The Lady in the Tower Read Online Free

veil.
    I rode down to join Walter. He had shed his petticoats these two years, and was dressed now like a miniature man in doublet and hose. No expense was spared in his apparel. My brother was now a sturdy boy of eight summers, who excelled in every form of sport. He divided his waking day between riding and learning swordplay and archery. Like our father, he despised book learning of any kind. He had never learned to read and write like I had. Our affection for each other had waned over the years as he became more and more his father’s son.
    ‘Ah, Eleanor,’ the castellan greeted me. He rarely allowed himself a smile. ‘I’m glad you could join us. I have news for you both. There is to be a formal announcement at supper, so if you could keep it to yourselves until then. Firstly, Sir Walter will be arriving in a few days.’ I groaned audibly, interrupting him. My father’s arrival would mean less freedom within the castle and the end of jousting practice for me. Although it had been he that had allowed me to begin learning, I’m quite sure he would be shocked if he knew I had continued all these years.
    The castellan paused in his speech and I saw his lips tighten a little. I wondered if he was annoyed at my interruption or whether he agreed with my sentiments towards my father. I had suspected for years that he continued to teach me jousting as an act of rebellion against Sir Walter and his treatment of Mother and me.
    ‘Sir Walter will be joined,’ continued the castellan, ‘by a large party of noblemen and ladies. Some will reside within the castle itself, others are to pitch camp outside the castle walls. We expect that the king himself may visit.’
    Both Walter and I gasped with surprise as the king was mentioned. A royal visit was not something that had happened in our lifetime.
    ‘To celebrate the occasion and in honour of the king, Sir Walter plans to hold a tournament here at Farleigh. Lists will be constructed for the joust and there will also be other events such as archery and sword fighting.’
    At this point the castellan was interrupted again as Walter fairly screamed with excitement. His pony reared up in fright, blowing and snorting in indignation, and began to bolt. Walter pulled him round in a tight circle and brought him back.
    ‘A tournament?’ Walter cried. ‘A real tournament, right here?’ The castellan inclined his head, allowing himself a small smile.
    ‘I have already suggested to your father that there should be a junior event as well, Master Walter. He was disposed to agree.’
    Walter whooped with delight. His pony tossed his head.
    My feelings on hearing this news were more mixed. The return of my father had never yet brought me any good. Now it might mean my new betrothal was near. And although the joust would doubtless be exciting to watch, I had no chance of competing. I was nobly born, but I was female. My part would be to sit gracefully on the sidelines and watch.
    ‘I don’t suppose there will be a jousting event for ladies?’ I asked the castellan bitterly.
    ‘You know very well there will not be,’ he replied quietly.
    ‘But it is not fair that I may not compete.’
    ‘Indeed,’ nodded the castellan. ‘For you have more skill than many men, and more courage too. But it would not be seemly to display yourself before the crowd. We must take the world as we find it, Mistress Eleanor.’
    I did not agree. ‘When the world has unjust rules, we should seek to change them,’ I argued.
    Walter snorted derisively. ‘You’ll never have women in the lists!’ he mocked. ‘Women sit on the sidelines and fuss about their gowns and their complexions.’
    ‘I can defeat you,’ I countered swiftly.
    ‘Because I am a youth and you are near full grown.’ He tossed his head dismissively, looking just like Father. ‘In a few years I will be a strong knight, and you will be sitting with a babe in arms.’
    A surge of rage swept through me and I choked on all the angry