Conquest (The Montbryce Legacy Anniversary Edition Book 1)
Page 29
That fateful October night, their eldest brother had sensed his turmoil. “There’s no shame in fear,” Rambaud had stated flatly. “I’m afraid, as is Antoine. Any man who tells you he isn’t terrified of the impending battle with the Saxons is a liar. The important thing is not to allow fear to control you. Bravery is born of fear.”
His brother’s words had both reassured and annoyed him. “I can’t stop shaking, but I’m not a coward.”
Now, three months later, riding the frost-rutted route to Domfort with Antoine, Hugh recalled his outburst the night after the horror of the battle. “Why is it the thing a man feels most compelled to do after courting death is lie with a woman? The survivors in my brigade are hobbling round with tree trunks at their groins.”
His shaking hand had gone to his rigid manhood. “Look at me. I can’t help myself.”
His confession had caused his brothers to shift nervously on their camp stools. The three were gazing into the dying embers of a fire they had hoped would dispel the October chill and warm their hearts after the sickening slaughter. He knew their discomfort was not caused by embarrassment at the uncharacteristically shocking remark from their baby brother, but because they understood.
Into the dark memory of those terrible days when the future of England and Normandie hung in the balance, Antoine’s voice penetrated. “Let’s hope Ram and Mabelle reached Westminster in time for the coronation of our Duke William as King of the English on Christmas Day.”
Hugh glanced at his brother. “They’ll have made it, if the tides and winds were favorable. After the festivities, I suppose Ram will be obliged to leave Mabelle in Westminster. He can’t take her to live in Ellesmere Castle, given its dilapidated state.”
Antoine nodded his agreement. “Oui. I don’t blame Ram for being disappointed with the condition of the castle Duke William granted him. Compared with Montbryce, it’s a ruin.”
“Nothing more than an earthwork,” Hugh added.
Antoine chuckled, his thoughts evidently on the same events. “I’m sure no one has ever been wedded and bedded as speedily as Mabelle.”
“If Ram failed to show up at Westminster, he would surely lose his promised earldom, but he was willing to risk it to bind Mabelle to him,” Hugh replied. “While he may not yet realize it, she’s his soul mate.”
His own words chilled his heart. He had resolved never to look for a soul mate. Hastings had changed him forever. The happy-go-lucky Hugh was gone, ground into the blood, muck and gore.
Antoine nodded. “I hope Ram comes to appreciate Mabelle more. She’s the woman he’ll need as he tries to establish his earldom in England.”
“Oui.”
“Especially in the dangerous Welsh Marches.”
“Oui.”
Antoine chattered on, pulling his cloak more tightly around him in the chilly air. “The brutality of our army’s victorious crossing of the Thames at Wallingford sickened me. I was glad of the chance to escape the never-ending bloodshed and accompany Ram on his journey to inspect Ellesmere Castle. He certainly deserves the earldom granted as a reward for the building of our fleet for the invasion, but he and Mabelle will have their work cut out for them in Ellesmere.”
“Oui.”
“But Mabelle is strong. She’s survived on her wits for many years.”
“Oui.”
Antoine frowned. “Is that all you can say? Oui? What happened to the talkative baby brother I used to know?”
Hugh shrugged. “He’s no more. I’m sorry, I don’t feel like making conversation.”
Antoine shook his head and sighed. “Look, mon frère, memories of Hastings are painful for us all. I’ll never be the same. The horror will always be with me, but I will not allow it to ruin my life. We were lucky all three of us survived and we should celebrate that.
“You fought well at Hastings, distinguished yourself in fact, and we were fortunate to serve under Ram’s command, helping the Conqueror take Dover and Canterbury.”
His brother was right and yet Hugh’s dark mood refused to leave him. “I suppose I should be thankful to have survived with only a gash on my arm from a Saxon sword. I’ll try not to be so sombre.”
He rubbed his bicep. The wound had healed well, but the muscle ached still.
“Good. I’ve no wish to be talking to myself all the way to Domfort. Ram was concerned about you after Hastings, and I’m beginning to see why. He’s appointed us overseers of Mabelle’s dowry holdings at Domfort and Belisle, so we must live up to his expectations.”
Hugh’s shoulders tensed. “Of course we’ll live up to his expectations. We’re Montbryces. I haven’t forgotten that. I won’t let either of them down. You’ll help me get established at Domfort, then journey on to Belisle.”
They rode in silence for a long while before Antoine spoke again. “Hasten the day when Mabelle’s father no longer holds Alensonne in his manic grip, then we can turn our talents to sorting out that castle as well.”
Hugh sensed his brother’s discomfort with his silence. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. It will just take a while to get over Hastings.”
How to confess the slaughter had aroused him?
Ram had kept a mistress before he met Mabelle, though he had been discreet about Joleyne. Antoine’s reputation with the ladies was legendary. But Hugh had never pursued women, never felt the same rush of need he often experienced now. It was dangerous. If violence aroused him, he might kill a woman in the throes of passion.
Anna's Story
Thank you for reading CONQUEST. If you’d like to leave a review where you purchased the book, and/or on Goodreads, I would appreciate it. Reviews contribute greatly to an author’s success.
I’d love you to visit my website and my Facebook page, Anna Markland Novels.
Tweet me @annamarkland, join me on Pinterest, or sign up for my newsletter.
Follow me on BookBub and be the first to know when my next book is released.
I am a firm believer in love at first sight. My characters may initially deny the attraction between them, but eventually the alchemy wins out. I want readers to rejoice that my heroes and heroines have found their soul mates and that the power of love has overcome every obstacle. For me, novels are an experience of another world and time. I lose myself in the characters’ lives, always knowing they will triumph in the end and find love. One of the things I enjoy most about writing historical romance is the in-depth research necessary to provide readers with an authentic medieval experience. I love ferreting out bits of historical trivia I never knew. I based the plot of this novel on the true story of a Norman noblewoman who spent her early years wandering in exile.
I hope you come to know and love my cast of characters as much as I do.
I’d like to acknowledge the assistance of my critique partners Jacquie Biggar, Sylvie Grayson, LizAnn Carson and Reggi Allder. And a big thank you to beta reader Maria McIntyre.