“Nay, my lord,” one of the men finally shouted down to them. “Richmond le Bec!”
Richmond.Arissa’s heart leapt into her throat; she must have swayed with shock, for she could feel Penelope’s hand against her back in a steadying gesture. Carlton, oblivious to her surprise, turned to the three young ladies with a wide grin.
“How grand! Lord William will be pleased indeed,” he brushed past the women, having apparently forgotten why he had been escorting them to the castle in the first place.
Arissa heard his footfalls fade; her focus was riveted to the road that led from Lambourn into the green countryside beyond.In the distance, she could decipher a tiny group, black figures flying minuscule banners.
Around her, the bailey was swarming with soldiers and servants in preparation for le Bec’s mighty column. But Arissa was completely ignorant of the activity; all that mattered was Richmond’s imminent approach, drawing closer with each passing moment. She hadn’t seen him in nearly six months; she giddily wondered if he had changed. She couldn’t imagine that he was any different, or that she would love him any less.
Arissa had always loved him; a wasted effort, but one she could not control. With the impending circumstance of the cloister lingering in her mind, she wondered how she was ever going to forget the man. She couldn’t remember ever being without him…. how was she supposed to cleave all memory, all feeling, as if she were severing a limb?
Staring at the advancing party, she knew there was no other choice but to amputate quickly. She had to sever him, all of him, and do it before she lost her nerve. ’Twould be less painful if she were to do it rapidly… but how?
Unsteadily, she turned away from the half-open portcullis and began to wander back toward the castle. How indeed? Unaware of Penelope and Emma’s shadowing presence, she began to plan exactly how to rid herself of the mighty Richmond le Bec. For the sake of her mental faculties, she had no other choice. She simply couldn’t spend the rest of her life fantasizing over the object of a young maiden’s adoration.
Be firm, she told herself forcefully.No unsolicited smiles, speak to him only if necessary. Remain polite but aloof. And, by all means, no games!Richmond had a fondness for games and would spend hours with Arissa and her sister, Regine, playing cards or indulging in a round of Hot Cockles. He made her love him all the more with his gentle smile and deep laughter when he allowed her and Regine to best him.
Still immersed in her thoughts, she was hardly aware when the massive structure of Lambourn allowed her to pass deep into the safety of its innards. Penelope’s mother, the Lady Maxine, met the three young ladies in the foyer.
“The nooning meal will not wait,” she clapped her hands sharply and beckoned to her daughter and friends. “In the hall, ladies.”
“Richmond le Bec is approaching,” Penelope told her mother. “Would it not be polite to wait for him?”
“Lord William is already partaking of the meal. Richmond will be welcome when he arrives,” Maxine turned her gaze to Arissa. “My lady, your mother wishes for you to greet Sir Richmond in her stead. She’s indisposed at the moment and asks that you take him in hand.”
Arissa swallowed hard, fighting the urge to deny the request. How could she forget him if she were forced to greet him? She did not respond immediately and Lady Maxine peered closely at her.
“Are you feeling well, my lady? You look rather pale.”
Arissa swallowed again. “I…. nay, I am not feeling at all well. Maxine, would you please greet Richmond in my stead? I must…. rest.”
Maxine did not hesitate; Arissa’s delicate health was well-known and not to be trifled with. “Of course, my lady. We cannot have the guest of honor ill at her own party. Go and rest; I shall tend to Sir Richmond.”
Arissa did not linger. She moved past Penelope and Emma, making a break for the flight of stairs that led to the second floor of the castle. By the time she hit the second step, she was running.
Anything to put distance between her confusion and Richmond.
*
Seated atop amagnificent coal-hued charger, Sir Richmond le Bec drank in the sight of Lambourn castle. A well-designed Norman bastion, he felt as if he were coming home again. God only knew, he’d spent a good portion of his adult life within the old walls.
As the edifice loomed closer, he couldn’t help but feel a stab of sorrow. ’Twould most likely be his last visit for a very long time and he was grieved by the thought. For eighteen years Lambourn had been a part of his existence, always on his thoughts, always in his prayers. For eighteen years it had been a physical part of him as much as an arm or a leg or a lung.
But that time was drawing to a close. His mission, entrusted to him eighteen years ago, was coming to a conclusion as the New Year rapidly approached. He honestly did not know how he was going to continue with his existence once Lambourn had faded into the recesses of his mind; all of this, the keep, its occupants, its day-to-day continuance, was a portion of his soul.
The bridge was down, welcoming him warmly and sharpening his sense of sorrow. Several soldiers called out to him as he entered the massive bailey, but he did not respond. He was used to the adoration, the respect. Forcing his gloomy thoughts aside, he dismounted his snappish charger and was immediately met by the Lady Maxine de Long.
“My lord Richmond,” she dipped in a practiced curtsy. “We are blessed once again with your presence.”
He passed a rapid gaze over Lady Maude de Lohr’s woman. “’Tis good to be back. Where’s William?”
“Lord de Lohr is in the gallery involved in the nooning meal,” Maxine replied. “He commands you to join him immediately.”
Richmond nodded absently, moving to his steed and unfastening his saddlebags before the groom led the animalaway. “I have been gone for quite some time. I trust all has been well.”
“For the most part, my lord,” Maxine nodded. “Lord William and Lady Maude have enjoyed good health, as have Lady Regine and Master Bartholomew.”
He focused on her for the first time. “What of Lady Arissa?”
