Once Upon a Historical Christmas, page 22
“Ye’re from the borderlands?”
Servants came to take their cloaks. Barr relaxed, listening to the two women chatter as if they’d known each other for years. John and Arthur’s faces reddened from the heat of the fire, their heads swiveling from one speaker to the next, all the while keeping a cautious eye on the dog.
Barr might have known his mother would immediately put Hollis and the children at ease. Ever the quiet side of their marriage, his father sat in an upholstered chair by the hearth, playing with Gitan’s ears. He appeared to show no interest, but Barr knew from experience such wasn’t true.
Bonhomme himself brought tumblers of apple brandy for everyone, which Barr thought unusual. “I’ve given young Cormant over to my son to watch over,” he announced.
“I brought a new squire,” Barr explained to his mother. “The nephew of Steward Cormant from Alensonne. I met him in Bures, and…”
His father got to his feet, as did the dog. “Oui, oui…We want to hear all the details of the plot and the assassination, but, first of all, your mother is anxious to know why you’ve brought this young lady here.”
“They kissed,” John blurted out unexpectedly.
“Lots of times,” Arthur added.
A brief moment of utter silence greeted these pronouncements before all the adults burst out laughing, which set Gitan to barking and wagging his tail furiously.
“As I thought, Bonhomme,” his mother exclaimed in the accented Norman-French the servants had learned to understand over the years.“I hope you brought a tumbler of brandy for yourself so you can join us in a toast to our son’s new bride.”
“Indeed, milady,” he replied, raising his tumbler.
The Holly Bears A Berry
Anna Markland
AN IMPORTANT TEST
Hollis had been in Montbryce a scant half hour, yet already she felt she was among family. The FitzRams looked happier than she’d ever seen them under Hugh’s tutelage. Even Barr seemed more relaxed, the lines of worry about Becket that had marred his handsome face now gone. He was happy to be home, and it was obvious his parents loved him.
Gripping the tumbler of the much-touted apple brandy with trembling hands, she resisted the urge to rush into her beloved’s arms when the comte began the toast.
He cleared his throat. “Bernard Alexandre Rambaud Robert de Montbryce,” he said, then had to cough again, clearly emotional.
Barr clenched his jaw.
“It has been our most heartfelt wish,” the comte continued, “that you would one day find a woman with whom you wanted to share your life.” He winked at his wife. “I can assure you the love of a woman makes everything much more pleasurable.”
Barr’s smile—tantalizingly lecherous—did strange things to Hollis’ heart, which began to beat even faster when his father turned intense blue eyes on her.
“The way you look at Hollis, my son, it’s evident you have indeed found your soul’s mate, even in the midst of turmoil. I ask you all to drink to the health and happiness of Barr de Montbryce and Hollis de Moreville.”
Close to tears of joy as everyone repeated the toast and drank their brandy, Hollis stared into the golden liquid. Hugh allowed her a small glass of red wine on special occasions. Brandy was probably similar.
She lifted the tumbler to her lips intending to take a sip.
At the very same moment, John crowed to his brother, “I told you they’d wed.”
She laughed, which turned the sip into a gulp.
The fiery liquid burned a path down her throat and up her nose. When she tried to breathe again, tears ran down her cheeks as she coughed uncontrollably.
~~~
Chuckling, Barr wrestled Hollis’ tumbler from her grip and handed it back to Bonhomme. “You’ve passed an important test,” he said, rubbing his hand up and down her spine.
“Test?” she wheezed.
“The same thing happened to me when I took my first taste,” his mother explained. “After all these years, I can only sip small amounts.”
“It’s supposed to be a good omen,” his father said with a grin. “Your coughing fit proves you’re not used to strong spirits.”
“True,” Hollis confirmed with a weak smile.
Barr stroked away her tears with his thumbs. “Maman, Papa, you’ve surmised correctly that I intend to wed Hollis as soon as possible, and your blessing is important.”
His father shook his hand. “You’re of an age not to require our blessing, Barr, but you have it anyway.”
“Welcome to our family,” his tearful mother said, embracing Hollis.
“I thank you,” Hollis replied, sniffling back more tears. “I am not worthy.”
Barr felt the need to explain, but didn’t want John and Arthur to overhear. “Bonhomme,” he said, “might there be refreshments in the kitchens for these young knights?”
The steward understood immediately and ushered the boys out of the hall.
“She feels guilty because of her brother’s actions,” Barr explained once they’d gone. “I’ve assured her it makes no difference to my feelings, nor to yours. If Hugh de Moreville hadn’t taken it into his head to murder the archbishop, I would never have met Hollis.”
His father nodded. “And I wouldn’t have met your mother had King David of Scotland not tried to hoodwink Geoffrey of Anjou. No use arguing with destiny. However, I think you’d best fill us in on the details of what happened in Canterbury. It always pays to be prepared.”
“For what?” Hollis asked, her brown eyes wide with worry.
~~~
Barr gathered Hollis into his embrace. “Henry is volatile and unpredictable. There’s no telling what he might do about Becket’s death, but I doubt he even knows you exist.”
She inhaled deeply, drawing on his strength. “I always feel safer in your arms.”
“And he wouldn’t dare take action against a member of the Montbryce family,” the count assured her.
“Especially an innocent one,” Barr added. “Now, before we retell the story of Canterbury, I have a gift for my betrothed on this momentous occasion.”
“A gift?” she replied. “But I have nothing for you.”
He picked up the traveling satchel he’d placed by the hearth. “You’ve given me more than I ever expected from life,” he said, opening the bag.
She grew curious when he carefully pulled out what looked like a bundle of straw.
“What’s this?” the countess asked.
“Patience, maman. Firstly, let me explain my fascination with the holly bush since I met Hollis.”
Her heart raced when he unrolled the dead grasses to reveal a jumble of holly sprigs.
“A peasant showed me how to make the right cuts and instructed me regarding planting. Soon, we’ll have English holly growing at Montbryce.”
The tender and thoughtful gesture from a seasoned warrior brought more tears to Hollis’ eyes. “I’m overwhelmed.” She noticed the count and countess had gravitated into each other’s arms.
“’Tis wonderful,” his mother said. “I dinna think holly grows anywhere on the estate.”
“Not that I’m aware of,” her husband replied.
Barr rewrapped the sprigs. “Bonhomme will see to it.”
The Holly Bears A Berry
Anna Markland
A WEDDING
Standing at the door of the chapel awaiting his bride, Barr thought back over the three weeks since he’d brought Hollis home.
Predictably, a horrified King Henry had ranted and raved, loudly proclaiming his shock and sorrow. However, he had failed to condemn the perpetrators and it was rumored he’d privately advised them to flee to Scotland. Barr wondered if the monarch was aware Hugh and his cronies had already fled north. Henry hadn’t rushed to England.
“He feels safer in Normandie,” Alexandre de Montbryce remarked more than once.
News from Ellesmere in England confirmed continuing outrage among the populace. There was talk of a petition to proclaim Becket a martyr, which didn’t surprise Barr.
The political turmoil seemed like an insignificant backdrop to the elation in his heart as he watched Hollis settle into his ancestral home. She expressed enchantment with every new chamber, tapestry, servant or garden she encountered.
His brothers, Stephen and Gallien, brought their wives and children home from a visit to the Dunkelds in Scotland. The persistent rumor among the Scots was the assassins had retreated to Knaresborough. “My brother’s castle in Yorkshire,” Hollis murmured softly.
Everyone at Montbryce celebrated the feast of Epiphany as a happy family.
Barr found himself ridiculously jealous of the attention his brothers lavished on his betrothed, but he suffered with good humor their merciless teasing about his being too old to please a young bride.
Bonhomme clearly adored Hollis, which augured well for the future.
His parents already treated her like a daughter.
However, it was her obvious nervous excitement at their coming marriage that made the three weeks of preparation seem like an eternity. He loved the innocent blush that reddened her cheeks whenever she looked at him. He wondered if the blush spread to her tempting breasts. She whispered that he’d stirred previously unknown wanton feelings, and he became convinced he had found a woman of great passion. He and Belinda had married too young; regrettably, his wife’s pleasure hadn’t been uppermost in his mind. Older, and he hoped wiser, he’d planned every detail of how he was going to please Hollis once he got her into their marriage bed.
His shaft saluted in complete agreement with his plans when his bride appeared, walking towards the chapel on his father’s arm.
~~~
A thousand thoughts swirled in Hollis’ head. She was the daughter of an old noble family considered reasonably well-off in Cumbrian society. By marrying Barr de Montbryce she was becoming a member of a dynasty whose wealth she couldn’t imagine. Her red silk bridal gown, sewn by Montbryce seamstresses, was finer than anything she’d ever worn. Even John and Arthur had expressed their boyish astonishment at how beautiful their aunty looked. They too had been provided with new tunics and leggings for the ceremony. They walked behind her, heads held high, somehow aware, for all their tender years, that they were the only members of her family present.
Despite their power and enormous wealth, it was the genuine nobility of Barr’s family that touched her heart. Everyone, from the count and countess to his siblings, to the steward, to the lowliest scullery lad in the kitchens, had welcomed her warmly. It was clear every servant in the castle loved and respected the Montbryces.
She faced an awesome responsibility as wife to the Montbryce heir, yet Barr’s reassuring confidence bolstered her courage to tackle whatever lay ahead—given King Henry’s unpredictability and the looming squabbles between his greedy sons, Normandie might soon become a dangerous place.
But the Montbryces had survived dire circumstances before. She’d wept when Barr took her to the orchards and showed her some of the damage still evident after Geoffrey of Anjou’s attempt to burn them to the ground.
It was scarcely credible that Hollis de Moreville, spinster daughter of an obscure Cumbrian family, sister of an assassin, was marrying Barr de Montbryce. When she saw her betrothed standing proudly, waiting with a genuine gleam of lustful admiration in his blue eyes, her racing heart calmed. This strapping warrior was her destiny, her forever.
~~~
Barr had repeated marriage vows before, but he realized as he stood before the bishop he’d been too young to understand the full import of what he’d promised. He’d been faithful to Belinda and tried his best to be a good husband, but they’d never shared the passion that flared between him and Hollis.
When the bishop cleared his throat, he dragged his eyes away from his bride’s beautiful face.
“Blessings, lords and ladies,” the cleric announced. “We are here today to join Milady Hollis de Moreville and Sir Bernard Alexandre Rambaud Robert de Montbryce together. Sir Barr de Montbryce, are you here this day in pledged troth of your own free will and choice?”
“Oui, Your Grace.”
“Milady, are you here this day in pledged troth of your own free will and choice?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“In as much as this noble lord and lady have pledged their troth to be married, we call upon heaven to bless this union. Therefore, if anyone can show just cause why they may not be joined together by God's law, let them now speak, or else hereafter keep silent for all time.”
Barr’s throat suddenly constricted. What if the bishop himself objected because of the actions of Hollis’ brother? His unreasonable panic subsided when the cleric announced, “There being no objection to this marriage, let us continue.
“Do you, Barr de Montbryce, take as wife Hollis de Moreville and pledge before God and these witnesses to be her protector, defender and sure resort, to honor and sustain her, in sickness and in health, in fair and in foul, with all your worldly powers, to cherish and forsaking all others, keep only unto her, so long as you both shall live?”
Barr had never been more sure of anything in his life. “I do so pledge.”
“Do you, Hollis de Moreville take Barr de Montbryce to be your rightful lord husband and pledge before God and these witnesses to honor and cherish him, to cleave unto him, in sickness and in health, in fair and in foul, be his one true and lasting counselor and solace, and forsaking all other, keep only unto him, so long as you both shall live?”
Hollis turned and their gazes met. “I do so pledge,” she replied.
His heart soared.
The bishop pronounced them man and wife and bade them kiss.
Barr took Hollis into his embrace and kissed her, pouring all the love he could into a chaste kiss. To his surprise, his wife coaxed open his lips and twirled her tongue around his. He wondered briefly if there was any way to forgo the banquet and get her to bed.
Behind him, he heard his father chuckle and Hollis’ nephews giggle.
The bishop coughed loudly. “We’ll process into the chapel for the nuptial mass.”
They broke apart. “I love you,” he whispered, further aroused by the fiery blush that betrayed his bride’s desire to get straight to the bedding.
“As I love you,” she replied.
The Holly Bears A Berry
Anna Markland
TEASING
Hollis grew apprehensive as she watched a myriad of servants carry one enormous platter of food after another out of the kitchens. She leaned close to Barr’s ear. “I don’t think I can eat.”
He squeezed her hand under the table and nibbled her earlobe. “You don’t have to. We’ll satisfy our appetites later.”
In the sennights since their arrival at Montbryce, he’d spoken more and more openly about their wedding night and hinted at intimacies they might share. If his intent was to make sure she looked forward to their physical union, then he’d succeeded. The insistent feelings of desire spiraling through her body stood in sharp contrast to the simmering anxiety she’d felt at the prospect of intimacy with Gareth. She’d been an immature girl then. Now, she was a woman with a woman’s needs.
Keenly aware of Barr’s very masculine presence beside her, she inhaled deeply, looked into his eyes and searched for words to describe her yearning for him. “I crave you,” she whispered.
The blue darkened slightly as he licked his lips, and she saw the moment he made a decision. He placed her hand on the hard bulge at his groin. “I’ve never wanted a woman as much as I want you.”
Encouraged by his words and the longing in his eyes, she cupped her hand over his manhood. His heat traveled up her arm, into her tingling nipples and thence to a very private place.
He flared his nostrils, pressing her fingers into his hard need. “Hopefully, my father’s remarks will be short.”
She glanced at the count and felt the heat rise in her cheeks. Her father-by-marriage was staring at them, a strange smile on his face. “Your papa knows,” she whispered, trying to withdraw her hand.
Barr held her firm. “Don’t worry, maman’s hand is probably working the same magic on him.”
She shifted her gaze to the countess whose wink confirmed Barr’s assertion. She tried without success to recall any sign of intimacy between her own parents, or even between Hugh and his late wife.
An overwhelming sense of gratitude flooded her. She was marrying a man she loved and who loved and desired her. “We’re very lucky,” she whispered.
“Curse of the Montbryces,” he replied.
~~~
Barr almost wished he hadn’t mentioned the curse, but better Hollis understand his relationship with his first wife before they embarked on the journey to physical union. “We are that most unusual of things, noblemen in love with their wives,” he explained. “I believed I was the first Montbryce in many generations not to fall victim to the so-called curse.”
Frowning, she hesitated, nibbling her lower lip. Her innocent curiosity was one of the things he loved about her, and he was confident she would eventually give voice to the question nagging at her.
“But you were married before.”
This was the moment of truth but, now it had arrived, he struggled for words to explain his first marital relationship. “I cared for Belinda, but I wasn’t in love with her, nor she with me. We were young, and I suppose we thought love would grow between us. Friendship and respect did, but not love. I realized it after meeting you. You’re in my soul.”
“But you grieved when she died, and resigned yourself to celibacy. I thought that was because you loved her so dearly.”
He inhaled deeply. Better Hollis be aware of all his faults now. “I did grieve, for the loss of a beautiful young woman who deserved a long and happy life. And I grieved for the unborn child she carried, a child I more or less forced on her.”
Her eyes widened. “She didn’t want children?”
“It wasn’t so much that. She recognized her duty to provide heirs, but she came close to death after losing two unborn babes and was terrified of childbirth. I was racked with guilt when she died.”
