“My dreams have already come true. All else is excessive.”
He gave her a wink. “Dreams of our passion will never be excessive. It is beyond the comprehension of mere mortals.”
He did not leave until she shut the door and bolted it. Hearing his boot falls fade down the torch-lit hall, she couldn’t help the ecstatic smile that graced her lips. A smile that moved through her body, sending bolts of joy though her limbs until her feet began to move.
Arissa spun in aimless, euphoric circles until she could no longer stand. Even then, she simply lay on the floor and giggled like a fool.
*
In spite ofher vow to lament Richmond’s absence, Arissa slept like the dead. A deep, dreamless sleep that was invaded by shouts and commotion from the bailey. She burrowed under the coverlet in an attempt to escape the irritating noises, but they grew louder and more harried until Arissa finally tossed back the covers in groggy frustration.
Her room was nearly dark as she fumbled for the flint and candle. After a few unsuccessful attempts, she managed to light the small tallow taper. The temperature was icy as she climbed from the bed, moving towards the oiled cloth covering the long lancet window that overlooked the bailey. Pulling back the cloth, she peered into the early dawn.
An extremely heavy fog had descended during the night, coating all things with a dusting of mist. She could barely see the wall from where she stood, shrouded in a thick gray haze. But she was acutely aware of the soldiers upon the battlements, dark shadowy figures, racing about in apparent urgency. The bailey,too, was alive with more soldiers than she had ever seen and she was understandably curious.
It was as if they were preparing for something, or someone, but she couldn’t imagine who would be visiting Lambourn this time of the morning. There was a level of frenzy to the activity that she had never seen before, an anxiety she could nearly touch. Her curiosity mounted as she watched the tumult and she seriously considered leaving the privacy of her bower to seek her answers. If they weren’t going to let her sleep, then she was determined to know what was going on. Mayhap Richmond was running the men through another drill, which was not uncommon. He believed in keeping the men under his command fit and prepared.
She frowned as she realized Richmond to be at the head of the commotion. It was most likely just another military exercise and her frustration with him mounted. When he came to escort her to the morning meal, she was going to give him an earful for disturbing her sleep. Her anger with him grew as she watched companies of soldiers mount the battlements, armed to the teeth with crossbows and weapons. Then, a barrage of flame arrows lit up the early morning sky.
Arissa shrieked in terror, watching as the arrows roared over the top of the wall, pelting the bailey below with their heat and death. Most landed in the dirt, a few struck targets, and the entire horde of soldiers and knights swung into action.
The unmistakable sounds of a battle filled the air, the distant sounds of destriers screaming and men shouting their confusion and excitement. The battlements were jammed with Lambourn soldiers, as well as Richmond’s troops and those from other neighboring houses. It was ironic that Lambourn possessed all of the reinforcements she would ever need; unfortunately, the enemy had trapped them inside the walls like a great herd of captured cattle.
Corralled inside the massive edifice, there was naught to do but defend as best they could against the onslaught from an enemy who had used the shielding cloak of a winter fog to mask their approach. On the battlements and in the bailey, the soldiers prepared with determination and patience borne from men who had seen battle time and time again. They would defend, repel, and hope they did not die in the process.
Deep within the structure of Lambourn, William and Maude were roused from a deep sleep to the news that their beloved castle was under attack. Maude cried as William donned his armor, staunchly determined to defend what was his. As the rest of the household became aware of the situation, fear and terror ran rampant. Several important households were sheltered within the seat of the Berkshire earldom and, should it succumb, a great many important people would fall victim.
But nobles and servants alike took comfort in the fact that a multitude of soldiers were housed within Lambourn; surely she would not fall with hundreds of men to protect her from the invaders. And, surely, she would not crumple to defeat with Richmond le Bec leading her defense. One of Henry’s greatest military minds was at the head of their protection.
Surely, they would emerge unscathed. The identical prayer reverberated throughout every room and every chamber in the frightened, assailed fortress. A prayer for deliverance.
Lambourn was under siege.
CHAPTER TEN
By noon, thefog had barely lifted and the heavy smell of smoke and death permeated the thick air. The battle had been ugly and fierce, and as Arissa sat high in her bower with Penelope, Emma and Regine, they still hadn’t received confirmation as to whom, exactly, they were at war against. The faceless, evil enemy beyond the walls occupied their every thought and their gloom was as weighty as the fog that cloaked the countryside.
Penelope couldn’t stop sobbing. Daniel had been in the heat of the battle since the beginning and she was terrified for him. Emma had taken to biting her nails to the skin while Regine and Arissa stood by the lancet window, watching the chaos as it progressed. It was still so hazy that it was difficult to make out much at all, but still, they stood vigilant, waiting for the moment when the fog would lift and the hellish chaos below would be revealed.
The group barely spoke, nor did they eat. A great deal of upheaval was occurring within the realm of their beloved home and as frightened as they were, there was also a degree of anger. Who would be so bold as to disturb their peaceful existence? What malevolent bastard was intent upon invading their lives? Questions to which there were no ready answers.
Sometime that morning, Arissa did not remember exactly when, she had changed out of her brocade robe and into a heavy surcoat of gray and white linen. Underneath, she had swathed herself in thick, soft woolen undergarments that protected her against the cold. Her lovely hair was gathered into a net as she stood by the window, stoically observing the white-shroudedbattle. It was remarkable that she had managed to stay so calm in light of the fact that she had never before witnessed a skirmish. Lambourn hadn’t seen a siege in over forty years.
“What do you suppose is happening?” Regine asked softly, breaking into her thoughts.
Arissa tore her gaze away from the scene below, glancing at her sister. Strange that in spite of the fact Regine had obscenely invaded her privacy the night before, Arissa felt closer to her baby sister than she ever had. As if they shared a common bond, a common secret. When Regine had appeared at her door shortly after dawn, they had simply hugged each other in fearful silence.
Arissa shook her head, returning her attention to the bailey. “I do not know. It seems to have quieted somewhat.”
Penelope, her eyes red and swollen, stumbled to the window.
“Have you seen Daniel?”
Arissa put her arm about her friend’s delicate shoulders.
“Nay, Pen. In fact, ’tis difficult to see anyone with the fog as heavy as it is. But do not fret; I am sure Daniel is safe.”
Penelope whimpered, terrified that Daniel was somewhere below, lying dead with an arrow through his heart. As the three women gazed out over the compound, a heavy rain began to fall.
