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Wildly Romantic: A Multi-Genre Collection

Page 84

by Lana Williams


  Adelante Sp. Onwards

  A demain Fr. Until tomorrow

  Adieu Fr. Goodbye

  Af Odin! D. By Odin!

  Afon Dyfrdwy W. River Dee

  Ahora Sp. Now

  Aingeal IG Angel

  Alaunt gentil Fr. Breed of hound

  À l’Irelande! Fr. To Ireland!

  Allons-y! Fr. Let’s go!

  Alto! Sp. Stop!

  Amici I. friends

  Amour Fr. Love

  Ange Fr. Angel

  Anoche Sp. Last night

  Ap (or Ab) W. Son of

  Arrête Fr. Stop!

  Arthrite Fr. Arthritis

  Auf Weidersehen G. Goodbye

  Au revoir Fr. Goodbye

  Au secours! Fr. help!

  Aux armes! Fr. To arms!

  Ave Maria, gratia plena L. Hail Mary, full of grace

  Barm OE. Yeast

  Basta Sp. Enough!

  Bella I. Beautiful one

  Bébé Fr. Baby

  Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus L. Blessed be Almighty God

  Benedicti L. Blessed

  Bien Fr. Good

  Bienvenidos Sp. Welcome

  Bienvenu(e) Fr. Welcome

  Bliaut Fr. Medieval long sleeved dress

  Brychan W. Woven blanket

  Cairdis IG Friendship

  Camilla Sp. Litter, stretcher

  Camino Sp. Road, way

  Céard sa diabhal IG What the devil!

  Ceilliau W. Testicles,

  C’est moi Fr. It’s me.

  Chansons courtoises Fr. Courtly love songs

  Cisoires Fr. scissors

  Codex L. journal

  Cog -type of ship

  Colonus, pl. Coloni L. Bondservants, later known as serfs

  Commote W. area of administration in Wales

  Comte Fr. Count

  Comtesse Fr. Countess

  Corre! Sp. Run!

  Couilles Fr. Testicles

  Críost IG Christ!

  Croeso-i W. Welcome

  Cuirass(e) Fr. Breastplate armor

  Currach IG coracle

  Cú G.Dog

  Cymru W. Wales

  Cymraeg W. Welsh language

  Da Dad, father

  Dadaidh S. Daddy

  Dañjer! Breton word for danger

  Demesne Fr. Estate

  Demoiselle Fr. Miss, unmarried woman

  De rien Fr. You are welcome

  Derrière Fr. Bottom, backside

  Dewch yn W. Come in

  Dia IG God!

  Dieu Fr. God

  Dios Sp. God

  Ddoe W. Yesterday

  Dormitorio Sp. Dormitory

  Dors bien Fr. Sleep well

  Draugr D. Revenant, lost soul

  Droit de seigneur Fr. right of a nobleman to take a virgin before her husband on their wedding night

  Dros Cymru W. For Wales

  Duw W. God

  Duwiau W. Gods!

  Dwale OE medieval drug for pain (see note below)

  Eke OE. Extra chamber added to the bottom of a beehive

  El Diablo Sp. The Devil

  Enceinte Fr. Pregnant

  Enchanté Fr. Enchanted; delighted

  Enfant Fr. Child. Mes enfants=my children

  En route Fr. On the way

  Entrez! Fr. Come in!

  Epiphany Revelation; showing;

  Esches Fr. Chess

  Et L. And

  Exactement Fr. Exactly

  Excusez-moi Fr. Excuse me, I am sorry

  Fág an bealach! IG Clear the way

  Faol G. Wolf

  Fardeles Sp. Pigs’ livers

  Fils Fr. Son

  Fortæl mig D. Tell me

  Foutaise Fr. Shit

  Fromage cremeux Fr. Cream cheese

  Fy Nuw W. My God

  Gaeilge Gaelic

  Garderobe Fr. Latrines, privy

  Ghiniúna IG male genitalia

  Godemite OE. Saxon expletive, God Almighty

  God hund D. Good dog

  Godisgood OE. Yeast

  Go hÉirinn IG To Ireland!

  Gottes segen G. Godspeed

  Gott sei Dank G. Thanks be to God

  Gracias Sp. Thank you

  Gräfin G. Countess

  Grandmaman Fr. Grandma

  Grandpère...Fr. Grandfather

  Gut! G. Good!

  Hackle OE. Conical shaped protection for beehives

  Hallowmas Triduum Three day celebration of Hallowe’en, All Saints’ & All Souls’

  Hermano Sp. Brother

  Hore OE whore

  Ich bin es G. It’s me.

  Ich liebe dich G. I love you

  Il Papa I. Pope

  Ja G. Yes

  Jardin Fr. Garden

  Je m’excuse Fr. I am sorry

  Je t’aime Fr. I love you

  Je vous demande pardonne Fr. I beg your forgiveness

  Jongleur Fr. Minstrel, juggler, medieval entertainer

  Kitgut OE catgut

  Kommen G. Come!

  Knarr D. Merchant ship used by Vikings

  Labhandair IG Lavender

  Laks D. Smoked salmon

  Lamellar Armour made of leather plates

  Là Fr. There

  Le Bon Dieu Fr. The good Lord

  Lentement Fr. Slowly

  Le roi est mort Fr. The king is dead

  Léine S. Shirt worn by men and women (Gaelic)

  Liebling G. Sweetheart, darling

  Livre Fr. Old French currency unit

  Lladrones Sp. Thieves

  Llys W. (plural Llysoed) A building that served as a royal court for a commote in Wales.

  Ma chère Fr. My dear

  Majestad Sp. Majesty

  Majesté Fr. Majesty

  Mal de mer Fr. seasickness

  Mamá Sp. Mother (affectionate)

  Maman Fr. Mother (affectionate)

  Mantilla Sp. Lacy head covering

  Ma petite Fr. My little one

  Mea culpa L. My fault; I take the blame

  Méchant Fr. Naughty

  Meine damen und herren G. Ladies and gentlemen

  Mein Gott G. My God!

  Mein Schatz G. My darling, my sweetheart

  Meine Tochter G. My daughter

  Merci Fr. Thank you

  Merde Fr. Swear word; shit;crap;damn it

  Mère Fr. Mother

  Meth OE. ordinary mead

  Metheglin OE. Spiced mead (for nobility)

  Mi amor Sp. My love

  Mignonne Fr. Little one

  Milagro Sp. Miracle

  Milord Fr. My lord

  Minnesinger G. Minstrel

  Misericord L. Chamber where monks received their punishment for misdeeds

  Mistiltan OE mistletoe

  Mo croí IG My heart

  Mo mhac S. My son

  Mo nighean S. My daughter

  Mon capitaine a tombé Fr. My captain has fallen

  Mon petit Fr. little one

  Mon seigneur Fr. My lord

  Mo stór IG my darling

  Motte Fr. Raised part of early Norman fortifications

  Muette Fr. Feminine version of muet=mute

  Nein G. No

  Nej D. No

  Noblesse Fr. Nobility

  Oes W. Yes

  Oncle Fr. Uncle

  Oreillons Fr. Mumps

  Oubliette Fr. a small cell where prisoners were forgotten Fr. Oublier=to forget

  Oui Fr. Yes

  Pacharán Sp. Sloe liqueur

  Padre I. Priest

  Parbleu Fr. Good heavens

  Parler Fr. To speak, discuss

  Pauvre Fr. Poor

  Pax L. Peace

  Perdóname Sp. Forgive me

  Père Fr. Father

  Peregrinati L. Pilgrims

  Petit baiser Fr. a little kiss

  Phoques Fr. Seals

  Pik D. Shaft, manhood

  Plantagenista L. Broom plant

  Playd S. Woven garment, not tartan (came much later); o
ften brown

  Potel OE medieval stoppered container

  Porquería Sp. Filth

  Por supuesto Sp. Of course

  Prie-Dieu Fr. Kneeler, prayer stool

  Que diable! Fr. What the devil!

  Rebec medieval stringed instrument

  Refugio Sp. Place of refuge, shelter

  Regarde Fr. Look!

  Reina Madre Sp. Queen Mother

  Rex L. King

  Rien Fr. Nothing

  Rundlet OE. small barrel or cask

  Rute G. Shaft, manhood

  Rwy’n Cymraes W. I am a Welshwoman

  Rwy’n dy garu di W. I love you

  Salaud Fr. Bastard

  Schwarze ritter G. Black Knight

  Sea IG You are right

  Seigneur Fr. Lord

  Selkie Seal that has become human

  Seneschal Fr. Senior officer, seneschal

  Shamshir -curved Arabic sword

  Sieg G. Victory

  S’il te plaît Fr. If you please

  Siwrne dda W. Good journey

  Sí Sp. Yes

  Sjaund D. Ritualistic funeral ale in Norse inheritance traditions

  Skep OE. Man made beehive made of straw

  Soeur Fr. Sister

  Soule Fr. Medieval game involving kicking and hitting balls

  Soyez les bienvenues Fr. Welcome, ladies

  Sølje D. Traditional Norse silver brooch

  Stridsøkse D. battle axe

  Sunt L. They are

  Sûrement Fr. surely.

  Tá grá agam duit IG I love you

  Tais-toi Fr. Be quiet, silence.

  Tante Fr. Aunt

  Tant pis! Fr. Too bad

  Tarse OE. Male genitals

  Tendresse Fr. Tenderness; “soft spot”

  Tiarna IG Lord

  Trouzes breeches, trousers

  Truite Fr. Trout

  Turaid S. Tower (Gaelic)

  Tutto bene I. All is well

  Ty bach W. Latrines

  Uisce beatha IG whiskey

  Verch W. Daughter of

  Vite Fr. Quickly

  Vive la reine Fr. Long live the Queen

  Vous parlez francais? Fr. Do you speak French?

  Walhaz- derogatory Saxon term meaning foreign; the word Welsh derived from it

  Willkommen G. Welcome

  Windlass hoisting mechanism with a crank handle, e.g. to hoist a bucket from a well

  Yr Arglwydd W. My lord

  Zut Fr. Expletive. Darn it.

  FAMILY TREE

  ENCHANTED BY THE EARL

  AMANDA MARIEL

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  London 1813

  The creak of carriage wheels pulled Rose’s attention away from the garden, where, kneeling in the beds, she inspected the bright blooms she had tended all spring. Lady Julia Thorne’s elegant barouche pulled to a stop outside the cottage Rose shared with her elderly grandmother. Heartbeat accelerating, Rose stood and dusted her hands on her apron, leaving streaks of dirt behind.

  A tall gentleman with raven hair and eyes the shade of the mid-summer sky stood near the open carriage door. Rose caught herself staring at the strong lines of his jaw as he handed her client, Lady Julia, down from the carriage.

  Her pulse quickened as her visitors drew nearer. She kept her gaze on the gentleman--he was the handsomest she had ever beheld. When he looked her way, Rose's cheeks burned at being caught ogling him so unabashedly. Lady Julia smiled as Rose approached. “Miss Woodcourt, I’ve come to select the cloth for my new frocks. Did you manage to get the samples I requested?”

  “I called upon the linen-drapers on Cheapside yesterday,” Rose returned cheerfully. She was always glad to see Lady Julia, who had become much more to her than a client. “Please come in.” Walking up the front walk to her home, she pulled open the weathered door.

  Lady Julia moved past her in a swish of green organdy. Her companion stopped on the old plank-board porch. “I’ll wait here if it is all the same to you, miss.” His breathtaking grin revealed straight white teeth.

  Rose stared, awestruck by his good looks. The door handle slid from her palm, causing the door to slam. She jumped at the noise, her nerve endings crackling.

  He pulled the wooden panel back open, blue eyes twinkling. “Allow me, miss.”

  Warmth flooded Rose’s cheeks as she took a step toward the opening. A flush spread to her neck. Taking a breath she inhaled his heady aroma of clover and sage.

  “What is your name, miss?”

  “Rose Woodcourt.” She glanced at his hand and noticed a signet ring glinting upon his finger. She quickly added, “my lord.”

  Of course he was a lord and she a bird-witted fool for reacting so strongly to him. It would best serve her to remember her place in society. Lords did not go about courting common misses. They dallied with them until they grew bored, tossing them aside when the affair no longer held their interest. Rose’s indignation stirred at memories of poor Annie. A rakish earl cast her old friend away after he had gotten her with child. Abandoned and afraid, Annie came to Rose for help. But alas, there was nothing to be done. Annie died bringing forth that odious man’s son.

  “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Woodcourt.” He offered a smile. “I am Hunter Thorne, Earl of Aubry.”

  Rose dropped into a low curtsy, holding his gaze. Try as she might, she could not stop looking at him.

  A ball of nerves unfurled in her stomach as she accepted his offered hand. A moment later, she pulled her hand free. “Excuse me, Lord Aubry, but Lady Julia is waiting.”

  Upon entering her workroom, she found Lady Julia perched on a faded high-back chair. The sweet aroma of fresh bread wafting through the cottage, coupled with the teacup in Lady Julia’s hand, told Rose her grandmother had seen to Lady Julia’s comfort before returning to the kitchen. “Please forgive my disheveled state. I am afraid I lost track of time.”

  “You have nothing to apologize for. Shall we?” Lady Julia smiled.

  Rose hurried to her shelves and scooped up several bundles of cloth. “Yes, of course. Here are samples for your consideration.” She placed the pile on her sewing table. “The linen-draper assures me these are the newest available. Some came directly from the Orient.”

  Rose watched Lady Julia lift a swatch of blue organdy. The very shade of Lord Aubry’s eyes. The pair shared the same eye color and shade of hair, the same smile. Were they related? As hope set its hooks in Rose’s heart, she cast away her fancies. She should banish him from her mind lest she wind up like poor Annie. “What a lovely shade, my lady.”

  Gran’s voice rang out from the entryway. “I said you shan’t disturb Rose. Mr. Wolfe, you mustn’t go in there.”

  Good heavens! That reprobate, Dewitt Wolfe, had darkened her stoop again. Would he never leave her in peace?

  “Please excuse me for a moment, Lady Julia.” With her heart thumping, Rose moved to the door. Why wouldn’t he leave her alone? She had broken their betrothal and made her position clear. Yet he refused to accept her decision.

  Mr. Wolfe stopped mid-step. Gran came just short of colliding into his backside. “Ah, there you are, my dear.” His mouth twisted into a grin. “I have come to--”

  Frustrated beyond reason, Rose forgot she had company. She cut him short, speaking sharper than she intended. “I know why you have come. You need not go on. I have given you my answer.” As she stared into his beady brown eyes, her stomach roiled. “I will not marry you, Mr. Wolfe.”

  Flashing a tight smile, Wolfe marched toward her, his du
ll brown hair disheveled and sticking out from under his tall beaver hat. “You will marry me.” He reached into his pocket and whipped out a folded document. “I had hoped you would not force my hand thusly.” He held the folded parchment out to her, his darkened gaze bored into hers. “The unpaid mortgage to this humble dwelling, my dear. Should you refuse to wed me, I will sell your home out from under you.”

  Rose grabbed the document, peeled it open, and scanned the print. Her stomach rolled over, and a knot formed in her throat. She crumpled the parchment in her fist before glaring at him. “You cannot. This is nothing but a trick. Papa paid off the mortgage years ago.”

  “I can and I shall.”

  Something sinister flickered in his eyes. His stony glare sent a chill through her bloodstream.

  “Do not allow this brute to force your hand, Rose,” Gran said, dabbing her eyes. “All will be fine. Even if we lose the cottage, we will find a way.” Gran shook her head, freeing a few strands of graying auburn hair loose from her bun.

  Oh, how Rose wished that were so. But the cottage was all she had left of her childhood and her parents, after the carriage accident that claimed their lives. How could Mr. Wolfe gain proof of an unpaid debt that had been settled years ago? She sucked in a breath and squared her shoulders.

  “I will prove this is a farce. My answer is still no. I will not marry you. Please leave us in peace.”

  When she turned to walk away, he caught her arm, spinning her back to face him.

  “The document is legal,” he sneered. “Your dear father never finished paying his debt. I own this cottage due to the breach of this contract.” He stepped closer. “You should be thanking me for saving you from debtors’ prison.”

  She jerked her arm free and took a step back from him. Looking up into his cold dark eyes, she mustered all of her courage. “Mr. Wolfe, let me be clear. I will never marry you.” Not backing down from his glare, she straightened herself and lifted her chin. “Leave my home at once, Mr. Wolfe.” Rose stood her ground and fought her tears. She refused to allow Mr. Wolfe to see how upset he made her.

  “I would be happy to do so…as soon as you agree to become my wife.”

  Lord Aubry stepped up behind him. “I am certain Miss Woodcourt asked you to leave the premises, sir.”

  His rich voice wrapped around Rose like a warm shawl on an icy night. Her limbs tingled in response, as she swallowed the lump forming in her throat. She could not cry in front of them. She would perish of embarrassment if she did.

  Without changing his facial sneer, he bit out his retort. “Who are you to give me orders?” Mr. Wolfe spun to face Lord Aubry. His shoulders slumped as he dropped into a bow. “Forgive me, my lord. I am afraid you came upon a private matter and tempers are high.” He straightened before tossing a glance over his shoulder at Rose, his lips pressed into a tight line.

 

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