Chapter Thirteen

R ichard peered off into the distance to watch the last of Stephen’s army leave the city of Oxford. He had hoped to come to the battlement wall earlier to see if he could catch a last glimpse of Annora but had been detained with other responsibilities to the people who would remain at the keep. He had many duties to fulfill before he, too, would leave the city but he indulged in this one whim to a lady who had unexpectedly crawled her way into his heart.

Could he dare call what was between him and Annora love? These emotions that overwhelmed him were new to him and perchance ’twas too soon to call the situation he now found himself in love. Infatuation, certainly. Desire, most definitely. But love? He shook his head in denial that the emotion that had evaded him for his entire life might even now have found him. Richard needed to get his head back to where it belonged and not lose himself in fanciful thoughts of a lady who might one day be his if they could only find a way to be together. He had no idea when he might even lay eyes on the woman again and could only pray ’twould not be on another battlefield.

He tore himself away from the edge of the wall with a grunt of annoyance knowing he should not have even bothered to come up here in the first place. ’Twas a waste of his time when he had more important things to take care of to ensure all was in place before he left and headed for Devizes. As he made his way down the turret stairs, Richard then stopped on the floor where his bedchamber was located. He came across Oswin who paced near Beatrix’s door.

“Is my sister inside?” Richard asked wondering what was bothering his friend. With Beatrix, anything was possible.

“She is irate with me,” Oswin said with a scowl.

Richard chuckled. “When is she not upset about some matter of late? What did you do to earn her displeasure this time?”

Oswin threw up his hands. “I only told her to slow down as she ate the meal that had been provided. I warned her if she ate too fast, she might lose it all again but she would not listen.”

“Let me guess… she vomited in the great hall to be witnessed by all?”

“And yelled at me that I was to blame,” Oswin said in annoyance.

Richard slapped his friend on the back. “Best get used to such turmoil in your life if you plan to have any sort of a relationship with my sister.”

One of Oswin’s brows lifted. “You would not object to the idea of me courting her?”

Richard paused to contemplate the man before him. He could not foresee why Oswin would not make his sister a fitting husband but still… could she handle what the knight’s duties might entail?

“I can see that you care for Beatrix, and I do not suppose there is any reason why I should object to a union between you. You are a man of honor and one of the Empress’s champions. My only concern is that I cannot see Beatrix finding happiness as a camp wife, following you from one place to the next.”

Oswin gave a sigh of what Richard assumed was relief. “If we were to wed, I would ask the Empress to release me from my service so I might return home.”

“Then mayhap all will work out for the best. I trust you with my sister’s life, Oswin. Do not disappoint me,” Richard warned taking hold of Oswin’s shoulder.

“I will always protect her with my life,” Oswin declared placing one fist over his heart.

Another chuckle left Richard’s lips. “Let us pray the situation does not come to such a drastic conclusion—but, as I have said, knowing Beatrix, anything is possible. I wish you luck with her. If anyone can handle her, ’twould be you.”

“Then mayhap you can get her to open her bedchamber door to me so we might have speech together.”

“Now, that , I will leave to you. Having chosen to pledge yourself to her, ’tis now your duty far more than mine to manage her mood. But you had best make haste. I wish to leave for Devizes within the next hour. Beatrix had better be packing her belongings if she wishes them to accompany her.”

“And the other ladies in waiting, too?” Oswin asked.

“Aye. I was just about to ask a servant to help them prepare for their departure. The Empress will want her ladies with her at the soonest opportunity.” Richard gave Oswin a sly grin before he pounded on Beatrix’s door having changed his mind about helping his friend. “Beatrix! Open up.”

The door immediately swung open. “Richard, I—” She began frowning when she saw Oswin standing next to her brother.

“If you wish to take anything with you, sister, you best get to packing. Oswin will help you with your trunk,” Richard said giving Beatrix a short bow.

Oswin gave Richard a glance. “May I?”

Richard waved his hand toward his sister. “By all means.”

Beatrix stomped her foot. “If you think I will allow that man—”

Her words were quickly cut off when Oswin took her into his arms and began to thoroughly kiss her. Richard could not watch the display any longer and he made his way to his bedchamber. When he opened the door, he came to a complete halt.

He had the foolish fancy that if he closed his eyes, Annora might appear before him, for her presence lingered in the room like a ghost. The autumn-colored dress she wore that first night she came down to the hall was neatly folded and laying at the foot of the bed. He lifted the fabric to his nose and could still smell the slightest hint of the floral scent from the bath she had taken. Their time together had been but days and yet the memories flitted through his head as if they had shared a lifetime. Her memory, it seemed, would haunt his every waking hour from now on.

So, this is what it was like to actually fall in love , he mused and for the first time in his life he felt completely alone. Without Annora, an essential piece of him would remain missing until they could one day be reunited. He cursed knowing such a happening might take years. He could only ponder if the lady might wait for him. He knew that he would wait for her. She had somehow etched herself into his heart as if she had written her name upon it and now, he had no idea how he might go on with his life without her, even knowing his duties to the Empress would most likely only take him further away from Annora de Maris.

There was no sense in denying the inevitable. Love had somehow found him in the midst of war and his life had become dimmer the moment Annora left the great hall. But he would somehow remain hopeful. With such a thought, Richard renewed his vow that he would find Annora again no matter how long it took or what it might cost him.