Page 54 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

“Well, like I said, it takes time to learn the sport. You can’t expect to master it so quickly. Plus, remember, it is a sport created for men, not women, so you are at a disadvantage.”

“I think we should keep practicing,” she decided for them. “I need to be good at it and time is running out.”

Jonathon had to stop this nonsense. He figured the only way to do it was to make her think she was good at it even though she wasn’t. It was a deceitful thing to do and he hated himself for even considering it, but he had no choice. Mayhap then she’d stop pushing so hard.

He had an idea, but it would take time to prepare. For now, he needed to get her back to the castle. His work was piling up at the castle forge, now that he’d sent Avery and Gerold to help his father.

“I need time to work on your armor,” he told her.

“Oh. All right,” she said, lowering her head, looking so sad that it about broke his heart.

He reached out and lifted her chin with two fingers. Her eyes met his, causing his heart to skip a beat. God’s teeth, this woman was alluring, even dressed in men’s clothes with her hair tousled and with dirt on her face. He brushed back her loose strands of hair and proceeded to use his thumb to rub the dirt from her cheek.

“I’m sure by tomorrow after you’ve rested, you will be able to beat that blasted quintain with your eyes closed.”

“Really? Do you really think so?” She looked up to him with all the hope in the world in her gaze. He didn’t believe she was ever going to be able to make a clean pass at the quintain, but he didn’t have the heart to tell her.

“Time will tell.”

“Mayhap I should try just one more time before we go then.”

“Nay,” he told her. “Not today.”

“But I really think–”

Not knowing any other way to distract her or to shut her up, Jonathon reached down and gently kissed her on the lips. It worked. She was suddenly silent. He only meant to kiss her quickly and then walk away. But when her hands came up to his shoulders and her mouth hungrily claimed his again, he got lost in the moment. His arms wrapped around her and he pulled her close. The kiss deepened and he suddenly forgot they were standing out back of his father’s shop in town.

Someone cleared their throat, causing Jonathon to snap back to his senses. He quickly released the girl and stepped away. Thankfully, it was only his brother Avery.

“Lady Raven, why don’t you go inside and wash up and change back into your gown,” said Jonathon. “Then we’ll head back to the castle.”

“All right,” she said, suddenly looking shy again. When her tongue shot out to touch her lips, it about drove him wild. She turned and ran back to the shop, leaving Jonathon and Avery standing there alone.

“You are playing with fire, Brother,” said Avery. “What if someone saw you kiss her? Someone besides me?”

“Well, they didn’t, so don’t worry about it.”

He turned and walked over to the quintain with Avery on his heels.

“Still, I don’t think it’s a good idea to be falling in love with a girl you can never have.”

Jonathon stopped in his tracks and turned around. “Who said I love her, or have any feelings at all for the wench?”

“Well, don’t you?”

Jonathon could no longer deny it. Avery would see right through it if he said no, so he didn’t even bother to try.

“Aye, I can’t help it. I do,” said Jonathon with a sigh, looking back over to see Raven talking to his sister Estrilda as they entered the house. The girls were laughing and seemed so relaxed. After Jonathon told his family in secret that Lord Rook approved of this, they knew nothing bad would happen to them, and accepted Raven being here trying to joust once again.

It almost felt as if Raven truly belonged here, but he knew she was only lowering herself to come here in the first place. “She is intoxicating, Avery. I don’t know what’s the matter with me, but the more I remind myself that nothing can ever happen between us, the more I want it to.”

“I agree, she is a real looker,” said Avery with a nod. “But you need to stop getting all besotted around her and remember she is a titled lady who is about to be married to a nobleman. Do yourself a favor, Brother. Forget all about her right now.”

“That’s rather hard to do when we’re together most of the day, every day.”

“Then at least get her to drop the idea that she is ever going to be able to joust.”

“I did, but her brother told me I had to continue with the training to distract her.”