Robert held up his hand. “If you would stop babbling and let me speak.”
Izzy bowed, his hopes shattered.
Robert took Farah’s hand. “First, and mostly importantly, welcome to the Montbryce family, Farah. The name you bear now is an honourable one with a glorious history. I am confident you will be worthy of it. I don’t know what it is you see in this bad-tempered cousin of mine, but—” he chuckled, “—I hope he knows how lucky he is. Who would have thought Izzy would fall victim to the Montbryce curse!”
Farah frowned.
Robert bent towards her and whispered, “He’ll explain it to you later, I’m sure.”
He turned to face Izzy. “Secondly, I hastened here upon receiving news of a possible rebellion, only to discover a fit and disciplined army and household staff whose love and loyalty you seem to have inspired. I can hardly believe this is the same castle I left not too long ago.”
Izzy opened his mouth, but Robert silenced him. “Third, my own cousin seems to have become the richest man in the duchy of Normandie, nay maybe in all of Francia, with his stash of gold.
“Fourth, you are equipping your men with a sword that will be the envy of everyone in Normandie, and I expect to receive one as a gift for myself.
“Fifth, I, of all people, do not need to be convinced of the merits of a man riding off to rescue the woman he loves. Do you recall naught of my history?”
He took a deep breath. “Need I say more?”
Izzy looked at his cousin sheepishly. “Does this mean I can remain as Master?”
Robert grimaced. “Do you take me for a complete fool, Izzy? I want you to be the Seigneur here. You have more than demonstrated your worth and your ability to lead. Giroux Castle will be in safe hands with you, and Farah. Hopefully it won’t eat up all your wealth!”
Izzy bowed to Robert. “I thank you, cousin.”
Farah flew into Izzy’s arms. “You have your heart’s desire at last.”
He cradled her tightly. “You are my heart’s desire, Farah.”
###
FAMILY TREE
If you would like to know more about Izzy’s father, Hugh de Montbryce, you will enjoy If Love Dares Enough. It is also the story of Antoine, the middle brother, and how he came to be the stepfather of Denis de Sancerre, the dwarf.
Other books in the Next Generation Series.
Dark Irish Knight
Ronan seeks vengeance for the loss of his eye and the murder of his wife. Nothing can stand in his way, not even love.
Haunted Knights
They seemed destined to be together, but Adam could never reveal the dark secret that would keep them apart.
AL-KINDI’S RECIPE FOR DRUG FOR THE SPIRITS
(modern weight equivalents included)
Colchicum 12 mithqals 53.53 grams
Leaf of Meccan Henna 1 mithqal 4.46 grams Caper leaf 1 mithqal 4.46 grams
Pepper 1 mithqal 4.46 grams
Long pepper 1 mithqal 4.46 grams
Cinnamon 1 mithqal 4.46 grams
Indian cumin 1 mithqal 4.46 grams
Ginger 1 mithqal 4.46 grams
Dry Storax ¼ mithqal 4.46 grams
Cuttlefish bone ¼ mithqal 1.115 grams
Sal ammoniac (fossil salt) ¼ mithqal 1.115 grams Salt ¼ mithqal 1.115 grams
The ingredients of this recipe are pulverized and kneaded with honey. One dose is 5 dirhams (15.625 grams), which is taken with food.
Al-Kindi uses colchicum instead of colocynth. The colchicum is counterbalanced by the use of ginger to prevent accidental poisoning. The salts and dry storax are used to decrease the toxicity. The use of cuttlefish bone and the salts help flush the colchicum out of the body after it has served its purpose. The use of caper leaves, long and black pepper, cinnamon, and ginger helps the digestive system maintain its regularity, with the caper leaf activating the bowels. One of the problems with the use of colchicum is its actions on the bowels allows them to act too freely, so the use of henna leaves are used to prevent diarrhea. Another problem with the use of colchicum is the decrease in the heart rate, so the use of cinnamon is used to regulate the heart, and it is used to prevent spasms and strokes.
Known as Al-Kindi in the Western world, Abu Yusuf Ya’qub ibn. Ishaq al-Kindi was most likely born in Basra in 800 C.E. He was of a noble family. His father was the emir of Kufa, a direct descendant of al-Ash’ath ibn Qays, the King of Kinda and companion of the Prophet Muhammad.
Although Al-Kindi was educated in Baghdad in philosophy, he is a major figure in the translation of Greek, Persian, and Syriac works into Arabic. As for Al-Kindi’s works, there are over 300 known treatises from many different subject matters. The Formulary is an extensive handbook of the recipes for drugs, whereas the treatise On Degrees expands on Galanic pharmacological theory on how to produce compound drugs. Little more is known about his life except that he died sometime after 870 C.E.
MUSTO, CHRISTOPHER JOHN. The Ancient and Medieval Pharmaceutical Treatments for Arthritis, Gout, and Sciatica. (Under the direction of Dr. John M. Riddle).
About the Author
Anna Markland is a Canadian author with a keen interest in genealogy. She writes medieval romance about family honour, ancestry and roots. Her novels are intimate love stories filled with passion and adventure. Following a fruitful career in teaching, Anna transformed her love of writing and history into engaging works of fiction. Prior to becoming a fiction author, she published numerous family histories. One of the things she enjoys most about writing historical romance is the in-depth research required to provide the reader with an authentic medieval experience.
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GLOSSARY
A complete glossary for Ms. Markland’s novels.
CP=Conquering Passion
AMOV=A Man of Value)
ILDE=If Love Dares Enough
PIB=Passion in the Blood
DP=Defiant Passion
DB=Dark and Bright
WTH=The Winds of the Heavens
CA=Carried Away
STL=Sweet Taste of Love
WVP=Wild Viking Princess
DOL=Dance of Love
Abbaye aux Dames—An abbey for women built in Caen by William the Conqueror ILDE, PIB
Abbaye aux Hommes—An abbey for men built in Caen by William the Conqueror ILDE, PIB
Abbey—Agneta’s mare in AMOV
Abbot—Caedmon’s roan stallion in AMOV
Adam de Montbryce—Son of Antoine and Sybilla PIB
Adelaide—Daughter of King Henry I; married Holy Roman Emperor, Henry V CA
Aediva Melton—Sister of the Saxon heroine in ILDE Aegir—Norse god of the sea WVP
Agnes—Norman scullery maid at Domfort Castle ILDE
Agneta Kirkthwaite—English Heroine of Danish and Saxon descent in AMOV
Aidan Branton FitzRam—Son of Caedmon and Agneta, twin of Blythe; named for Agneta’s brothers who were slain at Bolton. AMOV, CA; hero of STL
Alexandre de Montbryce—Eldest son of Robert and Dorianne. Heir to the title Comte de Montbryce. Born in Caen during his father’s incarceration PIB
Alfonso Sánchez—King of Aragón DOL
al-Kindi—historical figure born in Basra; medieval Islamic physician; DOL
Alnwick—Located in Northumbria. Site of a battle in 1093 between Roger de Mowbray, Earl of Northumbria, and Malcolm, King of Scotland. Malcolm and his
son were killed. Agneta rescues Caedmon from the battlefield and tends his injuries. AMOV
Álvar Fáñez—historical figure; Spanish hero of the Reconquista, cousin of El Cid
Amadour de Vignoles—Norman comrade of Caedmon during Crusade; hero of Civitote AMOV; DOL
Andras ap Rhys—Welshman—Friend and comrade of Rhodri ap Owain in CP and DP
Aneurin ap Norweg—Welshman—Friend and comrade of Rhodri ap Owain in CP and DP
Angeline Hugo—Norman peasant, rape victim of Arnulf de Valtesse CP
Anjou—Geographic area of France south of Normandy. Its people are called Angevins. Normans and Angevins were traditional enemies. ILDE
Anna—Dieter’s housekeeper, CA
Annalise de Vymont—Heroine of DB. Niece of the Earl of Chester.
Antoine de Montbryce—Norman hero of ILDE; brother of Rambaud and Hugh
Apollo—Izzy de Montbryce’s horse DOL
ap Owain—Welsh patronymic—son of Owain
Aragón—Medieval kingdom in northeastern Spain DOL
Ariel—Rhodri’s Welsh pony DP
Arnulf de Valtesse—Norman half brother of Mabelle de Montbryce, heroine of CP. Bastard son of Guillaume de Valtesse. Murdered in CP by Simon Hugo
Artus Aubin—Norman steward of Giroux Castle DOL
Ascha (Bronson) Woolgar—Saxon mother of Caedmon; in CP and AMOV
Badajoz—city in Spain DOL
Barat Cormant—Norman steward brought to England by the Montbryces for Sussex properties; ILDE; son of Michel, brother of Théo.
Baudoin de Montbryce—Norman born in England; second son of Ram and Mabelle de Montbryce; becomes 2nd Earl of Ellesmere; marries Carys verch Rhodri; appears in CP, AMOV, DP and PIB.
Beal—coastal village in Northumbria close to Holy Island STL
Bemia Melton—Saxon sister of heroine of ILDE
Bernard Chauvelin—Norman soldier at Montbryce Castle PIB
Bernard de Montbryce—Father of Ram, Antoine and Hugh. Dies in 1066 while his sons are fighting in England.
Bernhardt—Dieter’s valet, CA
Berthold de Quincy—Hospitaller Knight DOL
Bileaud—Norman steward at Domfort Castle ILDE
Blythe Lacey FitzRam—Daughter of Caedmon and Agneta, twin of Aidan. Born in AMOV. Heroine of CA
Boden—English mastiff in ILDE
Bolton—Village in Northumbria; location of Kirkthwaite Hall
Bonhomme—Normans; family name of the stewards of Montbryce and Ellesmere.
Brémonde—Norman; one of Ram’s commanders at Ellesmere CP
Brigantia—English mastiff in ILDE
Brindis—Ram de Montbryce’s horse in CP
Brother Christian—religious name given to Aidan when he enters the monastery STL
Brother Tristan—Cellarer in charge of mead making at Lindisfarne STL
Caedmon Brice (Woolgar) FitzRam—Illegitimate son of Ram de Montbryce and Ascha Woolgar. Appears in CP, PIB & CA; hero of AMOV
Cantabrian Sea—today known as the Bay of Biscay DOL
Capilla del Relicario—Reliquary chapel, Santiago de Compostella cathedral
Caryl Penarth—Welsh healer; appears in CP and DP
Carys verch Rhodri—Welsh; healer; daughter of Rhodri and wife of Baudoin de Montbryce. Becomes 2nd Countess of Ellesmere. Appears in PIB, DP and DB
Catherine de Montbryce—Daughter of Robert and Dorianne PIB
Chaca—Aragonese name for the ancient town of Jaca DOL
Civitote—site of the heroic rescue of thousands of crusaders by Caedmon and Amadour AMOV
Coll de Ladrones—Hill of Thieves DOL
Commote—A Welsh area of administration, similar to a county.
Cormant—Normans; family name of stewards at Alensonne in CP and at East Preston in ILDE
Coventina Brightmore—Saxon; friend of hero and heroine in AMOV; marries Leofric Deacon
Curia regis—Latin for King’s Court ILDE
Dagfinn Alfredsen…Dane; ally of Reider in WVP
Dagfrid—Dane; cousin of Kjartan in WVP
Dda—Welsh surname of Rhonwen and Myfanwy; CP and DP and DB
de Valtesse—Maiden surname of heroine of CP
Denis de Sancerre—Angevin; son of Sybilla and adopted son of Antoine de Montbryce; dwarf ILDE & PIB
Devona Melton—Saxon; heroine of ILDE; marries Hugh de Montbryce
Dieter Von Wolfenberg—German hero of CA; marries Blythe FitzRam; appears in WVP
Dominguez—Aragonese; King Alfonso’s lieutenant DOL
Dorianne de Giroux—Norman heroine of PIB; marries Robert de Montbryce
Earl of Chester—Hugh d’Avranches. Historical figure. Known by the Welsh as Hugh Vras (the Fat) PIB, DB
Edgar the Aetheling—Saxon; historical figure. Claimant to throne of England taken by William the Conqueror. Aetheling is a Saxon term for “next in line”; appears in CP and AMOV
Edwin FitzRam—English; brother of Blythe, Aidan and Ragna; son of Caedmon and Agneta STL
El Batallador—nickname given to King Alfonso, means “The Battler” earned because he fought the Moors DOL
El Cid—historical figure; Spanish hero of the Reconquista DOL
Elenor de Giroux—Norman; mother of Dorianne de Giroux; wife of Francois. PIB
Ellesmere—Location of castle given to Ram as a reward by William the Conqueror. Ram and Mabelle eventually turn a derelict Anglo-Saxon earthwork into a vibrant, thriving castle.
Emrys—Cook at llys Powwydd. DB
Enid—Saxon maid of Ascha Woolgar. CP & AMOV
Espérance—Cat who brings solace to Robert de Montbryce during his solitary confinement. The word means ‘hope’. PIB
Étienne Robert de Montbryce—Second son of Baudoin and Carys; DB,STL
Farah—Aragonese; heroine (María Sancha Tarazona) Arabic word meaning ‘joy’DOL
Felicia de Roucy—historical figure; mother of King Alfonso of Aragón DOL
Fernand Bonhomme—Norman; second generation of his family to be steward of Montbryce Castle. Father of Mathieu and Honore. Married to Vangeline.
Fleurie Mabelle de Montbryce—Daughter of Baudoin and Carys. Her mother almost dies giving birth to her. DB
Fortis—Black stallion; Ram’s favourite mount; saves his life at Hastings CP
François de Giroux—Norman father of Dorianne and Pierre de Giroux PIB; sworn enemy of the Montbryces ILDE
Frederika—Dieter’s first wife, CA
Freyja—Norse goddess of fertility;WVP
Galicia—kingdom/region in the west of Spain DOL
Gallien Rambaud de Montbryce—Eldest son of Baudoin and Carys DB, STL
Gareth Bronson—Saxon brother of Ascha Woolgar; takes Ascha to Scotland. CP & AMOV
Gawain Bronson—Saxon nephew of Ascha Woolgar; CP & AMOV
Georges de Giroux—Norman, Crusader. Reappears in DOL
Gervais—Norman soldier; Ram’s second in command; CP & DP
Gerwint Isembart de Montbryce (Izzy)—Second son of Hugh and Devona. Named for his grandfather and great grandfather, and the rat catcher, Joubert. Prefers to be called Izzy.PIB; Hero of DOL
Gerwint Melton—ILDE Saxon grandfather of heroine
Gicotte—Norman soldier at Montbryce Castle; PIB
Giroux—Norman surname of the family sworn to avenge Guillaume de Valtesse’s cruelty to their ancestor; CP, ILDE & PIB; also the name of their castle DOL
Giselle—Norman maidservant who accompanies Mabelle to England and becomes chatelaine of Ellesmere; kidnapped with Mabelle; CP
Glain verch Llewelyn—Welsh bonesetter in DB
Gorm—villain of WVP; step brother of Reider
Grouchet—Anglo-Norman baron, villain of STL
Guillaume de Valtesse—Norman father of Mabelle; his cruelty begins the feud between the Valtesses and the Giroux family; CP
Hastings—Site in Southern England of a historic battle in
1066 that changed the history of England and Normandy CP
Heinrich—Historical figure; Holy Roman Emperor; CA
Hel—Norse word for Hell WVP
Hélène de Fleury—Norman wife of friend of Montbryce brothers killed at Hastings. CP
Hospitallers—Knights of the Order of St. John DOL
Hugh de Montbryce—Norman-virgin hero of ILDE; brother of Antoine and Ram CP, PIB
Husembro—hidden cove on Danish coast WVP
Hylda—Christian name of Mabelle’s mother, purported to have been strangled by her husband, Mabelle’s father.
Hylda Rhonwen de Montbryce (Rhoni)—Daughter of Ram and Mabelle born in captivity in Wales; CP, AMOV
Iftikhar ad-Daula—historical figure; governor of Jerusalem DOL
Ingram Maknab—Scot; son of Neyll. STL
Isembart Joubert—Rat catcher from Montbryce; instrumental in saving the lives of Hugh and Devona; ILDE
Isolda verch Llewelyn—Welsh healer, heroine of WTH
Ivar Sigurdsen—Dane; captain in WVP
Jennet—Northumbrian peasant woman STL
Johann Dieter Marius von Wolfenberg—Dieter’s son by his first marriage, CA
Johara—Arabic name given to María Catalina; means ‘jewel’ DOL
Joleyne—Norman mistress of Ram de Montbryce before he meets Mabelle; CP
King Harald Hardråda of Norway—Historical figure; pretender to the English throne; killed by King Harold’s army at Stamford Bridge; CP
King Harold II of England—Historical figure; Saxon brother-in-law of Edward the Confessor. Claimed the throne on Edward’s death; slain at Hastings by the Conqueror’s army; CP
King Henry I—Norman king of England; son of William the Conqueror; known as Henry Beauclerc; succeeded his brother William Rufus on the throne. Historical figure; PIB
King Malcolm Canmore of Scotland—Historical figure. CP & AMOV
King William I of England—William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandie. CP, ILDE; historical figure
King William Rufus—William II of England; son of the Conqueror; AMOV; historical figure
Kirkthwaite—Surname of Agneta’s family AMOV
Kirkthwaite Hall—Ancestral home of Agneta’s family, destroyed in a raid by the Scots AMOV