Chapter 46
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Winnie had never seen Matthew joust so well. She’d watched him in training, in practice, and in actual tournaments, but never had she witnessed his form so perfect, nor his passion so evident.
She couldn’t help but hope that it was due to her coming back.
Time after time, with each of the knights he competed against, his lance splintered into pieces, gaining him more and more points as the tournament went on, until finally, the last match arrived.
Winnie stood beside Mrs. Birdwhistle still, both of them staying in character for the better part of the tournament, despite Winnie growing antsier by the minute.
She’d been unable to stop the pride welling in her heart, the look of shock on Matthew’s face having been well-worth all the effort and all the uncertainty. Gone were her insecurities from before, dressed in the medieval gown and wearing a heart-shaped hennin headpiece, replaced with a burning desire to speak with the man she loved.
She really couldn’t believe her life in that moment, watching the man she loved jousting. Jousting . Of all the things. She’d always pictured herself being with some executive of a fancy business who was obsessed with work and money—not because she wanted to, but because she would have no other options.
But a knight on a horse with a lance in his hand? Now that was unbeatable.
The final joust was run, Matthew’s lance once more splintering against James’s armor, and Mr. Aiken—that blessed brother-in-law who showed so much excitement—shouted into the mic.
“Three cheers for the victor, Sir Matthew of Foxwood!”
The crowd roared, Mr. Aiken playing a short music clip of “Low Rider” over the speaker before Mrs. Birdwhistle pretended to drag Winnie back to the arena where the final event would take place.
Her heart raced as she watched Matthew riding around the area for his victory lap, a fresh lance in his hands being raised in the air. How she wanted his helmet removed so she could see his features again. She wanted to be with him—to speak with him, to explain.
But they had to wait, no matter how her heart yearned to be with him.
“Ah, the sorceress has returned!” Mr. Aiken declared. “What will our brave knight do now?”
Winnie, with her hands still bound behind her back—albeit very loosely—was situated in the center of the arena when Matthew launched off his horse and charged toward the sorceress, and together, the two battled out in a pretend clash of magic and swords.
Winnie stood on the sidelines, watching the event play out, knowing the sorceress would eventually pretend to be struck by Matthew before disappearing into a cloud of smoke.
But Winnie couldn’t wait any longer. She hesitated, biting her lip and hoping her actions wouldn’t upset Mr. Aiken or the other staff members. Then she moved toward Matthew herself.
“And now, we have…Uh…” Mr. Aiken hesitated, unsure of what to say off script. “Well, we have the damsel in distress racin’ toward the knight. Not exactly sure what she’s up to.”
Winnie ripped free from her loosely tied ropes, and Matthew stood still, clearly in shock as she ran toward him, his visor still down. She stripped his sword directly from his hands, then turned toward Mrs. Birdwhistle and charged toward the sorceress herself.
“Ah, the damsel…” Mr. Aiken continued, “looks like she’s taking matters into her own hands. Apparently, the knight was takin’ too long to rescue her.” He chuckled, and the crowd cheered.
Winnie reached Mrs. Birdwhistle in a matter of seconds, pretending to strike her side with the blunted weapon. Mrs. Birdwhistle’s eyes twinkled before she shrieked as part of the act, then she launched into a cloud of smoke and ran away through the crowds.
“Ah, and the damsel has defeated the evil sorceress!” cried Mr. Aiken. “But will she accept the brave knight’s hand…even though she sort of rescued herself?”
The crowd laughed and cheered again, and Winnie’s heart swelled. Would she accept Matthew’s hand? Oh, yes, she would.
Standing in the middle of the list, she waited as he strode directly toward her. She could hardly breathe, his clanking armor music to her ears. She waited in place, holding his sword with the tip pointed in the grass, then he stopped just before her.
His face was still covered by his helmet, just like when they’d first met, and he knelt down on one knee before her, reaching for her hand.
“Winnie,” he breathed, only loud enough for her own ears to hear.
She couldn’t help herself. She just had to. “Sorry,” she said, “I can’t hear you with all of…” She paused, waving her hand in front of her face like she had when they’d first met. “This.”
To her utter joy, he laughed within his helmet, then raised the visor, looking up at her. “You came back,” he said, still kneeling down.
Winnie peered down at him, the love in his eyes matching her own. “I did.”
“Why?”
Tears brimmed in her eyes. “Because I’ve fallen in love with a knight. The only knight who could ever rescue a damsel in distress like me.”
His lips spread into a smile, and he blinked as his blue eyes shone with tears. “But I didn’t rescue you.”
Her chin trembled. “Oh, yes, you did.” She sniffed away her emotion, her voice soft as she continued. “I’m so sorry, Matthew. I’m sorry for leaving, for abandoning the festival and your family. For abandoning you . I never should have left, but I want you to know that I’m finally choosing who I want to be—and with whom I want to be.” She stared down at him, wiping away another tear. “And that is you, Matthew…I just hope I’m not too late.”
A moment passed by, and Winnie held her breath, fearing her apology wouldn’t be accepted before Matthew stood, threw off his helmet and hood, and closed the distance between them.
She dropped his sword to the side of them and wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on the tips of her toes as he bent down and kissed her.
Her breath was stolen away, every inch of her heart and soul invested in the knight holding her as firmly and as gently as only Matthew could.
They’d shared many kisses over the last few weeks, each one better than the last, but this one was different. This one answered the questions they’d had from the beginning. This one made their feelings clear, their love for each other apparent.
The crowd cheered around them, thinking this was all part of the show, but Winnie didn’t care. Because she knew this was real. Their love was real. And it would be a love that would last through the ages.
After the tournament had ended, the festival had come to a close, and Matthew and Winnie had both changed out of their period clothing, the two of them returned to the house.
“Dinner tonight?” he asked, his arm around Winnie’s shoulders as they crossed the grounds. “The White Hart, perhaps?”
“Sounds amazing,” Winnie said, wrapping her arm around his waist and holding his hand that draped over her shoulder.
“Would it sound as amazing if Finn were to join us?” Matthew asked, glancing at her sidelong. “He just came all this way and is only here for the weekend…”
“Of course! I’d love to hear that accent of his again.”
“Hey,” Matthew warned, and she laughed.
“Where is he now, anyway?” she asked, looking around.
“I believe he’s already snuck inside,” Matthew responded. “Shirking his esquire duties, no doubt.”
Winnie smiled, staring ahead of them as the house came into view. “Do you mind if I drive tonight?”
Matthew sighed. “We don’t really have another option now. At least not until Minnie gets out of the shop. Your emerald steed will have to do.”
“Oh, didn’t you hear?” she asked, looking up at him. “I turned that one in.”
He peered down at her in surprise. “Did you?”
She nodded, then motioned up ahead to where her new car was parked on the drive. A minivan as round and as red as could be sat proudly in front of them.
“I like to call her, Minnie 2.0,” Winnie said.
Matthew let out a burst of laughter, stopping to face her as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “Who am I even dating right now? First you’re a damsel in distress, now you’re driving a people carrier. What’s next for you, jousting? ”
She laughed. “No, I think I’d prefer being a damsel to anything. I quite like being rescued by you. Although next time, I expect you to speed things up a bit.”
He laughed. “You have changed, Miss Knox…in some ways more than others.”
She stared into his eyes, her heart swirling with warmth and love for the man in front of her. “The biggest change is how much happier I am now. And it’s all thanks to you.” She looked to the side with a shrug. “And of course, to England.”
He grinned, leaning down to kiss her before pulling back. “Well, the happiness looks good on you.” He paused. “As did that medieval dress. You know…I wouldn’t mind if you put that on again.”
She gave him a saucy smile. “Oh? Well, maybe I will, if you promise to win another tournament for me.”
“Then you shall have thy wish, my fair Lady Winifred,” he said, putting on his ancient accent. “Anything you so desire is yours, so long as thou dost promise to share thy love with me forevermore.”
She stared into his eyes. “I dost promise.”
He looked to the side, then whispered, “‘ I dost promise ?’ I don’t think that’s right.”
“Hey, at least I’m trying.”
“I mean, they speak more accurately on A Knight’s Tale ,” he teased again.
She swatted his chest. “You just can’t help but correct me, can you?”
“’Tis a curse that I take great pleasure in,” he said with an air of feigned pride. “But forgive me. I shall give it up if I must.” He smiled, dropping his knightly facade as he continued. “Because nothing makes me happier than winning Winnie’s hand…and her love.”
“Well, that you have, sir,” she said. “But I think I’ll stick to speaking like this from now on, if you don’t mind.”
“Whatever suits your fancy,” he said with a wink.
Then he leaned down for another kiss that Winnie heartily returned.