Read Online Grant Clan 06 - My Desperate Highlander by Keira Montclair - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Keira Montclair
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Micheil will be able to find us when he arrives, but I would never refuse such seating.”
Once settled, Diana took in everything about the event. The field was bedecked in color, banners and ribbons waving in the wind as the many knights and horseman practiced to the delight of the audience. The largest grandstand stood proud in gold and red.
“Who sits in the large grandstand, Aunt Elspeth?”
“‘Tis for the royals. The king or queen if they are here, along with their court. In this case, I would think the young lass who is engaged to be wed must be inside, along with her family. Any other barons would come next if there was any room left.”
The woman who sat in front of them turned around. “This joust is intended to honor the English knight who is betrothed. I heard he has agreed to battle all challengers. ‘Tis said that he is a powerful knight on the field. This day is all about showcasing the English knights who are visiting the castle.”
Diana sat up in her seat. Mayhap she would get a view of Randall Baines, or even another knight who could be interested in her. With so many here, there were numerous possibilities, and she had no idea what would be best for her. Both excited and confused, her attention flew from one spot to another. She so wanted to see the knight who was brave enough to take on so many challengers. She watched the field, but she could not get a good view of anyone since they were all wearing helms while they practiced. Diana said, “Does anyone ever die from the lance?”
Aunt Elspeth whispered, “Nay, the lances used for the joust have blunt ends.”
“Then how do they declare the winner?”
“The winner of each match is whoever remains seated on his horse.”
“I’m glad. I do not wish to see bloodshed.” Diana tucked her mantle around herself.
“Och, nay, there will be no blood today. There are too many women in the crowd.” The woman in front of them snickered. “Though I’d love to see it, I would. The crowd goes wild at the first drawn blood.”
The trumpets blared and Diana gasped. The horses were steered to the end of the field as the herald began his announcements. “Any and all challenges from other English are accepted by the English Knight in residence.”
At that moment, the knight took to the field and circled the perimeter to the shouts and applause of the spectators. “I wish he would remove his helm. I would like to see how handsome he is,” Diana whispered to her companion.
“Don’t worry, my dear, he’ll remove it at the end of the tourney.” Aunt Elspeth held Diana’s gloved hand in hers beneath a rabbit pelt she’d brought with her.
“What is he doing now? He seems to just be standing in the middle of the field.”
The announcer shouted, “The challengers to the knight.”
A train of horses entered the field from the lists and circled the outer edge of the field while the knight stayed in the center.
Diana gasped. “All those men seek to challenge him? But why?”
The woman in front turned around again and said, “A huge purse full of gold will go to the winner of this tourney, not to mention the bragging rights of being the winner and defeating an English knight favored by the King of the Scots. Many hopefuls dream of such gold.”
Diana stared at each of the challengers, hoping to catch sight of Randall as well, but she could not identify him among the gathering of helmed men. Her insides turned to jelly at the thought of Randall or another knight coming to her for a token. She squeezed Aunt Elspeth’s hand in anticipation and the older woman chuckled.
“Have you never seen a tourney before, lass?”
“Nay, and I am so excited. You do not understand. ‘Tis just as my mama told me when I was young. Every eve before bed, she shared tales of the braw knights and the colorful tourneys, the tokens from the maidens. ‘Tis all true, just as mama said.”
“Methinks your sire protected you a bit much.”
Diana sighed. If she
Once settled, Diana took in everything about the event. The field was bedecked in color, banners and ribbons waving in the wind as the many knights and horseman practiced to the delight of the audience. The largest grandstand stood proud in gold and red.
“Who sits in the large grandstand, Aunt Elspeth?”
“‘Tis for the royals. The king or queen if they are here, along with their court. In this case, I would think the young lass who is engaged to be wed must be inside, along with her family. Any other barons would come next if there was any room left.”
The woman who sat in front of them turned around. “This joust is intended to honor the English knight who is betrothed. I heard he has agreed to battle all challengers. ‘Tis said that he is a powerful knight on the field. This day is all about showcasing the English knights who are visiting the castle.”
Diana sat up in her seat. Mayhap she would get a view of Randall Baines, or even another knight who could be interested in her. With so many here, there were numerous possibilities, and she had no idea what would be best for her. Both excited and confused, her attention flew from one spot to another. She so wanted to see the knight who was brave enough to take on so many challengers. She watched the field, but she could not get a good view of anyone since they were all wearing helms while they practiced. Diana said, “Does anyone ever die from the lance?”
Aunt Elspeth whispered, “Nay, the lances used for the joust have blunt ends.”
“Then how do they declare the winner?”
“The winner of each match is whoever remains seated on his horse.”
“I’m glad. I do not wish to see bloodshed.” Diana tucked her mantle around herself.
“Och, nay, there will be no blood today. There are too many women in the crowd.” The woman in front of them snickered. “Though I’d love to see it, I would. The crowd goes wild at the first drawn blood.”
The trumpets blared and Diana gasped. The horses were steered to the end of the field as the herald began his announcements. “Any and all challenges from other English are accepted by the English Knight in residence.”
At that moment, the knight took to the field and circled the perimeter to the shouts and applause of the spectators. “I wish he would remove his helm. I would like to see how handsome he is,” Diana whispered to her companion.
“Don’t worry, my dear, he’ll remove it at the end of the tourney.” Aunt Elspeth held Diana’s gloved hand in hers beneath a rabbit pelt she’d brought with her.
“What is he doing now? He seems to just be standing in the middle of the field.”
The announcer shouted, “The challengers to the knight.”
A train of horses entered the field from the lists and circled the outer edge of the field while the knight stayed in the center.
Diana gasped. “All those men seek to challenge him? But why?”
The woman in front turned around again and said, “A huge purse full of gold will go to the winner of this tourney, not to mention the bragging rights of being the winner and defeating an English knight favored by the King of the Scots. Many hopefuls dream of such gold.”
Diana stared at each of the challengers, hoping to catch sight of Randall as well, but she could not identify him among the gathering of helmed men. Her insides turned to jelly at the thought of Randall or another knight coming to her for a token. She squeezed Aunt Elspeth’s hand in anticipation and the older woman chuckled.
“Have you never seen a tourney before, lass?”
“Nay, and I am so excited. You do not understand. ‘Tis just as my mama told me when I was young. Every eve before bed, she shared tales of the braw knights and the colorful tourneys, the tokens from the maidens. ‘Tis all true, just as mama said.”
“Methinks your sire protected you a bit much.”
Diana sighed. If she
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