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“The observation tent awaits you, azed at Reece

“Oh, thank you, aze back to Abbot “I wish you luck”

“I appreciate that, Eleanor, but I won’t be needing luck today” His evil grin ine what terrible brats he would spaith Alyssa The tere more perfectly matched than Lara wanted to admit

Lord Abbot put on his hel horse Apparently, he had recovered the beast frorin, i for his horse and arathering Alyssa caught her arm just before she entered

“There are three events Two out of three wins the tournae in the sword fight They are equally e in archery It really comes down to ins the joust I have an idea to turn the event to Reginald’s favor Tell father I felt ill so went to lie down”

Lara nodded

“Did you do your part?” Alyssa asked “Did you distract Christopher?”

Lara laughed “It wasn’t hard Breathing distracts him”

“Make sure you are the front of the tent and cheer for hi off for you, sister”

“Understood”

Alyssa reached up and tugged the bodice of Eleanor’s gon a few inches “There you go You’ll be htfall”

Alyssa turned and headed back to the castle, holding her stomach as if she felt ill Lara entered the tent and found her father standing near the front of the open structure

“There you are,” he said “Where is your sister?”

“She’s not feeling well She went to lie down”

Lord Clayton’s features tightened with concern “I hope she is not too ill She was never blessed with vigor or good health The poor child”

Oh yes, Alyssa was such a helpless creature Sheesh! Blind much, Papa Clayton?

There was a tru which drew all eyes to the arena A man read from a scroll of parchinald Ferguson to a duel of valor The tournarounds on the morroith the prize of Lady Eleanor Clayton’s hand in e cerehtthe challenge He who triumphs in two or uson refuse the terms of t

his challenge, he shall be charged with the kidnapping of Lady Clayton and persecuted to the greatest extent of the law Lord Abbot, do you hereby claie?”

“Aye,” Abbot called, lifting his hand to cheers fro with theled excitedly

“Lord Ferguson, do you hereby accept this challenge?”

“Aye,” Reece called

There was a chorus of boos and hisses Lara’s heart went out to hi the added burden of the crowd being against hian Good luck, h loud and clear Ditto, Lara thought Well, except for that love part Like? Sure Lust? Definitely But love? Her heart fluttered Well, maybe

Both knights directed their horses to the center of the wooden fence where they faced each other They then turned and approached the tent, co to a halt in front of Lara Her eyes searched the visor of Reece’s hel she could see his expression Was he worried? She was about to toss her crumpets

“The first event shall be the joust,” the announcer called “Take your ready, knights”

The horses were directed to either end of the fence Toby handed Reece a lance and he settled the weapon into position at his hip Lara noticed the tip wasn’t blunted One of them could be killed

She turned to her father “We have to call this off,” she said “These are real weapons”

Her father looked down at her, his expression cold “These are real knights,” he said “Do you see what trouble your insolence causes?”

“I’ll marry Lord Abbot!” She clutched his sleeve, but he shook off her hold “Just call it off”

Lord Clayton took her by the arnity”

Lara bit her lip A tru up dust The knights raced towards each other at breakneck speed Reece lifted his lance, leaning into the horse, the blue and white banner showing his fa over his steed’s ruht hit Abbot’s visor Concentration broken, he turned his head the instant before the knights collided There was an unsettling crunch Reece’s lance broke off at the hilt as it hit Abbot’s chest plate Abbot’s lance struck Reece in the shoulder and sent hi Reece did a backwards somersault off his horse and landed face down in the dirt Lara atte over the loall in front of her, but Lord Clayton grabbed her by the ar hiht and tried to rouse him