Haunted Knights (Montbryce~The Next Generation Historical Romance) (15 page)

“Absolutely not,” Paulina shouted. “I will not accompany you to Arundel.”

Denis was worried. Paulina had made great strides in a short time. She had asked him many questions about his deformity and how he had coped with the censure. Her fear seemed to lessen as the days passed and they strolled together around the estate. He felt she was learning to trust him.

Now the fear was back.

Adam rolled his eyes. “You risk angering the King if he gets wind of your refusal. Your brothers will be there, as will Rosamunda. Your existence will come to light. We cannot lie about it. That has gone on too long. Henry will be angry enough with Vincent and Lucien without your compounding the problem.”

Paulina turned away, her attention seemingly on the kitten in the satchel she bore across her body. “Rosamunda need not go. She can stay with me.”

Rosamunda stamped her foot. “I want to go.”

She shot a strange glance at Adam, her face reddening.

Denis wondered what was going on.

Adam put his arm around Rosamunda’s shoulder and cleared his throat. “This was not the way we wanted to tell you both, but, we are betrothed.”

For a moment, Denis thought he had misheard, but one look at his brother’s face quickly disabused him of the notion. His Giant had fallen in love. He was not surprised, having recognised Adam’s immediate attraction to Rosamunda. A deaf man and a
muette
? A perfect union! His heart overflowed for his brother’s happiness.

But what of Adam’s impotency? Had he recovered in the short time he had been away? Unlikely, unless Rosamunda had worked some miracle!

Had he confided in her? In a few short weeks this young mute had seemingly won Adam’s trust. That should not irritate him as much as it did.

Paulina swayed beside Denis, staring at her sister.
Dieu!
How alone she must feel at this moment. He wanted to embrace her, tell her he would take care of her, treasure her forever.

A chill washed over him. If Paulina rejected him, the Dwarf would face a future alone. But he did not want her to come to him to escape loneliness, or out of fear.

He wanted her to love him, as the blushing and smiling Rosamunda so obviously loved Adam. His fledgling hopes had risen during the past few days.

He had known the insidiousness of jealousy before, having envied any and everyone who was not a dwarf. But he had overcome that. Now he was ashamed because he begrudged the love his dearest brother had found.

Adam laughed nervously. “Won’t you congratulate me, brother?”

It jolted Denis from his reverie. He was truly happy for Adam. It was the miracle he had prayed for. He pushed aside his melancholy, as he had many times. He winked at Adam. “You’re a sly devil!”

He held his arms wide, as did Adam. The brothers embraced, the Giant lifting the Dwarf as Denis’ arms strained to thump him on the back.

~~~

Paulina’s worst fear had come true. She had never seen a snake, only knew of them from her brothers, but now she held her breath, waiting for the lethal bite of the adder coiled around her heart.

She wished she had died in the fire.

She wished she had never been born.

She wished only happiness for her beloved sister, but the words stuck in her throat.

If only Denis would cradle her in his arms and assure her of his love.

Rosamunda’s warm hand grasped hers. Paulina looked at the face of the courageous person she loved most in the world who now knelt before her. It was a face full of hope and happiness. She inhaled deeply and threw her arms around her sister’s neck. “Your dream has come true. Your Montbryce hero has come for you.”

Topaz mewled her displeasure at being squashed between them as they hugged.

~~~

“I have told her,” Adam whispered in Denis’ ear as they broke apart and the Giant set him back on his feet. “She knows everything.”

Denis was reassured. He looked over at the Lallement women locked in a tearful embrace.

Only he could offer Paulina a way out of her loneliness and fear. Her wretched parents were dead. Rosamunda and Adam had pledged to each other. Vincent and Lucien would marry and have families of their own.

Denis should walk away, keep his heart safe.

But he had always been a man who stood for what was right, no matter the challenges.

He waited until the women broke apart. Rosamunda came to her feet. Adam put his arm around her. Paulina wiped her tears with the sleeve of her
bliaut
, gasping in exasperation as Topaz crawled out of the satchel and scampered off.

Denis took her damp hand, and went down on one knee. “Shall we make it a double wedding, my lady?”

Paulina’s captivity had denied her the necessity to ever make decisions. True she might ponder how much water to add when steeping faded rose petals, or which of her three
bliauts
to wear, or whether to braid her hair or let in hang in the style Rosamunda loved. The first major decision of her life was the name chosen for a cat!

Marriage was something she had never considered. Even if she had been free, what man would want a wife half his height?

Before her knelt a man asking for her hand. Not an attractive man, but brave and honest and strong, a man who knew what it was to be ridiculed. He had triumphed over his deformity, and could help her do the same. She had no doubt he would protect her with his life if necessary.

But was it out of pity he had asked, knowing how bereft she would be without her sister? He seemed to enjoy spending time with her, but was it because she was his height? Did he seek companionship, or did he feel the stirrings in his heart she felt whenever she was near him?

Her mind went blank. If she said yes, she would never be lonely. She would have a champion, a friend, a bedmate. Oh God, he would see her tiny body, naked. It was too small. How could a man love a body such as hers?

If she said no, he would believe she had refused him because of his deformity, when she was in reality drawn to his strength, drawn to him.

He was such an honourable man that if she denied him, she trusted he would not abandon her. Perhaps it would be better if they remained just friends.

~~~

Denis watched indecision plague Paulina. It was the longest minute of his life. He had never felt uglier or more inadequate. How grotesque he must appear, wobbling on bended knee, his hips aching like the devil.

He had to push her into a decision, or they might be there all day. Adam and Rosamunda stood nearby, clearly embarrassed, not knowing what to say. However, both had expectant looks on their faces. Rosamunda’s hopeful smile in particular emboldened him. If anyone knew Paulina well, it was her sister.

He had to hope the woman he believed was his destiny saw the sincerity in his eyes. “I beg you to say yes, Paulina.”

She drew in a long shuddering breath, her arms rigid at her sides, fists clenched. Tears trickled down her cheeks.

She shook her head. “Yes, I will wed with you.”

~~~

Adam had been afraid Denis might not get off his knees. He need not have worried. His brother sprang up like a frog, raining kisses on Paulina’s hands, talking so quickly Adam deciphered only a few words.
Champion—protector—safe
.

Paulina swayed like a sapling in a gale, her face expressionless.

Tell her you love her.

It was brave advice, yet he had not said those words to his own betrothed.

Rosamunda turned her radiant face to him. “So happy!”

Adam was happy too. Denis had found the impossible. Indeed they both had. Hope had replaced hopelessness.

He suspected Denis would also want a quick wedding, but they would need the King’s permission to marry. It was fortuitous they were going to Arundel.

He twirled a lock of Rosamunda’s hair around his finger. “I am anxious for our marriage, Rosamunda, but can I ask that we wait until we can go to Belisle after Hallowmas? Denis will want to wed there. Our parents—”

She stood on tiptoe to kiss his nose. “Of course.”

~~~

Normandie! Not only was she going to Normandie, she would be married there. Warm contentment flowed over Rosamunda.

Her betrothed had trusted her with a confidence she would carry to her grave rather than betray him. She vowed to pray for a miracle, but she would love him despite his male difficulties.

Her sister had found her soul mate, though she seemed intent on denying it. Life would not be easy for Paulina and her dwarf, but Denis was strong, and she believed he loved Paulina.

Not long ago the prospects for the future seemed dire. Now life was full of promise.

Adam and Rosamunda rode Nox and Lux as they made their way to Arundel Castle. Denis rode Brevis, Paulina on his lap.

Lucien and Vincent had ridden to East Preston and now journeyed with them.

Rosamunda had lost patience with her sister in the last few days before their departure. Arundel was not a great distance away, a mere two hour ride over flat terrain, but Paulina refused to ride a horse of her own, despite Denis bringing a docile mount he had found. Her brothers’ assurances counted for naught.

When Adam had warned that King Henry hated cats, and insisted Topaz remain at home, she had thrown a tantrum, refusing to accompany them. No amount of coddling on Denis’ part or eye rolling on Rosamunda’s part soothed her. Adam had flung up his hands in frustrated capitulation, and so Topaz also rode Brevis, perched atop the wide pommel like a lion rampant.

Curiously, it was Nox who had taken to the kitten, much to Adam’s annoyance. From time to time, the stallion sniffed the feline, snorting his approval when he seemed assured she was still atop her precarious perch. In return Topaz swatted his nose.

At least this amusing partnership brought the occasional smile to Paulina’s lips. If only her sister would admit her feelings for Denis and relax with him, enjoy his attentions, acknowledge he loved her.

Rosamunda resolved not dwell on it. She had her own life to lead with a man she sensed needed all her love. Impotency must be a heavy burden for a once virile man to bear, despite her reassurances she was happy to forgo the bearing of children. How isolated he must feel in his deafness. She had known isolation. It destroyed hope, led to self doubt.

How ironic her reluctant sister would join with her husband and bear his children, infants who would likely be as deformed as he was.

She tamped down a twinge of jealousy, wondering if Adam felt envious of his dwarf brother.

Her mind wandered as Lux kept up to the steady pace set by Nox. She glanced at Denis. Perhaps he too had difficulties with his male parts. He was not properly formed. Was that why he and Adam were good friends? Did Denis know about Adam’s impotency?

Her impression was they shared an unbreakable bond, but she would never ask him, for that would breach her oath to Adam.

~~~

Denis unsuccessfully willed his rock hard arousal to abate as Paulina’s sweet
derrière
pressed rhythmically on his shaft with the horse’s movements. Her attention seemed fixed on the benighted cat. It would not take much to swat it off its arrogant perch and send it flying like a pesky gnat.

She had to be aware of his arousal pressed against her. He must remember she was an innocent, though warmth welled up in his chest when he recalled their conversation about male and female parts. Was it his heart aglow? His body had been doing strange things ever since he’d set eyes on this miniature woman. Lust he had known before, and often, but now his emotions were in knots.

He was in full agreement with Adam that they must wait to marry in Belisle. Paulina had promised to marry him, but he dreaded she might yet change her mind. It was evident she had not wanted the marriage. Fear had pushed her into it, not love.

He told himself he did not care, quenching the ache in his heart at the prospect she might never care for him. How could a beautiful woman love a man such as him?

~~~

Had she not been such a coward, Paulina would not now be trying desperately to ignore the wanton feelings surging through her when her
derrière
pressed against Denis’ male part. She had no doubt after their talk that’s what she felt. She closed her eyes, conjuring a vision of the surprisingly hard and substantial flesh between his legs.

She had shifted her position several times, but doing so seemed to increase his discomfort. Denis’ body betrayed his desire to join with her, the undesirable, unloved, unwanted Paulina.

Thank goodness she had brought Topaz. The kitten was at least a distraction from the heat emanating from Denis.

A leaden lump of dread lay in the pit of her belly as Arundel Castle loomed ahead. She had never seen such a large edifice. A King and his Court waited there; sophisticated men and women of the world who had probably never seen one such as her, though Denis had said many dwarfs were entertainers in royal courts. Would she be expected to entertain?

What a spectacle she and Denis would make. Her heart raced. She had to get off the horse, escape, flee back to East Preston. If she appealed to Vincent and Lucien, surely they would take her home?

Denis’ arm tightened around her waist. He leaned forward to nibble her ear, his warm breath sending sparks of fire into her breasts. “I am here,” he whispered. “I will not allow anything to happen to you. Be brave.”

Her heart calmed. She found strength in his words and his embrace.

He chuckled. “Besides, what a disappointment for Topaz not to meet the King who hates cats!”