A Tournament Knight

by A Tournament Knight (lit)

  Bringing himself back under control, Terric knew he would not be able to put the kiss they had shared so easily behind him. For better or worse, Jacqueline was in his blood now.

  * * * *

  Having left Terric to his brooding, Jacqueline decided to seek out Beth. She needed some advice.

  As luck would have it, she found Beth alone in the solar, sitting before her embroidery frame. She looked up when Jacqueline entered the chamber. "If you are looking for mother, she is with Sir Guy."

  Jacqueline shook her head and then pulled up a chair to sit next to Beth. "Nay, I am not. I came looking for you."

  Placing her needle down, Beth turned to face Jacqueline. It was not hard to see that she was deeply agitated about something. "Well you have found me."

  Unsure of exactly how to broach the subject, Jacqueline spoke hesitantly. "All right. I was wondering if you could give me some advice."

  Beth smiled. She had a feeling she knew what this was all about. Jacqueline was nervously digging the toe of her boot into the rushes upon the floor, with her eyes downcast. "You want some advice about Terric. Correct?"

  Jacqueline looked up at Beth, and smiled sheepishly. "How did you know?"

  "I had my suspicions. It was not hard to miss the longing glances the both of you were giving each other, when the other was not looking."

  Jacqueline groaned. "Is it that obvious?"

  "Nay. Only to me."

  "Since you have noticed, then tell me what I should do? Terric is avoiding me. No matter what he says otherwise. He thinks the kiss we shared was a grave mistake."

  "And you do not agree with that assumption?"

  Unable to sit any longer, Jacqueline stood up and started to pace the floor. "Of course I do not."

  Patting the chair beside her, Beth indicated for Jacqueline to sit down again. Once her friend complied, she nodded her approval. "Now, if you want to win Terric, do what I say. Let him think you feel the same as he. That nothing has changed between you both."

  "And how is that going to win me Terric?"

  Shaking her head, Beth continued. "There is more to it. Along with acting as if it was nothing, do your best to never let him forget it either."

  "What do you suggest I do?" Jacqueline leaned in closer to Beth, not wanting to miss anything she said.

  Beth smiled conspiringly at her. "Take every opportunity you can get to touch him. A simple brush of your hand will suffice. And make sure to put the least amount of distance between you. Closer the better. Do not give him any chance to ignore you."

  "It sounds like you are suggesting I seduce Terric."

  "Of course I am. If left to him, he will avoid you like the plague. Use what you have. Women through the ages have. No man can resist the lure of a woman he desires. Use his weakness to your advantage."

  Standing once more, Jacqueline absentmindedly nodded her head while she mulled over Beth's words. It could work. "Thank you. I will do as you say. Starting right now."

  Having renewed purpose, Jacqueline left the solar. Terric was not going to know what hit him.

  * * * *

  He was going out of his mind. Everywhere he went, Jacqueline was there. And she was driving him mad.

  Terric had noticed the change in her during the meal the evening before. Having sent her away after she had spoken to him on the walls, he had assumed she understood how he felt. But now he seriously doubted she did.

  She had seated herself beside him at the table. As they ate, he had not been able to ignore her closeness to him, especially when she kept touching him all the time. Her thigh would brush up against his as she shifted in her seat. Once she stretched and her hand seemingly caressed the back of his neck. She was not overly pointed about it. But the slightest touch still affected him.

  Terric was unable to tell if Jacqueline had known what she did. She had spent a large part of the meal acting as if he was not there. Much to his chagrin.

  By the time the meal was over, Terric found himself wanting Jacqueline all the more, which resulted in his spending half the night tossing and turning, aching for her. When sleep did claim him, she filled his dreams.

  Waking to a sun drenched chamber, Terric groaned. From lack of sleep, his head pounded like a battering ram within. He had also slept longer than was his usual want.

  Dragging himself from the bed, he pulled on a plain tunic and hose. After slipping his feet into his boots, he strapped his sword around his waist and left his chamber.

  Having slept so late, Terric knew he had missed the morning meal. Everyone would already be about their daily business. Hopefully, Lady Elizabeth had arranged to have a meal set aside for him.

  Reaching the hall, he was surprised to find Jacqueline still seated at the trestle table. If he did not know any better, he would swear she was sitting there purposely waiting for him to show up. Terric was not too sure how he felt about that.

  She had her back to him. Not wanting her to think he was sneaking up on her, Terric loudly clumped down the last remaining steps. "Jacqueline, what do you here? I thought I was the only slug-a-bed this morn."

  Turning in her chair, she smiled brightly at him. "It is about time you came down. And no I did not laze about in bed all morning like you. Did you not sleep well?"

  How innocently she asks, Terric mused. Jacqueline's turquoise eyes seemed to sparkle with amusement. "I slept well enough."

  "You missed eating your morning meal, but I made sure there would be something for you to partake of."

  Standing, Jacqueline indicated that he should take her chair. He could see a platter of bread and cheese sitting on the table. Thankful for this small courtesy, he moved to do as she suggested.

  Jacqueline remained standing by the chair. Expecting her to step back, he made to slide into the chair from the side where she now stood. But she did not move aside for him. Almost intentionally, she turned to face him at the last moment, causing him to literally walk into her. Her breasts lightly pressed up against his chest.

  His body instantly stiffened as their two bodies met. Jacqueline felt the shudder that ripped through Terric a second later. There was no question about it. She was getting to him, badly. Beth's advice was working better than she had anticipated. All that was left to see would be how long it would take Terric to admit defeat and do what they both wanted.

  Deciding to make him squirm all the more, Jacqueline tilted her head up. This brought her lips a hair breath away from his. Terric sucked in a sharp breath through his clenched teeth in response. Knowing full well what she was doing to him, she moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. His violet eyes darkened with desire.

  Jacqueline did not notice when she too began to fall under the same spell she wove around Terric. They stood, bodies pressed together, silently staring into each other's eyes, neither one cognizant of their surroundings.

  It was the slight movement of Terric's head as he began to lower his lips to hers which brought Jacqueline back to reality. She quickly jumped away from him. "I will leave you to finish your meal. I have dawdled enough in the hall." Before he could respond, Jacqueline beat a hasty retreat.

  * * * *

  Bright and early the following morning, Jacqueline once more faced Terric on the training field. He had assured her his shoulder was not the worse for wear from their training two days before. He did not appear to be favoring his left arm, so she made no further comments.

  At least this day Terric had no out of the ordinary training techniques planned, which suited Jacqueline just fine. Today he still would not break lances with her, but he would be going through the motions as if he were. When they met, it would only be her carrying a lance.

  At his signal, she set her steed into motion. Terric did the same. Keeping in mind what he had told her not to do, not to correct her aim once she was on her way down the list, Jacqueline barreled towards him. Meeting in the center of the field, her lance hit his shield dead center. Her lance shattered on impact.

  Turning her
mount back around, Jacqueline made her way to Terric, who had halted his steed beside Edwin. The squire had another lance ready to hand up to her when she reached them. Terric spoke first.

  "You did well, Jacqueline. I see you remembered what I said. You did not change your aim. Now let me see you do it again."

  The next hour was spent having her breaking lance after lance upon Terric's shield. Not once did she miss her mark. When Terric suggested they take a break, she could not keep the foolish grin from her lips, even after she removed her helm. Moving to help her dismount, he noticed her expression and smiled back at her.

  "Now do not get too smug, Jacqueline. This is just the start."

  "You must admit Terric, I have proven myself this day."

  "I admit you are a fast learner." He was quite happy with the progress she had made.

  "Thanks for your kind words, sir." Jacqueline replied. Buoyed by her success, she stepped closer to him. "I have found myself a good teacher."

  Terric did not miss how Jacqueline's face glowed. Nor how her cheeks were flushed with excitement. The smile slowly left his lips the more he stared at the woman before him. He was lost, whether he liked it or not. Her inexperienced kiss that night had stirred him more than any other woman's had. And he had known a great many. Just looking at her, as he did now, Terric could feel the hold she had over him.

  Sensing the change that came over Terric, Jacqueline let her smile fade into nothingness. The way he stared at her so intently, all the new sensations he had awakened in her came rushing back. She leaned closer to him unable to stop herself, as if an invisible string pulled her ever closer. Terric slowly bent his head toward her.

  When their lips were a mere breath apart, Jacqueline let her eyes drift shut. As his lips softly brushed hers, she sighed. Reaching up, she wove her fingers through the hair at the nap of his neck, pulling him closer still. He obligingly increased the pressure of his lips.

  Having been completely forgotten about, Edwin very loudly cleared his throat. When that did not gain their attention, he did it again. This time he added a barking cough, which seemed to do the trick.

  Both Terric and Jacqueline jumped apart, guilty looks upon their faces. Jacqueline, embarrassed about having lost her head so completely, grabbed her horse's reins and swiftly left the training field.

  Watching her retreating back, Terric struggled to bring himself back under control. He thrice damned himself for a fool. He had always prided himself for having control over any given situation in which he found himself. But his so called control had utterly deserted him when Jacqueline had leaned nearer. She had looked so kissable at that precise moment. He had to taste her lips once more.

  Moving to Terric's side, Edwin cleared his throat again. "Just what are you playing at? Trifling with the Lady Jacqueline is likely to have us booted out of Cairsbrooke Castle faster than you can spit. Lady Elizabeth is not the type of woman to allow her daughter to be toyed with."

  Terric snorted. "You think I do not know that?"

  "You could not have been too worried a moment ago. That was quite a display you two put on."

  "Shut your mouth, Edwin. I am well aware of what occurred between us. It was not very well done of me, again. When it comes to Jacqueline, I have no control. I just cannot stop myself."

  "Then you have a bit of a dilemma on your hands."

  Running his fingers through his sweat dampened locks, Terric nodded. "You are indeed correct, Edwin. So there is only one option left to me. I will have to leave."

  "What?"

  Terric turned to stare at Edwin, and said, "We leave on the morrow. I will inform the Lady Elizabeth at the evening meal."

  "But what of your promise to Lady Jacqueline? The grand tournament is still a couple of months away."

  "Sir Guy can take over her training. She now knows what she is doing wrong. Besides, I did not plan to stay here until the grand tournament took place. Each tournament I miss, the less chance I have of earning coin. We leave come first light."

  Seeing Terric had made up his mind, Edwin shook his head. "I will see that everything is ready. I just hope you do not break Lady Jacqueline's heart with this decision."

  Under his breath, Terric said to himself, "So do I. So do I."

  Chapter Eight

  Slamming her chamber door closed behind her, Jacqueline angrily threw herself onto her bed. Balling her hands into fists, she pounded the mattress. It helped some, venting her anger, but not much. She would have had more satisfaction if it was Terric she pummeled so. The wretch deserved it.

  Rolling onto her back, she slowly felt her anger replaced by hurt. Terric's announcement of his departure on the following day was completely unexpected. Jacqueline knew he would not be spending all the days leading up to the grand tournament at Carisbrooke, but she had not thought he would leave after only a few days. The training had just started. Plus she had thought he was beginning to feel something for her.

  That was what hurt the most. She thought the kisses they had shared meant as much to him as they did to her. Obviously, she was a fool to think so.

  Without knocking first, Beth opened the chamber door. Seeing Jacqueline lying upon her bed looking dejected, she shut the door and walked across the room to the bed. Since Jacqueline refused to acknowledge her presence by pointedly staring up at the ceiling, she calmly sat down on the edge of the bed. She then smoothed the skirts of her gown around her.

  "You can act as if I am not here if you want, but I am not leaving, Jacqueline. You are upset about Terric going. I can see that. But I have only one question for you. Are you just going to stand by and let the man you are coming to love walk away without a fight?"

  Jacqueline quickly sat up on the bed and looked at Beth. "What choice do I have? It is not as if I expected Terric to pledge his undying love to me."

  Beth shook her head at her friend's naïveté. "Jacqueline, the man is running scared. I am sure his feelings are a lot stronger for you than what he is showing. He has probably never felt this way about another woman. So like the man he is, he is running away."

  Rolling her eyes at Beth's assumptions, Jacqueline snorted. "I think not. You are making Terric out to be a better man than he is."

  "Is that so? All right then, prove me wrong."

  Inching across the bed, Jacqueline moved to sit beside Beth. "What do you mean? Prove what?"

  Letting a small smile play upon her lips, she replied, "How else? Confront Terric. Tonight, before he leaves."

  Jacqueline shook her head in denial. "Are you mad? Mother would have my head for pulling such a stunt."

  "So then you are willing to let him walk out of your life, possibly forever. Because I can guarantee you, if he leaves without your making him face his feelings, he will not come near you again."

  Standing, Jacqueline began to pace back and forth, mulling over the other girl's words in her head. There were some very good points in what she had said, admittedly. But how to arrange such a meeting would be the tricky part. Terric's chamber was right beside her mother's.

  Having reached a decision, Jacqueline ceased her pacing and came to stand before Beth. "Fine, I will do as you say, but I need your help. Terric has to come to my chamber. His is too close to mother's for my liking."

  Gaining her feet, Beth shook out the skirts of her gown. "Leave that to me. Once your mother has retired for the night, I will devise a way to have Terric come to your chamber. That is the easy part. Your part, Jacqueline, will be the harder."

  "What do you have in mind then?"

  Giving Jacqueline a sly smile, Beth stepped to the chamber door. "Do not fret, he will come. Just be prepared....for his arrival."

  After passing on that cryptic remark, she swept out the door, softly shutting it behind her.

  * * * *

  Terric was in a deep sleep when a hand roughly shook him awake. Thinking it was Edwin who disturbed his rest, he brushed the offending hand away and rolled onto his side. The hand shook him once again. He rolled
onto his back, ready to give Edwin a stern rebuke. Much to his surprise, it was Lady Beth who woke him from his slumber.

  Propping himself up on one elbow, he reached for the covers making sure he was sufficiently covered. He slept every night naked. "Lady Beth, what do you here? Is something amiss?"

  "Oh, Sir Terric, I am so sorry to disturb you. But I need you to assist me. Something is wrong with Jacqueline."

  Seeing concern on her face, Terric sat up straighter. "Cannot her mother help her?"

  Beth shook her head in denial. "I am afraid not. Please will you come with me?"

  Glancing over to where Edwin lay asleep on his pallet, Terric nodded. "Of course. Just give me a moment to get dressed."

  "I appreciate this, Sir Terric. I will await you in the hallway."

  Once Beth softly closed the door behind herself, he quickly donned hose and a tunic. Not bothering to awaken Edwin to tell him where he would be, he quietly left the chamber. Beth motioned him to follow her as she headed toward Jacqueline's chamber, which was at the far end of the hallway.

  Opening the door, Beth stood aside so Terric could enter the chamber before her. Thinking she had followed him in, he turned to ask her what exactly was wrong with Jacqueline, only to find her shutting the chamber door behind him. Before he could move to grasp the handle and try to open it, he could hear Beth locking it from the other side.

  "Sorry, Terric. I could not let you leave without speaking to you privately."

  Spinning around at the sound of Jacqueline's voice, he found her standing in the middle of the chamber. "You did not have to go to such lengths, Jacqueline. All you had to do was ask."

  Stepping closer to Terric, she asked, "Would you have come to me?" When he did not answer right away, she smirked. "I thought not."