Star-Crossed

by Anna Markland

  Star-Crossed

  Anna Markland

  STAR-CROSSED

  The Montbryce Legacy Anniversary Edition

  Book VI

  by

  Anna Markland

  ©Anna Markland 2012, 2018

  Star-Crossed by Anna Markland

  Book VI, The Montbryce Legacy, Anniversary Edition

  © 2012, 2018 Anna Markland

  www.annamarkland.com

  All rights reserved. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law. For permissions contact: anna@annamarkland.comThis is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Portions of this narrative previously appeared in the story, Passion in the Blood.

  Cover by Dar Albert

  Contents

  More Anna Markland

  Dire Tidings

  A Decision

  Virtual Prisoner

  First Meeting

  Our Future

  Elation To Desolation

  Over My Dead Body

  Curse The Day

  Despair

  Torment

  Kiss Of Repentance

  No Head For Heights

  Meeting Robert's Parents

  Stolen Thunder

  Possession

  Goodbye Carys

  Wedding Night

  An Unbearable Loss

  Mourning

  A New Life

  The Unthinkable

  The Only Hope

  So Near, Yet So Far

  The Plan

  Last Breath

  Papa Is Home

  Worse Than Expected

  Loss Upon Loss

  She Needs You

  Epilogue

  About Anna

  The strength of a family,

  like the strength of an army,

  is in its loyalty to each other.

  ~Mario Puzo

  For my firstborn,

  Bernard Anthony

  More Anna Markland

  The Montbryce Legacy Anniversary Edition (2018)

  I Conquest—Ram & Mabelle, Rhodri & Rhonwen

  II Defiance—Hugh & Devona, Antoine & Sybilla

  III Redemption—Caedmon & Agneta

  IV Vengeance—Ronan & Rhoni

  V Birthright—Adam & Rosamunda, Denis & Paulina

  VI Star-Crossed—Robert & Dorianne, Baudoin & Carys

  The Montbryce Legacy First Edition (2011-2014)

  Conquering Passion—Ram & Mabelle, Rhodri & Rhonwen (audiobook available)

  If Love Dares Enough—Hugh & Devona, Antoine & Sybilla

  Defiant Passion-Rhodri & Rhonwen

  A Man of Value—Caedmon & Agneta

  Dark Irish Knight—Ronan & Rhoni

  Haunted Knights—Adam & Rosamunda, Denis & Paulina

  Passion in the Blood—Robert & Dorianne, Baudoin & Carys

  Dark and Bright—Rhys & Annalise

  The Winds of the Heavens—Rhun & Glain, Rhydderch & Isolda

  Dance of Love—Izzy & Farah

  Carried Away—Blythe & Dieter

  Sweet Taste of Love—Aidan & Nolana

  Wild Viking Princess—Ragna & Reider

  Hearts and Crowns—Gallien & Peridotte

  Fatal Truths—Alex & Elayne

  Sinful Passions—Bronson & Grace; Rodrick & Swan

  Series featuring the stories of the Viking ancestors of my Norman families

  The Rover Bold—Bryk & Cathryn

  The Rover Defiant—Torstein & Sonja

  The Rover Betrayed—Magnus & Judith

  Novellas

  Maknab’s Revenge—Ingram & Ruby

  Passion’s Fire—Matthew & Brigandine

  Banished—Sigmar & Audra

  Hungry Like De Wolfe—Blaise & Anne

  Unkissable Knight—Dervenn & Victorine

  Caledonia Chronicles (Scotland)

  Book I Pride of the Clan—Rheade & Margaret

  Book II Highland Tides—Braden & Charlotte

  Book 2.5 Highland Dawn—Keith & Aurora

  Book III Roses Among the Heather—Blair &Susanna, Craig & Timothea

  The Von Wolfenberg Dynasty (medieval Europe)

  Book 1 Loyal Heart—Sophia & Brandt

  Book 2 Courageous Heart—Luther & Francesca

  Book 3 Faithful Heart—Kon & Zara

  Myth & Mystery

  The Taking of Ireland —Sibràn & Aislinn

  The Pendray Papers

  Highland Betrayal—Morgan & Hannah (audiobook available)

  Clash of the Tartans

  Kilty Secrets—Ewan & Shona

  Kilted at the Altar—Darroch & Isabel

  Kilty Pleasures—Broderick & Kyla

  Dire Tidings

  Ellesmere Castle, England, August 2nd 1100

  Ram de Montbryce was making sweet love with his beautiful wife when news of the cataclysmic event was brought to him.

  The passion he shared with his beloved Mabelle had never diminished. Rheumatism slowed him down a bit these days, but they still experienced dizzying heights of rapture when they lay together, their bodies joined in bliss.

  They were spending the later years of their lives in Ellesmere, the comfortable castle they had built together, and had fallen into the habit of wiling away pleasant afternoons.

  This day, their tryst was rudely interrupted by loud, insistent banging on the outer door of their chamber.

  “Who is it?” Ram growled.

  “Bonhomme, milord. You’ve received an important missive.”

  Recognizing the uncharacteristic urgency in the steward’s voice, he rose reluctantly from his bed and donned his robe, hoping it might adequately conceal the evidence of their amorous activities. “Wait for me,” he whispered to Mabelle, inhaling his wife’s lavender scent. “This will take but a few minutes, I hope.”

  She smiled seductively and curled up in the linens. “Don’t be long.”

  His hopes were cruelly dashed when he read the terse message handed to him by his grim-faced steward. Without bothering to dress, he went immediately to find his sons, his mind in turmoil. His thoughts went back to the first time he had seen this castle, a reward granted him by William the Conqueror in the year of our Lord One Thousand and Sixty-Six, more than thirty years before.

  He had fallen to his knees in dismay at the dilapidated condition of the crude Saxon earthwork. It had taken him and his family the intervening years to build the castle, the town and its environs into a prosperous and vibrant community. He was immensely proud of their achievement.

  He recalled happy scenes of Robert, Baudoin and Hylda Rhonwen growing up there, and the bitter memory of the lonely torture of his months-long separation from his family, kidnapped by the notorious Welsh rebel Rhodri ap Owain. How elated they had been to return home after their ransom.

  Every sacrifice he and his family had made to establish Norman rule in England was founded on the glorious legacy of their ancestral name derived from the castle where he’d grown up in Normandie. Montbryce Castle was the jewel in the crown.

  Now, he held in his hands news of an unexpected event with the potential to destroy everything his family had worke
d for. They could lose all their estates in England and Normandie.

  * * *

  Though born and raised together in Ellesmere Castle, Robert and Baudoin saw each other infrequently. Robert now lived in Normandie, having assumed responsibility, as the eldest son, for the ancestral castle. He loved Normandie. Montbryce Castle was where he belonged, but he enjoyed visiting his parents in England. He missed his family.

  He and Baudoin were often mistaken for twins. As the only legitimate male offspring, the onus on them to provide heirs to carry on the Montbryce name was heavy, and they were reminded of it more and more frequently nowadays.

  Robert hadn’t yet found a woman who appealed to him as a prospective wife, but he knew Baudoin was enamored with Carys, the castle’s Welsh healer. He chuckled inwardly at the thought of the hornet’s nest such a proposed union might unleash. The Earl of Ellesmere’s son in love with the daughter of the earl’s nemesis, Welsh rebel chieftain Rhodri ap Owain! He would not want to be in Baudoin’s boots when their parents found out, though he suspected they too had an inkling.

  Most noblemen of his acquaintance would scoff at the idea of loving their wives, but Robert wanted what his parents had—a deep, passionate love.

  He and Baudoin were sitting together in the Great Hall of Ellesmere, discussing the political situation in Normandie. The air was still redolent with the aroma of spit-roasted venison. Their parents had left for their solar as soon as the luncheon was finished, making an excuse. Their children knew full well Ram and Mabelle de Montbryce would wile away the afternoon in their chamber. The love they shared had never waned.

  Rhoni and Ronan, visiting from Ireland, had joined in her brothers’ amusement and then gone off to their solar.

  Baudoin chuckled. “Rhoni laughs with us, but she and Ronan cannot keep their hands off each other either.”

  Something akin to desperation assailed Robert. He worried he might never find a life-mate, a woman who would make a good comtesse when he inherited his father’s Norman title.

  Baudoin smiled briefly, then startled him by banging his fist on the wooden table. “Papa is right. We’d be much better off with one ruler for Normandie and England. Serving two masters is intolerable, like walking a tightrope. What’s the sentiment in Normandie?”

  Evidently, his younger brother was not done with the topic of the political predicament faced by the Anglo-Norman nobility since the Conqueror’s death thirteen years before. “I’ve never seen you so animated,” he exclaimed.

  Things said within the confines of Ellesmere might be considered treason by many, but Montbryces never betrayed each other. Family loyalty was paramount. They could hear the distant chatter of servants in the kitchens, but Robert felt comfortable they were too far away to overhear. “Who knows what the Conqueror had in mind when he divided up his empire the way he did? Normandie for Curthose, England for Rufus and gold for the scholarly Henry, who’ll no doubt be a bishop one day. Most of the Norman barons favor obedience to the Conqueror’s eldest son, Robert Curthose.”

  Baudoin snorted. “Ha! Your namesake! The misbegotten Duke of the Normans for the past thirteen years. They’re afraid he’ll confiscate their lands.”

  Robert had been slouching in his chair, legs outstretched. He tensed and sat up. “Listen, I don’t support him because I was named for him. We in Normandie have to be mindful of his power over us.”

  Baudoin nodded his understanding. “You’re right, but most Norman barons own lands in England as well, and here we have to please King William Rufus.”

  Robert threw up his hands. “The question is moot anyway. Duke Robert is reportedly on his way back from the Crusades a wealthier man, Rufus is still in his prime and will likely rule for many more years, so I see no end in sight.”

  Baudoin grimaced. “Given his reputed proclivities and his unmarried state, it doesn’t seem he’ll leave any heirs to follow in his footsteps.”

  Robert smiled. “If only the Conqueror’s sons could get along as a family, like the Montbryces.”

  Baudoin slapped his thigh and laughed at his brother’s jest. “Oui. At least you and I have never emptied chamberpots on each other.”

  They enjoyed the humor, remembering their parents’ disgust when news of the royal prank had reached Ellesmere years ago.

  Their laughter died when their father unexpectedly entered the hall, clad only in his bed robe, his face ashen. Steward Bonhomme accompanied him, his jaw clenched.

  Robert and Baudoin came to their feet immediately. Both spoke at once. “What’s amiss, Papa?”

  Ram thrust a parchment at Robert. “The king is dead.”

  Baudoin read the message over his brother’s shoulder. His pallor betrayed his shock. “William Rufus?”

  Robert gasped and made the Sign of his Savior across his body. “I can’t believe this.”

  Their father swore. “Believe it! As you see, he was killed yesterday in a hunting accident in the New Forest. Your mother and I were—well, never mind. Steward Bonhomme brought the message to me as soon as it arrived. The rider insisted we get the news immediately.”

  He cinched his bed robe more tightly and sat down wearily in a chair near the hearth, rubbing his knees.

  Robert rolled the parchment and gave it back to his father. “We should go to the Map Room to discuss this. Too many people come in and out of here. We need to make some decisions.”

  Baudoin strode to the door. “I’ll fetch Rhoni and Ronan.”

  Bonhomme held up his hand. “I can see to that, milord.”

  * * *

  In the Map Room, Ram sought the chair nearest the fire. “I’ve never had any great love for Rufus, as you know, but this could jeopardise Ellesmere, and your earldom, Baudoin.”

  His youngest son grimaced.

  “Your inheritance in Normandie may also be at risk, Robert.”

  Both sons stood in silence, contemplating the unthinkable possibility of losing Montbryce Castle.

  Robert spoke first. “I must return to Normandie. Once we’ve made some decisions, I’ll get a message to them before we leave here.”

  Ram rubbed his knees. “I didn’t support Rufus when he first came to the English throne, believing the eldest son should inherit. But the news of his sudden death means trouble ahead. Curthose and Henry will both want the throne of England.”

  Baudoin joined his father by the hearth and sat with his forearms on his thighs, gazing into the flames. “William Rufus ruled by bad faith and brutality rather than by skill and diplomacy. But his death brings to the fore the underlying problem. Robert and I were just now discussing that very thing.”

  Ram stood, flexing his knees. “Exactement! What I and others have tried and failed to achieve over the years is one ruler for England and Normandie, otherwise there’s too much instability.”

  Baudoin sank back into his chair. “Ironically, Duke Robert’s crusading has enriched his once-bare coffers. He wouldn’t have had the financial wherewithal to challenge for the throne before.”

  They were silent for a while before Ram spoke again. “The king’s death will leave the Anglo-Norman nobility in a position of having to choose whom to support. When the Conqueror died, I chose the wrong side in supporting Curthose in his revolt against Rufus, and almost fell out of favor. He failed then to come to England to rally his supporters. I switched my allegiance in the nick of time and held on to our lands and titles.”

  Baudoin stood. “I’ll get a message to Caedmon at Shelfhoc Hall, asking him to come as soon as possible. It’s fortunate he’s in Ruyton and not at home in Northumbria.”

  Ram was proud to see his youngest son act decisively. He thanked God every day that his sons had accepted their half-brother and considered the opinions of Ram’s illegitimate offspring as important as their own. “You’re right. Henry will move quickly to be crowned.”

  * * *

  When Ram did not return to their tryst, Mabelle knew it must be a matter of importance. She dressed and went in search of him, catc
hing sight of Baudoin hastening from the Map Room.

  “What’s happened?” she asked, a sense of foreboding washing over her when she saw Ram’s harried expression.

  He rose and motioned her to sit by the fire. “King William Rufus is dead. He was accidentally bowshot. He might have survived had he not fallen from his horse and impaled the arrow more deeply.”

  She made the Sign of her Savior. “May God have mercy on him,” she whispered. “He didn’t have a chance to confess his sins. What happens now?”

  Ram exhaled. “Henry and Curthose will both claim the throne. Interestingly enough, according to the message I received, Henry was also in the New Forest yesterday and became aware of what had happened immediately, giving him a head start. No doubt he’s already been to Winchester to take over the Treasury.”

  “Who shot the king?” Mabelle asked, sure whoever it was must be a dead man by now.

  Ram snorted. “This is where it gets interesting. Tirel of Poix, according to the message. The same Tirel who is well known as one of England’s best bowmen. He rarely misses a shot.”

  The implications for her family suddenly struck Mabelle. “What must we do now?”

  Robert answered. “Baudoin is arranging for a messenger to be sent to Caedmon and Agneta.”

  Mabelle looked at her husband and smiled, not surprised he would make sure his illegitimate son was protected, and part of the plan of action.