Free Eliza Knight - The Rules of Chivalry by A Knight's Victory Page B

the tent.
    He s igh ed with exasperation fr om outside, and then she heard the soft squ ish of his boots on the soggy ground as he walked away. She breathed a little easier knowing he’d left and she’d see him on the morrow—when God willing , he won the tournament.
    Crouching low, Elena took in the diml y lit surroundings of her tent —and attempted to decipher if her husband was within. Regret and skittish nerves made her shaky. She hadn’t wanted Michael to escort her back, preferring to go alone and quietly , just as she’d come, but he wouldn’t hear of it. There was no use arguing with him, he wouldn’t bend.
    Secretly she was relieved, for there had been much drinking going on amongst the people and she wasn’t sure she was a match tonight for groping hands. ’ Twas nice to have someone to protect her for once. In fact, she quite liked it. And that fact unnerved her. She’d grown so used to always being on her guard. Always having to defend herself and her ladies. But Michael had completely taken down her defenses—one stone and weapon at a time.
    With their steamy kiss and the emotional onslaught that came with it, her muscles were like dough, and her mind completely without sense. Again she wished she’d been dealt a different hand in life. She’d take being poor, a peasant, if it meant she could be with Michael.
    Even with Michael for escort , they’d nearly been caught by that disparate crew of gamblers. Dear Lord Almighty, if someone had recognized her… She almost fainted at the thought. Her mind had not been her own when she’d begged her women to let her go to Michael . She’d been witless, but she’d do it again in a heartbeat to feel his arms around her again—to feel just one shred of the love and protection he’d bestowed on her.
    She’d entered her tent behind the stacks of chests and barrels holding their supplies. There appeared to be no conversations going on within, but truly her senses continued to be in complete uproar. Still crouching, she moved to the end of the pile, her fingers sliding along the wooden chests and barrels for balance. She squelched a cry when a small splinter sliced into her littlest finger. S ticking her finger in her mouth, she wondered how a small injury could afford her such a sharp sting . With a prayer , she peered around the corner, relieved to see her ladies all there, alert, wide eyed—and no one else.
    Raelyn jumped at the sight of her and rushed forward, pulling Elena to her feet.
    “My lady, you gave us a fright! We had no idea who’d snuck in here. You’re lucky we did not call the guards.”
    She deserved Raelyn’s chiding, even if it was not her maid’s place. Elena was putting all of them in jeopardy with her behavior.
    Suddenly, they all whirled toward the entrance to the tent. Raelyn held her fingers to her lips.
    Then Elena followed the worried gesture by lifting her own hands to her mouth. Outside the tent she could hear the voices of her guards speaking to someone. Her head began to spin, her stomach tightened into knots. Had they caught Michael?
    The voice grew a little louder. She was relieved it was not Michael, but a new type of fear stole over her. The someone was her husband.
    “How long has he been out there?” she whispered to her maid. Had he tried to come in while she was gone? Dear God, what had she done!
    “Not long,” she said softly .
    Knowing he had not been outside the tent long reassured her that her maids were safe, and that she was too, but all the same, his presence sent a chilling fear down her spine. Her heart pounded against her ribcage. Her eyes glued to the closed opening. What a flimsy barrier to the outside world. Whoever wanted to gain entrance could if they just got past her guards—or they could sneak in the back as she had. Little good the guards did her anyway. They were her husband’s men, if he wanted in, they’d let him without a second thought.
    While Elena stared at the opening, praying