Storm Clouds Rolling In (12 page)

Once again Robert and Granite were off.
Again they captured all three rings, narrowing the field to only five young knights.

Carrie, excitement bursting in her veins, gave him a brilliant smile as he rode back to join the other four knights for the fourth tilt.
The next tilt, with rings only three quarters of an inch in diameter, would require all of his concentration.

The first two
knights thundered down the tilt. The first succeeded in capturing two rings but was disqualified because his time had been greater than seven seconds. The second had captured only one. Number three, the Knight of Bradenton, had failed to capture even one. Nathan Blackwell was next. Nathan sat astride his horse calmly, awaiting his turn. The Knight of Blackwell knew he was good.

The flag dropped and Nathan released Comet into a smooth gallop.
He missed the first! Carrie leaned forward to watch. Maintaining his composure, Nathan captured the remaining two rings.

The crowd broke
out into loud cheering. The final tilts of the competition had lured everyone back to the sidelines and Carrie was glad she had staked out her place earlier. From where she stood she had a clear view of the entire tilt. Watching Robert closely, she saw him single her out from the crowd. Carrie gave him a wide smile of encouragement, nodding to let him know she believed he could do it. She noted with approval his steadying hand on Granite’s neck. The gray gelding was handling the excitement well—now was no time for him to get tense. Robert would have to capture at least two rings for the tournament to continue to the final tilt. If he got three rings, the competition would be over.

The flag flashed once more and they were off.
Granite moved as smoothly as ever, while Robert’s body was held in readiness. The first ring was his, but the second ring remained where it had been. Carrie held her breath as they thundered toward the third and final ring. It was his!

The crowd broke into a roar once more.
It had been years since the Knight of Blackwell faced such stiff competition. All eyes were glued to the list.

“Ladies and
gentlemen, we will give the Knight of Blackwell and the Knight of Borden a five-minute break, and then we will resume with the final tilt to determine the winner—and the man who will crown the Queen of Love and Beauty tonight!”

The murmur of the crowd swelled to a muffled roar as wagers were placed on who would win the
tournament. Few Virginia gentlemen could refuse an opportunity for a friendly bet.

“Your Robert seems to be doing quite well.”

Carrie turned to look into Louisa’s eyes. She didn't particularly like what she saw but had no intention of inviting a confrontation. “Mr. Borden is not
my Robert,
Louisa. But yes, he is doing quite well. So is Nathan.” She kept her voice casual.

Louisa narrowed her eyes.
“Even if your Mr. Borden should win the tournament, you needn’t think he will crown you Queen tonight.”

Carrie’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I haven’t given that a thought, Louisa.” In truth, all her energy was focused on the possibility of Granite winning the tournament and finally showing his superiority to a Blackwell horse.

“Well,” sniffed Louisa, her expression making it obvious she didn’t believe what Carrie was saying
, “I saw you give Mr. Borden that silly lock of your hair.”

Carrie reddened as she struggled to control her anger.
She had known Louisa too long and knew exactly what she was thinking. This was
her
ball tonight, and Louisa intended it to go the way she wanted. Evidently what she wanted was Robert Borden.

Louisa broke into Carrie’s thoughts.
“I know he took it. Of course, he’s too much of a gentleman not to. But he received my token first.” She paused with a wicked smile. “And really, Carrie, he’ll want someone much more polished in the social graces—someone who could honor his family name should he someday choose to take a wife.”

Carrie’s lips parted in surprise.
Was this what growing up was doing for Louisa? “Really, Louisa. I hardly think—” An announcement from the master of ceremonies cut off what she thought.

“Ladies and
gentlemen. The final tilt will now begin.”

Carrie snapped her lips shut and turned toward the competition.
Louisa, flashing a haughty, satisfied look, turned with a swish and moved back in the direction of her friends.

“I’d say Granite stands a mighty fine chance of winning this thing, beautiful daughter.”

Carrie, thoughts of Louisa’s nasty comments floating from her mind, turned toward her father with a brilliant smile. “Oh, Father! I’m so glad you came to join me. I believe they can do it. I believe Granite and Robert can win.”

“I certainly hope so,” her father rejoined dryly, “or I’m out quite a bit of money.”

Carrie laughed and swung her eyes back to the course just as the flag waved and Granite charged once more down the course. Robert was riding beautifully. Carrie knew how difficult the final tilt was. A half-inch ring was already a tiny thing, but when it became something you were trying to snag from a charging animal, it seemed to be almost not there.

Carrie stifled a groan when Robert just missed the first ring.
Steadying himself once more, he zeroed in on the second. He was just feet from the ring when it happened.

A sudden puff of wind caught a handkerchief being held lightly on the sidelines and blew it directly in front of Granite.
Startled by the flying square of white, Granite broke stride and stumbled sideways into the post. The agile Thoroughbred managed to regain his footing, but Robert, leaning forward in the saddle to spear the ring, had no chance to recover his balance. The ground rose hard to meet him.

A hush fell over the crowd as Granite thundered on to the end of the tilt
, and then slowed and looked around in surprise at the absence of his rider.

“Robert!”
Carrie’s voice was the first to break the shocked silence. She tore away from the crowd and ran to where he was struggling to stand.

Her father was right behind her.
Putting his strong arms under Robert’s, he helped lift him to his feet. “You all right, son? That was a pretty nasty fall you took. Are you sure you don’t want to sit for a while?”

Robert shook his head and managed a rueful smile.
“I’m okay, Mr. Cromwell. Just my pride is a little battered. What happened?”

Carrie explained quickly, aware of the sympathetic murmurs sweeping the crowd. “What a shame.
You could have won. I know you could have!”

“What do you mean
could have
?” Robert asked. “Surely such a thing qualifies me for another chance.”

“It certainly does, young man.”
Colonel Benton had walked up while they were talking. “If you feel like riding again, you certainly are entitled to another tilt.”

“How’s Granite?
Did he hurt himself on the post?” Robert asked.

Someone led Granite up and Carrie hurried over to examine him. After several moments she turned to Robert.
“He’s fine. He has a little scrape, but it doesn’t seem to be bothering him. He’s a little excited, but he’ll calm down.”

Just then Nathan rode up on Comet.
“Say old man, I’m really sorry. That’s a rotten piece of luck. You might have vanquished me.”

Robert looked up with a grin.
“I’d say that is still a distinct possibility, Knight Blackwell. Give it your best shot, Nathan. I’m going to try and beat it!”

Nathan laughed, “You’re going to ride again?
On this horse?”

Carrie’s eyes flashed.
“Certainly. And he will win!” She was aware others shared his feeling that Granite would be too tense after his experience to give Robert a good ride. She knew differently.

Nathan made no effort to hide his dubious expression.
He thought for a moment and then leaned forward to regard Robert. “If you’re so determined to ride, why don’t we share Comet? That way the end will be the result of our spearing skill. I’d hate to take unfair advantage of you.”

Robert looked at him in surprise.
“That’s quite a generous offer.”

Carrie held her breath as Robert’s brow creased in consideration.
Comet was a fine horse and she would probably give him as good a ride as she would give Nathan. Granite was still rolling his eyes and moving nervously. She knew Robert wanted to win, but it was important to her that Granite win as well.

Robert turned to her and asked quietly, “Do you think Granite will
be okay?”

Carrie never hesitated.
“He will be fine. He’s gotten you this far. Let him take you all the way.”

Robert gazed at her for a moment and then nodded.
“I’ll ride Granite, Nathan. Thank you for your quite generous offer, however. Good luck.”

“Good luck to you too, Borden.
You’re going to need it.” Smiling, Nathan turned away and rode to the starting line.

Carrie put her hand on Robert’s arm.
“Talk to him and stroke his left shoulder. He loves it and it always works to calm him down.”

Robert nodded and leaped back into the saddle.
Then, leaning down, he gazed into Carrie’s sparkling emerald eyes. “This one’s for you.”

Carrie watched as he returned to the starting line.
She couldn’t help the flush that rose on her face or the thrill his words had given her, but now was not the time to analyze her feelings.

With a flash of the flag, Nathan was off
. Thundering down the tilt, he missed the first ring. He missed the second. He grazed, but missed the third. Shaking his head, he turned at the end of the tilt and rode back to the starting line.

Robert moved Granite toward the line.
The big gelding had responded beautifully to Carrie’s remedy. Granite was relaxed and ready. The crowd applauded as they approached the line, and then fell silent.

The flag flashed and
they were off. Granite was steady as they flew toward the first ring. Missed. Carrie could almost feel Granite tense as they approached the second ring. Leaning forward, Robert focused on the ring. At the last second, Granite shifted and veered just slightly. Carrie groaned as Robert focused on the last ring. She clasped her hands tightly, all her wishing directed toward the pair, and groaned again when they missed it. Releasing her breath in a sigh of disappointment, she prepared for another tilt, but realized the crowd was suddenly cheering wildly. Puzzled, Carrie looked around.

“
The victory goes to the Knight of Borden—by one ring!”

Carrie’s eyes flashed to Robert and Granite.
Robert held the sword up to his face, seemingly as surprised as she was. Suddenly she understood. She had been so intent on Granite’s misstep that she had missed seeing the ring slide onto Robert’s sword. He obviously had not realized it until just now either.

Grinning, Robert held up his trophy and then leaned down to give Granite a big hug.
“You did it, old man. I don’t know how, but you did it.” Granite swung his head proudly as Robert guided him toward the platform.

Carrie was there waiting.
“I knew the two of you could do it. Congratulations!”

Robert grinned.
“Thanks, but you have only Granite to congratulate.”

“Oh, Mr. Borden, you were quite the chivalrous knight out there.
I was so proud it was
my
token you were carrying close to your heart.”

Carrie stepped aside as Louisa swept passed her to gaze up at Robert.

“Thank you, Miss Blackwell.
Most of the credit goes to Granite, however. He is quite a horse.”

“Yes, I’m sure he is,” she responded dismissively.

“All knights move forward to the judging platform please, for the awards.”
Colonel Benton’s voice boomed out over the excited chatter of the crowd.

Robert nodded pleasantly.
“I must be going, ma’am.”

Louisa allowed a pretty pout to form on her well-shaped lips.
“If you must. I’ll be looking forward to the ball tonight, kind knight.”

Robert looked after her thoughtfully as she swept away.

Carrie turned away into the crowd.
She had gotten the victory she wanted. She must be content with that.

SEVEN