Chapter 8

“My lord?” A male servant’s voice said from the other side of the door.

“Hmm?”

“Are you and my lady coming?”

Katherine giggled. Edward grinned and kissed her. She stuck her tongue in his mouth to fence with his.

“My lord?”

“Yes?” Katherine’s eyes darkened even as Edward moved within her.

“The tournament!”

“Be right there,” Edward murmured. 3

Edward waited for the next two knights to appear for their jousting match. Next to him, Katherine gossiped with several ladies to her left. He smiled a little at their conversation. Talk of colorful dresses and materials and the new flavors and scents of exotic spices.

So far there had already been four matches. Gregory had appeared only once in a joust and had beaten his opponent. He was due to participate in the match coming up.

Anticipation flowed through him. He leaned forward on the bench. He never tired of watching the warrior in Gregory.

Edward was also a touch wistful. It had been a while since he had fought in a tournament himself. For the most part such competition belonged to the young and those knights wishing to make their fortune or a name for themselves. None of these applied to Edward now.

The first armored opponent rode out on his horse, his lance held at the ready. From the opposite direction Gregory charged in.

Gregory glanced in Edward’s direction and then brought his destrier over to their box. He bowed briefly at Edward, and then turned to do the same to Katherine. She handed him a strip of light blue cloth. He leaned forward on the horse and took the offered favor.

Katherine gifted Gregory with a bright smile as he tied it around his arm.

Gregory bowed once more in Edward’s direction and then urged his horse back to its place for the joust.

Edward glanced at Katherine. “‘Tis a lovely day for a tournament, is it not?”

Her cheeks pinked a little. “Yes, my lord. Very lovely indeed.”

Edward’s lips twitched and he turned his attention back to the joust about to begin.

The first two passes both knights missed. But on the third pass, Edward could see the other knight’s aim would be a direct hit on Gregory.

His breath caught in his throat and he sat on the edge of the bench, clenching his fists. There was naught he could do. It was not possible to interfere in the joust, though he wished it were so.

The other knight’s lance connected with Gregory’s side and sent him flying from his destrier. Next to him Katherine gasped.

He grabbed her hand and held tight, holding his breath, waiting for Gregory to rise up.

But Gregory remained on the ground, unmoving.

The match was called in favor of the other knight and several men moved to tend to Gregory. Katherine and Edward hurried onto the field.

Edward knelt beside Gregory. His helm had been removed. His eyes were closed. Relief soared through Edward when he caught the rise and fall of his chest.

“Move him to the castle to where we will tend to him,” Lady Katherine ordered.

Edward knew he ought to return to the tournament and watch the rest. As lord and baron it was his duty to see it through. But he did not relish that duty. He wanted to go with Gregory.

Katherine touched his arm. “All will be well, my lord. I will go with Sir Gregory and see that he is well. Have no fear.”

He smiled and nodded. “Very well, thank you. I will come as soon as my duties allow.”

* * * *

Katherine dipped a cloth in lukewarm water and washed Sir Gregory’s bare chest. He had not yet regained consciousness, but he’d murmured a little. She hoped he would awaken soon.

She dipped the cloth in the water again, gently bathing his neck and face. A large reddish bruise had appeared under his left ribcage. No doubt where the lance had connected with his armor. Other than that he had a bump on the back of his head the size of a small bird’s egg.

Katherine had prepared a paste of herbs and oils to apply to the bump to keep the swelling down. She reached for the small wooden mixing bowl she’d used to crush the herbs and mix it.

Gregory’s hand shot out and closed around her wrist.

Startled, Katherine jumped. His eyes were open, though somewhat dazed, and he was sitting up in the bed. He blinked.

“Easy, Sir Gregory, ‘tis all right.” She smiled and pushed him down gently. “You were injured in the tournament, but all is well.”

“The tournament?”

“Aye, you were felled from your horse by your opponent. You must have hit your head upon falling.”

He closed his blue eyes briefly, then opened them once more. They were a little clearer now. “No wonder my head feels as though it has been bashed by a boulder.”

She nodded. “You also have a large bruise forming on your ribs, but I do not believe anything is broken. It will be sore though.”

“Edward?”

“He is still at the tournament. As its host he felt it his duty to see it through. I am certain he will rush in to see you as soon as it has ended.”

Gregory rose on his elbow and glanced down at himself. She’d covered his lower half with furs. “Who removed my clothing?”

“Who do you suppose?” She arched an eyebrow at him. “Though I did use the services of a couple of servants. You are heavy, Sir Gregory.”

He grimaced. “I cannot believe I allowed my opponent to best me.”

Katherine shrugged. “You are a fine man, but the other man is younger. I understand he has been making quite the name for himself on the tournament circuit.”

Gregory laid his head back down. “‘Tis not much comfort. And in front of you and Edward.”

“Neither of us think less of you,” Katherine assured him. She fingered the colored strip of cloth she’d given him earlier. She’d removed it from his arm upon his arrival in the bed chamber. “‘Twas gallant of you to wear my favor.”

“I was surprised and pleased you offered it,” he said softly. He stared at her and reached for the other end of the cloth and pulled it and her toward him. He’d risen on his elbows once more.