The Winds of the Heavens (Sons of Rhodri Medieval Romance Series)

by Anna Markland

  She laughed and stroked his cheek. “I wanted to surprise you.”

  Hearing her laughter made him want to cry with joy. He licked her fingertips. “How did you discover I had returned?”

  “You never left.”

  Good thing she couldn’t see the sheepish look on his face. “When did you know?”

  “A blind person comes to rely on other senses. After my two hours of fuming, I detected a note of conspiracy in Glain’s voice. When I opened the door a few minutes before her arrival with Rhun, you were in the hallway. I was angry with you and slammed the door.”

  “How did you discern my presence? I held my breath.”

  She pressed her nose to his chest and inhaled deeply. “Rhydderch, my love, before I lost my sight I recognized your scent anywhere. I can tell the moment you enter a room, even if you don’t make a sound. As soon as your scent fills my nostrils I want to wrestle you to the ground and make love to you.”

  He had been softening, but her words renewed his interest. “Now that’s more like the saucy Isolda I love.”

  She rested her forehead against his. “I’ve been such a fool. I couldn’t let go of my anger. I wanted to drive you away, but I would die if you left me.”

  He untangled her legs from around him and gathered her up in his arms, cradling her tightly. “Isolda, you’ve suffered a devastating loss, but you are courageous. I was convinced your courage would overcome your anger. I’m sorry I lost my temper. I’m too much in love with you.”

  She twirled her fingers in his hair. “I suspect I have Rhys to thank for this plan to force me out of myself?”

  He chuckled. “It was a conspiracy. Now, we can sleep for a while, and then we might wake and surprise each other again—and again.”

  He left her to find a wet cloth. “I’m going to wash you, Isolda. Don’t be alarmed.”

  He dabbed away the proof he was the first to possess her body, planting kisses on her thighs. “Perhaps on the morrow I’ll run these linens up the flagpole!”

  She put her hands on her hips. “You will not, Rhydderch ap Rhodri! I won’t have the whole llys know I’ve tortured my husband.”

  He laughed. “I spoke in jest! Don’t worry. People will guess by looking at your face we’ve made love.”

  She smiled. “Is it obvious?”

  Her beauty took his breath away. “You were a beautiful girl. Now you’re a radiant woman, and I’m a satisfied man. I’ve bedded my first virgin! You were tight. I hope you’re not sore.”

  She shook her head and felt for his tarse. “Was I too tight?”

  He kissed her forehead. “It can never be too tight.”

  He climbed back into bed and curled his body around her, one hand on her thigh, the other cupping a breast, her neck resting on his arm. She fell asleep and he watched her for a long while, elated he had wrestled some of her demons to submission, but aware there would be many challenges ahead.

  Now they would face them together. Life was complete.

  EPILOGUE

  Isolda never regained her sight, but strangers rarely suspected she was blind. She bore eight children to Rhydderch and her word in the household was law. All of their sons and daughters grew to be adults and had families of their own.

  Rhun sired ten children, including one set of twins, a boy and a girl. Six of his and Glain’s offspring survived into adulthood.

  The redheaded twins spent most of the year with their families in Cadair Berwyn, the mountain fortress their father had built, where their parents had first met, and where they had been born. The children preferred life there. Their absence left more room at Powwydd for Rhys and Annalise’s five.

  The eldest child of Rhodri and Rhonwen, Myfanwy Mabelle, the Prioress of Llansanfraid, came often to visit the llys. She was fond of remarking how fortunate the family was she had borne no children and that Carys and Baudoin lived somewhere else with their brood. She complained good-naturedly that the place resembled a rabbit warren when all Rhodri’s grandchildren were in residence.

  The notorious twosome did not abandon their fight for Welsh freedom from Norman domination, but they didn’t risk their lives as much as before. Their families depended on them. They would always share the bond of being born together. Now spaces defined their togetherness. The winds of the heavens danced between them.

  FAMILY TREE

  Thank you for reading The Winds of the Heavens. If you enjoyed this book, I would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy it too.

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  Curious to read more about Rhun and Rhydderch’s parents, Rhodri and Rhonwen? The saga begins with Book I of the sons of Rhodri trilogy, Defiant Passion.

  His brothers are sentenced to die. He must marry to save them. She is determined not to marry a Welsh barbarian. Book II of the Sons of Rhodri series, Dark and Bright.

  Conquering Passion is Book I of the original series, The Montbryce Legacy. The year is 1066 and the world is about to change forever. Ram de Montbryce struggles to establish a dynasty amid the turbulent dangers of the Norman Conquest. Can he find happiness with the wilful refugee brought to his bed in an arranged marriage, or will nothing stand in his way—not even love.

  Latest Release

  Dance of Love

  UK Link

  He is a warrior stricken by a crippling affliction; she is the daughter of a king. Where there is great love, there are always miracles.

  The Montbryce Legacy Series

  Conquering Passion © Anna Markland 2011

  A Man of Value © Anna Markland 2011

  If Love Dares Enough © Anna Markland 2012

  Passion in the Blood © Anna Markland 2012

  Sons of Rhodri Trilogy

  Defiant Passion © Anna Markland 2012

  Dark and Bright © Anna Markland 2012

  The Winds of the Heavens © Anna Markland 2012

  FitzRam Family Series

  Carried Away © Anna Markland 2012

  Sweet Taste of Love © Anna Markland 2012

  Wild Viking Princess © Anna Markland 2012

  Montbryce~The Next Generation

  Dance of Love © Anna Markland 2012

  My Dark Irish Knight © Anna Markland 2013

  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 (Montbryce Legacy, Book I) © Anna Markland 2011

  AMOV=A Man of Value (Montbryce Legacy, Book II) © Anna Markland 2011

  ILDE=If Love Dares Enough (Montbryce Legacy, Book III) © Anna Markland 2012

  PIB=Passion in the Blood (Montbryce Legacy, Book IV) © Anna Markland 2012

  DP=Defiant Passion (Sons of Rhodri, Book I) © Anna Markland 2012

  DB=Dark and Bright (Sons of Rhodri, Book II) © Anna Markland 2012

  WTH=The Winds of the Heavens (Sons of Rhodri, Book III) © Anna Markland 2012

  CA=Carried Away (FitzRa
m Family, Book I) © Anna Markland 2012

  STL=Sweet Taste of Love (FitzRam Family, Book II) © Anna Markland 2012

  WVP=Wild Viking Princess (FitzRam Family, book III) © Anna Markland 2012

  DOL=Dance of Love (Montbryce—The Next Generation I) © Anna Markland 2012

  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 DOL

  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

  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

  Amadour de Vignoles—Norman comrade of Caedmon during Crusade; hero of Civitote AMOV

  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

  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

  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

  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.

  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

  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

  Civitote—site of the heroic rescue of thousands of crusaders by Caedmon and Amadour AMOV

  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

  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

  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

  Etienne Robert de Montbryce—Second son of Baudoin and Carys; DB,STL

  Farah—Aragonese; heroine 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 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

  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

  Giselle—Norman maidservant who accompanies Mabelle to England and becomes chatelaine of Ellesmere; kidnapped with Mabelle; CP

  Glain verch Llewely
n—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

  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

  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

  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