Timeless Tales of Honor (77 page)

Henry was certainly no amateur when it came to bureaucratic intrigue and the king was about to find out that Richmond le Bec was to be included as a viable player as well. For too long, Richmond had simply followed orders like a moronic simpleton, never voicing his opinion or opposition to anything his king suggested. But no more. He had played the role of Henry's obedient dog long enough. If the king wanted his services against the Welsh resistance and Hotspur's mutiny, then he would have to pay for it.

Henry IV, formerly Henry of Bolingbroke, Duke of Hereford, was in his private solar, embroiled in a game of chess with a lesser official of his court. Average of height and fair of coloring, he did not bothering looking up from the game board as the door to the solar creaked open. His master chamberlain cleared his throat carefully.

"Richmond le Bec has come, Sire," the man said. "He demands audience with you immediately."

Henry's head came up from the board, his eyes wide with surprise. "Do not keep the man waiting. God's Blood, let him in!" he waved his hands erratically at his game partner. "Out, Thomas, out. Everyone get out!"

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 somehow create 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. Against
us.
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 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.

"I want that which you gave to me for safekeeping eighteen years ago, Henry. I want Arissa."

Henry's reaction was immediate; his eyes widened and his jaw swung open. He attempted to speak, but all that came forth from the great gaping mouth was something of a strangled cough. Licking his parched lips, he tried again.

"Arissa? God's Blood, she’s a child!"

"She’s eighteen years old and a woman grown."

Henry's face turned an ugly shade of red. "Out of the question, Sir Richmond. She’s a novice nun, pledged to Whitby, and a princess of royal blood. She’s beyond your...."

"Give me Arissa or you can fight Hotspur by yourself."

Richmond did not think it possible that Henry's eyes could grow any wider; he was wrong. They bulged grotesquely and the king's body stiffened in astonishment. Throughout the twisting and gasping, however, Richmond remained calm. He had to maintain his composure if he was to obtain his wants in the face of such outrageous shock.

"I mean every word, Henry. Give me Arissa or Northumberland can march on London with my blessing."

Henry clenched and unclenched his meaty fists in agitation. "How dare you threaten me!"

Richmond watched his furious monarch quite impassively. "I am not threatening you. I am simply stating a fact. You want me for a very important task; I am more than willing to complete that task successfully if you are willing to pay for my services," he shoved the chair out of the way that had been separating them; face to face, they glared at each other. "You gave Arissa to me at birth, instructing me to watch over her, care for her, protect her, and I have done so flawlessly. She has always been mine, Henry. What I am asking is nothing outlandish or impulsive. I simply want my due. I want
her
."

Henry had to look away from Richmond lest he give in to his inclination to strangle the man. "I entrusted her protection and safety to you and nothing more. And now you intend to claim her like a... a prize?"

Richmond shook his head firmly. "Not a prize, Henry. I want her as my wife. I love the woman with all my heart."

Somewhere in the midst of his tirade, a small seed of recollection burst forth, blooming into a garden of memories. As Richmond's words settled, Henry found himself remembering the delicate black-haired woman he had loved so long ago, a woman he had worshiped with his words and emotions and body. A woman who tore his heart to pieces when she committed her life to a north Yorkshire abbey.

A good deal of bluster drained out of Henry as he found himself relieving pieces of broken memories. A certain touch, a stolen meal, a night of ecstasy. The same ecstasy that had resulted in a beautiful dark-haired daughter. The daughter Richmond had been assigned to protect.

"Oh, Richmond," Henry's voice was faint, his hand over his face in a gesture of disbelief and resignation. His hand came away from his brow and he grasped at the chair next to him as if the furniture could support his weakening body. "You
love
her?"

Richmond studied Henry intently, scrutinizing every move, every word. "I cannot remember when I haven't loved her,” he said, his voice softening. “And she returns my love. But let me be clear; it wasn’t always like this. Only over the past two years have I been living every moment for the sound and sight and smell of the woman. I fought my feelings as long as I could but I can no longer deny them. How could I not have fallen in love with such beauty and sweetness?"

"She’s beautiful?" Henry turned to him inquisitively, immediately shaking his head with the foolishness of his question. "Of course she’s beautiful. Her mother was beautiful. I myself saw Arissa when she was eleven years old and even then she was beautiful."

Richmond's heart began to soften as he pictured Arissa in his mind, savoring every exquisite feature. "The angels are jealous of her beauty, Henry. A more magnificent creature has ever existed."

Henry leaned on the chair a moment longer before lowering his body onto the supple cushions. His movements were slow, laced with defeat. The longer he pondered Ellyn and the result of their liaison, the more depressed he became.

"You are entirely serious about this?" his dull eyes met Richmond’s gaze, a fair eyebrow cocking gently for effect. "You will leave me to Hotspur's mercy if I do not grant you Arissa?"

Richmond sighed, thinking that mayhap he had been too harsh, too demanding in his presentation. But he was determined to gain Arissa, no matter what. Henry had to know there was no room for negotiation.

"I am serious," he replied softly. "Give me Arissa and I swear to you that Northumberland will remain your ally. You have my word as a knight."

Henry scratched his chin, wearily. "Which brings me to another point. You are a mere knight, not even a baron or an earl. If Arissa were to marry, it would have to be to a man of higher rank."

"So grant me a title. Have I not earned one for my years of service?"

Henry cast him a droll glance. "I did grant you one, you fool. If you marry Cecily you shall have a bloody earldom."

"I do not want Cecily's earldom. I want Arissa and lands of our own."

Henry rolled his eyes sardonically, clapping a hand over his face and wiping at his perspiring forehead. "God's Blood, I cannot believe you would take advantage of me this way. Threatening to throw me to the wolves if I do not grant your request."

Richmond slowly took the chair opposite the king, his eyes soft and speculative. "I am not threatening you, Henry. But you want something from me, and I want something from you. We are bargaining to gain what we both desire."

"Bargaining?" Henry snorted. "Hardly. You seem to hold the advantage."

Richmond shook his head weakly, their confrontation leaving him drained. "Wrong again. You hold the advantage, 'else I would not be so determined to bargain," he sighed heavily, with feeling. "You are my friend, Henry. I do not relish backing my friend into a corner with harsh demands and warnings of disservice. But for Arissa, I would do just that. You must understand how important she is to me."