Chapter Three
Having completed six months of intense training, Jacqueline was now ready to test her newfound skills. With winter drawing to a close, the tournament circuit would resume the following month. A smaller tournament would be the ideal opportunity to test herself in the list. The only foreseeable problem would be her mother.
Lady Elizabeth had been supportive of her during her training, but it was not hard to see she did not totally approve, either. Jacqueline would have a small battle on her hands. Not so much because her mother did not think she would do well, but that she would be taking the final step in assuming William’s identity.
Much to Lady Elizabeth’s chagrin, Jacqueline had already taken to wearing a man’s short tunic and hose all the time. She had put aside her gowns when she had started her training, not once donning one since. She had yet to take the final step—cutting her hair. To participate in a tournament, it was what she must do.
She headed to her mother’s solar and hoped to convince Lady Elizabeth to allow her to go. Sir Guy seemed to think she was ready, though he had not said as much, but he would stand by her. He had given his word. He could not back out, not when she had mastered the quintain. She could beat it now with every run she made.
Lady Elizabeth’s solar was full of bright sunlight, which shone through the large windows running the length of the chamber. The windows overlooked her mother’s walled garden. Beth and her mother were sewing. Beth sat before a tapestry frame, stitching while her mother worked on a tunic. Clearing her throat, Jacqueline announced her presence.
Her mother looked up and smiled. “Have you come to join us, Jacqueline?”
Jacqueline shook her head. “Nay, Mother. You know I prefer the lance to a needle these days.”
Frowning, her mother sniffed, and said, “It did not hurt to ask. I have missed your company these past months.”
Jacqueline groaned to herself and pushed on. This was not a good sign. Getting her mother to agree to her wishes would not go without a fight it seemed. “You know why I have not had the time to sit with you like this.”
Her lady mother sighed. “Aye, I do. I am reminded of it every day seeing you dressed like that.”
Jacqueline self-consciously pulled on the hem of her tunic, then abruptly stopped herself. She had nothing to be ashamed of. “Be that as it may, I need to discuss something with you. Something of importance.”
Her mother put aside the tunic and motioned her to sit in the empty chair next to her. “Sit. Tell me what is on your mind.”
Jacqueline took a deep, cleansing breath, deciding it was best to get right down to the point and not drag it out any longer than it had to be. “The tournament circuit starts soon. I want to attend one of the smaller tournaments, one in which the earl will not participate.”
“You mean to observe it only, am I correct?”
“Nay, Mother. I mean to participate. It is time I see how I handle myself in the list.”
Her mother quickly glanced at William’s young widow. “Did you know about this?”
Beth guiltily looked down at her tapestry. “Jacqueline has hinted such to me.”
“You did not think to mention it?”
“I had no idea she wanted to go so soon.”
“Do not worry, Beth. I will not hold this against you. You are not responsible for Jacqueline’s ideas.” Once more focusing her full attention back on Jacqueline, she spoke again. “I do not think you are ready. You have only been training for six months.”
“Ask Sir Guy. He thinks I am. I think it is you who are not ready, Mother.”
Elizabeth gave her a frosty glare. “Forgive me if I’m not ready to take the chance of losing my last child. Why must you persist in this? It is a mad scheme, which will only end badly.”
Jacqueline cringed at her mother’s words. She had known her lady mother was not a great supporter of what she did. “Try to understand. I will not be put off. I am going to this tournament with or without your consent.”
Lady Elizabeth picked up the tunic she had been stitching, letting her know she would not speak further. Eyes downcast, her needle flashed in and out of the material she worked.
Jacqueline turned to Beth and beseechingly looked at her. “Do you feel the same? If I am to really do this properly, I need you by my side. As William’s wife, you will make it more believable.”
The younger woman took a quick look at her mother-in-law as if to mentally apologize for what she was about to say. “I will help you, Jacqueline. A part of me wants to see William revenged as much as you do.”
* * * *
The tournament chosen to be Jacqueline’s final test before facing the earl was being held at Portchester Castle on the mainland. The castle was situated near Portsmouth’s harbor, one of the more used landing spots when leaving the isle. It was a royal castle, but neither King Richard nor his queen would be in attendance. The constable would be presiding over the tournament.
Now with the day of the event there, Jacqueline was second guessing herself. Was she capable of really doing this? It had not helped her nerves any when her mother had refused to see them off, a blatant show of her disapproval. Getting Beth to cut her hair close to how William wore his had been the last straw for her mother. She now chose to ignore Jacqueline, as if she were not even in the same room.
Jacqueline reached up and pulled at her hair, which now just brushed the tops of her shoulders. Only to herself would she admit she did in some small way regret having to cut it, but it would grow back, after she completed what she set out to do.
The ferry transporting them across the water to Portsmouth bumped against the landing. Waiting for the rest of her company to disembark, Jacqueline took a deep breath to steady herself, then followed.
She was not alone. Including the two men-at-arms as protection, Beth and Sir Guy traveled with her. Having Sir Guy accompany her had been an unexpected surprise. She just hoped her mother would not make it hard for him upon their return. He did not seem worried about what Lady Elizabeth’s reaction would be, though. He had simply stated he would not allow Jacqueline to compete in her first tournament without him at her side. William had had no squire. So Sir Guy decided to fulfill some of the duties one would be expected to perform, not trusting the men-at-arms to do a proper job of it.
Upon reaching Portchester Castle, their small party slowly converged on the area that had been set up where the tournament was to be held. After picking an empty space amongst the already pitched pavilions, the men-at-arms unloaded the baggage cart. After theirs was taken from the cart, Sir Guy directed the two men as to where it should be erected, and where to picket her steed.
With not having much to do but wait, Jacqueline scanned the other pavilions. Each one had a standard with the knight’s coat of arms standing before it, showing who presided within. She did not recognize any who were close by, which was understandable. She had only been to a couple of tournaments in the past.
Beth quietly came to stand beside her. “I am here for you. If a knight William was acquainted with confronts you, I will make sure to be by your side. At present, it should be no real concern. William did not know any who are camped near us.”
“If you had not agreed to come, I am sure I would have made a complete fool of myself.”
Jacqueline jumped as Beth looped her arm through hers. Beth gave her a pat. “Remember, you are William, and I am your wife. You cannot jump at a mere touch from me.”
Jacqueline smiled. “You caught me off guard. I have not yet thought that far ahead.”
“Well, start acting the part of William—now. You are about to go through your first test.”
Beth was correct. A squire from the pavilion across from where they stood headed in their direction. He smiled and seemed not able to take his gaze from Beth.
“Good day to you.” The squire bowed. “Can I have your name, sir? My master might wish to engage you in the list.”
Jacqueline cleared her throat and tried to make her voice as deep as possible. “I am Sir William Montacute. May I inquire who your master is?”
“Sir Terric Aubrey, and I am Edwin.” He grabbed Beth’s hand and placed a kiss on the back of it. She quickly yanked it away.
Settling into her role, Jacqueline warned the squire away. “I would appreciate it if you would keep your hands off my lady wife.”
To give him credit, Edwin blushed while he backed away, only to be brought up short as he stepped into the knight standing behind him. The knight grabbed the boy’s shoulders to steady him and gently moved Edwin aside.
“I see my squire has introduced himself. I hope Edwin was not bothering you too much.” Sir Terric sent his squire a meaningful look.
Jacqueline’s jaw dropped. She could not tear her gaze from Sir Terric. The man was too handsome for his own good. She found his blond hair and unusual colored eyes, a beautiful shade of violet, appealing. It was his height that drew her the most. Being taller than most men, finding one she actually had to look up at was a novelty. Even though she was supposed to be acting a part, she could not help but rake Sir Terric with her gaze. The man was all muscle. She had to stop herself before she reached out to see if his body was as hard as it looked.
Realizing Terric watched her, waiting for some kind of response, Jacqueline mentally gave herself a shake. “No harm done, Sir Terric.”
He flashed a smile, which caused her to take complete leave of her senses, and said, “Good. I could not help but overhear your name. I am glad to see you have recovered from your wound. I was at Windsor when your father unseated you.”