Lyle crouched down beside his comrade, scratching his head. "You still have not answered my question. What are you going to do to the de Rydal party?"
Cloth secured, David rose to his feet and Lyle with him. "Simple, really. Tad de Rydal was ousted from the celebration for injuring le Bec. In retaliation, le Bec sends some of his men to ambush his enemy," he held up the crossbow, waving the crimson standard. "Le Bec announces his vengeance for all to hear. Labeled a murderer, he’s forced to flee to London and we, my friend, are rid of him. I would suspect that by tomorrow sundown, Richmond le Bec will no longer be an obstacle and by the end of the week, Henry's bastard will be in Owen's hands."
Lyle sighed; 'twas as good a plan as any. Le Bec and the girl had been together constantly and the Welshmen had been thinking heavily on returning to Owen empty-handed when David had come up with a scheme.
Far down the road, the unmistakable sounds of horses began to permeate the air, echoing off the forest canopy. Lyle boosted David into a tree, high enough that he would have an unobstructed view of his target, yet not so high that a quick escape would be impeded. When David settled himself confidently, Lyle ducked behind a sturdy trunk.
Slowly, the de Rydal party passed through the corridor of pine. Tad was at the head of the group astride his magnificent charger. His visor was up on his helm and his expression was nothing short of hostile. Obviously, he was still smarting from being evacuated from Lambourn and, as his manner suggested, he was not taking the rejection well.
The day was beginning to wan and the tall trees were casting long shadows along the road. Tad was gazing at the path ahead, paying little if any attention to his surroundings. His mind was still back at Lambourn, dwelling on the fact that he had been deprived of a glorious evening of young women and fine food simply because Richmond le Bec had managed to place himself in the path of his moving stick.
He picked his nose as he rode, disgusted with the entire day. First came the Lady Arissa's rejection, followed by le Bec's timely arrival and subsequent challenge. Then came the archery match, which he refused to recall in detail because he had lost that contest, too. And then the Stick and Ball game, resulting in le Bec's injury.
He snorted softly with humor, wiping his finger on his tunic. He had possessed a perfect opportunity to whack le Bec across his dumb face when the man had stooped down to pick up the ball. One clean stroke, as hard as he could manage, and le Bec had gone down like a stone. Sweet, sweet revenge.
To his right, a flock of birds soared noisily into the winter sky as if suddenly startled from their branches. Tad gave them nothing more than a passing glance, still lingering on le Bec and the entire de Lohr family. He hoped he would never again be forced into the company of the Earl of Berkshire and his brood. Any father who pledged his only worthy offspring to a convent was a peculiar man, indeed.
A smile came to his lips as his charger passed under a low-lying cluster of branches. His thoughts were shifting from Lambourn to Goring Hall and a certain young serving wench that he was particularly fond of. He would be home in an hour or two and began to look forward to the evening ahead. A hot meal, a full wench, and he just might forget about the horrors of Lambourn and Richmond le Bec.
But his thoughts were abruptly interrupted as a searing force suddenly slammed into his shoulder. He felt himself teetering, sliding from the saddle and unable to steady himself. As a consuming pain devoured the entire right side of his body, he met the road with a hard, agonizing crunch. Somewhere, he heard yelling, the shouting of his men as they moved for cover. Indignantly, he realized that not one of them was moving to assist him.
Cowardly bastards. He'd take a tassel whip to them when he could move again. Fact was, he was not entirely sure why he couldn't seem to function. Only that there was a great deal of pain and warmth that seemed to touch every part of him. Everywhere, there was agony and a fluid lethargy.
A peculiar bliss settled over him and he did not fight it, staring up at the sky as a mist began to cloud his vision. The mist grew into a fog, and the fog began to blacken. He wondered where the fog had come from. He wondered if it had anything to do with the pain. Even as he watched, it continued to grow until there was only darkness.
Seven
As the evening hour approached, most guests had retreated to the monstrous hulk of Lambourn to prepare themselves for the night's festivities. The heavy smells of roasting meat filled the compound, the smoke from three large pits just outside of the kitchens casting a thick gray haze over the grounds. Up on the battlements, soldiers called out their rounds as dusk descended.
Arissa had missed evening Vespers whilst tending Richmond's wound. Now in her bower preparing for the great feast in her honor, Penelope and Emma kept her company as she toyed with her hair for the fifth time in as many minutes. In the hour since she had left Richmond, she could think of nothing else but their encounter and her distraction was obvious.
"Did Richmond require stitches, Riss?" Penelope asked.
She nodded, securing the front section of her hair at the back of her skull with a bejeweled clip. It was the third attempt. "I told you already."
"You told us that he was fine," Emma said, observing Arissa's collection of girdles. "You never said if he needed stitches. Riss, do you think this silver belt goes with my blue surcoat? I like it better than the gold I am wearing."
Arissa glanced over her shoulder, stroking her raven hair with a horse bristle brush. "As do I. Wear my silver."
Delighted, Emma disengaged the gold girdle in favor of the silver. Penelope opened her mouth to continue on the subject of Richmond when two horn blasts pierced the outdoor air. Strolling to the window as the sun set, she gazed out over the bailey in time to note the arrival of a single rider. It was a man she had seen before, more times than she could recall. A man who was Richmond le Bec's shadow.
"Gavan is here," she murmured casually, turning away from the lancet window. "I wonder where he’s been?"
Arissa shook her head, finally finished with her hair. Dipping a single finger into a small alabaster vial at her elbow, she proceeded to smooth the ocher-tinted beeswax on her lips. "Mayhap in London. Truthfully, I do not know. I was surprised when Richmond arrived without him."
Emma sighed dreamily. "Sir Gavan Hage. The man of my dreams."
Penelope smiled, shaking her head. "Every man is the man of your dreams."
Emma thrust her chin up, away from her tormenter. "Untrue, you little chicken. It has always been Gavan, more than any other. Although I will admit, I have been distracted on occasion."
A faint smile crossed Arissa's lips as she pinched her cheeks to bring about a spot of color to her face. "On occasion? Sweet St. Jude, Emma, you are a fickle character."
"What do you mean by that?" Emma asked, her eyebrows raised.
Arissa turned away from the polished glass mirror. "I mean, all you could speak of today was Tad. And now you are ready to sink your teeth into Gavan Hage. Control your lust, woman."
Emma’s cheeks mottled a faint pink, embarrassed. "I do not lust. I simply.... simply get distracted by other men when Gavan is away. Now that he’s returned, however, I plan to devote my time to him entirely, starting with the evening feast."
Arissa rose from the stool, straightening her green-on-green surcoat. "Sweet St. Jude, do not throw yourself at his feet and beg for the opportunity to share his trencher like you did the last time he was here."
Emma looked away. "You shall never allow me to forget, will you? One small, insignificant incident and I am branded a desperate female."
Penelope snorted, picking up Arissa's brush and running it through her blond hair. "You are a desperate female. When you practically tied Gavan to his chair in hopes that he would share his meal with you, I nearly died of embarrassment. I have never seen anyone so eager for a man."
Emma frowned, her flush deepening. "I am not that bad. But he shared his meal with me, did he not?"
Arissa cocked a black eyebrow. "It was difficu
lt to refuse when you burst into tears. Really, Emma. No more attempts to lure Gavan Hage. No offense, darling, but you simply cannot compete with his wife."
Emma's cheeks were a dull red. "Enough already. Leave me alone."
She turned toward the lancet windows as Penelope and Arissa passed amused glances. Emma was a sweet girl, but she lacked the humility and restraint of the average maiden. Her desperation for a male companion drove her to severe measures at times.
Desperation. Arissa began to think of Richmond again, experiencing the longing that even one short hour had provoked. He promised to escort her to supper this night and the wait for his appearance was nearly more than she could bear.
She glanced at Penelope and Emma, wishing she could tell them of the most thrilling, wondrous experience of her life. Even if she decided to tell them, she seriously wondered if they would believe her outrageous claim. After all, what would a great knight like Richmond le Bec want with the daughter of an earl? Not an heiress, or even a countess, but a simple lady. Practically a nobody.
But she would not question his reasons for his interest, as she could not question her own. The only matter of import was that they loved one another. She could scarcely believe she had endured her entire life wondering about his feelings, dreaming of the day that he would declare his intentions. Yet even as she dreamt of love, she never truly believed her dreams would become truth.
There was a knock at the door, startling Arissa from her thoughts. Penelope moved to answer the call and they were all shocked when Regine spilled forth, sobbing and sputtering. Daniel stood behind her.
"You shall stay here, you wicked little wench, until I can decide what needs to be done," he jabbed his finger at her.
Regine fell into Arissa's arms. Arissa drew her tight, her eyes wide at the young knight. "By what right do you speak to the earl's daughter in such a manner?"
He moved into the room, making certain to close the door behind him. Only when it was bolted did he return his attention to Arissa. His gaze, however, lingered on Regine.
"Well? Are you going to tell her or am I?"
Regine sobbed harder, all but ruining the front of Arissa's surcoat. Daniel waited a respectable amount of time for the girl to reply; however, when it became evident she had no intention of elaborating, he took charge.
"I was making my rounds tonight, as Carlton was seeing to the safety of the guests inside the castle. As I was nearing the storage area by Mossy's tower, I heard muffled voices and what I thought to be crying. Curious, I peered into the small room where we store hand-to-hand weapons," he cast a long glance at Regine. "Your sister was inside the room with a soldier, her skirts hiked up around her waist as the man went to work on her. I cannot say that I was in time to save her virginity, but I do not think he spent himself on her."
Arissa looked horrified. Penelope was absolutely white and Emma's mouth hung agape. As frisky and curious as Regine was, certainly they did not believe her capable of such an adult act. The three of them immediately turned to the sobbing young girl as if she had committed a mortal sin.
Arissa swallowed hard, trying desperately to recover a measure of composure. Gazing down at her sister's blond head, she shook the girl gently. "Regine, is this true?"
Regine sobbed and sniffled, and Arissa was suddenly seized with a tremendous anger; snatching her sister by the arms, she tore her free of their protective embrace. Giving Regine a good shake, she forced her to meet her eye. "Damnation, Regine, is this true? You will answer me now!"
Regine gazed into her sister's pale green eyes, never more afraid or more remorseful of anything in her life. But regret did not quite begin to describe the long-term repercussions of her actions, as she was more fearful of her punishment than of the act itself. "I.... he told me I was beautiful and he promised to teach me all there is to know about love. Riss, I simply wanted to know the experience and....."
Arissa's grip tightened. "And you let him.... you actually coupled with him?"
Regine nodded unsteadily, tears flowing down her cheeks. She was truly terrified. "It was.... I liked it until he.... my God, Riss, it was so painful I thought I might die. He told me to lie still and I would enjoy it eventually. I was beginning to understand what he meant when...." her voice faded, overcome by sobs of shock and fear.
"When I interrupted," Daniel's voice was considerably softer. "Riss, it was one of Richmond's men. I placed him in the vault."
Arissa closed her eyes for a brief moment as if to ward off the greater implications. "Have you told him?"
Daniel shook his head. "He caught Regine himself the last time she attempted something like this and blistered her behind. In faith, I fear for his temper should he discover a repeat offense."
Richmond's temper was legendary; once aroused, it had a tendency to be fierce. Every soldier, every knight under his command knew of Richmond's powerful, decisive temper and went to great lengths to avoid an encounter.
Arissa dropped her hands from her sister, gazing at the young girl as if she had completely lost her mind. "How could you be so foolish, Regine? Do not you know what father is going to say to this, not to mention Richmond?"
Regine was a shaking, disheveled mess. "You do not have to tell them. Do not tell, Riss. I promise I shall never do it again!"
Arissa sighed heavily, disgusted and wracked with disbelief. Her sister's promises were impotent and sorely lacking, as Regine had proven many a time. She glanced up at Emma and Penelope. "This does not go beyond this room, do you comprehend me?" she said.
Both young women nodded solemnly. Daniel stood waiting, hands on hips, for Arissa to make the final decision regarding the fate of her promiscuous sister. But Arissa could only stare at Regine in wonder.
"I never thought you to be daft, Regine," she said softly, her tone laced with pain. "You gave yourself to a common soldier rather than wait for your noble husband."
Regine wiped her nose on her sleeve, regaining her senses somewhat. Glancing about at the shocked and disgusted expressions, an instinctive surge of self-righteousness filled her. "It's not as if my husband will be virgin when he comes to me. He will appreciate the fact that his wife has not come to him a naive maiden, but rather a woman who can match his experience and know the meaning of pleasure."
Arissa let out a hissing sigh, indicative of the amazement at her sister's preposterous statement. "I am not going to argue this with you. What you have done is wrong and the soldier will be punished. Are you not the least bit remorseful for causing the suffering of another?"
Tears fading, Regine's stubborn nature was beginning to regain control. "I do not want him punished. 'Twas my idea."
Arissa shook her head, at a loss to understand. "But why?"
Regine averted her willful gaze. "Because.... because Penelope has Daniel, and Emma has eyes for Tad, and.... Tessa de Rydal is already married and she’s only eleven years old. I am older and not even betrothed."
"You want to grow up too fast, Regine," Arissa said softly. "In your haste, I fear you may have ruined your chances for a decent marriage."
Regine met her sister's eyes. "That is not true. Especially if father does not know the truth."
Arissa looked to Daniel, torn in her decision. Part of her wanted to forget the incident, and part of her wanted to confess the entire occurrence to her father and pray for his wisdom in the matter. But the majority of her wanted to take Regine over her knee and beat her backside raw.
"Daniel," she said softly, "I am afraid I will have to ponder this for a time. Not a word to anyone until I have made a decision."
Daniel nodded, casting a long, regretful glance at Regine. Then his gaze moved to Penelope as he turned for the door. "If you are ready, I shall escort you to the hall. The guests are already beginning to assemble."
Penelope nodded weakly, taking his offered arm. Daniel had barely opened the door when Richmond was suddenly in the archway, his beautiful face grim. He focused directly on Regine.
"You," he poin
ted a long finger at her. "Come here."
Regine shrieked and ducked behind Arissa. Richmond swept into the room, snaking an arm behind Arissa and snatching Regine by the sleeve. Regine's shrieking turned to full-blown screams as he tore her away from her sister's protective custody. Without a word, he bent at the waist and threw Regine over his shoulder, turning for the door in one effortless, unhurried motion.
Arissa was stunned speechless by the knight's sharp actions until Richmond was nearly through the doorway. Suddenly finding her tongue, she dashed after him.
"No, Richmond!" she cried. When he did not respond, she grabbed hold of his arm and dug her heels into the floor. "Put her down!"
He paused, his blue-hued eyes like blue steel. "This is none of your affair, my lady. Kindly refrain from interfering."
"I will not!" she retorted urgently. "What are your plans with my sister?"
His expression was entirely emotionless, purely professional. She was so accustomed to being greeted by his smile that she felt a certain amount of devastation at his seeming indifference. But she'd seen this persona before her many a time; the cold, professional soldier. And he scared her to death.
"As I said, it is none of your affair. I will deal with your sister alone."
Arissa forced herself to calm. Her hands moved from his forearm to his hand, curling around his massive fingers tightly. She hoped her touch would soften him somewhat, although glancing at his face, she deemed that result improbable. Still, she had to try.
"Who told you?"
He gazed at her a moment before answering. "I went in search of an errant soldier who failed to show at his post at the proper time. I was told by one of the earl's men that he had seen Daniel take my soldier to the vault. The moment I entered the man's cell, he confessed his sins and begged forgiveness."
Arissa took a deep breath, attempting desperately to swallow her fear. She squeezed his hand tightly. "What are you going to do?"
Timeless Tales of Honor Page 48