Malraux’s body was draped inelegantly across the horizontal pole of the next level of the scaffolding, his bejewelled hands clamped tight on the wood.
The utter silence was broken only by the crackle and hiss of the bonfires and the ominous creaking of the swaying scaffolding. Women held their hands to their mouths. Men gaped. No one breathed.
Trying desperately to devise a way to save his brother and his beloved, Adam cupped his hands to his mouth. “Denis. Keep absolutely still.”
If they fell, he could not catch both.
~~~
Into the silence intruded the thud of hooves. Adam felt it in his feet. Many horses, approaching fast. He looked to Vincent. “They will topple the tower.”
Everyone had turned to gape at the newcomers, a large contingent of armed knights reining their mounts to a halt. Adam immediately recognized his brother, Mathieu, and his cousin, Robert, but was not sure who the diminutive knight in front was until she dismounted quickly, screaming Denis’ name.
Paulina?
Vincent called her name and ran to embrace her, but she never took her eyes off the scene atop the scaffolding. She broke away from her brother and shouted to Robert. “Bring the tent.”
Puzzled, Adam watched Robert direct his men to bring forward a canvas tent. But he quickly understood the plan and took hold of an edge of the canvas.
“Carry it over to the rock and stretch it out. You must hold it as tightly as you can,” Paulina commanded.
The last time Adam had seen Paulina she had reminded him of a timid mouse. Now she stood like the Conqueror at Hastings, issuing orders. The Boadicea of Kingston Gorse. He half expected to see Topaz perched on her shoulder.
She cupped her hands around her mouth. “Rosamunda, you must let go. We stand ready to catch you.”
Nothing happened.
“I don’t think she heard me,” Paulina rasped.
Adam tried. “Rosamunda, you will be safe. I promise. Trust me. Let go.”
Rosamunda looked into Denis’ eyes. Her arms were being wrenched from their sockets and Denis would not have the strength to hold onto her much longer. The scaffolding threatened to collapse at any moment, dragged down by the dangling windlass.
“Trust him,” Denis whispered. “He loves you. He will let no harm befall you.”
“You?” she mouthed.
He smiled. “Now I see my Paulina is safe, I have no intention of dying on this rickety structure. I will jump after you.”
Trusting her fate to God, she let go of the pole and fell backwards into nothingness.
~~~
Lying flat on his belly, Denis peered over the edge in time to see Rosamunda land safely in the canvas held by the men below. A cheer went up from the crowd that minutes before had been thirsting for blood.
Adam lifted her from the folds of the tent and carried her off to safety. Another man took his place at the edge of the canvas.
Paulina peered up at him, her face full of love and anguish, her arms outstretched.
For a moment his courage failed him. He was aware his spine and hips were not made like those of other men. What might result in a few bruises for them could cripple him forever.
But he’d be damned if he would die in a heap of broken wood. He slowly unbuckled his sword belt, then came to his feet carefully. But the scaffolding swayed alarmingly. He looked down. Malraux had managed to stand and was shifting his weight deliberately between two upright poles. He screamed at Denis. “I’ll not die alone, dwarf.”
It was now or never.
As the plank beneath his feet disappeared, Denis spread his arms wide and flung his body out into the void.
~~~
Paulina worried that catching Denis would not be the same as catching Rosamunda. As the scaffold fell apart, she shouted urgently to the men holding the tent. “He has no voluminous gown to cushion his fall. Hold the canvas higher, but when he hits, let it sag a little with his weight.”
As poles and planks clattered to earth, she prayed she would get the opportunity to tell Denis the things she should have confessed long ago.
He hit with a sickening thud. The men lowered the canvas to the ground. Denis lay in the centre, his eyes closed, arms thrust out at his sides.
“Denis,” she screamed, stumbling into the canvas. She fell to her knees at his side and threw her arms around his neck, kissing his full lips, his stubbled chin, his high forehead. “Please don’t die, Denis. I love you,” she sobbed.
Denis peeled open one eye. “You love me?”
She pulled back, rubbing the back of her hand over her eyes. “You’re alive.”
She swatted his shoulder. “You made me believe you were dead.”
He smiled mischievously. “I was enjoying the kisses and hugs. I thought for a moment I had landed in heaven.”
He rolled to sit up, but she threw herself at him again, smothering him with kisses. He laced his fingers into her hair, forcing her to prolong the kiss. He coaxed her mouth open with his tongue and desire spiralled through her belly as he deepened the kiss. She felt his male part harden against her belly and brazenly rubbed her mons against it. They broke apart both panting for breath, his eyes wide.
“I have longed to kiss you,” Denis growled.
She felt her face redden. “I don’t know how to kiss.”
Denis chuckled. “Yes, you do.”
“Do you intend to sit there all night, or can I have my tent back?”
They looked up sharply. Denis scrambled to his feet, helping Paulina to rise. “Robert, cousin. I apologise. I owe you my life and here I am dallying with a maiden when I should be falling to my knees in gratitude.”
The two men embraced. Robert laughed. “It’s Paulina to whom you owe your gratitude. She insisted we make the trek to Carnac, convinced your life was in danger. It was a courageous thing she did, escaping from Malraux.”
Denis arched his brows as he looked at Paulina.
“And on horseback, believe it or not,” she crowed.
~~~
Rosamunda savoured Adam’s warmth as he cuddled her to his chest. He had already used his dagger to slice off the offensive harness Malraux had fitted her with. She had no memory of being garbed in the hideous white gown. The last thing she remembered was being rescued by Letyce Revandel.
She looked up at Adam and smiled as they watched Denis and Paulina climb off the canvas and speak to Robert.
He kissed each corner of her mouth delicately, then sucked her bottom lip. “I thought I had lost you,” he rasped. “After the boat capsized, I believed you had drowned.”
She put her forefinger on his lips. “Current strong,” she mouthed. “Swept away.”
He tightened his hold. “I will never allow you to be exposed to such dangers again.”
She shrugged. “Life is dangerous.”
Then she pointed to a solitary figure standing with the horses.
“My brother, Mathieu,” he explained.
She frowned, hearing the sadness behind his words.
He inhaled deeply. “It’s a long story. When we believed I would never sire children, he insisted I forfeit my right to inherit Belisle.”
She had never asked Adam about his family, or his inheritance. What mattered was they be together. But she heard the bitterness in his voice. “Now?” she asked.
He watched Mathieu, who glanced at them occasionally, averting his eyes quickly when he noticed them watching.
He stood and set her on her feet. “We will have to settle it. Now is as good a time as any. Stay here.”
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
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 th
ere 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.
CHAPTER FIFTY
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.”
Haunted Knights (Montbryce~The Next Generation Historical Romance) Page 21
