Page 27 of Knight of Havoc
“He only goads you, Norwood. Do not let him get the best of you,” Warin drawled as though he had not a care in the world.
“Speaking from experience, Warin?” Reynard dared to ask. If anyone was competition for Elysande’s hand, ’twas Constantine Warin. He was a favored knight with the empress and his estate was in close proximity of Oxford. What truly did Reynard have to offer his monarch besides the strength of his sword arm?
“If you cared to read the room, you would have noticed that Morcant has gone over to every single opponent this eve to goad and needle at them. His attempts to dig into my feelings for the lady and put me off the games come the morrow have been futile. But you are far younger than the rest of us so I suppose he thinks you are easier to manipulate.”
“I have not been manipulated,” grumbled Reynard and he thrust out his hand holding his empty tankard toward a servant who quickly filled his cup.
“If you say so, but by the looks of you I would say you are about ready to sever Morcant’s head at the neck,” laughed Warin. “Such an action might indeed be justifiable but mayhap you should not do something that vile during the evening meal.”
“You know as well as I that the games are not to the death,” Reynard answered whilst he continued to keep his eyes on Elysande.
“You and I may adhere to those rules, but others… perchance not so much. After all… the others are determined to win the tourney at any cost in order to win themselves a wife, her lands, and also the empress’s favor.” Warin continued to inspect Reynard and when he did not react he lifted his cup in a silent toast. “Keep it together, Norwood, and take out your frustrations at the game. Good eve to you.”
Surprised that he seemingly had an ally of sorts with Warin, Reynard took several calming breaths. ’Twould do no good to cause a scene in front of the empress and as Warin said, he could take the matter up on the morrow on the field. He saw Hawke nod in Elysande’s direction as her captain also keep close vigil over his charge. At least Reynard was not alone in his protectiveness with the woman. Now he only needed to survive the evening whilst watching Elysande dance with the victors of today’s games. ’Twas going to be a long night.
*
Elysande pushed onthe chest of the man who continued to pull their bodies far closer than the dance should have permitted.
“You will do well to remember you are under the close watch of… the empress,” Elysande fumed but inwardly cursed herself when she realized she had about to utter Reynard’s name. A hearty laugh was not what she expected to come pouring out from this man’s mouth.
“I expect the empress is far too busy enjoying the evening’s entertainment than to bother where I place my… hands,” Gerold Morcant teased, pulling her forward so they were chest to chest. “You and I will be a fine-looking couple once we are wed.”
“Looks are not everything, my lord. You will find that despite appearances, I am a very independent woman and not one to obediently sit in a solar with a bit of sewing whilst waiting for a man’s return so I might serve him,” she warned. The dangerous glint in his eyes caused her to halt anything further she might say, and she swallowed hard, feeling apprehensive.
“You can be anything you wish until we say our vows. After that, you will always remain under my control,” he snapped before he masked his features into something that Elysande supposed was to be pleasantness. If that was his objective, he failed for there was nothing pleasant about this man.
“You presume much. What makes you think you will win against the others who also fight for my hand?” she dared to ask.
“I will win because I need the victory more than any other,” Gerold proclaimed with a forced smile. It must have galled him to admit he needed something from a mere woman.
“You mean you need my lands and whatever monies the empress will give me as a dowry,” she hissed.
“Is there any other reason why I would take you to wife? You may be beautiful, Elysande, but so are a dozen other women here at court.”
“Then marry one of them and leave me be,” she ordered, attempting once more to place some distance from him without success.
“You will soon learn your place in my life. Until then, I do so enjoy a challenge. Now let us enjoy the rest of our dance together before the next man comes to claim you.”
Mentally, she cursed this pompousarseto hell and back! But when she espied the empress watching closely, she forced her frown into a smile as though she was actually enjoying the moment of dancing with Gerold Morcant. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
The music thankfully died away and she quickly fled from Lord Gerold’s side even whilst she heard his amused chuckle. How would she ever survive the next six evenings plastering a smile upon her face to appear as if she enjoyed herself? After only one night, she was already at her wits’ end. Yet, what else could she do? The empress had made up her mind and the events that were to come needed to be played out for everyone’s benefit but Elysande’s.
As she left the middle of the dance floor, Hawke quickly came to her and thrust a chalice into her hand.
“You appear as though you are in need of a drink,” he said calmly. “’Tis a good thing the dance ended. I was about to interrupt if that cur continued to manhandle you.”
“I wish you would have, although I suppose such would not have gone over well with our empress. I wish this insanity was over and Reynard…” Her words trailed away and she swore she would not break down in tears at the prospect that she would be forced to wed another.
“You care for him.” ’Twas a simple statement that spoke volumes.
“Aye.”
“You could petition the empress and ask—”
“I tried without success. She seems bent on having Reynard prove to her his worth,” she declared with a sob.
“Bah! Norwood has already done so or he would not be asked to accompany the empress whenever she travels. He is privy to the goings-on in the kingdom far more than most here,” Hawke proclaimed, scowling.
