She smiled. “I plan to do my research here during the week and vegetate at De Wolfe Hall on the weekends, where I intend to take full advantage of all the spa has to offer. I’m going to be a great mother to Gaetan…” she put her hand atop his… “and the bun-in-the-oven, and a wonderful and inventive lover to my amazing husband. How do you like the sound of that, Mr. Blaise de Wolfe the Third?”
“You’re already a superlative lover,” he replied with a grin, though her promise had stirred a pleasant arousal.
Gaetan rubbed his eyes and yawned, then cupped Blaise’s face in his little hands. “Hungree, mummy…daddy.”
Anne laughed. “Out of the mouths of babes…”
EPILOGUE
University of Birmingham, Present Day
Anne felt privileged to be part of a select audience allowed to listen in on Abigail Devlin’s defense of the dissertation for her Ph.D. in medieval history. She squirmed in her cushioned seat and leaned her elbows on the too-bright white writing desk that ran the length of the row. “At least the new seats are comfortable,” she whispered to Blaise as they watched some of the world’s foremost experts in medieval studies assemble at the front of the refurbished lecture theatre. “But why have they lowered the screen? Abigail doesn’t have a Powerpoint presentation.”
He eased her back and put his arm around her shoulders. “Relax. Everything will go fine.”
Inwardly, she knew he was right. She’d spent the better part of a year assisting Abigail with her research into William the Conqueror’s anges de guerre, thrilled to find a person as immersed in the history of Gaetan de Wolfe as she was. Yet, the winged creatures fluttering in her tummy refused to be still. “But what if they don’t accept the authenticity of the Book of Battle? I myself was skeptical for a while when Abigail first told me about it.”
“That’s not going to happen,” he reassured her.
Her nervousness increased when she recognized one of the seven members of the adjudicating panel. “Good heavens, they’ve even seconded Dr. Sorkin from the Sorbonne in Paris. He’s the world’s leading expert in medieval battles. Abigail’s getting nervous. How is she to convince a man who thinks he knows everything there is to know about Hastings that he doesn’t?”
“You can only see the back of her head from up here, so how can you know that? Now, stop fussing and enjoy seeing the reactions to the historical bombshell you’ve helped unleash on the academic world.”
She obeyed, gripping the arms of her seat. “Do you think the children are behaving for their nanny?”
When Abigail’s advisor came to her feet and cleared her throat, Blaise pressed a finger to his lips. “You worry too much. Gaetan and Ghislaine love Petula.”
Strangely, her nerves settled as Dr. Sykes began the introductions. “We’ve all had the opportunity to review your dissertation, Abby,” she announced. “I believe Dr. Sorkin wishes to begin the inquiry, so let’s start.”
Time seemed to fly by as Abby explained how she had come across a previously unknown historical document known as the Book of Battle, thanks to two men. The emotion in her voice was unmistakable as she introduced Peters Groby and Queensborough Browne, both of whom were seated in the audience. Each lifted a hand to wave at the panel.
Anne swallowed the lump in her own throat and cuddled into Blaise’s bicep. They were also aware of what today’s events meant to the two men. They were giving a voice to warriors whose names and heroic deeds had been lost to time—the original band of brothers.
“Mr. Browne is a direct descendant of Sir Anthony Browne, who was a close confidant of Henry VIII,” Abby explained. “Through him I was able to gain access to a medieval journal that had been in the family’s possession since the Dissolution. This journal, the Book of Battle, was written by a monk, Jathan de Guerre.”
Anne leaned close to Blaise’s ear. “In a way, Jathan was the first war correspondent,” she whispered with a grin. “It’s thanks to his description of the Battle of Hastings that we confirmed your ancestor Gaetan was known as Warwolfe.”
When the balding man in the row in front of them turned round and glared indignantly, her husband squeezed her hand. “I know.”
It was true she’d told him the same thing a thousand times, but he never seemed to tire of sharing her delight in the knowledge.
She preened as the renowned experts salivated over the newly-revealed ancient book. Her heart swelled to the point of bursting when Dr. Rapkin mentioned that de Wolfe was still a well-know name, and Abby introduced Blaise as a direct descendent.
She felt the flush rise in her cheeks when Abby publicly acknowledged her help in researching the history of the family and even recommended her company. Digging Up Your Roots caused a murmur of amusement to ripple through the audience.
When Abby moved on to discuss the lineages of the other illustrious knights who had come to England so long ago with Gaetan, Blaise took Anne’s hand and lifted it to his lips. “I’m so proud of you,” he whispered.
“And I am proud to belong to a family with such deep, heroic roots,” she replied.
“Like your own Montbryces,” he said. “We’re the perfect union of two great dynasties.”
The man in front turned again, but this time he beamed a big smile.
About Anna
Thank you for reading Hungry Like de Wolfe. If you’d like to leave a review on Amazon, 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.
This story is a departure from the medieval world I usually frequent, except of course it has heavy medieval overtones. In most of my books, passion conquers whatever obstacles a hostile medieval world can throw in its path.
Besides writing, I have two addictions-crosswords and genealogy, probably the reason I love research.
I am a fool for cats.
I live on Canada’s scenic west coast now, but I was born and raised in the UK and I love breathing life into the history of my homeland.
Escape with me to where romance began.
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, Reggi Allder, Jacquie Biggar, Sylvie Grayson and LizAnn Carson.
More Anna Markland
The Montbryce Legacy Anniversary Edition (2018)
I Conquest—Ram & Mabelle, Rhodri & Rhonwen
II Defiance—Hugh & Devona, Antoine & Sybilla
III Redemption—Caedmon & Agneta
IV Vengeance—Ronan & Rhoni
V Birthright—Adam & Rosamunda, Denis & Paulina
The Montbryce Legacy First Edition (2011-2014)
Conquering Passion—Ram & Mabelle, Rhodri & Rhonwen (audiobook available)
If Love Dares Enough—Hugh & Devona, Antoine & Sybilla
Defiant Passion-Rhodri & Rhonwen
A Man of Value—Caedmon & Agneta
Dark Irish Knight—Ronan & Rhoni
Haunted Knights—Adam & Rosamunda, Denis & Paulina
Passion in the Blood—Robert & Dorianne, Baudoin & Carys
Dark and Bright—Rhys & Annalise
The Winds of the Heavens—Rhun & Glain, Rhydderch & Isolda
Dance of Love—Izzy & Farah
Carried Away—Blythe & Dieter
Sweet Taste of Love—Aidan & Nolana
Wild Viking Princess—Ragna & Reider
Hearts and Crowns—Gallien & Peridotte
Fatal Truths—Alex & Elayne
Sinful Passions—Bronson & Grace; Rodrick & Swan
Series featuring the Viking ancestors of my Norman families
The Rover Bold—Bryk & Cathryn
The Rover Defiant—Torstein & Sonja
The Rover Betrayed—Magnus & Judith
Novellas
Maknab’s Revenge—Ingram & Ruby
Pas
sion’s Fire—Matthew & Brigandine
Banished—Sigmar & Audra
Hungry Like De Wolfe—Blaise & Anne
Unkissable Knight—Dervenn & Victorine
Caledonia Chronicles (Scotland)
Book I Pride of the Clan—Rheade & Margaret
Book II Highland Tides—Braden & Charlotte
Book 2.5 Highland Dawn—Keith & Aurora
Book III Roses Among the Heather—Blair &Susanna, Craig & Timothea
The Von Wolfenberg Dynasty (medieval Europe)
Book 1 Loyal Heart—Sophia & Brandt
Book 2 Courageous Heart—Luther & Francesca
Book 3 Faithful Heart—Kon & Zara
Myth & Mystery
The Taking of Ireland—Sibràn & Aislinn
The Pendray Papers
Highland Betrayal—Morgan & Hannah (audiobook available)
Clash of the Tartans
Kilty Secrets—Ewan & Shona
Kilted at the Altar—Darroch & Isabel
Kilty Pleasures—Broderick & Kyla
Link to Amazon page
Hungry Like de Wolfe Page 9
