what if he didn’t? How could I gain his interest in participating with Sir Collin and Sir Bennet?

I took a deep breath and turned to the lady closest to me. I forced out the question before I lost my nerve. “What kinds of things do you do when you wish to show a man that you’re interested in him?”

The ladies around me tittered.

Heat rushed into my face, and I wished I could take back my question.

“Oh it’s easy, my lady,” said one of the married ladies.

’Twould not be easy for me, not in the least. But I bit back the words.

“You must smile at him a lot,” said one pretty young woman.

“And ask him questions about himself,” said another.

“Make sure to compliment him for his brave deeds.”

“If possible, single him out for a conversation.”

“Sit next to him.”

“Always laugh at his jokes.”

The suggestions overwhelmed me. How would I ever accomplish such things, especially with Sir Derrick? But what other choice did I have? He’d made it clear at the dance last evening that he was determined not to pursue me, even if he wanted to. That he’d stood back to allow his noble friends to win my heart.

I gave a soft sigh.

Of all three knights, why was I most drawn to the one who wanted me the least? Why couldn’t my heart react to Sir Collin or Sir Bennet with the same measure it did to Sir Derrick? I’d spent the least time with him, and yet I found myself thinking about him the most.

The ladies grew suddenly silent. At the sight of the duke in his brilliantly polished armor approaching the list with his three knights riding behind him, my body tensed in anticipation. The sound of trumpeters heralded their appearance. They trotted gallantly toward me, and the knights who were already waiting parted to let them approach. When the men were lined up in front of me on their warhorses, my heart finally resumed its beating, albeit at twice the pace.

“Lady Rosemarie,” the duke greeted me once the trumpets had faded. He held his helmet under his arm. “We’re ready for the tournament to begin.”

The sunshine poured down on the three noble knights decked in their best plate armor, their helmets concealing their faces. I couldn’t keep my gaze from straying to the one wearing the emblem of the red dragon. From the stiff but bold way the knight sat on his steed, I now had no doubt it was Sir Derrick.

“Before you begin your day of fighting . . .” I stood and spoke the words expected of me. “I would like to bestow my favor upon one of the knights.”

“Would you like the men to remove their helmets, Lady Rosemarie?” the duke asked.

I shook my head. “There’s no need, your Grace.”

His brow quirked. He was correct in assuming that I didn’t know for sure which man sat behind each helmet. But for me, it didn’t matter.

Along the opposite side of the list, dangling along the makeshift fences and congregating on benches that had been erected, the town — ?at least those not quarantined and dying from the sudden outbreak of disease — ?had come out to witness the tournament. My people already were murmuring, clearly recognizing the red dragon emblem. Honoring the bearer of that emblem would send the message that I would reward kindness and bravery and that I wouldn’t tolerate torture.

I slid my gauzy scarf out from around my neck. It was pale blue, the color of the gown I’d worn, and it matched the cloudless blue sky overhead. As I held it out, the silk fluttered in the gentle summer breeze.

“I wish you all good health and fortune this day.” I glanced at each man, including the other noblemen who’d gathered to participate in the jousting. “I pray the best man will win.”

Only then did I let my gaze land upon the knight with the red dragon. “But although I wish you all my favor, I must bestow a special blessing upon only one.”

The crowd grew silent.