Eliza Knight - The Rules of Chivalry Read Online Free PDF Page A

close to one of her lady’s maids to send it— there had never come a reply. She feared he’d forsaken her, that the vows they’d so innocently expressed were all for naught. That he’d moved on with his life… However much that thought had broken her heart, she’d wished him happiness anyway. He would not be the only one who’d forsaken her, left her to rot underneath Kent’s evil hand. Her own family did not return her letters.
    Then again, there was always the possibility that he letter never arrived. Or his reply had been intercepted. That sent fear ricocheting through her, but it couldn’t be the case, Kent would have seen her punished for sure.
    Elena had hoped, prayed that he’d come, but she’d never been certain. Was he aware of the prize? Would he be participating in the joust? The sword fight? Oh, how she wished he was. She wanted him to win. So many thoughts crowded into her mind, and all of them were run over by fear.
    Fear that he’d be hurt. Fear of her husband finding out about the letter. Michael was an excellent warrior from what she remembered. And so much more… But there were many skilled knights in attendance. A number of them from her husband’s own retinue. All of them fighting for the charge of Captain of the Guard at Kent castle.
    If Michael were to win —
    But if he were to lose…
    She didn’t let her mind get away with her. It would be better not to get herself worked up. If he weren’t to succeed she would surely plummet into despair. If she thought of him winning , her husband would pick up on her excitement and have him banished from the tournament. That couldn’t happen.  Michael could be her savior from a lifetime of unhappiness. Even if they could not make good on their promise to each other all those years ago, at least they could see each other day in and day out.
    Grabbing a sheer gold scarf from the pile, she wrapped it around her neck. Elena let each of her ladies pick a scarf, their girlish antics taking her mind from Michael for the moment.
    The merchant returned with a bolt of the most beautiful brocade fabric. The background was a lovely shade of gold, maroon roses with green vines were embroidered throughout.
    “It’s lovely, sir, I will take it.”
    After she paid for her purchases, Elena turned to one of her lady’s maids. “ Raelyn , please make sure this fabric gets to my tent.”
    Elena wanted to walk around. She needed to catch another glimpse Michael before she had to return to her husband’s side. Had to know if he was really there. And she wouldn’t be a minute late either. For if she was, she was sure he would send her to the tent or worse back to the castle and she would miss not only all of the tournament events, but a chance at greeting Michael in person.
    A strolling minstrel stopped her and her ladies in their path and began a lively tune. Elena stood smiling, tapping her foot to the rhythm as her ladies danced a little to the music. Furtive glances around the crowd rewarded her with no sight of Michael. Although, several other oglers surreptitiously conveyed they would be more than willing to take his place.
    Disgusted by the vast amount of unwanted amorous attention she was getting, Elena clapped her hands for her ladies, turned from the minstrel, and walked toward the list fields. She would just have to sit and wait until the joust began. Besides, tournaments were only entertaining to an extent. Elena couldn’t stand when knights got hurt. She also couldn’t fathom why having animals fight each other seemed to be a sport. She always felt sorry for the poor things. The food, music, laughter and merchants’ goods were exciting—and whenever there was a tournament, the people seemed most happy. It also meant she’d get to avoid her husband and his roughened frien ds for more time than was usual—as they would be fully concentrating on the events and not her.
    After greeting her husband, Elena settled herself into her chair, her ladies