Passion in the Blood by Markland Anna

Author:Markland, Anna [Markland, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: BleuBelle Press
Published: 2012-02-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Ram was angry. “Baudoin, this is too much. I can’t deal with more stress. First your brother comes with this notion of marrying a Giroux and now you want to marry the daughter of my sworn enemy! Rhodri will fight this to the bitter end. He’ll never agree to your marriage, and if he does, his hot-headed sons will never accept it. Your marrying Carys could restart the hostilities we’ve had the good fortune to live without for many years.”

Baudoin clenched his jaw. They rarely argued, but now his son responded angrily. “Am I then the only Montbryce not to be allowed to wed for love? You’re quick to boast how fortunate you are to be a man who loves his wife, and yet you would deny me the possibility?”

Ram felt his rheumatic knees wouldn’t support him much longer. “But are you sure you love her, Baudoin? And does she feel the same? Has she considered the ramifications?” he asked, wondering if he’d ever seen Baudoin so animated.

“Mon père,” Baudoin replied indignantly, “I’m not a child. I’m a man. I was man enough to accompany you to Constantinople on your perilous search for Caedmon, I’m man enough to be the heir apparent to Ellesmere, a castle I’m more or less running already, yet you don’t judge me man enough to recognize love when it stabs me in the heart?”

Ram watched Mabelle struggle to sort out her mixed feelings. But Baudoin was right, and he sensed Mabelle knew it.

“Baudoin,” his mother said softly, “Your father and I are happy for your love of Carys. We’re not as young and resilient as we used to be, and sudden shocks are more difficult to accept. I believe it would be rather wonderful if we had a double wedding. Seeing both my sons happily married would be a bright spot in an otherwise rather desperate time.”

“Thank you, maman,” Baudoin replied, embracing her. “So, Papa, do I have your blessing also?”

Ram shrugged and said, “Evidently I’m not the head of my own household!” But he smiled as he said, “Oui, but you must now seek out Rhodri.”

***

The first person Baudoin sought out was Carys and he shared his good news with her. “Carys, you know how much I’ve wanted you. Sometimes it takes all my control not to rip the clothes off your body and make love to you. But I’ve held back, fearing we could never be together. I didn’t want to have you as my mistress. My parents have at long last given us their blessing. Will you come now to my chamber?”

Carys gasped. “I’ve longed to make you mine, Baudoin. I’ve dreamt of it often and the intensity of my dreams has been—”

Baudoin understood Carys’s deep Celtic belief in the power of her dreams. He kissed her, elated at how aroused she’d become. She parted her lips for him readily and he savoured the warmth of her mouth. She tasted of peppermint. They broke apart and walked arm in arm to his chamber.

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