She pulled away and looked into his eyes. “Will we love them any less if they are?”
How could he have been so blind? This woman who had never known love from her own parents would of course cherish children. He had thought to deny her and himself that joy.
He kissed the top of her head, then broke them apart and lay back on the bed, patting the space beside him. “Come here and lay with me. Let’s make a baby.”
EPILOGUE
Alphonse Revandel seemed to lose his wits after his daughter’s disappearance and his sons’ incarceration. When news was brought to him that Winrod and Dareau had been murdered in prison, apparently by someone to whom they owed a great deal of money, he wandered off into the South Downs and was never seen again.
Antoine deeded Poling Manor to Denis with the proviso he never sell it. Denis spent summers there with his wife and children. Adam and Rosamunda and their brood usually accompanied them on the journey, the Montbryces staying at nearby East Preston.
Vincent Lallement became Master of a rebuilt and refurbished Kingston Gorse. Lucien married a wealthy heiress who brought him a sizable house in Hastings as part of her dowry.
King Henry continued to spend time, effort, and money increasing the size and grandeur of Arundel Castle. Adam and Denis and their families often spent time there as His Majesty’s guests. The two men were fond of boasting to Henry’s court that the Giant and the Dwarf would be boon companions to the end. However, they made sure to return to Belisle Castle months before the King turned his thoughts to the annual celebrations of the Hallowmas Triduum.
Whenever he was in England, Adam took time to kneel in thanksgiving before the altar of Saint Alban. He became known as one of the abbey’s most generous benefactors.
FAMILY TREE
THE NEXT GENERATION SERIES
(AKA WOUNDED WARRIORS)
Dark Irish Knight~Ronan MacLachlainn has been cruelly tortured, resulting in the blinding of one eye. He burns to avenge the loss of his Irish estates and the murder of his wife. Nothing can stand in his way, not even love.
Dance of Love~Arthritis has gnarled Izzy de Montbryce’s hands so badly he can hardly wield a sword. Can the ancient wisdom Farah has learned in captivity heal his heart as well as his hands?
If you are curious to read the story of Hugh, Devona, Antoine and Sybilla that so enthralled Rosamunda, If Love Dares Enough is the book for you!
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 tackling fiction, 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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DWARFISM AND OTHER SKELETAL DISPLASIAS
(Information provided by Little People of America)
There are over 200 distinct types of dwarfism. The most common type is achondroplasia.
Over 80% of people with dwarfism have average height parents, siblings and children
It is very rare to have any type of mental impairment with dwarfism.
Preferred terminology for someone with dwarfism is “short stature”, “having dwarfism”, “little person”, or “dwarf”. The term “midget” is antiquated and can be perceived by some as a rude slang word.
People with dwarfism are able to do everything an average height person can—they can ride bikes, play sports, drive cars, travel, have fulfilling careers and families; they just may need a stool or a simple accommodation.
For more information contact the Little People of America organization. www.lpaonline.org
Author’s Note:
In my story, Paulina suffers from Pituitary dwarfism, a condition of growth retardation characterized by people who are very short in stature but have normal body proportions. It is caused by a dysfunction of the pituitary gland, the pea-sized mass of tissue located at the base of the brain.
Denis is an achondroplastic dwarf.
Of course, none of these medical terms existed in medieval times.
Elements of my story were inspired by actor Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones). At the 2013 Golden Globe Awards he spoke of Martin Henderson, a British dwarf facing life in a wheel chair after being “tossed” by a modern day medieval thinker.
His attacker may have been inspired by a “dwarf tossing” incident involving members of the English Rugby squad during a tour of New Zealand.
GLOSSARY
If you like stories with medieval breeds of dogs, you’ll enjoy If Love Dares Enough, Carried Away, and Wild Viking Princess. If you have a soft spot for cats, read Passion in the Blood and Haunted Knights.
Looking for historical fiction centred on a certain region?
English History—all books
Norman French History—all books
Crusades—A Man of Value
Welsh History—Conquering Passion, Defiant Passion, Dark and Bright, The Winds of the Heavens
Scottish History—Conquering Passion, A Man of Value, Sweet Taste of Love
European History (Holy Roman Empire)—Carried Away
Danish History—Wild Viking Princess
Spanish History—Dance of Love
Ireland—Dark Irish Knight
If you like to read about historical characters:
William the Conqueror—Conquering Passion, If Love Dares Enough, Defiant Passion
Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy—Passion in the Blood
Henry I of England—Passion in the Blood, Sweet Taste of Love
Heinrich V, Holy Roman Emperor—Carried Away
Vikings—Wild Viking Princess
Kings of Aragon (Spain)—Dance of Love
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
DIK=Dark Irish Knight
HK=Haunted Knights
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
Abertawe—Welsh name of Swansea in south Wales DB
Adam de Montbryce—Son of Antoine and Sybilla PIB; hero of Haunted Knight
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 DOL
Agnes—Norman scullery maid at Domfort Castle ILDE
Agnès—maidservant of Maudine in HK
Agneta Kirkthwaite—English Heroine of Danish and Saxon descent in AMOV
Aidan Branton FitzRam—Son of Caedmon and Agne
ta, twin of Blythe; named for Agneta’s brothers slain at Bolton. AMOV, CA; hero of STL
Aiweeda—elderly nun in DIK
Alain Cormant—steward at East Preston HK
Alban—first English martyr; the city of St. Albans grew around his shrine HK
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—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
Alphonse Revandel— father of Letyce HK
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
Arundel Castle—famous Norman castle in Sussex HK
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
Belisle Castle—Antoine’s castle in Normandie
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.
Bernadine de Montbryce—daughter of Antoine and Sybilla
Bernhardt—Dieter’s valet, CA
Berthold de Quincy—Hospitaller Knight DOL
Bertrand de Poitou—herald of King Henry HK
Bileaud—Norman steward at Domfort Castle ILDE
Blythe Lacey FitzRam—Daughter of Caedmon and Agneta, twin of Aidan. Born in AMOV. Heroine of CA
Boadicea—warrior queen in ancient Briton; also Boudicca HK
Boden—English mastiff in ILDE
Bolton—Village in Northumbria; location of Kirkthwaite Hall AMOV;STL
Bonhomme—Normans; family name of the stewards of Montbryce and Ellesmere.
Brémonde—Norman; one of Ram’s commanders at Ellesmere CP
Brevis—Denis’ horse HK
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
Cairdis—Ronan’s sword, a gift from Rhodri, means Friendship DIK
Cantabrian Sea—today known as the Bay of Biscay DOL
Carnac—village in Brittany; site of ancient monoliths HK
Capilla del Relicario—Reliquary chapel, Santiago de Compostella cathedral DOL
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 Lladrones—Hill of Thieves DOL
Commote—A Welsh area of administration, similar to a county.
Conall MacCathail—steward’s son DIK; helps Ronan escape
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
Daegal—Saxon brigand DIK
Dagfinn Alfredsen—Dane; ally of Reider in WVP
Dagfrid—Dane; cousin of Kjartan in WVP
Dareau Revandel— brother of Letyce HK
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; hero of HK
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
Dubh Linn (or Dyflin)—Dublin DIK
Earl of Chester—Hugh d’Avranches. Historical figure. Known by the Welsh as Hugh Vras (the Fat) PIB, DIK
East Preston—Sussex village; sight of fictitious manor deeded to Antoine HK
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
Eldwyn—Saxon brigand DIK
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
Emyle Bossuet—Norman commander of mercenaries in Ireland DIK
Enid—Saxon maid of Ascha Woolgar. CP & AMOV
Espérance—Cat who brings solace to Robert during his imprisonment. 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.
FitzRam—Norman patronymic surname bestowed on Caedmon by Ram. AMOV
Fleurie Mabelle de Montbryce—Daughter of Baudoin & Carys. Her mother almost dies giving birth to her. DB
Florymonde de Montbryce—daug
hter of Antoine and Sybilla
Fortis—Black stallion; Ram’s favourite mount; saves his life at Hastings CP
Fortissima—Rhoni’s mare, descended from Fortis DIK
Fothud MacFintain—villain DIK
François de Giroux—Norman father of Dorianne and Pierre PIB; sworn enemy of the Montbryces ILDE
Frederika—Dieter’s first wife, CA
Freyja—Norse goddess of fertility;WVP
Gabriel Duquesne—Norman Captain of Rhoni’s bodyguard DIK
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, Jubert. 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 Valtesse's cruelty to their ancestor; CP, ILDE & PIB
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 Terrence—champion supposed to guard heroines in HK
Guillaume de Valtesse—Norman father of Mabelle; his cruelty begins the feud between the Valtesses and the Giroux family; CP
Hastings—Site 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