Haunted Knights (Montbryce~The Next Generation Historical Romance) (25 page)

Robert de Montbryce was not the oldest living member of the family. His
oncle
Antoine had that honour. But as
Comte
, Robert was the acknowledged head of the clan.

One reason the Montbryces had survived and prospered when many noble families had fallen by the wayside of Norman politics was their loyalty to each other under the strong leadership of Robert’s late father, Ram.

It grieved him that there was conflict between Mathieu and Adam de Montbryce. A house divided never prospered. He hoped there was a solution to whatever problem lay between them. He wondered what his father would have done in the circumstances.

Mathieu had received the message pleading for help and joined Robert’s contingent as they had ridden south. He had insisted on accompanying them on their rescue mission.

Robert did not know why Antoine had elected to make Mathieu his heir instead of Adam, but sensed it had something to do with Adam’s illness and subsequent deafness. Mathieu had refused to discuss it
en route
.

As he watched Adam approach his brother he deemed it wise to mediate whatever discussion might ensue. The determined glare on both men’s faces did not bode well. The brothers had not embraced when Mathieu had first arrived, and it did not appear likely they would do so now.

Robert thought of his own brother, Baudoin, and thanked the saints for the close relationship of trust they shared, but then only two years separated them. Robert was aware Adam was closer to Denis than he was to Mathieu.

The three men came together in the middle of the clearing, now surprisingly empty. If the collapse of the scaffold had not convinced most of the revellers to scarper, the sudden arrival of a contingent of armed men had done the trick. Only a few remained, scavenging through the ruins of the scaffold.

Adam offered his hand to Robert. “I have not properly thanked you, cousin.”

Robert gripped his hand and patted him on the back. “As I told Denis, you have Paulina to thank for urging us here. And I did not come alone. Mathieu was already on his way when we met on the road.”

The brothers glared at each other, jaws clenched. Adam was first to proffer a hand. “
Merci, mon frère
. It’s good to see you again.”

Mathieu accepted the handshake. “It is good to see you, Adam. You look a great deal better than when we parted, even with tree branches in your hair and muck on your face.”

Adam rolled his eyes, fumbling in his hair to remove the remaining twigs. “I forgot.”

Robert tried unsuccessfully to choke back laughter.

Adam smiled, but then became serious. “Actually, Mathieu, I am better. I am betrothed to a woman who loves me, and who wants to bear my children.”

It was only momentary, but Robert thought Mathieu looked stunned as he glanced briefly at Adam’s groin. What was going on here?

The brothers stared at each other for long moments, neither moving a muscle. Robert grew nervous.

Adam held out his hand to Robert. “Lend me your sword. Mine is concealed in the woods.”

Mathieu did not flinch as Robert reluctantly handed over his weapon.

Adam dug the point of the sword into the earth, resting his hand atop the hilt.

Mathieu hesitated only a moment before going down on one knee, placing his hand on top of Adam’s.

Adam turned to Robert. “
Milord
Robert,
Comte
de Montbryce, I would ask you to bear witness to  my brother’s oath of allegiance to me as rightful heir of Belisle Castle.”

Robert looked from one to the other, wishing he knew exactly what was going on. He asked Mathieu, “Do you, Mathieu de Montbryce, swear allegiance to your brother Adam de Montbryce, as the rightful heir of Belisle Castle?”

Mathieu looked up at his brother. “I so swear.”

Adam helped his brother to his feet, and they embraced.

Mathieu sobbed into Adam’s shoulder. “Forgive me, brother.”

~~~

Denis’ body ached in places he had never known could ache, but his heart was full as he watched his half-brothers embrace. Adam had regained what was his by right. The rift with Mathieu had been repaired. He too would need to rebuild his friendship with his youngest brother.

He kissed Paulina’s cheek. “I am a wreck. How can you be in love with a man who stinks of sweat and smoke?”

She smiled. “At least you don’t look like a tree!”

He laughed, pressing her to his body. “I am in love with you, Paulina, since the moment we met.”

“Me too,” she confessed. “I was too afraid to admit it.”

He went down on one knee. “The last time I asked you to wed with me, I did it flippantly, though I was sincere. Now I want to ask you properly, as befits a beautiful and desirable woman. Will you wed with me, Paulina Lallement?”

She cupped his face in her hands and opened her mouth.

He held up his hand. “Before you answer, I have to warn you life with me will not be easy.”

She smiled, her eyes full of love. “Why? Is there something you’re not telling me?”

~~~

Letyce Revandel picked her way carefully through the wreckage of the scaffolding. She had remained hidden once it became obvious Malraux’s plans had gone awry. Now she searched for her lover’s body. He was a vain man who ornamented himself with expensive jewels.

At first she had thought to use them to aid in her escape back to England. But now she played with the notion of staying on at Carnac. Why not claim Malraux had wed her and become mistress of the
demesne
as a grieving widow? Who would naysay her? Certainly not the ineffectual Roget, wherever he had got to.

The Montbryces were camped in a nearby copse. The bonfires that had burned brightly were smouldering embers. There were few scavengers left now, but she was determined to find Malraux. His signet ring in particular would confirm her claims to be his wife. Midnight must have long since passed. It was All Hallows’, an auspicious day to become mistress of a wealthy
demesne
.

“
Attention!
” a voice called. She peered into the darkness. A man stood a few feet away, pointing to the twisted remains of the scaffolding and the windlass dangling precariously above. “
Dañjer
.”

It was surprising how easy Breton was to understand, like English really. Did the fool think she did not know her mission was dangerous? But it was essential she secure the rings.

Clouds had obscured the moon for most of the night, but suddenly they parted. Something glinted beneath a tangled pile of wood. She struggled to heft one pole at a time, wrestling each aside with a grunt. Before long, sweat had soaked her clothing and her hands were raw as she made agonisingly slow progress towards what she was sure was Malraux’s body.

Then she caught sight of his hand, white in the moonlight. A thrill of expectancy shivered through her as she reached for the rings. She drew her dagger in case she had to cut off his fingers to get the jewels.

Their fingertips touched. Alarm surged up her spine. His skin was warm, not cold as she had expected. She pulled away but Malraux’s fingers tightened, holding her hand in his grip. Panic stricken, she raised her dagger but Malraux turned his wrist and the dagger plunged into her own flesh.

She screamed.

“Do you intend to murder a dead man?” he rasped. “Stop your caterwauling and let me die in peace.”

She could not see his face, buried beneath the wreckage, but she knew he was smiling his evil smile, and it terrified her.

“Let go,” she wailed, pulling frantically, though her hand throbbed like the devil and blood pumped from the wound.

He tightened his grip.

She struggled harder, bracing her feet on nearby poles. His evil laughter was the last thing she heard as the rope holding the windlass gave way, bringing the remains of the twisted wreckage crashing down on top of her.

Two days after the turbulent events of All Hallows’ Eve, Guillaume de Terrence and Lucien arrived with the horses and men at arms. Adam was overjoyed to be reunited with Nox, and Denis wept openly at first sight of Brevis.

Despite a light drizzle, when everything was in readiness for the arduous journey through Bretagne to Normandie, Adam, Denis, Rosamunda and Paulina went to stand before
Le Manio
for the last time.

Paulina giggled. “It looks more impressive now it’s black.”

Denis squeezed her hand. “You are naughty, my love.”

Her face reddened.

On the Feast of All Souls they had seen the glow from the huge fire set by villagers who had crept back to
Le Manio
. The blaze had consumed the twisted pile of wood at the base of the monolith. Now only smouldering ashes remained after a night of heavy rain.

Adam inhaled deeply. “I suppose they deemed it fitting to dispatch their master’s body on All Souls.”

Rosamunda shuddered beside him as she gazed at the rock. “Letyce Revandel?”

“Dead, I hope,” Paulina said. “Poor Topaz. I wonder what became of her.”

Denis brightened. “Last I saw, she was curled up under Henry’s massive chair. Perhaps he will decide he likes cats.”

Everyone shared the humour of his jest.

Adam tightened his hold on Rosamunda’s shoulder, pulling her to his side. “We will soon be home in Belisle. Robert has given his permission for our marriages to proceed. He assures me his blessing is sufficient since he does not recognise Curthose’s authority. If Henry approves, so does Robert.”

“He even sent a squad of his men ahead to Belisle so
Maman
and Papa can prepare for our nuptials,” Denis added.

“Will Robert be present?” Paulina asked.

Adam shook his head. “I asked him, but he does not want to be away from Montbryce Castle any longer than necessary in these uncertain times, especially when I revealed the rumours of a plot to kidnap him.”

They stood for a few minutes more in silence, then made their way back to camp to begin their journey.

~~~

“You’re possessed, Denis,” Adam whispered to his brother as they bedded down in their tent for the fourth night on the road. “Try to get some sleep tonight instead of tossing and turning. You are wearing me out, and I am sure Robert is mightily relieved not to be spending another night in the same tent.”

Denis turned over on his cot to face Adam. He drew the blanket up to his chin to ward off the November chill. “I’m sorry. I’m anxious to get home and get this wedding over with. Now I know Paulina loves me, I cannot wait to get my hands on her lovely little body.”

Adam turned onto his back, grazing his knuckles back and forth across his forehead. “Think how I feel. I had given up hope of ever bedding a woman, now I get aroused simply looking at Rosamunda.”

Denis snorted. “We’re a pair of green youths.”

Adam tapped his lips with his forefinger. “You’ll wake Mathieu! And the ladies’ tent is not far away.”

Denis pouted. “Too bad their brothers suddenly became concerned about propriety, otherwise I’d have Paulina beneath me now. Ridiculous.”

Adam yawned. “I don’t mind. I was determined to wait until I was married before I planted my seed in a woman’s belly. I can wait a few more days.”

Denis drifted off to sleep. His dreams were filled with images of Paulina. Her nipples were dark, haloed by wine-rich areolas. He brushed his thumbs over them, relishing her moans of pleasure.

He trailed kisses along her neck as she thrust her head back, raking her fingernails through his hair. He bent to suckle at her breast.

Somehow a grinning brindled cat appeared in his dream, startling him awake.

“
Merde
,” he swore, pulling up his
couilles
to ease the ache at his groin.

~~~

Adam, Mathieu, and Denis rode into the courtyard of Belisle Castle. As they dismounted, their mother left the shelter of her husband’s cloak to embrace each in turn. “Welcome home,
mes fils
, I am overjoyed to see you safely returned.”

Antoine clasped forearms with each of his sons, thumping them heartily on the back. “We worried over Adam’s message, then the riders came with news of your imminent arrival. Much has happened. You must tell us all.”

He stopped suddenly. “But where are my future daughters-by-marriage?”

Adam braced his legs. “We have left them outside the walls with their brothers. We have things to discuss with you first.”

Antoine frowned. “Is something wrong?”

Denis stepped forward. “Mathieu has ceded the line of succession back to Adam now that he is—er—cured.”

“Cured?” Sybilla whispered, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at Adam.

Adam nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat.

Denis continued. “You must approve of this change before we can proceed further.”

Adam did not envy his father his predicament. Antoine de Montbryce struggled to maintain his composure, but his face betrayed his conflicting emotions.

Mathieu spoke first. “Adam is the rightful heir to this
demesne
. He has recovered his—” He reddened, avoiding looking at his mother. “His ability to—er—”

He took a deep breath. “Anyway. I have withdrawn my claim, willingly, and have given Adam my oath of allegiance.”

Antoine’s breathing was shallow. He put his hand on his youngest son’s shoulder. “You are a noble and honourable knight, Mathieu de Montbryce. I respect your decision.”

He turned to Adam. “Adam de Montbryce, as my eldest son, I recognise you as my heir. Now bring in the women before your mother faints with anticipation.”

“About my betrothed,” Adam began. “Rosamunda is mute.”

“And, in case you were wondering, Paulina is a dwarf,” Denis added.