The room became a flurry of activity as his courtiers rushed to do his bidding. Entering from a smaller door, Richmond caught a glimpse of the dandy horde as the collection quit the room. Without a second glance to the group of well-dressed men, he bowed crisply to his king.
“Richmond, thank God you have come,” Henry exclaimed, clapping a hand against Richmond’s metal-clad arm. “Where have you been?”
Richmond gazed at his king, genuinely fond of the man. “Taking your daughter to Whitby, Sire, to be with her mother,” he cocked a knowing eyebrow at the bit of information Henry had neglected to mention, but the king merely looked away. “Undoubtedly, you received my message regarding the circumstances of our rapid departure from Lambourn.”
Some of Henry’s excitement faded. “I was distressed to learn of Glendower’s discovery of Arissa’s identity. You were correct, of course, in removing her to the safety of the abbey if Owen is intent on capturing her. Furthermore, I do not fault you for informing her of her heritage; certainly she had a need to know with Owen’s men hounding her. But I do not believe I understand the full extent of Ovid de Rydal’s declaration of vengeance against her. Care to clarify?”
“Ovid’s vengeance is against me for having discouraged his arrogant son’s attentions towards Arissa,” Richmond corrected. “However, I am sure to have sealed an irrevocable rift between de Rydal and Lambourn; Tad de Rydal appeared at Whitby in an attempt to abduct Arissa and Gavan was forced to kill him. Apparently, the lad was trying to exact revenge against me by seizing her.”
“Vengeance for the ambush you were supposed to have orchestrated against him?” Henry shook his head. “Do you think it possible that Owen had a hand in the entrapment to somehowcreate a diversion for you while he set his sights on my daughter? Truly, Richmond, this is most confusing.”
Richmond stared at his king a moment, thinking what he could not manage to say.Far more confusing than you know. Emitting a weary sigh, he removed his helm and set it upon a rich cherrywood table. “I was only able to give you a brief explanation of the circumstances in my missive and, to be truthful, I do not wish to delve into the details leading up to the skirmish involving Goring Hall at this moment. For now, Arissa is safe and that is the only matter of import. Truthfully, there are concerns far more significant we must discuss.”
Henry accepted his statement without question. “Indeed there is,” he gestured to a hide-covered chair. “Remove some of your armor and sit. You must be exhausted.”
Richmond ignored the indication to relax, instead, moving for the decanter of Venetian glass that graced a lovely silver tray. Pouring a hefty quantity of wine into a silver goblet, he drank deeply before pouring himself a second serving. Henry watched him a moment, his sharp movements and stiff countenance, knowing that the man had been through a great deal in the past week. Still, it was unnerving to see that Richmond was not his usual even-tempered self.
“Has so much happened over the last several days that you would become edgy and coarse? Towards me, no less?” Henry made a muted attempt at humor, moving to acquire his customary chair.
Richmond downed his third goblet of wine, unwilling to drag his purpose out over frivolous conversation. Short of patience with the lack of rest, he started on his fourth cup of wine.
“What’s all of this I hear about Hotspur?”
Henry stared at the stiff, proud back of his mighty vassal. If rumors were correct, the last of his two most powerful vassals. After a moment, he sighed faintly.
“I am afraid I angered him with my expression of displeasure in the fact that Owen Glendower has managed to capture three of my fortresses against Hotspur’s defenses,” he replied quietly. “I believe he’s intent to turn against me, Richmond. Againstus.Therefore, I need you to help ease the situation by marrying Cecily and then riding for the border to inform Henry of your new relationship. I believe you are my best hope for maintaining Northumberland’s alliance.”
Richmond finished his fourth cup of wine, setting the chalice to the table and feeling the fortifying warmth coursing through his veins. Drawing in a deep breath for courage, he turned to his king.
“And if my efforts to retain Hotspur’s loyalties falter, then you would have me lead your armies against him?”
Henry nodded slowly. “If all else fails. I do not relish going to war against Northumberland, Richmond. Without Percy’s support, England will once again be divided.”
Richmond did not say anything for a moment, moving to scratch his scalp in a weary gesture. “You are suggesting, then, that the success of a united England depends on me?”
“You are my last, best hope.”
The statement issued by a desperate monarch was exactly what Richmond wanted to hear. Henry needed him. And he wanted something from Henry.
The game had begun.
“I will do this for you, Henry,” he said softly, feeling the fine wine bolster his bravery and determination. Focusing on Henry’s blue eyes, he leaned his considerable weight against the hide-covered chair opposite his king. “But you will do something for me in return.”
Henry met his gaze a moment before cocking a slow eyebrow. “No request you have ever issued has gone ungranted. What would you have?”
Richmond’s jaw ticked a moment as he thought quickly, arranging his priorities. After a moment, he stood away from the chair. “There is no guarantee that Hotspur will remain loyal to you if I wed his sister. I realize that you consider a marriage to Cecily Percy a valuable reward for my years of service, but I must be honest when I say that I have no desire to marry the woman and, frankly, it is a weak power play by the crown at best. Were you truly determined to fortify the alliance between Northumberland and the crown, you would wed one of your relatives to the woman.”
Henry did not appear pleased in the least that Richmond was contesting his match. “And I disagree. If I did not believe it to be a strengthening maneuver I would not have suggested it.”
Richmond met his gaze, steadily. He was not about to back down, to fold into submission as he so often did to Henry’s will. This time, Henry would find himself bowing to the conviction of another, or Northumberland would run amuck with Richmond’s blessing.
“I shall not marry her,” he said after a moment, his voice low. “I have another in mind for my wife.”
Henry’s rising anger banked, taking on an edge of curiosity. For as long as he and Richmond had been friends, he’d rarely known the man to express an interest in a woman, much less one he desired to wed. Still fixed on his mighty warrior, he folded his hands deliberately.
“Before I punish you for your blatant disobedience and insubordination, tell me who you would have for your wife?”
Richmond did not say a reply for a moment; Henry was greatly displeased and growing more irritated by the second. It was increasingly apparent that the time had come for Richmond to make his demands known. And he would delay no longer.
