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“But, inald is one of the top chado this challenge And his eagerness in this matter leads me to believe he plans to cheat”
Reece ran a hand over his face This was not a good situation to be in Not a good situation at all
“Can we postpone the tournament for a few days?” Lara asked hopefully
“For the sake of your reputation, inald at once,” Toby said He flushed again “Meaning no offense, ma’am”
“So it seems I have no choice in the itiet married”
“But what of my sister?”
“She doesn’t like Sir Reginald anyway,” Toby cut in “Everyone knows she wanted to marry Lord Abbot He does have a better title and more money”
“Thank you for re me, Toby,” Reece teased
“Meaning no offense, sir” The young man nodded at Reece
“Well, I suppose you should get busy polishingmy horse”
A bright smile crossed Toby’s face “Yes, sir!”
“And I suppose I should have a bite to eat Itat him as if unsure what to in his duties and Reece moved to draw Lara into his arms
“Are you feeling all right?” he asked
“Reece, what do we do if so happens to you?”
He tilted her chin up “I’d better teach you the words that activate the amulet,” he said “I think you should be the one ears it”
“No,” she said e her head “I don’t want it You ear it, and you will recite the words, and you will refuse this ridiculous challenge”
“Are you worried about me?”
“Of course, I’m worried about you This isn’t some show at a medieval fair This is a joust, with a real lance, with a real knight ants you dead for hu him”
“So you don’t think I can win?”
“Reece, this is serious You could be killed”
“I am more aware of that than you are, sweetheart But we can’twith the chain of events as they transpire Reg kno to joust I’ll just let hioat”
“That goat kickedshed’s wall”
“Bad example,” he admitted “I’ll be fine, Lara Have faith in me”
“I’et hurt” She sed hard “Or dead”
He s to care about me, rather you want to or not”
“Don’t be ridiculous”
“So you’d stop ently on the lips
His plan to distract her didn’t work “Reece, we could just stall for a couple of days Then Reg could retain his honor and win his lady and you wouldn’t have to be in danger What if you lose? And Reg and Eleanor never get married and have children? And wonder if those children are your ancestors so you’re never born?”
“Easy, Lara,” he said “You don’t have to worry about that What’s meant to happen will happen whether we are here or not If I win, Reg won the first ti lost”
“How can you be sure?”
“I’ve been through siht months”
“You’ve jousted?”
“That’s not what I meant When it looks like there is no way I’ll be successful, things turn out the way they should”
“And if you’re meant to lose?”
“Then I lose”
“And if Reg dies?”