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

faces are full of pity. I must go.”
    Antoine recognized his son’s determination. He gritted his teeth and clasped Adam’s hand, speaking slowly. “Where will you go?”
    “With your permission, I will go to inspect your estates in England. I thought to use East Preston as a base.”
    Denis stepped forward. “I will come with you, Adam, be your ears until you heal. Perhaps two half men will make a whole!”
    ~~~
    Sybilla de Montbryce’s throat tightened. Long ago, after Denis’ birth, despair for his future had threatened to destroy her. Indeed, as she lay on the floor in a stupor after unsuccessfully trying to prevent the midwives from racing off with him, a part of her had perhaps hoped their murderous intent might come to fruition. The despicable old man her father had sold her to lay dead. She was a prisoner of the hated Normans. How was she to care for a deformed child?
    But the intervention of her maidservant, Oda, aided by Antoine, had given Denis a chance at life. Antoine’s love had saved her from madness and her son from a lifetime of rejection and degradation. Her firstborn’s life had not been easy, but he had become a source of pride.
    She hugged that pride to her heart now as he insisted on accompanying his brother. Adam had lost much. With Denis’ help, he might survive the catastrophe that had befallen him. A spark of hope flickered in her breast.
    ~~~
    A maelstrom of emotions swirled in Adam’s heart. He and Denis had long been friends, the Giant and the Dwarf. But the giant had been brought low, and no longer cared about the future.
    Denis’ devastation at his half-brother’s illness was obvious, but his eyes had never held pity, rather compassion. Denis despised those who pitied him.
    “I will not be a good travelling companion,” Adam rasped.
    Denis put his fingers at the corners of his mouth and forced a wide grin, wagging his head from side to side. “Whereas I am well regarded as a jocular fellow people love to travel with.”
    He linked his arm with Adam’s. “We will make a perfect pair, as we always have, mon frère .”
    Adam clenched his jaw, trying to break the link. “I am not the same. Things are different now.”
    Denis braced his legs, poking Adam in the belly. “You are still my brother, and without your agreement I will follow you to East Preston.”
    The determined jut of Denis’ chin convinced Adam there was no point arguing further. “Very well. We leave on the morrow.”
    ~~~
    Denis breathed a sigh of relief as Adam took his leave of their grieving parents and sisters in the windswept bailey of the castle. Mathieu had rasped his adieu in the Great Hall after the family had broken its fast in uncomfortable silence.
    Spring seemed to have given way to winter’s last hurrah. Denis hoped for better weather for their crossing of the Narrow Sea.
    He had expected his half-brother to fight harder. Denis had tasted the bitterness of despair and rejection. He had learned to rise above it, to be the best man he could be, despite his stunted stature.
    Could he help Adam? Denis had been born a dwarf, whereas Adam was a strapping warrior ladies swooned over. His illness had seemingly robbed him of his potency as a male and his hearing. A long convalescence had left him pale and dispirited.
    The physician remained puzzled by Adam’s impotency, and his brother refused to discuss it further. Denis prayed it was a temporary malady. Whenever he felt low, he usually found a good romp in the hay with a willing wench the perfect cure. Obviously that was not a solution for Adam in the present circumstances.
    His brother had never treated him as half a man. Denis resolved not to allow self pity to destroy his beleaguered brother.

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Agnès tapped at the door of her mistress’s chamber, expecting no reply. She entered, as she did every morning, knowing she would find Maudine Lallement curled with her knees to her chest in the small bed.
    As usual, the lady of Kingston