Ovid’s wild gaze moved between Richmond and William. He was so badly shaken that his gray-hued cheeks were visibly quivering. “The king will hear about this. Simply because le Bec is a royal favorite does not mean that he can get away with murder. There will be justice!”
“If I understand correctly, Tad isn’t dead yet,” William reminded him. “Furthermore, Richmond has told you that he did not have a hand in this and you will do him the courtesy of believing his word.”
Ovid shook his head, taking a step back and nearly stumbling over his floor-length surcoat. He continued to weave unsteadily as he quit the room, his eyes locked on Richmond and William. He moved like a man whose control had escaped him, a soul spiraling towards the depths of insanity.
“I shall have my revenge,” he said hoarsely, spittle dripping from his lips. “I am not daft, le Bec. You did this, as the evidence states. This is not over!”
Richmond did not reply as Ovid staggered from the room, followed closely by his soldiers. Near the kitchens, Gavan emitted a piercing whistle and Richmond’s troops immediately closed in to pursue the de Rydal group. The sounds of jingling mail and marching boots filled the gallery when the only sounds heard should have been those of music and laughter.
Shaken, William did not even wait until Richmond’s soldiers had cleared the room before he ordered the music to resume. Weakly, the orchestra struck up a lively tune that quickly escalated into a gay dance. ’Twould seem that the entire crowd of guests was eager to forget the fear that had filled the air not a few moments before, and several couples delved into the folkdance eagerly.
Richmond was gradually aware that Arissa was clutching his hand so tightly that her nails had drawn blood. He passed a concerned glance at her as William turned to him.
“Goddamn lunatic,” he muttered, meeting Richmond’s gaze. “I apologize for the public humiliation, Richmond.”
Richmond shook his head. “No need, William. But I am rather concerned that my standard appeared on the arrow that struck down Tad de Rydal. Under the circumstances, Lord de Rydal could only believe I was announcing my revenge for being ousted in the game this afternoon.”
“You professed your innocence and he should be intelligent enough to take you at your word,” William scratched his head in a nervous gesture, glancing to the calming dais. “Well, now, Maude is upset. I should go calm my wife. Will you take care of my daughter, as you have done so ably for all these years?”
Richmond looked down at Arissa, her face pale and fearful. He forced a brave smile. “I shall make a valiant attempt.”
William looked to his daughter, knowing that Richmond would be far better at calming her nerves than he would have been. Richmond had always been able to communicate with her, whereas he had never quite managed to make a strong connection.
As the earl strolled across the room, loudly assuring guests that all was well and demanding they continue to enjoy themselves, Richmond pried Arissa’s fingers from his bloodied hand.
“Would you care to dance, kitten?” he asked gently.
Her eyes were wide at him. “I…. I do not feel like dancing,” a sob suddenly caught in her throat. “Oh, Richmond, he thinks you tried to murder Tad! Ovid has a huge army and…!”
“And you think he would be foolish enough to declare war against his liege?” he smiled, attempting to alleviate her growing panic. “I had nothing to do with Tad’s ambush, Riss. When Ovid calms, he will realize that I am a man of my word. If I were going to do away with the lad, I would have had ample opportunity while he was here at Lambourn. Why would I want until he was on the road?”
She was struggling to control the threat of tears. “But he says..!”
He grasped her delicate arms firmly. “He doesn’t know what he’s saying. He’s grieved and not thinking clearly,” releasing her fragile limbs, he snaked an arm about her slender shoulders. “Let us take a walk about the compound and clear your head. Mayhap we shall go up to the battlements and throw rocks at Ovid’s soldiers as they are forcibly escorted from Lambourn.”
She couldn’t smile at his attempted humor. “I do not want to go for a walk,” she said softly. “I am exhausted, Richmond. I want to retire.”
He gazed at her pale face, feeling the familiar concern for her frail health. “Aren’t you feeling well, kitten?”
She shook her head. “Not really. I fear this eventful day has taxed my strength.”
“Of course,” he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and moved through the crowd toward the head dais. Maude was leaning against her husband as Lady Livia fanned her furiously. William glanced up from his wife as his daughter and Richmond approached.
“Your mother isn’t feeling well, Arissa,” he said. “She begs your forgiveness that she must leave your celebration early.”
“Arissa wishes to retire as well,” Richmond answered for her. “This entire day has been rather draining.”
“My poor Riss,” Maude said weakly. “I am so sorry, dear. I tried to make this a wonderful occasion for you.”
“You did, mother,” Arissa assured her softly. “It was the most wonderful birthday I have ever had.”
Maude smiled faintly as Richmond collected Arissa against him and excused them both. He was unable to make it free of the gallery, however, before several well-wishers and hopeful young men blocked their exit with words of congratulations or praise for Arissa’s striking beauty. Richmond was less than cordial as he fended off the throng.
The foyer was relatively uncrowded, lit with several banks of expensive tallow candles dyed different colors. Arissa leaned against Richmond as they moved toward the stairs, feeling his strength flowing through her body to boost her sagging spirits. Ovid de Rydal’s threat frightened her; he was an aggressive, greedy man and she was positive that he would return for Richmond somehow, demanding the man’s heart on a platter.
Richmond felt her grip on him tighten as they ascended the stairs. Several of Lambourn’s household guard were assembled in the foyer and he silently motioned at the group. Stealthily breaking rank, two soldiers obediently followed.
He led Arissa to her chamber, practically carrying her limp body the last stretch of the dimly-lit corridor. Opening the oaken door, he quietly ordered the two soldiers that had trailed them from the foyer to post guard outside her door. As the well-armed men took position, he entered the room and closed the heavy panel softly.
Arissa still clung to him and he paused, wrapping his arms about her tightly and planting tender kisses on the top of her dark head. Against him, he could feel her body quivering.
“My poor kitten,” he whispered, his lips against her hair. “A most eventful birthday.”
She sighed heavily. “I almost wish my birthday had never happened,” she said softly. “Other than your victory in the archery contest, the day has gone from bad to worse.”
“What about our…. encounter in your father’s solar?” he looked down at her, raising his eyebrows inquisitively when she met his gaze. “Had you not been rude to Tad, I would have never followed you and we might not have had the chance to admit our feelings to one another. All events occur for a reason, Riss. We may not realize the greater significance at the time, but there is a purpose for everything that happens. Good or bad.”
He watched her as she gazed up at him, feeling his veins flush with a surge of desire. Yet before he could succumb to the thrill of their newly-found passion, he had a short task to complete. In fact, his errand was the reason for posting the guards outside Arissa’s door; he did not want to leave her unprotected while he was away. But the longer he gazed at her pink lips and incredible eyes, the weaker his resistance.
“I have a small errand to complete,” he said hoarsely, reluctantly releasing her from his embrace. “I shall return as quickly as I can.”
“Where are you going?”
He smiled faintly, moving for the door before his willpower dissolved completely. “Just a short task. I shall be right back.”
&nb
sp; He did not answer her entirely, but she was frankly unaware of the evasive reply. All that mattered was that he was leaving and she missed him already. She watched him sadly as he opened the door.
“Hurry?” she pleaded softly.
He was in great danger of being further weakened by the lost expression on her face. Casting her a bold wink, he nodded. “I shall run. I promise.”
He closed the door behind him, leaving Arissa standing in the center of the room. She continued to stare at the closed door for several long moments, as if expecting him to magically reappear after completing his task in record time. After a few lengthy minutes, she realized that he was going to be gone longer than she had hoped.
With a long sigh, she turned for the glowing hearth. Absently, she began to stoke the dying coals, pondering silly, insignificant thoughts. Ovid and Tad aside, it had been a most eventful day and she thanked God that He had been gracious enough to listen to the prayers of a foolish young girl. All she had ever wanted in this life had mercifully been granted.
As the fire sparked and crackled, Arissa found herself wondering where she and Richmond were going to live after they were married. After all, he spent the majority of his time in London or at Lambourn and had no lands of his own that she was aware of. Be it in a cave or in a palace, she did not care where they lived. So long as they were together.
And they would be, no matter what.
*
Richmond’s task had been completed in short order. Retrieving a small parcel from his borrowed bower, he was in the process of making his way back to Arissa’s chamber when Gavan suddenly appeared out of the shadows. Richmond saw the outline of the massive body before he ever saw a face, but he was unconcerned by the approaching silhouette. There was no man on earth as wide as Gavan Hage.
“Why aren’t you chasing the de Rydal tribe back to their hovel?” he asked as Gavan came into the light.
The man shrugged. “There was no need. The earl’s men are herding them back to Goring Hall like a band of unruly cattle. Moreover, I am quite interested to know what is going on. Care to elaborate?”
Richmond braced his thick legs apart, folding his arms across his chest. “Believe me when I say that I am as puzzled as you are. It all started this morning when Tad de Rydal was quite assertive with Arissa. At one point, he became rude and aggressive and I was forced to subdue his attentions. I proceeded to beat him in the archery competition, for which he decided to deal me a lashing while we were playing Stick and Ball.”
Gavan indicated the cut above Richmond’s eye. “Is that how you acquired your new beauty mark?”
“Indeed,” Richmond replied. “I thought he had broken my nose, too, but it seems to be all right. Mossy doesn’t believe it to be broken, merely bruised.”
Gavan cocked an eyebrow ironically. “So Ovid presumes that you sent your men to ambush his crafty son in revenge for your injury?”
“Something like that,” Richmond said. “At any rate, what concerns me is not the father’s anger but the mere fact that someone went to a bit of trouble to make it appear as if I am guilty of attempted murder.”
Gavan shook his head. “Certainly Henry has his share of enemies, but I too am curious as to why one of them would single out you in particular. More importantly, for what purpose?”
Richmond sighed heavily and began to move toward the stairs along his original course. Gavan followed.
“If they wanted to kill me, they would have had several opportunities today while I was armorless,” Richmond said. “In lieu of an assassination, they are either trying to make my life miserable or implicate me in a greater scheme. Mayhap someone is trying to cause friction between the House of de Rydal and the Earl of Berkshire.”
They reached the stairs, dimly lit by the polished iron chandelier above their heads. “If your last assumption is true, then why single you out? If someone were attempting to cause trouble between the earl and one of his vassals, they could just as easily make Bart the target, or the earl for that matter. Why you?”
“I do not know. But I think for the next several days we should post extra guards on the battlements and make sure that anyone passing through the gates of Lambourn is rigorously checked out. I shall not have a paid assassin make his way into the earl’s camp.”
“Agreed. I shall speak with Carlton and Daniel regarding the matter.”
Richmond left Gavan at the top of the stairs, his mind fogged with the possibilities as he made his way toward Arissa’s room. Gradually, he became aware of the parcel he still clutched within his hand and his thoughts shifted from intrigue to the delights that had come with the day.
Coming upon her door, he dismissed the soldiers. Knocking softly, he heard her soft footfalls approach.
Her sweet smile greeted him. He returned the gesture, stepping into the room without a word. Arissa closed the door softly and bolted it, turning to him expectantly.
“Well? Did you complete your errand?”
His grin broadened, filling the room with everything he was feeling for her. “I am about to.”
CHAPTER NINE
“What’s this?” she asked, gazing at the parcel in his outstretched hand.
“Open it.”
Timidly, she took it from him, examining the silken wrapping. “A gift, Richmond?”
He watched her with glittering eyes. “That is the usual show of tribute for one’s birthday.”
She smiled, fumbling with the ties. “I never expected…. that is, you did not have to do this.”
“Aye, I did,” he eased himself into a hide-covered chair, his gaze never leaving her. “Why are you being so careful? I have seen you tear through gifts as if the wrapping was made of spider’s web.”
She gave him an exasperated expression, although it was laced with humor. “I am trying to show some respect for your token. Do be quiet while I wrestle with these bindings.”
“So sorry,” his elbow propped on the arm of the chair, he cupped his chin in his hand. Splayed fingers covered his smirking lips. “Do hurry. I shall die of old age before you finish.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “Surely that is of no surprise, considering your advanced years,” the bindings fell away, revealing an exquisitely carved box. Arissa’s mouth opened with delight. “Oh, Richmond, it is lovely. What a wonderful box!”
He snorted. “Silly wench, the gift is inside. Open the box.”
She giggled, her gaze lingering on him as she carefully opened the lid.
A beautifully crafted rosary lay upon a bed of satin. Made from polished beads of a beautiful pale wood, it glistened in the dim light as she drew it forth from the box. Richmond watched her face as she inspected the string of beads, delighting in the play of emotions across her lovely features.
It was a simple rosary, perfect and solid. It would be the one item the nuns at Whitby would most likely allow her to retain when she surrendered all of her material possessions. He had planned it that way.
“The wooded beads are from the Holy Land,” he said softly. “Look at the base of the cross.”
She scrutinized the delicately carved cross, her eyes widening when she realized what she was witnessing. Astonished, she looked to him. “You had your name carved into it.”
He nodded faintly. “I am sure some would consider it sacrilege. But I wanted you to remember who gave it to you.”
She swallowed hard, fingering the exquisite piece. “As if I would forget,” she turned it over in her hands, the resplendence of the gift inadvertently reminding her of her dictated destiny. When she began to blink rapidly, chasing off the threat of tears, Richmond reached out and pulled her onto his lap.
“No tears, kitten,” he whispered, knowing her thoughts. Naturally, she disobeyed his command and sobbed quietly onto his shoulder. Listening to her muted sniffles, he kissed her head tenderly. “There is no need for sorrow. All will be well.”
“But…. but I do not want to go,” she wept softly. “You said yourself that I will have to kee
p my appointment, and I do not want to. I want to be with you.”
He held her tightly, as if to chase away all of her fear and sorrow with his imposing presence and strength. “And you shall be, I promise. Have I ever gone back on my word?”
She shook her head unsteadily and he smiled, stroking her raven-colored hair. “Your father and I are going to come to terms with the change in the situation soon enough and I do not want you to worry,” he grasped her gently by the chin, forcing her to look at him. “Do you comprehend me? Any more tears from you and I shall most likely join you. ’Twould be most humiliating for a knight of my standing to be seen sobbing like a woman.”
She tried to smile, wiping at her tears. “I-I shall try.”
His expression was soft as his gaze caressed her damp face. Gently, he helped her dry her eyes. “Now tell me; do you like the gift?”
She nodded eagerly, gazing down at the strand of wooden beads clutched in her hand. “I love it. I shall always carry it with me.”
“Good,” his gentle hand moved from stroking her cheek to touching her shoulder, trailing down her arm. A surge of excitement bolted through her slight body when his hand came to rest on the small fist that clutched the rosary. Squeezing her fingers tightly, he buried his face against her fragrant neck.
From one emotion to the next, from one level of tenderness to the very heights of arousal, Arissa moaned softly as his lips came to bear on her tender flesh. The heat of passion electrified the very air between them as Richmond took great delight with her delectable skin.
Arissa gripped his shoulders tightly as his mouth moved down her neck, roving tauntingly over the soft swell of her bosom. His wicked tongue, hot and lusty, lapped at the sweet valley between her breasts and she groaned breathlessly, one hand weaving itself into the thick silk of his hair while the other, still clutching the rosary, grasped his shoulder with a death-grip.