Chapter Seven

R ichard’s gaze swept in avid appreciation over the vision who stood at the entrance to the great hall and almost choked on the ale he was attempting to swallow. If he had any doubts that Annora would be nearly as beautiful in a lovely gown than when he had seen her unclothed, those doubts had now left him. The color suited her well and as she and Beatrix began to make their way into the room, he could not help but be aware of the fine figure she had. The gown itself was the shade of burnt orange that suited her admirably. The white undertunic reached to points on her wrists whilst peeking out at the puffed area at her shoulders and neckline. Jewels were all that was lacking… this woman should have jewels worthy of her adorning her neck and ears.

He shook himself out of the ramblings inside his head when she approached. Beatrix went to a place next to Oswin and the two began to converse in hushed whispers. Richard finally stood to stare directly into the green eyes of the woman who might haunt his dreams for years to come.

“Annora.”

“Richard.”

He thought she might say more but she remained standing there whilst studying him much as he had just done to her. He motioned to the chair next to him. “Please be seated,” he said gruffly. “’Tis not much in the way of a meal but ’tis all we have to offer, and ’twill help to break your fast.”

She lifted one brow as he pulled out the chair but not seeing another option, given that all the other seats were taken, she at last moved around the table to sit. He also finally sat before pushing a bowl of porridge closer to her. When she reached for a spoon at the same time, their fingers briefly touched. Annora gasped even whilst a zing of currents raced up his arm. Bloody hell! Had it really been that long since he had a woman that the first one he touched would set his skin afire?

She quickly pulled back her hand and he swore he could still imagine the heat of her skin next to his own. He once again pushed the utensil in her direction and she at last seemingly composed herself and began to eat. She grimaced at the taste but did not hesitate to eat her fill without complaint, showing an admiral pragmatism that he could only wish his sister would emulate. They ate in silence, with Richard drinking as much as he could until his cup was empty. Annora finished her meal and then gazed about the room.

“You are all starving here,” she said, voicing his own troubled thoughts aloud.

He turned in his chair to fully look upon her. “You yourself were a part of laying siege to the city of Oxford and this very castle. Surely this is the result you anticipated. Did you expect anything less when Stephen controls the ports and there is nothing coming into this keep in the way of resources?”

“’Twas not as though I was part of the planning,” she said frowning. “I am but following orders much as you are with your Empress.”

He was about to answer her when a shriek echoed in the room. Everyone turned their attention to Lady Eden Howlande, who was one of the Empress’s ladies in waiting and who had just entered the great hall. The other two, Lady Rovena and Lady Petula, followed closely behind her.

Eden rushed across the room before coming to grip the edges of the table where Richard was seated. “Lord Richard…” she began before leaning forward. “Whatever are you doing here? Where is—”

“The last I saw her, she was being ushered away with Norwood and the other knights,” he replied as he interrupted her, keeping her from saying too much in front of Annora.

“Without you?” Eden asked but then frowned at the stranger sitting next to him.

“There was a… complication.”

“Complication?”

“Aye. An unforeseen one,” Richard answered still not giving the irate woman any further information.

“And who is this?” Eden finally asked.

“The complication,” Richard replied glancing at Annora who did not bother to hide her displeasure at being characterized in this way.

Annora dropped her spoon into the bowl. “I have a voice or am I not allowed to use it?” she snapped.

Richard waved his hand toward Eden. “By all means. Feel free to voice your grievances to the lady.”

“You are the rudest man I have ever had the displeasure to meet,” Annora said instead.

“And you are not exactly behaving like a typical demure lady either,” Richard declared with a smirk.

“How dare you?” Annora said slamming her fist upon the table.

“I have the feeling I will be daring much in the coming months if we shall continue to be forced into close proximity with one another, Annora.”

“Months?” she bellowed. “You cannot hold me against my will for months, Richard!”

A chuckle left him. “Watch me.”

They stared at one another and ’twas as though he could see her mentally counting the options before her. For all her stubbornness, she must see that there were not many.

Lady Eden cleared her throat. “If the two of you are done squabbling about your differences, would you care to fill me in on what is going on here?”

Richard gave a heavy sigh. “May I present Lady Annora de Maris. This is Lady Eden Howlande, Lady Rovena Eatone, and Lady Petula Wintere. They are the ladies in waiting to Empress Matilda,” Richard announced as he waved his hand down the table to his sister. “As is Beatrix, my sister, whom you have obviously already met.”

Annora nodded her head. “Ladies…”

“What have you done, Richard?” Eden finally asked.

“Done? I have done nothing but to ensure Empress Matilda was able to continue onward with her plans after we were interrupted by someone who could have warned Stephen’s soldiers of the Empress’s escape. When she stumbled upon us as we were crossing through Stephen’s camp, what else was I to do but take the lady hostage?”

“But you are one of Empress Matilda’s most trusted knights. How could she go on without you?” Eden inquired.

“I am but one of many, Lady Eden. She is well guarded by Norwood, Kennarde, and Goodee. I am certain the Empress made her way across the river without further incident and even now is making her way to safety.”

Eden gave a sigh of relief. “Then I will continue to pray this will soon all be over.”

The three women left to take their usual places at the head table where the Empress’s chair remained empty for obvious reasons.

“You cannot hold me here for months. I have obligations—serious ones. A life is at stake,” Annora continued in a low voice after the women had left.

“At last, a hint of honesty in your words. How refreshing.”

“I was honest when I said you were the rudest man I have ever encountered,” she muttered, a mulish expression on her face.

In spite of himself, Richard chuckled. “Aye, I’d wager you were.”

“This is hardly a joke,” she retorted, beginning to look genuinely upset. She attempted to hold back a sob, but Richard could see the tears that hinted at leaking from her eyes. “You know nothing of my life nor the obligations that cause me to do the things I must.”

“Then tell me of them so I might form some bit of sympathy for you, if such a thing is possible considering you are in service to my enemy,” Richard said waiting for her reply so he might at least try to understand her motives.

“Nay. I will not tell you anything that you will hold against me. Throw me into the dungeon or the castle pit for all I care but as far as you are concerned, I am nothing but a prisoner under your thumb.”

Annora’s chair loudly scraped against the stone floor and the dirty rushes as she rose to her feet. She did not wait for a reply but instead, she raised her chin and left the hall to return, he assumed, to their bedchamber. Richard closely followed behind, afraid if she reached the room before him, she’d slide the bolt home against him and he’d be left to fend for himself in the cold passageway.