“You favor your mother.”
“Do you know who my mother is?”
He cleared his throat quietly, thinking. He was not sure it would be a wise thing to tell her every circumstance of her birth, at least not now. “I met her the night I took you to Lambourn. I have not seen her since, and I have no knowledge of her whereabouts.”
More than the mere revelation of being Henry’s daughter, Arissa’s face softened at the thought of the faceless, unknown mother who had been forced to give her up those years ago. Even though she had never birthed a child, she instinctively knew how badly the woman must have hurt to have been forced to relinquish her flesh and blood. Unless…. unless she had been willing to discard the unwanted royal bastard.
A stab of sorrow pierced her heart at the thought that she had been deliberately cast-off. Mayhap the woman had simply turned over the fragile little girl without a second thought on the matter.
“Why do you look like that?” Richmond broke into her thoughts yet again, kissing her hand again tenderly.
She hadn’t been aware of her furrowed brow, her distant expression. Looking to Richmond, she simply shook her head. “’Tis nothing. I supposed I am simply overwhelmed by all of this.”
He smiled faintly. “I must say, you are far calmer than I imagined you would be. I am very proud of you, Riss. This cannot be easy for you.”
She shrugged. “Mayhap I am calm simply because I am so shocked. Mayhap in an hour or two, the reality will settle and I shall become a quivering wreck. Truthfully, so much has happened since yesterday I believe I have become numb to it all.”
His lips drifted over her fingers tenderly. “Do not say that. I do not want you to be numb to anything.”
She glanced at him, catching his implication and blushing furiously. “You are incorrigible,” she whispered bashfully.
His teeth nibbled on her fingers. “Nay, lady, I am simply overcome with my feelings for you. Pray be kind.”
Her eyes were riveted to his white teeth as they nipped her flesh, feeling bolts of excitement surging through her veins. Were Mossy not in the room, she would have been extremely eager for another encounter. The old man, however, dampened her enthusiasm.
Struggling to divert her wicked emotions, a far-flung thought came to mind. “Richmond,” she turned to him thoughtfully, “if I am Henry’s daughter, then it was he who pledged me to Whitby?”
“Aye.”
Her brow furrowed as she pondered the information. “Then you will have to discuss our marriage with him?”
“Aye. Gladly.”
She paused a moment, watching his teeth on her thumb. “But if I am of royal blood, will he allow you to marry me? As a mere knight?”
He stopped, his eyes intense. He was amazed at how astute she was. She heard him sigh, faint and long. “I told you it will not matter. I will marry you with or without his consent.”
“But we were speaking of my father…. I mean, the earl when you made that particular declaration,” her gaze was suddenly soft, imploring. “You would defy the king for my hand?”
His stare was scorching, his expression blazing with sincerity and intent. When he spoke, his tone was almost unnaturally commanding. “My lady, I would defy God himself.”
Outside in the corridor, soft voices gradually became louder and Richmond stood, knowing that The Horde had returned. He slanted Arissa a final, if not firm, glance. “Not a word, Riss,about any of this. What we have discussed must not go any further, at least not now.”
She nodded solemnly, a bit unsteadily. “In faith, I would not know where to begin.”
Giving her a confident wink, he moved for the door and opened it in time to see Emma and Lady Livia in the corridor, their arms laden with towels.
Richmond’s brows drew together. “Where are Penelope and Regine?”
“We found them in the foyer, sobbing hysterically,” Lady Livia explained. “I was only able to understand that you required towels for Lady Arissa. When we agreed to tend the duty, they fled to Lady Maude’s solar, I believe.”
“God’s Teeth,” Richmond muttered, passing a glance at Mossy. “Regine is going to tell her mother before I have had the chance.”
“Waste no time,” Mossy waved him on. “We shall take good care of Arissa.”
Arissa, her wide eyes filled with new tears of grief as she was reminded of her brother’s mortal injury, sat huddled in the tub. Knowing she would be well tended, Richmond decided to make his way to Maude’s solar to control the damage Regine had undoubtedly inflicted as best he could. As long as Arissa was safe and whole, he was better able to concentrate on more immediate matters.
“Very well,” he grumbled, collecting his helm. “I shall return later to see how my lady fares.”
