Begin The Brawl|Richard, Edward, Dido INACTIVE

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

It had all started out innocently enough. Edward had called Richard into his office for a discussion about a new policy he wished to implement. All good and well. That was his job, it was what he did, and what he did well. Richard was all too pleased to assist in such important matters...particullarly since he hoped to take over Edward's position a little sooner than everyone else expected.

It was as Edward was explaining the nature of the policy, however, that things got a bit...out of hand, as it were. Edward wanted, despite the advice of many of his council members, not to go ahead with an idea passed along to him about banning smoking in public places...instead he intended to ignore their bill altogether.

Confusion had been Richard's first reaction. Why on Earth was he going to ignore a bill that was so widely supported? Did he want to make himself unpopular? Granted some of his stupider and wackier ideas had got him a bit of a reputation over the years but, on the whole, he was a well liked and 'fun' sort of authority figure, very different to how Richard wanted to be potrayed at any rate.

He had attempted, Richard that is, to react calmly to the situation at first.

"Why," he asked, in a voice of deadly calm. "Do you plan on ignoring this bill?"

Edward leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, with the very casual, couldn't care less sort of attitude he'd come to adopt as of late.

"Ricky, if I banned people from smoking in public can you imagine the chaos it would cause?" he said, calmly. "You realize how many people smoke in this city, right? If I stopped them from doing that I'd have an angry mob after me! Besides, people have been smoking in public for yonks. You can't just go around stopping thing like that."

"You can," Richard snapped, starting to lose his cool a little at Edward's flippiant dismissal of his query. "You have the power to make changes like that. Surely you're aware that smoking isn't exactly healthy...people are killing themselves because of it! Not to mention the fact that increases the amount of-"

Edward held up a hand to make Richard stop. Since when had his little brother given a d*** about anyone besides himself? Or the pollution in the city? Edward guessed that would have been Richard's next point. He liked to think he knew him well.

"Ricky," he said, relishing the nickname his brother so despised. "This isn't about other people, I know it isn't. This is about you and your dislike of cigarrette smoke. Just because the stuff makes you gag doesn't mean I should deny it to everyone else who wants it! We're a democracy, aren't we? Majority wins and all that?" He already seemed to have forgotten those who wanted him to pass the bill in the first place. He removed his hands from the back of his head and instead picked up a pen that was lying idly on his desk. He began tossing it from hand to hand, continuing his casual manner.

"Ricky, you're being selfish. Stopping people having fun. Wouldn't like to have you running this city...God knows what you'd do to it!"

He'd struck a nerve. Richard was furious, the most angry at Edward he'd ever been since Edward had kept accidentallybumping into him in the weeks after his injury, just to see him flailing helplessly about. To have his bigheaded git of an older brother write him off like that, not even entertain the notion of his leadership and make such assumptions...was it any wonder Richard sometimes felt like killing him?

He couldn't decide whether Edward had just said it on the spur of the moment, however, or whether he'd really meant it. He wanted to be certain, just in case he said something he might regret...might.

"What did you say?" he asked, unable to stop his voice rising.

Edward dropped the pen, looking a little afraid of Richard's evident temper. But it did seem he hadn't been joking, as he repeated what he'd said before, with more finality, and more.

"Look, Richard, is it any wonder I want George to succeed me as Mayor? If you had your way you'd ban everything under the sun just because you weilded the power to do so! You'd act like a total dictator, I just know it! At least George knows how to have some fun. But not you. You're just-"

He stopped himself at the look on Richard's face. He'd crossed the line. Gone way over it. He expected a yell of frustration, a rant, a tirade, even an attack, a blow! But what he did get was very different, although said with the amount of loathing he knew to expect.

"Just because you'll be cold in your grave in a few months time," Richard spat. "And this whole business won't matter to you anymore. Maybe not even a few months. Maybe sooner!"

The argument had started out as trivial, stupid, selfish. A minor argument between the brothers, a bit of sibling rivalry. But now the pair of them had all but forgotten the original points of their fight. Now each looked ready to grab the other by the throat, eyes narrowed, hands curled into fists. This wasn't an argument over policies or idioligies any more...with a few words they'd changed from loathing each other's opinions to loathing each other.

This was how wars began.

[sasha]

Elissa had been nervous for the entire ride down to City Hall. In the car, she played with the hem of her skirt and tapped her foot on the floor. Her driver, George, had offered her some wine to settle her nerves, but she'd declined. The last time she'd had a drink around Richard Plantagenet, she'd made a complete fool of herself. That would not be happening again, especially since she was going to City Hall to apologize in the first place! Now, she wasn't exactly sure of the protocol involved when meeting the comptroller of New York City on such short notice, and she didn't even know if he had a busy schedule. Though, it was worth a shot, especially because she felt quite guilty about how she had behaved at the Capulets' costume ball. The least she owed him was an apology.

"Ms. Purcell, when shall I swing by to pick you up?" George asked after pulling up their destination, looking to Dido in the back seat.

"You won't have to, George. I can just walk home. You enjoy the rest of your day."

"Thank you, Ms. Purcell. Good luck in there."

"Thanks," she responded, promptly grabbing her purse and getting out of the car. As she closed the door, she flashed George a weak smile and took a deep breath. She could do this. He was just an old man with money and power. She was a younger woman with money and a father who had power until he died. That had to count for something, right?

As she walked up the steps and into the building, she was stopped by a guard who requested to look in her purse. Satisfied that she had nothing potentially dangerous on her, he let her go through the metal detector to check her person. After finishing up with security and checking in with a receptionist, she walked up the staircase which led to the comptroller's office.

However, there was one door that left open in the hallway. As Elissa approached it, she could clearly hear the raised voices of the comptroller and his brother, the mayor of New York City. They were arguing over a smoking bill, but that was nothing compared to what she heard next:

"Just because you'll be cold in your grave in a few months time, and this whole business won't matter to you anymore. Maybe not even a few months. Maybe sooner!"

She just stood there in the door frame, eyes wide. She hadn't even noticed the loud gasp which escaped her lips. There was no walking away now. She'd heard something which could potentially cause political uproar in The Big Apple.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

It is an unfortunate tried and tested method that, after something has been said that really shouldn't, a long silence will generally follow. Such was the case in Edward's office that afternoon.

Richard, having dropped the bombshell, was on the alert for any retort or sudden movement Edward might make; an insult, a reprimand, anything. But none was forthcoming. It was as he was mulling over this admittedly unexpected development in the proceedings when he heard a sharp intake of breath from the hallway outside.

It appeared that Edward had heard it too as he gave a start and stood up, as if doing so would make him look less like he and Richard had just been arguing. He moved towards the open door but Richard, despite his limp, reached it first.

He couldn't have been more surprised to see Elissa Purcell there than if Edward had decided to give him a hug rather than insult him right back. So caught off guard was he at first that he simply stared...what was she doing here? However he managed to regain his usual composure and attempted in a rather curt manner to regain some hold on the situation.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, quickly, thinking his thoughts aloud, sparing no time for the pleasantries.

It was as he said this that Edward came up behind him. He too seemed shocked to see Elissa there but returned to his usual calm demanour as if he was pulling on a glove. He opened the door a little wider to accomadate the three of them, giving their visitor a weak smile.

"I apologize for my brother's lack of manners," Edward said, shooting Richard a rather nasty look before continuing. "Come in, Ms. Purcell, come in."

It was clear that the fight was far from over, but Edward wasn't about to resume it now, not in front of Elissa.

Richard was looking daggers at Edward but he said nothing as his brother welcomed their visitor into the office. He would get him back for this, sooner or later...

[sasha]

"What are you doing here?"

Dido remained still in the doorway, trying to process what was going on. "I, um, I just wanted to—"

"I apologize for my brother's lack of manners. Come in, Ms. Purcell, come in," said Edward Plantagenet.

Hesitantly, she took a step into the mayor's office. The room was large and well-decorated, but it was also somewhat austere. Okay, maybe that was her just painting this whole situation in a negative light. Something had just happened between the brothers in here, and it didn't sound good. She never meant to be the fly on the wall; she didn't want to get involved. But the words sounded harsher than an argument between brothers. It sounded an awful lot like Richard made a death threat against his own brother. No, that couldn't be, she thought, her lips pursed as she finally walked all the way into the office. She'd just have to pretend that she hadn't heard anything. However, she had a nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach that the two men knew just the opposite.

"I'm here to, uh, apologize to the comptroller," she answered, looking down at the floor. "The ball at the Capulets' manor...I'd acted awful. Frankly, I'm embarrased, and I couldn't just pretend as though it didn't happen. So, I offer my sincerest apologies, sir."

She turned to the door and took a few steps before adding, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

As Elissa entered the office Richard moved behind her to close the door, not wanting anything else to be overheard. He knew she'd overheard them, he just knew it.

Edward looked quizically at Elissa as she began, what would she need to apologize to Richard for?, but as she continued to speak it all became very clear. He smiled wryly. He of all people understood the negative effects of the demon drink.

"I think we've all been there," he said with a slight laugh, in an attempt to lighten the sombre mood. "But, in all seriousness, it was very good of you to come and seek Richard out and apologize like that." He knew if he'd been in her place he would have steered clear of whoever he'd embarrassed himself in front of....well clear. Very brave of her, he reflected, to want to come and apologize to Richard. That took guts.

He looked towards his younger brother, as if awaiting his reply.

As Elissa had been speaking memories of the ball had been replaying themselves in Richard's head. He had to agree; she had acted in an awful manner indeed. And here she was, apologzing for it! She must be more crazy than he'd first thought.

He didn't say anything but instead looked from Elissa to Edward, as he spoke, then back to Elissa again. It was clear that Edward expected him to respond, to forgive and forget, not that Elissa had actually done anything to him.

But he didn't. He would have said 'Apology accepted' to keep up appearances, but even as he opened his mouth Elissa turned on her heel and headed for the door. Edward shot him a poisonous look, as if Elissa's choosing to leave at this point was his, Richard's fault. How Richard hated his older brother.

"Wait just a minute, Miss Purcell," Edward said as Elissa turned for the door. "I believe my brother has something he would like to say."

Did Edward have to treat him like he was a child? He hadn't even done anything, for God's sake! But he resisted the urge to glower at Edward before he turned to Elissa.

"Thank you, Ms. Purcell," he ventured, somewhat stiffly. "I accept your apology."

Edward nodded with a small smile, not altogether pleased at Richard's tone but glad enough he'd replied politely to let it slide.

"Ms. Purcell, if you don't mind my detaining you a little longer..." he said, the smile fading and his look of concern and authority returning. "Would you mind telling me what you overheard just now?"

[sasha]

Elissa stopped dead in her tracks as soon as Richard insisted that she stay. Edward had been a lot more courteous, and it seemed to her that he would be fine if she had left then and there. Although he was the mayor, it was the comptroller who scared her. He'd remained silent for quite a while before he accepted her apology. Hell, it almost seemed as though Edward was accepting Richard's apology for him! If she had just heard what she thought she heard, it was likely that the mayor would not be around for much longer to apologize for his younger brother.

Knowing better than to defy such a frightening man, Purcell turned around and looked Richard right into the eye. She certainly wasn't oozing confidence or stoicism in her gaze. The comptroller would no doubt notice her insecurity and, hell, her fear. Her gaze flickered over to Edward, and then back to his younger brother. Should she tell the truth? As quickly as she could, she tried to weigh the pros and cons of the situation; if she told the truth, they would probably silence her (and not in an amicable fashion). If she lied, they'd know. Oh, they'd know.

The woman took a deep breath and hesitated for a few moments more. Without thinking first, she answered, "Well, something about smoking and people's rights, and all that. Though, Mr. Comptroller, the last thing you said almost certainly sounded like a death threat...and just anything you'd hear in a brotherly spat."

There. She said it. Oh, shit.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

As Elissa turned back around and looked Richard right in the eye, Richard assumed she was trying to be defiant, or at least put on a brave face. But he knew she was scared. It was obvious, even from the way she looked at him. Ordinarilly this would have given him a certain sense of satisfaction, amusement, or sort of triumph or all three, but not today. What had she heard?

As the young woman's gaze flicked between him and Richard, Edward gave her a small smile, hoping to be encouraging. He got the impression, heck he knew that she was uncomfortable in this situation, and he hated putting her on the spot like this. But he had to know. If she'd heard what Richard said...

There was a pause in which the two Plantagenets waited for Elissa's reply. Both were tense, but they showed their nerves in different ways; Edward chewed at his lip while Richard kept clenching and unclenching his good fist.

When Elissa spoke at last it sounded as though she'd spoken without thinking, the words tumbling out of her mouth in a rush. It was as though she hated to have to say them, but at the same time simply had to.

"Well, something about smoking and people's rights, and all that. Though, Mr. Comptroller, the last thing you said almost certainly sounded like a death threat...and just anything you'd hear in a brotherly spat."

At Elissa's use of the phrase 'death threat' Richard's fist stayed clenched, his eyes grew narrower and his lips thinner. If he'd been furious before it was nothing compared to how he felt now. Although it had been obvious he wanted Edward gone from the words he'd used it still felt to him as though Elissa had somehow got into his head and discovered all his plans. This was a feeling he'd never felt before; he almost never revealed his true feelings, thoughts, intentions. He kept them well hidden until the opprtune moment to strike. Elissa's apparent knowledge of his villainous intentions against Edward caught him off guard; he had to silence her accussations, shut her up.

"'Certainly sounded like a death threat'?" he repeated, his voice more of a hiss than anything else. He had to denounce what she'd said, she must have no idea how close she'd come to the truth... "How dare you suggest that-"

"Richard!"

Edward cut across him, taking a few steps towards him as if to stop him making any movement towards Elissa, whom he know seemed to be regarding as his brother's victim.

There was another brief pause, in which the two brothers looked at one another, one seething, the other attempting to play the peacemaker.

Edward turned to Elissa, praying that Richard wouldn't interrupt what he was about to say. She had a right to know...he couldn't have her going around thinking Richard had the intention to kill him! That was ridiculous! Sure, the pair of them had never really gotten on well, but what Richard had said was surely reffering to his illness, and not something more sinister...surely?

"Ms. Purcell, I think you have mistaken the matter," he began, trying to offer her another smile but failing as the gravity of what he wanted to impart hit home.

He'd accepted what was to come, thus far at least, with good graces. George had been devestated. Richard had been the same...at least so Edward thought. But this was the first time anyone in New York besides the Plantagenets and Edward's physicians would hear of his impending death... how would Elissa take it?

"I'm afraid there is some truth in what Richard said. I think you have a right to know this...considering what you happened to overhear. Not that I'm blaming you of course but-"

It was at this point that Richard got the gist of what Edward was planning to tell Elissa Purcell. Adopting the same technique his brother had, he cut across him before he could say any more.

"Don't say another word, Edward. This is none of her business!"

He didn't want Elissa to think he had threatened Edward but at the same time she couldn't know of Edward's impending death! If she knew that there was no way it could be kept quiet...The New York Times would get hold of it...there would be countless interviews and press conferences and reporters swarming City Hall, perhaps even the Plantagenet Manor!

Richard couldn't have all that; it would only make his scheming all the more complex. If there was one thing Richard hated it was having his plans fall apart.

[sasha]

To put it simply, Elissa was confused. She'd obviously chosen to go to City Hall on the wrong day—that much was obvious. With her apology made, she'd hoped that she could leave the building and walk home immediately. There was no way in hell that she could have ever expected this. From the moment those words came out of her mouth, she knew that she'd be in the mayor's office for longer than she bargained for.

"How dare you suggest that-" Richard hissed at her before his brother intervened.

Edward was by far the more calm of the two, she noticed. Either that, or he just wasn't as obvious in regard to his dislike for her. She'd deserved a certain amount of disdain from Richard after her antics at the Capulets' ball, absolutely. She wouldn't want to talk to herself if she'd been in his situation. The apology didn't seem to help much, either. Now, she was stuck in the middle of something which she couldn't escape.

"I'm sorry, sir, but that's what it sounded like to me—" she added before Edward cut her off.

"I'm afraid there is some truth in what Richard said. I think you have a right to know this...considering what you happened to overhear. Not that I'm blaming you of course but-"

Elissa shifted her weight back and forth nervously as she watched the interaction between the brothers. Something wasn't right. Richard was obviously hiding something, especially since he cautioned Edward to speak not another word. It wasn't a situation she knew how to deal with, and she bit her lip to keep quiet. Saying something to set them off further would not be a good idea.

"All right. I'm sorry to have intruded. I'll just....go. Now. I don't have any idea what is going on between you two, but just don't kill each other, yeah?" Or me.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

"All right. I'm sorry to have intruded. I'll just....go. Now. I don't have any idea what is going on between you two, but just don't kill each other, yeah?"

So much for trying to get rid of her suspicions. Richard had to admit he wasn't pleased at her words, even if they were said in jest as he had chosen to assume. But now he faced a dielema. He wanted her gone, out of City Hall...but at the same time how did he know she wasn't about to go and tell everyone what she'd overheard?

She wasn't drunk as she had been at the Capulet's Ball, then she'd said all sorts of things, awkward things, embarrassing things. Since that was Richard's lasting impression of her he was inclined to believe she'd blab. And he couldn't have that.

Edward didn't know what was going on in Richard's mind, and he didn't pretend he knew. He thought he knew, however, a little more about Miss Purcell. It was clear she did not want to involve herself further in he matter, and he couldn't blame her. He felt he shouldn't let her leave without telling her the truth but then, he reasoned, her knowing what was really going on may only make things worse. But there was another part of his brain that was telling him the truth would be better than an accusation such as the one she'd made about a death threat...

"...don't kill each other..."

This whole idea of killing and death threats was ridiculous. He had to get these ideas out of her head... But it was evident Richard wasn't about to let him.

With a small sigh he nodded his head as if to dismiss her. She didn't want to get any further into this, he shouldn't force her to be by telling her. However Richard butted in once again.

"How do we know you aren't going to tell other people what you overheard?" he inquired, his voice quite calm considering his evident rage. "The press, the Times?"

Edward looked at Richard, concern on his face once again. Of course Richard wouldn't want this to get out; considering how Elissa had interpreted it imagine what the city at large would think! How would it look?

[sasha]

Elissa glanced over her shoulder once more as she made her way out of the office, her thoughts a blur. She wanted to put this all behind her and never have to see these men face-to-face again. She wasn't one to be intimidated easily, but something about Richard's icy demeanour made her feel on edge, tense...nervous. His gaze, just as icy, seemed to bore into her; he was definitely angry, despite his calm expression.

"Mr. Comptroller, do you honestly believe I have nothing better to do than break this to the news? I stay away from the media as much as I can. I don't want their money; I'm a billionaire who doesn't even know what to do with her money. What makes you think I want more of it?" she replied cooly, turning to look him in the eye. "However, I feel as though you should convince me why I shouldn't tell the police about this."

Now, that was bold of her! She hadn't even meant to say anything further on the subject, but something about this man seemed to make her run her mouth. She couldn't explain this strange phenomenon, but it unsettled her, and she really wanted to stop it. However, beggars can't be choosers, and she'd have to live with it.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

As Elissa turned back to Richard and explained her reasons for not going to the media, Edward found himself nodding in agreement. She had a fair point. However, when she mentioned the police, he gave an involuntary start. The police? Was she serious?

As far as Edward was concerned there was no reason to bring the police into this...Richard had simply been starting a fact, albeit in a more threatening manner than was usual with him. That wasn't to say Edward hadn't been afraid, but surely...Richard wouldn't kill him! What on Earth would possess him to-

The mayor cut himself off, mid thought. He'd killed Henry of Lancaster, and his son, hadn't he? But they were political enemies; not relatives in any sense! Richard, Edward attempted to assure himself, would never stoop so low as to murder him, his own brother.

This somewhat comforted thought in mind, Edward looked over at Richard. The man's good fist was clenched so tight that his knuckles had gone white, and his teeth were evidently gritted with fury as he made his reply.

"And I feel as though you should convince me why the police ought to be brought into this!" he snarled, willing himself not to raise his voice again. Having the police swarming the premises of City Hall and Plantagenet Manor would be just as bad, if not worse, than hoardes of reporters.

(Sorry that was so short! D8)

[sasha]

Elissa knew she had gone off the deep end, but it also seemed as though she had a death wish for herself. She could have let it be and gone on her merry little way, but no, she just had to instigate. Judging by Richard's reaction, she knew that some of her "accusations" had to have some truth to them. Either he was just too proud to have a young woman question him, or she was really hitting home. Or both.

Even the much calmer Edward Plantagenet's feathers were beginning to ruffle. Perhaps he was beginning to feel more like a victim; perhaps he even was beginning to doubt his brother's motives. Whatever the case, Elissa knew that she had set something into motion. Too bad this meant she now had to be a part of it, whether she liked it or not.

"You haven't answered my question. All I need is to be convinced that nothing here is worthy of alarm," the woman answered cooly. Quit while you're ahead, why don't you? the voice of reason in her head piped up. Too late for that.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

"You haven't answered my question. All I need is to be convinced that nothing here is worthy of alarm."

Elissa's tone did not please Richard one bit. Despite the fact she'd seemed afraid at first she now seemed more confident in her words...this indicated to him that she was more certain of something sinister afoot. He cursed inwardly. He really needed to learn to control his temper...he couldn't help being angry of course but clearly his reactions were sending Elissa's mind down a path he didn't want it to follow.

Edward, for his part, knew there was something to be alarmed about, and not just the obvious. But he'd made up his mind not to tell Elissa...she would find out soon enough...

He was about to voice these thoughts, albeit in a way that made it sound as though nothing was wrong...it had just been a stupid argument and Richard hadn't been making death threats...but Richard beat him to it.

Surprisingly, his words were similar to the ones Edward would have used. And the older Plantagenet couldn't help but wonder why...

"Nothing that you overheard is, as you so put it, worthy of alarm," Richard said, trying his utmost to keep his tone neutral and free of scorn or fury. "Edward and I were just having an argument...nothing worse than that. I'm sure you and your brother had your fallings out as well."

[sasha]

Time seemed to halt as silence hung between Elissa and the Plantagenet brothers. She glanced back and forth between Richard and Edward, almost convinced that they were holding out some sort of mental conversation between brothers. Of course, that was impossible, but it definitely sounded like a possibility. Why else would they both be so damn quiet?

Richard finally broke the silence, justifying the argument as a brotherly falling out. However, the next thing he uttered chilled her to the bone. He mentioned Pygmalion. He mentioned Pygmalion—the man who single-handedly destroyed her life and the man who also happened to be her older brother. In recent months, she'd been pinning the blame more and more on her murderous brother for the mess her life had become. If he'd never killed Sychaeus, she'd still be with him. She'd have maybe had children by now. Instead, he was gone, and she moved to New York to escape the memories...only to be left crushed again.

The senator's daughter bit her lip. With as even a voice as she could muster, she said, "Mr. Comptroller, I'd appreciate it if you didn't speak of my brother, especially since you should speak for yourself. You're a lot like him, you know, and my suspicions will prove to be right very soon. I guarantee you that."

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

"Mr. Comptroller, I'd appreciate it if you didn't speak of my brother, especially since you should speak for yourself. You're a lot like him, you know, and my suspicions will prove to be right very soon. I guarantee you that."

Richard was thrown a little by this; and why shouldn't he be? Elissa had clearly gotten the idea in her head that he was worthy of suspicion...and that thought was there to stay, with little he could do about it, considering what he'd said and how he'd acted.

He cursed inwardly (somehow managing not to do so aloud) and it took him a moment or two to come up with a suitable reply. If he said anything like a retort he would only incriminate himself further...and yet he couldn't simply let this pass. She was suggesting he was capable of murder...and this was the truth. If she ever found out the truth...about Henry and Edward...he just knew she would do something about it.

And what of Edward? It felt to Richard as though Elissa had already discerned very clearly his malicious intentions towards his older brother, particularly with reference to her own, the man who had murdered her first husband.

He couldn't have Edward understanding the weight of what Elissa had said, nor could he have Elissa getting away with such a remark unchecked.

"Your suspicions based on what?" he replied, his voice cold and sharp, like shards of ice. "An argument you happened to overhear, and your assumptions about what it entailed?"

He realized he was treading on brittle glass as he said this, very brittle glass indeed. But Richard Plantagenet was stubborn and wasn't about to let Elissa's comment slide.

Edward, confused, looked at Richard as if expecting him to explain. What was all this about Elissa's brother? What had he done for Elissa to suggest he was like Richard? Edward hadn't been there when Elissa and his brother had first been introduced (not that the conversation would have made much sense to him in the state he'd been in) and therefore he hadn't the slightest clue what was going on between the pair of them.

But it was clear Richard was no longer paying Edward any heed, if the way he was looking at Elissa was anything to go by.