Beast: Great Bloodlines Converge (52 page)

The rest of the table's inhabitants were the usual group; Lady Maxine had joined them, as had Lady Livia Trevor and her daughter Emma. Lady Livia's husband, Sir Edward Trevor, had been killed in the skirmish for the throne against Richard II. Lord William had pledged his men to Henry's service and Edward had, unfortunately, lost his life.

The missing members that usually rounded out the meals were conspicuously absent. Lady Maude herself was truant, as were Lady Regine, William and Maude's twelve-year-old daughter, and her older brother Bartholomew.  And, of course, Arissa. Richmond did not miss the younger sister and the older brother as much as he did the middle sibling.

In fact, it was more than a need to see her. It was the desire to make sure she was healthy and whole, as had been his sworn duty for eighteen years. When Lady Maxine mentioned Arissa's illnesses, he found himself longing for a glimpse of the young woman simply to see for himself that her health had returned. Henry would not react well to his daughter suffering from less-than-perfect vigor. Neither would Richmond.

As Arissa's Great Protector, he was as concerned for her vitality as if the world depended on it. 'Twas his duty to see that she was reared physically unscathed and mentally nourished, a task he was sworn to excel at. It was a duty he accepted more deeply than any other responsibility he had been delegated simply because Arissa meant more to him than anything else on this earth.

He thought his feelings to be a sick obsession, these emotions he harbored for the Lady Arissa. God's Teeth, he was over twice her age. Nearing forty years, he was far too old and far too beneath her station for his feelings to pose any true meaning in the greater scheme of his life.

At his age, he should have been married long ago. He should be enjoying his sons, offspring that would carry on his name and legacy. He should be enjoying a lovely wife warming his bed when, in fact, his bed had been cold for some time now. He hadn't even taken a whore in three years simply because he couldn't focus on any female other than his rapidly-maturing charge.

He had watched Arissa grow from a sweet, fat baby into a woman of unbelievable beauty. He simply couldn't remember when he had first fallen in love with her; sometime after her sixteenth birthday, he thought, when she had crossed the delicate barrier into maidenhood and he found himself realizing that she was no longer a child.

"I understand Lady Arissa has been ill," he finally said between bites. He couldn't help himself from asking.

William snorted into his goblet. "The silly little wench. Damn near caught her death of chill the last time, traipsing about in the woods after a fresh rain in search of fall blossoms. Daniel found her three hours later, huddled under a tree and swathed in damp clothing. We sincerely thought we might lose her, with the fever that followed."

"Fever?" Richmond turned his blue eyes to the earl. "'Twas severe?"

"Severe enough. She lay burning for two days before it broke."

Richmond sighed deeply, returning to his food with a waning appetite. "I must be certain to speak with her," he said softly, for William's ears only. "Her father will not be pleased that she has jeopardized her health in such a manner."

William glanced about the table casually to make sure they were not being overheard. No one, save Maude, knew of Arissa's true parentage. He wanted to keep it that way.

"I have already scolded her, Richmond," he said quietly. "But speak with her if it will ease your mind."

Richmond set down his spoon; his appetite had vanished and he felt the need to down the calming contents of his chalice. The other occupants of the table were engaged in their own conversations and he felt comfortable speaking briefly on a secretive subject.

"He’s not pleased that you have decided to throw her a large party for her birthday," he said in a hushed voice, settling back in his chair. Henry was never mentioned by name in their conversations; merely as “he”. "Too many opportunities for his enemies to approach her."

"No one knows of her heritage," William replied in a quiet, even tone. "How is it possible his enemies would discover her to be his bastard?"

"You would be surprised what his enemies know. The walls have ears at Windsor."

"Eyes and an appetite as well, I would wager," William set his chalice to the table. "I have no fear for her safety now that you are here."

Richmond was silent for a moment. "Where is she?"

"Truthfully, I do not know," his gaze sought out Lady Maxine and Lady Livia at the far end of the table. "Where is Arissa?"

"She was not feeling well, my lord," Maxine answered. "She’s resting in her room."

"Not feeling well?" William's brow furrowed. "What is the matter with her?"

"Fatigue, my lord," Maxine said. "She’s quite excited for the party tomorrow."

Richmond had had enough wondering and worrying over Arissa's health. She'd never been a particularly robust individual and to hear that her vigor was lacking once again only reinforced his desire to see for himself.

But he controlled it well. He finished the wine in his goblet and completely drained a third cup before bothering to excuse himself from the table. As casually as he could manage, he strolled from the gallery and into the foyer, focusing on the massive flight of stone steps laid wide before him.

His destination was the second floor.

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