Great Protector (30 page)

"Why
is it acceptable for Arissa to couple with you, yet it is not allowable for me
to experience the act?" she muttered, more to herself than to the other
occupants of the room. She wanted Richmond to hear her; then again, she did not.

He
pulled his tunic over his head, running his fingers through his rich brown hair
to smooth it as he turned his focus to the young girl. "Because, as you
have discovered, Arissa and I love one another. We were demonstrating that
love," when Regine looked as if she did not understand what he was telling
her, his manner gentled. She was trying so hard to grow up, to comprehend the
complex realm of adults. Picking up his boots, he went to sit beside her on the
bed. "Why do you want to mature so quickly, Regine? Why can't you simply
enjoy your childhood and rely on time and experience to mature your mind and
body? You are trying so hard to force nature, love. You must learn
patience."

Regine
watched him pull on his boots, her cheeks a dull red. Shrugging lamely, she
turned away from him; she could not provide answers for his sensible questions.
Across the room, Arissa tightened the sash of her luxurious brocade robe and
moved toward her sister and Richmond, her manner more subdued than it had been
moments before.

She
heard every word Richmond had spoken and was forced to agree with his
reasoning. As always, his wisdom worked wonders to soothe her fury and ease her
anxieties. She did not hesitate to reach out to him as she neared the bed;
still looking at Regine, Richmond caught her gesture from the corner of his eye
and pulled her onto his lap.

Regine
turned to look at her sister, snuggled comfortably on the lap of a man she had
grown up knowing as closely as one would a father. A man who had treated her
with incredible gentleness, respect and caring.

But
now, there was far more than simple friendship between them and observing the
tender expressions of Arissa and Richmond, Regine began to realize that mayhap
there was supposed to be more between a man and woman than superficial pleasure
and excitement.

"Riss
has always loved you," she said softly. "We have all known it."

They
turned to look at her, Arissa's expression one of surprise. "Who is
'we'?" Arissa asked.

"Penelope
and Emma and I. We have always known. But we never thought Richmond was in love
with you, too. He’s so much...." she suddenly flushed a bright red,
quickly averting her gaze. Swallowing hard, she stumbled over her words. "He’s
a great knight, one of Henry's Chosen, and we did not think he would...."

"What
you mean to say is that I am twice her age," Richmond supplied, the corner
of his mouth twitching.

Regine
had the fearful look she often wore just before Richmond spanked her. "I
never said that.... Penelope did!"

Arissa
let out a gasp of outrage, but Richmond snickered.  “She’s right, Riss. I am
nearly twenty-two years older than you are."

Arissa
still appeared offended, whether or not he was correct. Regine, sensing that
Richmond was not at all slighted as an effect of her potential insult, peered
at him curiously. "How old are you?"

"Come,
Regine, you have been schooled in basic mathematics," Richmond chided with
a touch of humor. "Eighteen plus twenty two is forty."

Regine's
mouth opened with surprise. She never imagined he was that old. "You are
forty?"

He
nodded. "Almost. I am thirty-nine until the eve of the New Year. On the
last day of December, I will become forty years old."

Arissa
gazed at him lovingly, smiling as he chuckled at Regine's shock. "Look at
him, Regine. Not a gray streak to blemish his hair, barely a line on his face.
Isn't he wonderful?"

As
Regine studied him closely, Richmond merely waved them both off. "You
cannot see the age lines because the light is so dim. Under direct sunlight, my
face looks like the map of France. Roads and boundaries crisscrossing all
through it."

The
girls giggled loudly. He smiled at them both, laughing at his own expense. All
of the tension, the fear, that had occupied their world just moments prior
seemed to have vanished. As if a new understanding had dawned between the three
of them; certainly, Richmond had never been more satisfied nor more content
with Arissa in his arms, and Regine's mannerisms were somehow bordering on
those of a normal, respectful lady as opposed to the spoiled wench he had come
to know.

It
was as if they had progressed to a new level of comprehension. Even though
Regine knew the details of an explosive secret, Richmond found himself willing
to trust her oath of silence. Not that she had ever proven herself to be
trustworthy in the least; yet, somehow, he was willing to take the chance. Furthermore,
he had little choice.

He
hadn't realized his thoughts to be drifting away from the conversation until
Arissa gently touched his cheek, bringing him back into the world at hand. He
turned to her, drinking in her beauty with more appreciation than he had ever
known. Regine sat beside them, fumbling with her surcoat and pondering her own
quieting thoughts. When Richmond whispered something to Arissa and she sister
giggled, Regine's attention was again drawn to the happy couple.

In
spite of everything, she was thrilled to see her sister so content. But along
with that reflection, the undeniable reality of Whitby Abbey suddenly entered
her thoughts and she found herself intensely curious over her sister's
established future.

"Are
you still going to Whitby, Riss?"

Arissa's
smile vanished in spite of Richmond's encouraging expression. He answered for
her. "She’s still going, but she will not stay for long. We will be
married as soon as I can arrange it."

"Married?"
Regine repeated, incredulous. "You are going to marry my sister?"

He
smiled faintly, kissing Arissa loudly on the cheek in spite of her somber
expression. "Not only am I going to marry her, she’s going to bear me a
dozen sons and we will live happily ever after."

Regine
thought on that a moment, still stunned by the news. "Does father
know?"

Richmond's
light demeanor vanished. "He does not. And neither does anyone else,
Regine. This is why you must adhere to your pledge of silence. Were you to
allow our intentions to slip, the consequences could be devastating, not only
for Arissa but for me as well. Do you understand this?"

Regine
nodded solemnly. "I swear it, Richmond, I shall not say a word."

Even
if Richmond was convinced she was sincere, Arissa remained leery. But she kept
silent, not wishing to provoke her sister into breaking her promise. Knowing
Regine, it would take very little for her to attempt to seek revenge against
the implication of distrust.

"If
you do not mind, Regine, I should like to retire for the night. And Richmond
must be leaving," she rose from his lap, allowing him to stand. Regine
stood, moving obediently for the door. Arissa and Richmond watched the young
girl as she crossed the room, noting her submissive manner and lowered head.

But
when Regine reached the old iron latch, she suddenly paused; turning, her eyes
sought her elder sister with a quiet intensity. "Was it really wonderful,
Riss?"

Arissa
met her sister's gaze. Slowly, a smile creased her lips. "Aye, Regine. It
was."

Digesting
the reply, Regine quit the room. When the door closed behind her, Arissa turned
to Richmond.

"I
did not lie. It really was wonderful."

He
took her in his arms, embracing her tightly. "And for me, kitten. Until
Regine's intrusion, it was a taste of heaven."

Arissa
sighed against his chest, hearing his strong heartbeat. "I do not know if
I trust her to keep our secret."

"We
have little choice. But do not forget; even as she knows our secret, we know a
few of hers and that knowledge alone should keep her lips sealed."

"I
hope so. If my father were to find out what has happened, he might turn you
over to Ovid de Rydal with good riddance."

He
snorted softly. "I doubt he would allow Ovid the pleasure of punishing me.
William would gladly take the duty himself."

Outside,
a fog was beginning to descend and the shouts of the sentries could be heard
upon the battlements. Lambourn was full of visiting houses and soldiers, the
sounds of merriment and gaiety spilling out into the massive bailey as drunken
guests perused the grounds.

Richmond
heard the noises, knowing Gavan would be wondering what had become of him. His
second in command had been busy all day shouldering the security of Lambourn
and was no doubt weary. As Richmond had promised hours earlier, he would take
the night duty. But the thought of spending the night up on the battlements as
opposed to Arissa's warm bed was discouraging.

Discouraging,
but necessary. He knew very well that he couldn't stay and night duty was an
excellent deterrent. Kissing the raven-hued hair beneath his chin, he sighed
loudly.

"I
must be going,” he said. “I have drawn the night watch along with Daniel."

"Daniel
is probably with Penelope," she said softly, looking to him with pleading
eyes. "Do not leave yet. Stay with me a while longer."

He
shook his head, smiling. "Nay, kitten, I would most certainly be missed
when I did not show up at my post. Someone would come looking for me."

She
gave him a wistful smile. "Very well. Will I see you at the morning
meal?"

"I
will be at your door before the sun rises. But for tonight, I must protect you
while you sleep."

They
meandered to the door, arm in arm. When Arissa reached for the latch, Richmond
drew her into a fierce embrace. She grinned, a delightfully seductive gesture,
as his lips descended upon her honeyed mouth.

"You
are making me mad for the want of you," he murmured against her lips.
"I shall never have enough."

She
laughed softly, returning his kisses with equal passion. "I do not want
you to ever gain enough. I want you to crave me, need me, lust for me."

"I
already feel all of those things and more. How cruel you are to wish torture
upon me."

"`Tis
torture for me as well. I doubt I shall sleep tonight, thinking of your
wonderful kisses and magnificent touch."

He
kissed her one last time, tenderly, before disengaging himself. "I want
you to sleep," he said quietly, the warmth in his eyes reaching out to
stroke her like a gentle caress. "I want you to sleep and dream of
me."

The
door opened and he took a step into the corridor. Arissa's soft voice made him
pause, turn towards her.

"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
would 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 of her 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.