Haunted Knights (Montbryce~The Next Generation Historical Romance) Read Free

Rosamunda’s hair, she embarked on the story of two brothers of a noble Norman family, Antoine and Hugh de Montbryce, both heroes of the Battle of Hastings. “The Conqueror granted Hugh oversight of neighbouring Melton Manor, where he discovered his true love, Devona Melton.”
    Rosamunda sighed and laid her head in her sister’s lap.
    Paulina huffed. “You must do something with your hair. It looks like windblown straw.”
    Rosamunda blew out exasperated air from between her lips. It was a familiar scolding. She sat up, swatting away her sister’s fingers. There was no-one to see her hair.
    Paulina continued, a patient smirk on her face. “Antoine helped Hugh rescue Devona from an abusive husband. Grandfather assisted them with the loan of a rowboat.”
    Rosamunda had never known Sir Stephen, but it pleased her he had been willing to aid in the rescue of a damsel in distress. Surely he would not have locked away his granddaughters?
    Rosamunda never tired of the story of the intrepid Montbryces, of caves and secret passages. She imagined herself in the stead of Devona Melton. But who would be her hero, her champion? No man wanted to marry a woman with her impediment. There was no tall, dark knight from the chansons courtoises Vincent sang to ride to her rescue, showering her with courtly love.
    She grunted the question. “Melton?”
    Paulina reached to retrieve her embroidery.
    Rosamunda tore it once more from her grasp. Now it was Paulina’s turn to snort, but she carried on the tale. Paulina was only too aware of Rosamunda’s stubborn nature. “Lucien says the Montbryces still come from time to time from their castle in Normandie to visit Devona’s childhood home. He and Vincent have befriended Hugh’s two sons, Melton and Izzy de Montbryce, but they speak only in passing of their sister, Antoinette.”
    Rosamunda and Paulina had both laughed upon first hearing the name Izzy, until Lucien explained it was a nickname for Isembart.
    “They are also acquainted with Adam and Mathieu de Montbryce who come frequently from Normandie to East Preston, an estate granted to their father, one of your heroes, Antoine. Adam and Mathieu have a half brother, who has never accompanied them to England, and two sisters. Lucien and Vincent hardly mention them.”
    Rosamunda understood why their brothers perhaps had difficulty socializing with their friends’ sisters. She often daydreamed about these friends her brothers boasted of, and wondered if any of them ever visited Kingston Gorse.
    ~~~
    Paulina had long ago become resigned to a life cloistered in the upstairs chambers of her parents’ home, but shuddered at the lonely existence it might have been if her sister had not been incarcerated with her. She thanked God daily for denying Rosamunda the gift of speech.
    It riddled her with guilt. Her beautiful sister suffered confinement because she was mute. Their parents had failed to recognise her many talents. Rosamunda had a keen, inquiring mind. Her green eyes sparkled with laughter and her elfin smile lit up a room. Despite their situation, Rosamunda loved to laugh. She had no voice, yet Paulina understood everything she said , or did not say.
     

CHAPTER THREE
     
    “He cannot sire children.”
    Denis recognised Mathieu might be right, but it angered him that their younger brother was adamant in his insistence Adam could no longer be the heir to Belisle.
    They had argued back and forth for a fortnight while Adam convalesced. Denis fisted his hands at his side. “You cannot be sure of that. His hearing has improved a little. The physicians agree the disease has apparently changed the size and appearance of his—”
    He glanced at his mother, not sure if this was appropriate conversation for a woman. He soldiered on. “But they also see no reason for his present inability to—”
    He had never felt so uncomfortable. His mother’s tear-filled eyes told him she understood his torment. He searched for alternative words to