Suzanne Robinson by Lord of the Dragon

you’re coming to the siege. I know it.”
    “Verily,” Juliana said through stiff lips and with stilted dignity. “I have promised it, and I always fulfill my promises.”
    Laudine scampered around the bed and grabbed Juliana’s arm while she danced a little step of excitement.
    “Who is he? Who is he?”
    It was impossible to remain quietly dignified when one’s sister was tugging one’s arm and Yolande was hopping in front of one. Juliana’s body jerked with each tug until she yanked free and scurried out of Laudine’s reach and bellowed.
    “Thunder of God!”
    Laudine stopped giggling. Yolande thrust her handsbehind her back and gawked at her, lips twitching with merriment.
    Juliana refused to look at her boisterous and irritating sister or her small minion. She went to a chest and began sorting through kerchiefs.
    “There is no lover.”
    “Then why are you searching for a kerchief to give as a favor?” Laudine asked.
    “Just because I carry a kerchief—”
    “You never carry kerchiefs,” Yolande said. “You always forget them.”
    She found her best cloth-of-silver kerchief and slammed the lid of the chest. “I do not.”
    “Do too,” Laudine said.
    “Do not—aaarrgh! Laudine, enough of this madness. We’ll be late.”
    “Oh, I’ve forgotten my own kerchief,” Yolande said. “I must fetch it quickly.”
    She rushed out of the chamber, much to Juliana’s relief. She still felt guilty for having gained de Valence’s interest even if she hadn’t intended to do it. Laudine snickered at her as Alice came forward to offer a light mantle of green that matched her gown. Juliana took it and stalked to her chamber door.
    Laudine hurried to her side and gave her a sidelong glance. “You’ll be sitting with us in the lodges this time, then?”
    “Of course.”
    “Certes, you do have a lover,” said Laudine.
    Throwing up her hands, Juliana noticed the silver kerchief and concealed it in the folds of her cloak. “Why do you say so?”
    “Because, sweet sister, when you promised to come to this tournament, you vowed before the whole family that you’d stand behind the palisade with the farmers, shepherds,and vendors, and that it would be the Last Judgment before you’d sit among us gaudy, simpering pigeons and flutter and coo at every knight who rode by.”
    Juliana lifted her skirts as she preceded her sister down the tower stair. In a faint voice she said, “Verily, I don’t remember saying such a thing, and anyway, someone has to sit with you and prevent you from casting your pelisson and undertunic at some pretty man.”
    “Good,” Laudine replied. “If you’re by my side, I’ll be sure to see which brave and fearless knight has dared to beg for your favor, Juliana Welles. He must be valiant, full of courage, and right beauteous to set your heart aquiver.”
    “I am not aquiver.”
    “Now who could that be? Most of the knights here never impressed you before. Who is new and pretty among them?”
    “By God’s mercy, you’ve turned fanciful. You’re the one who gives favors to every knight who looks your way. How many have you given this time?”
    Juliana held her breath, hoping that she’d distracted her sister.
    “Five,” Laudine said with pride.
    “Thunder of God. Five? Who are they?”
    As Laudine named her suitors, Juliana felt a wave of relief. After her rejection at the hands of Edmund Strange, she’d vowed never to chance another humiliating rejection. But she hadn’t ever imagined encountering someone like Gray de Valence.
    He had stirred her, and what was wondrous was that she knew she’d stirred him. Such a thing had never happened to her. She was unsure, but the warmth that had burst in her heart at the thought of his promise wouldn’t leave her. She had tried to reject what she felt and the timorous hope she still refused to put into words. No, shecouldn’t admit it to herself. So how could she speak of it, even to Laudine?
    Better to wait until Gray de