She was, however, able to convince her mother to leave with the assurance that she would rest for the time being in the hope of improving her illness. Promising her mother that she would try to join the celebration later, Maude was able to rejoin her guests with the anticipation of Arissa’s future company when, in fact, Arissa had no intention of joining the party Richmond was in the process of ruining.
Her frustration and misery had not abated since he had left with Regine. If anything, it had deepened. She simply could not believe that he had been so cruel, so unfeeling and insensitive toward her needs. He had hurt her deeply and had not been the least bit concerned with his actions.
A soft knock on the door roused her from her thoughts. Rubbing her arms against the cold breeze, she turned toward the heavy oak panel.
“Who comes?”
There was a slight pause. “Someone who wishes to congratulate you on your birthday.”
She recognized the voice. Opening the door, she was greeted by Gavan Hage’s smiling face. And what a face it was; square-jawed, masculine, and very handsome. Gavan’s lively brown eyes were glittering as she opened the door.
“I thought something was missing in the gallery,” he said, his huge fists resting on narrow hips. “When I realized it was you, I made haste to locate your whereabouts. What are you doing in here while the rest of Lambourn is drinking themselves into oblivion?”
She couldn’t help but smile at him. Gavan was a calm, mannerly, gentle knight with the most enormous shoulders she had ever seen. A few inches shorter than Richmond, he was as strong as a bear.
“I am not feeling well,” she offered lamely. “I thought to rest a while before attending my party.”
His smile faded. “Richmond told me that you were angry with him. May I come in?”
Her smile faded as she stepped aside, ushering him inside her bower. Softly, she closed the door.
“Did he tell you why?” she asked quietly.
He nodded. “Regine is downstairs enjoying herself, as you should be.”
Her brows drew together. “Regine is down…. I do not understand. I thought Richmond was going to tell my father…. surely Regine is being punished!”
A flicker of a smile crossed Gavan’s lips. “Indeed, shewaspunished. I said she was enjoying herself, but I did not mention that she cannot sit down. She most likely will be unable to use a chair for a week.”
Arissa was completely puzzled. “What are you talking about, Gavan?”
He chuckled softly. “Richmond spanked her. Welted her backside so severely that she can scarcely walk. Your father does not know, and Richmond’s soldier remains in the vault. He will be stripped of his rank and weaponry and dismissed from the corps come the morrow. Richmond thought it would be best to handle it in this manner rather than create a chaotic issue out of the event. He will leave the explaining to Regine; she’s six months to comply or he will tell your father himself.”
Arissa’s eyes opened wide with surprise. “He…. he did not kill the soldier?”
Gavan shook his head. “A few men witnessed Regine’s seduction. In fact, one man even heard Regine order him into compliance. Although the soldier should have known better, he was more or less coerced by an aggressive young girl who demanded he teach her the finer arts of sexuality,” he snorted softly. “I would have hoped that Regine would have outgrown this peculiar phase she seemed to have entered into last year. To demand a common soldier into taking her virginity is bizarre at best.”
Arissa let out a sigh of disbelief, of relief. “And Richmond will allow Regine to tell father what she’s done?”
“She’s six months.”
Arissa turned away from Gavan, almost weak with alleviation. She had spent the past hour hating Richmond for ruining her party with his misplaced sense of determination when, in fact, he had dealt with the situation as befitting his wisdom and tact. Since he had never said exactly what he had intended to do, she had assumed the worst. She should have trusted him. Hesitantly, she turned her gaze to Gavan.
“Surely he’s angry with me,” she said softly. “I said hateful words, Gavan. Is that why he sent you here? Because he’s too angry to come himself?”
Gavan shook his head. “Nay, Riss. He sent me because he thought you might punch him in the nose if he attempted to show his face. He wanted to make sure your anger had cooled.”
She smiled, ashamed of her rage. “I was foolish, I suppose. I should have trusted him.”
“Aye, you should have. Richmond has always had your best interests in mind,” his gaze moved over her black head, looking at her through new eyes. Certainly she was an incredibly beautiful woman; he’d always thought so. He should have realized Richmond’s attraction long ago.
Arissa nodded in agreement as Gavan pondered his thoughts. She noticed his distant expression but attributed it to his long ride from London. Her face brightened as she changed the subject. “We missed you during the Stick and Ball game today. It was most exciting.”
Gavan chuckled softly. “Richmond is much better at the game than I. Moreover, I understand the earl’s team was victorious without my help.”
Arissa raised her dark eyebrows, her expression humorous. “Nonetheless, you were missed. Richmond did not have you to knock over the opposing players, making his victory much harder fought.”
He laughed again. “’Tis all I am good for, truly. Knocking down men who oppose Richmond’s tyranny.”
