Free Great Protector by Kathryn Le Veque Page B

hands, fragile and small and soft, lost
themselves within the great tight cave of his armor-bound hand.
    Ovid
de Rydal, a large man with bushy red hair, practically fell from the wagon as a
servant tried to help him down. He was far too obese to ride, straightening a
tunic that was large enough to cover an entire bed. His wife, the Lady
Margaret, was nearly as rotund and a head taller. Having borne eleven children,
she wore her plump stature like a badge of honor.
    The
majority of the de Rydal brood had accompanied their parents, with the
exception of the five daughters that were married. Ovid de Rydal was so eager
to be rid of his female children that he had begun marrying them off at twelve
years of age and the most recent bride, married to a poor knight more than
twice her age, was three weeks past her eleventh birthday. When Regine had
learned of Tessa de Rydal's marriage, she had raged for nearly a week.
    Bartholomew
was standing next to his sister. He leaned toward Arissa. "I would wager
that Ovid the Blob proposes to marry off his ten year old daughter Mary before
the day is out."
    Richmond
heard the comment and tilted his head in Bartholomew’s direction, his eyes
still riveted to the de Rydal party. "I shall cover you on that wager,
Bart. A solid gold piece says your father has you married off by
tomorrow."
    Bartholomew
appeared incensed. "An outrageous statement, sir. I shall not marry a
ten-year-old wench, and I do not care how wealthy her father is!"
    Richmond
cocked an eyebrow as Arissa grinned. "I see that you do not meet my wager.
Am I to understand that you agree with me?"
    Bartholomew
scowled, returning his attention to the group before him. In his most menacing,
evil voice, he began to recite.
    "'Perseus
washed his hands, bloody from his victory over the monster, in the sea. So that
the hard sand should not damage the snake-bearing head he made the ground soft
with leaves and branches that grow beneath the sea's surface, and on these he
placed the head of Medusa.'"
    Arissa
giggled uncontrollably as the corners of Richmond's mouth twitched. "She’s
not Medusa, Bart." Richmond said.
    Bart
snorted, cocking a most determined eyebrow. "I shall fight the entire
Titan realm before I shall be forced into matrimony," he cast a disdainful
glance at the de Rydal clan. "And, from the appearance of things, the
monsters have arrived in droves."
    Arissa
was shaking with mirth, trying desperately to control her giggles as Lord de
Rydal and his wife approached. William thrust himself forward to meet his
guests, with Bartholomew in close pursuit.
    Arissa
and Richmond moved to follow. Arissa was having a good deal of success in
calming her snickers until Bartholomew cast her a wild-eyed glance when Lady
Margaret fixed him with a hungry gaze. Immediately, she was off on another
gale.
    "Calm
yourself, kitten," Richmond's breath was hot against her ear. "Lady
de Rydal would probably not hesitate to take a switch to your lovely bottom if
she catches wind of your fit."
    She
swallowed her giggles, fixing Richmond in the eye. "But you are my protector.
Surely you would defend me."
    He
feigned a wary look. "Not for certain. She would probably blister me,
too."
    Arissa's
giggles returned, only they were far calmer as she and Richmond gazed warmly at
each other. The giggling moment eased as Arissa finally spoke. "I am.... I
am glad your back, Richmond. I have missed you."
    William
addressed her and she was forced to turn away from Richmond, releasing her grip
as she moved forward to greet the de Rydals. Richmond could do naught but stare
at her; the silken hair cascading to her buttocks, the magnificent sway of her
backside when she walked. Dear God... she'd missed him.
    She’s
told you that before ,
his inner self reminded him sternly. She’s told you that countless times.
Why should this time be any different ? He continued to gaze at Arissa as
she politely greeted Ovid de Rydal, wondering why her declaration of longing
was unlike