Page 94 of Pippa of Lauramore
He turns back, his eyes hard. “I am going to speak with Percival. If Lionel presses this, he should have a warning.”
“Is that wise?” Galinor asks.
“Percival is your friend.” Leonora nods, setting a hand on his shoulder. “Tell him. He may be able to help. I’ll go with you.”
Archer looks as if he’s going to decline, but then he nods. She gives him an encouraging smile, and they exit the tent together, leaving the rest of us in silence.
CHAPTER 24
Iwake expecting sunshine and am instead greeted by the sound of a slow and steady drizzle of rain pattering against the window. The day is gray, and the clouds are low and thick. I open the balcony doors. I can barely make out the arena because the structure is hidden in fog.
It’s not an ideal day for a joust.
I shiver against the cool air and close the doors. Setting my hand on the cold glass, I watch the rain stream down the pane. The storm seems to have settled in around us. There’s no chance it will clear soon.
Someone has been in this morning and lit a fire. The pine pops and crackles in the stone hearth. I settle on the bench in front of it and wrap a blanket around my shoulders.
There’s a knock at my door, and Anna lets herself in without waiting for my answer. Her cheeks are rosy, and her eyes are bright. She narrows those bright eyes as she looks at my bed, not yet noticing me by the fire.
“I’m here, Anna.”
She jumps, clutching her chest with fright, and I have to fight back a smile. She takes a breath and smooths down her already perfect skirts. “You’re up. I expected to find you in bed.”
I shrug and turn back to the fire. “It’s raining.”
“So it is.”
“Will the joust be postponed?” It will be a miserable day not only for those competing but for those in the audience.
Anna settles next to me. “No. It’s going on as scheduled. Most of the men have already risen and are at their tents, preparing.”
The hall will be quiet this morning.
“I haven’t seen you much lately,” I say. “Have you been feeling well?”
Anna flushes and stands briskly. “The tournament is a busy time. I have had many things to attend to, and you are old enough I shouldn’t have to watch you every moment of the day.”
I raise an eyebrow.
“I’m fine,” she adds. “I will call in your maid. You are expected at breakfast.”
As I suspected,the hall is nearly empty. I do a quick scan for Archer, but he isn’t here. I have no idea how his conversation with Percival went. Father and Mother are speaking with Sir Kimble. Leonora sits with Marigold. Neither of my brothers are in attendance this morning,nor are any of the competitors. Many of the visiting nobles are loitering around, but the atmosphere is subdued—most likely due to the weather.
I sit next to Leonora and help myself to a plate of sausages near me. Unlike most mornings, I’m not ravenous. In fact, I might have trouble eating anything at all.
After meeting with Archer in the tent yesterday, I stayed in my rooms with a headache the rest of the day. It was the easiest way to avoid Lionel, and in truth, I did have a headache.
I still do.
“How did it go?” I ask Leonora when she greets me.
She drops her gaze to her plate. “Percival wasn’t upset. Alexander had already spoken with him.”
Alexander is a rat.
“Then what’s wrong?”
“If Lionel claims it is true, and demands justice, there is nothing your father can do but follow through,” Leonora whispers.
