And yet there will be happiness...

Splendid! Splendid!

There was a round of applause and Tom told the guests what they would expect at the tournament in the next couple of weeks. The excited faces of the people and the happy responses from all sides of the arena lifted Tom's spirits and made his heart beat faster. The smiles, the laughter, the waving of flags - everything, absolutely everything, spoke of the success of his undertaking. It was Sanditon's day of triumph, and Tom wanted to make It as bright as Ever.

Knights rode out into the arena, fully armed, in wrought-iron armor and helmets that glittered in the sun.  Their shields, decorated with ornaments and the Sanditon coat of arms and horse blankets of the same colors made the image of the riders complete and impressive. The knights made a circle of respect and took up their positions.
The signal was given, and the horsemen rushed towards each other, aiming spears with colored ribbons tied to them at their opponents. A second later, the knight with the blue shield attacked the opponent. The red-armoured knight staggered and a gasp of surprise ran through the stands. The rider stayed on his horse and prepared for a second pass. The second attack was no less swift and accurate. The red rider staggered and began to slide slowly from his horse until he fell to the ground.
She gave a startled sigh and put her hand over her mouth. He covered her fingers with his big hand, trying to comfort her. She shuddered and looked at him, but did not withdraw her hand.
-It's just a show - he said quietly, trying not to disturb the other guests.
- Yes - she said, confused- I remember, but I did... I didn't expect it to be like this... so realistic.
- They're good actors, I agree - he said - and I'm sure Parker paid them a tidy sum. But it's worth it.
His burning hand was still on hers, and Allison found it difficult to breathe or speak. It was all wrong and incomprehensible to her. She was sure that her father would never have approved of this, and that she should have run away from him without looking back, but for the first time in her life, her young, trembling heart told her otherwise. It was desperate to reach out to Francis, forcing her to be as close to him as possible, melting into his gaze and catching every word he said and every smile he gave her.
Crowe leaned close to her ear and continued:
- After one has fallen, the fight will continue - he said almost in a whisper - it usually continues until the first blood, I wonder what they will show us.
He was so close that she felt a shiver run down her spine and her head spin. Allison shivered again, and his hand tightened on hers in response.
Francis looked at Allison sitting in front of him. She turned to him and looked up timidly, meeting his gaze, blushing and lowering them again. A wave of unspeakable tenderness washed over Crowe. Allison was so touching and fragile, and at the same time so sensible and wise, that he couldn't resist. The urge to grab her and run away was so strong that he could barely contain himself. At the same time, he knew perfectly well that he would never have done this to her, because she was not a lady to dance with at a ball and then spend the night with, nor a tavern girl to pass the evening with. Before him sat the one he could once have called the wife and mother of his children.
He didn't know how or when it had happened to him, but he knew for sure that he had fallen madly in love, like a boy.
- Mr. Сrowе - she asked, trying to distract herself - do you know how to use a sword?
- Not good enough to impress you - he replied with a smile - you could say I'm a fan of fencing.
- Do you want to impress me?-  she asked softly.
- And what do you think? - he answered the question with a question.
- I can only guess - she replied - I can't say anything definite about you.
- On the contrary - Crowe said - I think you read me like an open book. I don't know how you do it.
She blushed deeply and hid her gaze from him, pretending to be watching the contest between the two knights.
- I wouldn't want you to participate in such a competition - she said suddenly.
- You don't think I can do it? -  Francis asked.
- I'm sure you can - Allison said, looking him straight in the eye - but that's not the point.
- Then what is it? - he asked excitedly.
- I don't want you to get hurt - she said honestly.
Crowe looked at her, his heart exulting. Her genuine concern and honesty said more about her feelings than a hundred simpering words could have done.