She grasped him before could turn away. “Richmond,” she stammered, swallowing when he refocused his blue eyes on her. “I…. thank you for defending me against Tad. If you hadn’t come along when you did….”
“I was always there,” he said softly. “You should know by now that I am my lady’s shadow.”
Her cheeks washed a lovely shade of pink and she smiled shyly. “I know that. But, still, I am glad you were there to save me.”
His gaze lingered on her. “I will always be there to save you.Always.”
He strolled away, leaving Arissa flushed. It was amazing how their relationship had changed since his arrival yesterday. Warm looks and gentle gestures that had meant nothing but companionable fondness in the past had suddenly taken on a heat she could not describe. She had convinced herself earlier that all of it was a figment of her over-active imagination, a young maiden’s unattainable wish. Now, she was not so sure.
“What did you mean when you said he saved you from Tad?” Emma was suddenly tugging on her sleeve.
Jolted from her thoughts, Arissa turned to her friend. She remembered Emma’s expressed desire to meet Tad and silently cursed herself for having been so forgetful. She should have thought of Emma when Tad had approached earlier, but she had been so desperate to escape Richmond that she had completely overlooked the fact.
In truth, she was glad she hadn’t remembered. She did not think the sweet, youthfully-pretty girl to be the conceited knight’s idea of beauty. She would rather have Emma angry with her forgetfulness than for the young woman to have experienced Tad’s cruel rebuff.
“I…. Tad was a bit too eager to impress me, I believe, and Richmond cooled his manner. ’Twas nothing, really.” Shehastened to change the subject before Emma could press. “Do you know that he asked who the pretty young girl was in the blue surcoat? Since Penelope is wearing yellow, I assumed he meant you.”
As she hoped, Emma’s face positively glowed. “He did? Oh, Riss, you must introduce us!”
“What about Gavan?” Arissa cocked an eyebrow.
Emma waved her hand impatiently. “Gavan isn’t here. I haven’t seen the man in months. When Richmond arrived without his second-in-command, I would assume I must find my male companionship elsewhere.”
Arissa repressed a smile. For Emma to speak of her cherished knight so callously was comical, indeed. And completely untrue. But she played the game for her friend’s benefit.
“So you have decided to forget about Gavan. ’Tis understandable, truly, considering he’s been away so long that he’s probably forgotten about you,” when Emma’s face flushed a dull red, Arissa struggled to suppress her wicked grin. “As for Tad, my darling, he’s terribly shy. In fact, the only reason he addressed me was because we had met earlier and he felt comfortable in my company. Do not be disappointed if he does not show an immediate interest. Why, I think….”
Regine suddenly thrust herself forward, her blue eyes bright. “Riss, I am wearing a blue surcoat, too. Mayhap he meant me!”
Arissa gazed at her younger sister, noting that she too was wearing a blue dress. The original lie to ease her friend’s feelings was suddenly growing in unattractive directions. Before she could respond, Emma was whirling on Regine.
“Of course he did not mean you!” she snarled. “You are a child, Regine, a mere child. A man of Tad de Rydal’s station would not be interested in you.”
Regine put her hands on her plump hips, meeting Emma’s scowl. “Is that so? You are no prize either, Emma Trevor. Why do you think Daniel chose Penelope over you?”
Arissa cleared her throat loudly, separating the combatants before the situation grew ugly. “I am sure he meant Emma, Regine, simply for the fact that she happens to be older and more….” she glanced at Emma’s rounded breasts as opposed to the two peas underneath Regine’s bodice, “…. womanly.”
Flushing madly, Regine turned away as Emma grasped Arissa’s arm eagerly. “When will you introduce us, Riss? Did he say anything else about me?”
Arissa was beginning to think her attempt to lighten Emma’s mood had been a very bad idea. She had meant well, truly, but she could see that Emma was not to be satisfied with a tantalizing bit of un-truth. She struggled to contain her friend’s excitement.
“Nay, Emma, he did not,” she said firmly. “And I do not want you making a spectacle out of yourself. If you are too eager, you shall chase him away. You must be aloof and calm.”
Emma looked extremely disappointed. “Aloof and calm?”
Arissa nodded confidently. “It is the only way.”
“Aloof and calm,” Emma turned her blue gaze out toward the field of competitors. From the look on her face, she appeared to be suffering from a sour stomach. With great reluctance, she sighed heavily. “Aloof and calm.”
Arissa nodded again, relieved that Emma was not going to rush Tad and make a fool of herself, and returned her attention to the event at hand.
Two marshals, indicated by the armbands they wore, were making sure that all of the competitors listed were on hand. Daniel and Carlton were competing, as was virtually every other able-bodied knight from the various visiting houses. Since the competition was open to everyone, even a few peasants haddecided to try their hand, looking sadly out of place amongst the glorious knights.
But hardly a soul cared. Peasant or noble, they were on equal turf when it came to the archery contest and Arissa’s excitement was growing. As she and her group vied for a better view of the field, her mother and father came strolling upon them, dressed to the teeth in their finest. Lady Maxine and Lady Livia followed on their heels.
“Arissa, my dear,” her mother said sweetly. She was a warm and loving woman, if not a bit dense. “Maxine has the ribbon you will be awarding.”
Maxine held out the exquisite piece of work, a blue ribbon embroidered with gold in honor of the Lambourn colors. Arissa took the prize with great care.
