If Love Dares Enough (The Montbryce Legacy Medieval Romance) by Anna Markland

Author:Anna Markland [Markland, Anna]
Language: en-us
Format: mobi
Publisher: Bleubelle Press
Published: 2011-12-27T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Sir Renouf de Maubadon clenched his jaw when he saw the Bishop of Arundel’s shoulders sag. The cleric had espied him among the petitioners three sennights after his first visit. Obviously the churchman had no solution for him. He resented having to kiss this fool’s ring, but had no choice. Arundel shifted in his richly carved chair, seemingly irritated. Renouf didn’t wait for the cleric to speak, but launched into his complaint when his turn came. He saw no point in being polite, wanting to underscore the seriousness and legitimacy of his plea. Devona was his. No other had a right to her.

“My lawful wife is still in Normandie. Have you news for me—your Excellency?”

The Bishop cleared his throat. “Messages have been sent, my son. These things take time. It has been only a fortnight, has it not?”

“A sennight longer.”

“Even so—”

Renouf sensed the Bishop was stalling and probably had no intention of helping him. “I suppose it’s difficult to deal with a family such as the Montbryces,” he said loudly.

The Bishop squirmed again and his fist tightened around his crosier. Renouf noticed the cleric was sweating. “Diplomacy takes time. You would do well to heed what I say, my son.”

“Diplomacy is not what I seek. I want justice. I will go to the King.”

“The King is in Normandie,” the Bishop retorted.

“Good. I’m bound for our homeland two days hence.”

The Bishop’s smile turned sour.

“Go with God, then, my son.”

Renouf smirked and left without waiting for a blessing.

Three days later he was kneeling before the Bishop of Caen, explaining once more the crime that had been perpetrated against him. He had decided against going directly to the King. The risk was too great and such a process would take too long.

Caen had meant a detour in his usual travel arrangements. As the interview progressed, he sensed this much more powerful Norman churchman had already been made aware of the matter. However, he left the audience with a feeling that this time something would come of his complaints, and he strode confidently out of the hall to retrieve his sword, bumping into a man whose garb bespoke a person of lower rank.

“Attention, fool,” Renouf scolded. “Watch where you’re going in the presence of your betters.” He grimaced when he saw the man had one arm. “You might have touched me,” he said with disgust.

“Forgive me, milord,” the man replied, but Renouf thought the apology insincere. However, the Bishop’s palace wasn’t a place to cause a scene. He retrieved his sword and left to continue his journey, bothered momentarily by a strange feeling he’d seen the one armed man before.

***

Devona and her family had been at Domfort a month. Their arrival had caused a stir. The master now dined in the hall with his Saxon guests, resulting in all kinds of speculation and gossip.

As she got to know him better, Devona came to understand that Hugh de Montbryce was a man who struggled with unseen demons, just as she did.

Did he know the name of his demons? Hers were fear and hatred.

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