“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.”
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.
