Forbidde to Love You

Chapter Six — The Aftermath I

The victory lasted approximately three seconds.

Then William's sword slipped from his hand, and he staggered.

James caught him by the shoulder. "Beaufort!"

"I'm fine."

"You are not."

William tried to straighten, but his legs nearly gave out. His arms hung at his sides as though they no longer belonged to him. Every muscle in his body seemed to tremble.

Nathaniel Beaufort was already running onto the field. He was a physician before he was a lord, and a father before he was anything else. He reached his son and immediately took hold of William's arm.

"Sit down."

"Father—"

"Sit."

William obeyed. Nathaniel knelt beside him, examining his arms and shoulders.

"Can you feel your fingers?"

"Yes."

"Move them."

William did. Nathaniel exhaled.

Only then did the relief become visible, but his face and voice remained stern.

"You could have injured yourself."

William looked toward the stands. Nathaniel followed his gaze and he saw Serena. Then he looked back at his son understanding appeared slowly in his eyes.

"Ah."

William said nothing. Nathaniel sighed.

"Of course."

William attempted to stand again. Nathaniel immediately stopped him.

"You're not walking."

"I can walk."

"You can barely lift your arms."

"I'm fine."

"You've said that three times."

William looked at his father. Nathaniel looked back. Then, despite himself, William laughed. Nathaniel shook his head.

"Stubborn boy. Just like your mother, and I say that in offense"

He helped his son to his feet. William leaned heavily against him. The proud lord who had watched his son win stood beside him, his expression caught somewhere between pride and worry.

He looked at the cheering crowd.

Then at William. His son had won. Brilliantly and fearlessly. Perhaps too fearlessly. Nathaniel placed an arm around his shoulders and helped him from the field.