As the fire sparked and crackled, Arissa found herself wondering where she and Richmond were going to live after they were married. After all, he spent the majority of his time in London or at Lambourn and had no lands of his own that she was aware of. Be it in a cave or in a palace, she did not care where they lived. So long as they were together.
And they would be, no matter what.
*
Richmond’s task hadbeen completed in short order. Retrieving a small parcel from his borrowed bower, he was in the process of making his way back to Arissa’s chamber when Gavan suddenly appeared out of the shadows. Richmond saw the outline of the massive body before he ever saw a face, but he was unconcerned by the approaching silhouette. There was no man on earth as wide as Gavan Hage.
“Why aren’t you chasing the de Rydal tribe back to their hovel?” he asked as Gavan came into the light.
The man shrugged. “There was no need. The earl’s men are herding them back to Goring Hall like a band of unruly cattle.Moreover, I am quite interested to know what is going on. Care to elaborate?”
Richmond braced his thick legs apart, folding his arms across his chest. “Believe me when I say that I am as puzzled as you are. It all started this morning when Tad de Rydal was quite assertive with Arissa. At one point, he became rude and aggressive and I was forced to subdue his attentions. I proceeded to beat him in the archery competition, for which he decided to deal me a lashing while we were playing Stick and Ball.”
Gavan indicated the cut above Richmond’s eye. “Is that how you acquired your new beauty mark?”
“Indeed,” Richmond replied. “I thought he had broken my nose, too, but it seems to be all right. Mossy doesn’t believe it to be broken, merely bruised.”
Gavan cocked an eyebrow ironically. “So Ovid presumes that you sent your men to ambush his crafty son in revenge for your injury?”
“Something like that,” Richmond said. “At any rate, what concerns me is not the father’s anger but the mere fact that someone went to a bit of trouble to make it appear as if I am guilty of attempted murder.”
Gavan shook his head. “Certainly Henry has his share of enemies, but I too am curious as to why one of them would single out you in particular. More importantly, for what purpose?”
Richmond sighed heavily and began to move toward the stairs along his original course. Gavan followed.
“If they wanted to kill me, they would have had several opportunities today while I was armorless,” Richmond said. “In lieu of an assassination, they are either trying to make my life miserable or implicate me in a greater scheme. Mayhap someone is trying to cause friction between the House of de Rydal and the Earl of Berkshire.”
They reached the stairs, dimly lit by the polished iron chandelier above their heads. “If your last assumption is true, then why single you out? If someone were attempting to cause trouble between the earl and one of his vassals, they could just as easily make Bart the target, or the earl for that matter. Why you?”
“I do not know. But I think for the next several days we should post extra guards on the battlements and make sure that anyone passing through the gates of Lambourn is rigorously checked out. I shall not have a paid assassin make his way into the earl’s camp.”
“Agreed. I shall speak with Carlton and Daniel regarding the matter.”
Richmond left Gavan at the top of the stairs, his mind fogged with the possibilities as he made his way toward Arissa’s room. Gradually, he became aware of the parcel he still clutched within his hand and his thoughts shifted from intrigue to the delights that had come with the day.
Coming upon her door, he dismissed the soldiers. Knocking softly, he heard her soft footfalls approach.
Her sweet smile greeted him. He returned the gesture, stepping into the room without a word. Arissa closed the door softly and bolted it, turning to him expectantly.
“Well? Did you complete your errand?”
His grin broadened, filling the room with everything he was feeling for her. “I am about to.”
CHAPTER NINE
“What’s this?” sheasked, gazing at the parcel in his outstretched hand.
“Open it.”
Timidly, she took it from him, examining the silken wrapping. “A gift, Richmond?”
He watched her with glittering eyes. “That is the usual show of tribute for one’s birthday.”
She smiled, fumbling with the ties. “I never expected…. that is, you did not have to do this.”
“Aye, I did,” he eased himself into a hide-covered chair, his gaze never leaving her. “Why are you being so careful? I have seen you tear through gifts as if the wrapping was made of spider’s web.”
She gave him an exasperated expression, although it was laced with humor. “I am trying to show some respect for your token. Do be quiet while I wrestle with these bindings.”
