HEARTLESS: A Medieval Romance (Age of Conquest Book 4)

by Tamara Leigh

  The Book of Wulfrith, begun by Sir Elias de Morville in the twelfth century, chronicling their family beginning with the sire of the eleventh-century Saxon lady of the House of Wulfrith who wed a Norman knight of the House of D’Argent, included a narrative titled The Tale of the Lost D’Argent. Hector’s grandmother, tale-giver and keeper of the book, had warned it could be more imagination than truth since it was not written down until a century after its events. Still, she believed its every word—except for the unicorn, she had added and winked at the boy who sat at her feet.

  So here proof the D’Argent cousin who disappeared from England had done so with the woman who, rather than aid in overthrowing King William, escaped marriage to the King of Denmark’s son and instead wed Maël D’Argent? If so, was it also proof the boy standing before him was not only a D’Argent descendant but blood of the last Anglo-Saxon king of England?

  Hector set the second parchment alongside the first, returned his regard to Sévère whose lips were pressed so tight one would not know there had been fullness about them earlier. “Intriguing,” he said and nodded at the cask. “What else have you?”

  Once more the lid was raised. This time it was not parchment taken from the cask but something wrapped in black cloth.

  Hector offered his hand and, feeling the brush of soft fingertips as the object was set in his palm, glanced at Sévère and paused over eyes averted above flushed cheeks.

  Not a youth, he amended. So how old? Twenty? Aye, at most one or two steps up from there the same as—

  Wrenching free of remembrance of the one he himself had laid in the ground, he turned back cloth fine enough to be a remnant of a larger piece used to fashion a lady’s gown. Center of it was a silver and gold brooch of fine workmanship—the letter G impaled on a sword whose point was tipped with a triangular ruby.

  “You wish me to believe the G signifies Godwine,” Hector said. “That it was given to this Mercia as proof of her birth.”

  “After what you have read and for how valuable the brooch, you must agree there is no other conclusion,” Sévére said.

  “Nay, I must not agree, boy.” He folded the cloth over the brooch. “But if I did, it would change naught.”

  “But—”

  Sévère and Mace startled as the scrape of Hector’s chair resounded around the hall.

  He straightened. “Whether or not this boy is of the family D’Argent that wed into the family Wulfrith, whether or not royal blood courses his veins, he is not of England.”

  As Sévère’s mouth worked, evidencing a struggle for further argument, Hector swept up the parchments and strode the back of the dais.

  “Baron Wulfrith,” Sévère appealed as he came around the table, “surely an exception can be made for—”

  “Only if you can gain an audience with King Edward and persuade him to believe what you would have me believe. Both highly unlikely.”

  Nearing, he noted the cask that had been closed following each extraction was left open the last time. Another item lay within, and the one who followed his gaze gasped and dropped the lid, belatedly concealing an opal set in an expanse of silver.

  As Hector halted, Sévère fully turned to him and took a step forward as if to shield both cask and boy.

  He extended the parchments and brooch.

  Doubtless interpreting that as an end to their audience—and nearly it was—anger leapt in Sévère’s eyes and convulsed a jaw that would never be hard or broad enough to command the respect of warriors.

  Then that one drew a strident breath, scooped up the brooch, and snatched away the parchments. “You know not what you—”

  A yelp interrupting words that sought to cure him of ignorance, Hector watched as a tail of fair hair tumbled from beneath the cap he plucked off, then glanced from wide, stricken eyes to those of the boy beyond, next Squire Gwayn. “I do know what I do, Sévère,” he rumbled, then mockingly frowned. “Or is it Séverine?”

  Gripping the items returned to her, the young woman splayed her arms as if to further shield Mace. Fear where there had been anger, she said in a voice now strained not to sound a man but to crawl past a constricted throat, “Forgive me, Baron. It was done to gain your ear since women are not permitted at Wulfen, and I was certain more credence would be accorded my appeal were it not presented by one of the fairer sex.”

  Before he could respond, the boy said in French, “I told I could present it on my own, Séverine. Now see, you have made a mess of all. Never will I be admitted—”

  “Never would you be admitted regardless had you presented the tale,” Hector growled. He had no reason to side with the woman, no reason to feel anything less than annoyance for the time she had stolen from him, but it was true there was no place for the boy at Wulfen. Too, it was impossible to ignore the chill desperation that had fallen upon Séverine like the blackest of nights when dense clouds and stinging rain blot out moon and stars.

  “I am not vengeful, lady,” he said, though he knew not if she could lay claim to that title. “Exposing you is enough punishment for your deceit. Now I have duties that need tending.” He jutted his chin at the cask. “Take your treasures and go.”

  Her stance and wariness eased, but she did not trust him enough to look away. Thus, she felt the brooch and parchments into the cask, tucked the box beneath her arm, and closed her mantle over it.

  “Again, apologies, Baron. We shall trouble you no more.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Come, Mace. The day grows short.”

  The boy shot Hector a resentful look then followed her from the dais.

  Now that Séverine no longer played a young man, she walked like a lady, her gait smooth and bound hair gently swaying center of her back.

  “Hold!” Hector called.

  Seeing expectancy splash across the faces of those who spun around, he regretted they believed he gave them cause for hope. Merely, he could not have the one who entered as a young man depart as a woman in this place where the latter were not permitted.

  There were exceptions, as when circumstances necessitated a baron of Wulfen extend his stay within these walls. So he not leave his wife too long absent her husband at the sister castle of Stern, she would join him here, remaining out of sight of the boys and young men so they not be distracted. Over the centuries, many were the Wulfrith babes conceived in this fortress exclusive to the training of boys into men—and several had been birthed here.

  Not so for the current baron, and likely never since no longer did he keep a wife. And dared not take another.

  Now as he strode toward Séverine who gave him no reason to be attracted to her, he noted once more her lips were full, having been parted by surprise, hope, and what might be the beginning of a smile of gratitude.

  Glad she was on the plain side of pretty that had, for a short time, allowed her to fool him, he halted and held out her cap. “Best not to distract those whose minds must be on matters that will one day determine whether it is life that stands their sides or death.”

  Hope purged, anger filling that space, Séverine snatched the cap from him, thrust it atop her head, shoved her hair beneath, and pivoted. But before she took a single step forward, she came back around. “How did you know I was not a man?”

  Hector allowed a small smile. “You are not the first woman to enter here without permission. As your predecessor succeeded long enough to gain a measure of training, in the two hundred years since that lady humiliated my ancestor, those of Wulfen have been better trained to see beneath disguises that might endanger them and our great commission.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “A lady, you say?”

  “Annyn Bretanne, also an ancestor since later she wed the man she nearly disgraced.”

  There, a bit of a smile, and though the woman remained relatively plain, it turned her somewhat attractive. “Good day, Baron.” Moments later, the doors closed behind her and the boy.

  Hector remained unmoving some moments, then called, “To the training field, Squire Gwayn. I
have further lessons to impart ere day is done.”

  But first, Séverine imparted one to him.

  Do not expect an angry woman to be compliant, he told himself a short while later when, amid the buzz of astonished boys and young men, he saw the trespassers put heels to their mounts—no cap upon the woman’s head.

  Dear Reader,

  If you’re curious about this scene’s heading of EPILOGUE-EXCERPT-PROLOGUE, be curious no longer. As much as this is the Epilogue of HEARTLESS, it’s the Excerpt of the first book in the 14th century AGE OF HONOR series, releasing the year of our Lord, 2022 (or somewhere thereabouts). Meaning it’s also that tale’s Prologue, though it could end up being written in Séverine’s point of view. Well, providing this brewing new series comes to a boil. Am I excited about what’s ahead for the Wulfriths beyond the 8-book AGE OF CONQUEST and AGE OF FAITH series? You know I am!

  Thank you for spending precious reading time with Sir Maël and Abbess Mary Sarah—er, Lady Mercia. If you enjoyed the fourth Wulfrith origins tale, I would appreciate a review of HEARTLESS at your online retailer—just a sentence or two, more if you have time.

  Up next in the AGE OF CONQUEST series is RECKLESS, the love story of my Anglo-Saxon warrior, Vitalis, and Lady Nicola D’Argent. Watch for its release Autumn 2020.

  For new releases and special promotions, subscribe to Tamara Leigh’s mailing list: www.tamaraleigh.com

  AGE OF CONQUEST PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

  Abelard: AA-buh-lahrd

  Aelfled/Aelf: AYL-flehd

  Aethelflaed: EH-thul-flehd

  Aetheling: AA-thuh-leeng

  Aiken: AY-kihn

  Alditha: AHL-dee-thuh

  Alfrith: AAL-frihth

  Balliol: BAY-lee-uhl

  Bernia: BUHR-nee-uh

  Bjorn: BEE-yohrn

  Boudica: BOO-dih-kuh

  Campagnon: CAHM-paan-yah

  Canute: Cuh-NOOT

  Chanson: SHAHN-sahn

  Cyr: SEE-uhr

  D’Argent: DAR-zhahnt

  Daryl: DAA-rihl

  Dougray: DOO-gray

  Ebbe: EH-buh

  Eberhard: EH-buh-hahrt

  Edelwine: EH-duhl-wihn

  Ely: EE-lee

  Em: EHM

  Emma: EHM-uh

  Estienne: EHs-tee-ihn

  Fortier: FOHR-tee-ay

  Fulbert: FOO-behr

  Gerald: JEHR-uhld

  Gloucester: GLAH-stuhr

  Gloucestershire: GLAH-stuhr-shuhr

  Godfroi: GAWD-frwah

  Godwine: GAHD-wihn

  Gospatric: GAHS-paa-trihk

  Grandmesnil: GRAHN-may-neel

  Guarin: GAA-rahn

  Guy: Gee

  Gwain: GWAYN

  Gytha: JIY-thuh

  Hawisa/Isa: HAH-wee-suh/EE-suh

  Hugh: HYOO

  Ingvar: EENG-Vah

  Jaxon: JAAK-suhn

  Lavonne: LUH-vahn

  Leicestershire: LEH-stuhr-shuur

  Maël: MAY-luh

  Maerleswein: MAYRL-swiyn

  Mary Sarah: MAA-ree-SAA-ruh

  Mercia: MUHR-see-uh

  Merle: MUHRL-uh

  Michel: MEE-shehl

  Nicola: NEE-koh-luh

  Ordric: OHR-drihk

  Pierre: PEE-ehr

  Ravven: RAY-vihn

  Raymond: RAY-mohnd

  Rixende: RIHKS-ahnd

  Robine: rah-BEEN

  Roche: ROHSH

  Roger: ROH-zheh

  Sévère: SAY-vehr

  Séverine: SAY-vuh-reen

  Sigward: SEEG-wuhrd

  Stigand: STIY-guhnd

  Sweyn: SVIHN

  Theriot: TEH-ree-oh

  Torquay: tohr-KEE

  Wulf: WUULF

  Wulfrith: WUUL-frihth

  Vitalis: VEE-tah-lihs

  Wynflaed: Wihn-flehd

  Zedekiah: ZEH-duh-KIY-uh

  PRONUNCIATION KEY

  VOWELS

  aa: arrow, castle

  ay: chain, lady

  ah: fought, sod

  aw: flaw, paw

  eh: bet, leg

  ee: king, league

  ih: hilt, missive

  iy: knight, write

  oh: coat, noble

  oi: boy, coin

  oo: fool, rule

  ow: cow, brown

  uh: sun, up

  uu: book, hood

  y: yearn, yield

  CONSONANTS

  b: bailey, club

  ch: charge, trencher

  d: dagger, hard

  f: first, staff

  g: gauntlet, stag

  h: heart, hilt

  j: jest, siege

  k: coffer, pike

  l: lance, vassal

  m: moat, pommel

  n: noble, postern

  ng: ring, song

  p: pike, lip

  r: rain, far

  s: spur, pass

  sh: chivalry, shield

  t: tame, moat

  th: thistle, death

  t~h: that, feather

  v: vassal, missive

  w: water, wife

  wh: where, whisper

  z: zip, haze

  zh: treasure, vision

  AGE OF CONQUEST GLOSSARY

  ANDREDESWALD: forest that covered areas of Sussex and Surrey in England

  ANGLO-SAXON: people of the Angles (Denmark) and Saxons (northern Germany) of which the population of 11th century England was mostly comprised

  BLIAUT: medieval gown

  BRAIES: men’s underwear

  CASTELLAN: commander of a castle

  CHAUSSES: men’s close-fitting leg coverings

  CHEMISE: loose-fitting undergarment or nightdress

  CHEVALIER: a knight of France

  COIF: hood-shaped cap made of cloth or chain mail

  DEMESNE: home and adjoining lands held by a lord

  DONJON: tower at center of a castle serving as a lord’s living area

  DOTTER: meaning “daughter”; attached to a woman’s name to identify her by whose daughter she is

  EMBRASURE: opening in a wall often used by archers

  FEALTY: tenant or vassal’s sworn loyalty to a lord

  FORTNIGHT: two weeks

  FREE MAN: person not a slave or serf

  GARDEROBE: enclosed toilet

  GIRDLE: belt worn upon which purses or weaponry might be attached

  HILT: grip or handle of a sword or dagger

  HOUSECARLE: elite warrior who was a lord’s personal bodyguard

  KNAVE: dishonest or unprincipled man

  LEAGUE: equivalent to approximately three miles

  LIEGE: superior or lord

  MAIL: garments of armor made of linked metal rings

  MISCREANT: badly behaving person

  MISSIVE: letter

  MOAT: defensive ditch, dry or filled with water

  MORROW: tomorrow; the next day

  MOTTE: mound of earth

  NITHING: derogatory term for someone without honor

  NOBLE: one of high birth

  NORMAN: people whose origins lay in Normandy on the continent

  NORMANDY: principality of northern France founded in the early 10th century by the viking Rollo

  PARCHMENT: treated animal skin used for writing

  PELL: used for combat training, a vertical post set in the ground against which a sword was struck

  PIKE: long wooden shaft with a sharp steel or iron head

  POLTROON: utter coward

  POMMEL: counterbalance weight at the end of a sword hilt or a knob located at the fore of a saddle

  PORTCULLIS: metal or wood gate lowered to block a passage

  POSTERN GATE: rear door in a wall, often concealed to allow occupants to arrive and depart inconspicuously

  QUINTAIN: post used for lance training to which a dummy and sandbag are attached; the latter swings around and hits the unsuccessful tilter

  SALLY PORT: small hidden entrance and exit in a fortification

  SAXON: Germanic peo
ple, many of whom conquered and settled in England in the 5th and 6th centuries

  SENNIGHT: one week

  SHIRE: division of land; England was divided into earldoms, next shires, then hundreds

  THANE: in Anglo-Saxon England, a member of the nobility or landed aristocracy who owed military and administrative duty to an overlord, above all the king; owned at least five hides of land (a hide being equal to between 60 and 120 acres)

  TRENCHER: large piece of stale bread used as a bowl for food

  VASSAL: one who holds land from a lord and owes fealty

  Also by Tamara Leigh

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  Baron Of Godsmere: Book One

  Baron Of Emberly: Book Two

  Baron of Blackwood: Book Three

  LADY: A Medieval Romance Series

  Lady At Arms: Book One

  Lady Of Eve: Book Two

  BEYOND TIME: A Medieval Time Travel Romance Series

  Dreamspell: Book One

  Lady Ever After: Book Two

  STAND-ALONE Medieval Romance Novels

  Lady Of Fire

  Lady Of Conquest

  Lady Undaunted

  Lady Betrayed

  INSPIRATIONAL HISTORICAL ROMANCE

  AGE OF FAITH: A Medieval Romance Series

  The Unveiling: Book One

  The Yielding: Book Two

  The Redeeming: Book Three

  The Kindling: Book Four

  The Longing: Book Five

  The Vexing: Book Six

  The Awakening: Book Seven

  The Raveling: Book Eight

  AGE OF CONQUEST: A Medieval Romance Series

  Merciless: Book One

  Fearless: Book Two

  Nameless: Book Three

  Heartless: Book Four

  Reckless: Book Five (Autumn 2020)

  INSPIRATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

  HEAD OVER HEELS: Stand-Alone Romance Collection