Emma frowned, her flush deepening. “I am not that bad. But he shared his meal with me, did he not?”
Arissa cocked a black eyebrow. “It was difficult to refuse when you burst into tears. Really, Emma. No more attempts to lure Gavan Hage. No offense, darling, but you simply cannot compete with his wife.”
Emma’s cheeks were a dull red. “Enough already. Leave me alone.”
She turned toward the lancet windows as Penelope and Arissa passed amused glances. Emma was a sweet girl, but she lacked the humility and restraint of the average maiden. Her desperation for a male companion drove her to severe measures at times.
Desperation.Arissa began to think of Richmond again, experiencing the longing that even one short hour had provoked. He promised to escort her to supper this night and the wait for his appearance was nearly more than she could bear.
She glanced at Penelope and Emma, wishing she could tell them of the most thrilling, wondrous experience of her life. Even if she decided to tell them, she seriously wondered if they would believe her outrageous claim. After all, what would a great knight like Richmond le Bec want with the daughter of an earl? Not an heiress, or even a countess, but a simple lady. Practically a nobody.
But she would not question his reasons for his interest, as she could not question her own. The only matter of import was that they loved one another. She could scarcely believe she had endured her entire life wondering about his feelings, dreaming of the day that he would declare his intentions. Yet even as she dreamt of love, she never truly believed her dreams would become truth.
There was a knock at the door, startling Arissa from her thoughts. Penelope moved to answer the call and they were all shocked when Regine spilled forth, sobbing and sputtering. Daniel stood behind her.
“You shall stay here, you wicked little wench, until I can decide what needs to be done,” he jabbed his finger at her.
Regine fell into Arissa’s arms. Arissa drew her tight, her eyes wide at the young knight. “By what right do you speak to the earl’s daughter in such a manner?”
He moved into the room, making certain to close the door behind him. Only when it was bolted did he return his attention to Arissa. His gaze, however, lingered on Regine.
“Well? Are you going to tell her or am I?”
Regine sobbed harder, all but ruining the front of Arissa’s surcoat. Daniel waited a respectable amount of time for the girl to reply; however, when it became evident she had no intention of elaborating, he took charge.
“I was making my rounds tonight, as Carlton was seeing to the safety of the guests inside the castle. As I was nearing the storage area by Mossy’s tower, I heard muffled voices and what I thought to be crying. Curious, I peered into the small room where we store hand-to-hand weapons,” he cast a long glance at Regine. “Your sister was inside the room with a soldier, her skirts hiked up around her waist as the man went to work on her. I cannot say that I was in time to save her virginity, but I do not think he spent himself on her.”
Arissa looked horrified. Penelope was absolutely white and Emma’s mouth hung agape. As frisky and curious as Regine was, certainly they did not believe her capable of such an adult act. The three of them immediately turned to the sobbing young girl as if she had committed a mortal sin.
Arissa swallowed hard, trying desperately to recover a measure of composure. Gazing down at her sister’s blond head, she shook the girl gently. “Regine, is this true?”
Regine sobbed and sniffled, and Arissa was suddenly seized with a tremendous anger; snatching her sister by the arms, she tore her free of their protective embrace. Giving Regine a good shake, she forced her to meet her eye. “Damnation, Regine, is this true? You will answer me now!”
Regine gazed into her sister’s pale green eyes, never more afraid or more remorseful of anything in her life. But regret did not quite begin to describe the long-term repercussions of her actions, as she was more fearful of her punishment than of the act itself. “I…. he told me I was beautiful and he promised to teach me all there is to know about love. Riss, I simply wanted to know the experience and…..”
Arissa’s grip tightened. “And you let him…. you actually coupled with him?”
Regine nodded unsteadily, tears flowing down her cheeks. She was truly terrified. “It was…. I liked it until he…. my God, Riss, it was so painful I thought I might die. He told me to lie still and I would enjoy it eventually. I was beginning to understand what he meant when….” her voice faded, overcome by sobs of shock and fear.
“When I interrupted,” Daniel’s voice was considerably softer. “Riss, it was one of Richmond’s men. I placed him in the vault.”
Arissa closed her eyes for a brief moment as if to ward off the greater implications. “Have you told him?”
Daniel shook his head. “He caught Regine himself the last time she attempted something like this and blistered her behind. In faith, I fear for his temper should he discover a repeat offense.”
Richmond’s temper was legendary; once aroused, it had a tendency to be fierce. Every soldier, every knight under his command knew of Richmond’s powerful, decisive temper and went to great lengths to avoid an encounter.
Arissa dropped her hands from her sister, gazing at the young girl as if she had completely lost her mind. “How could you be so foolish, Regine? Do not you know what father is going to say to this, not to mention Richmond?”
Regine was a shaking, disheveled mess. “You do not have to tell them. Do not tell, Riss. I promise I shall never do it again!”
Arissa sighed heavily, disgusted and wracked with disbelief. Her sister’s promises were impotent and sorely lacking, as Regine had proven many a time. She glanced up at Emma and Penelope. “This does not go beyond this room, do you comprehend me?” she said.
Both young women nodded solemnly. Daniel stood waiting, hands on hips, for Arissa to make the final decision regarding the fate of her promiscuous sister. But Arissa could only stare at Regine in wonder.
“I never thought you to be daft, Regine,” she said softly, her tone laced with pain. “You gave yourself to a common soldier rather than wait for your noble husband.”
Regine wiped her nose on her sleeve, regaining her senses somewhat. Glancing about at the shocked and disgusted expressions, an instinctive surge of self-righteousness filled her. “It’s not as if my husband will be virgin when he comes to me. He will appreciate the fact that his wife has not come to him a naive maiden, but rather a woman who can match his experience and know the meaning of pleasure.”
