Haunted Knights (Montbryce~The Next Generation Historical Romance) by Anna Markland Page A

there is great turmoil between the factions of King Henry and his brother, Robert Curthose.”
    She did not turn to reply. Did she understand anything of what he explained? It pained him that he was deaf, but the irony was she could make no sounds, none that he could understand anyway, without watching her lips carefully.
    To his surprise, the notion appealed to him. She had a lovely mouth—kissable, seductive, the corners always tilted slightly upwards. He quickly reined in the thought. No more kissing maidens for Adam.
    He held an innocent who had been locked away, making her more vulnerable than other young women. She would need protection. Her parents were dead, her brothers tasked with the rebuilding of Kingston Gorse. He must not pursue her, but he could protect her until the right man came along. He would safeguard her at East Preston, perhaps take her to Normandie.
    It was a foolish notion.
    “Would you like to visit Normandie?”
    She turned to look at him. Her radiant face outshone the rays of the sun. “ Oui ,” she breathed.
    His heart leaped into his throat as their eyes locked. He had an urge to lick away the tears of obvious joy that welled in her eyes. It was the first time since his illness he had felt stirrings of desire in his heart, though his manhood remained dormant. At least his heart could love, if his body could not.
    Love?
    He shifted his weight in the saddle and looked away to where Denis was leading the wagons towards them. Adam was not sure who had the biggest scowl on their face, his brother or the tiny woman sitting on his lap.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
     
    At first the brothers rode side by side. Denis and Paulina had apparently decided not to say a word to each other, and Rosamunda deemed conversation with Adam atop Nox too difficult.
    Gradually Denis dropped back to ride behind the carts as they made their way along the cliff top path. Though well used by horses, it was narrow.
    Some of the servants from Kingston Gorse seemed to have recovered from the shock of the fire and were chatting as the carts jostled them along the rough path. No doubt many of them were speculating on the cause of the fire, and the presence of two women they had known nothing about. Rosamunda had recognized Thomas and Agnès as the carts came level with her and Adam. Though the couple had never treated them with any affection, she was glad there would at least be two familiar faces at East Preston. Most were people she had never met.
    She felt warm now the sun had risen higher and the heat of Adam’s body had penetrated the early morning chill. There was something comforting about his scent. It reminded her of her brothers. She dozed, content to be out in the air.
    Strident shouts of distress jerked her awake. People were screaming. She looked back. One of the carts had lost a wheel. It teetered precariously on the cliff’s edge. Denis was shouting a warning for the occupants to remain still, lest they send the cart over. Terrified women clung to each other, whimpering. Servants swarmed out of the other cart and strained to shore up the damaged one. The soft earth threatened to crumble beneath their feet.
    Adam rode on.
    Alarm filled her. Had he not heard the shout for help, the cries of distress? She balled her fist and thumped his chest.
    He reined his horse. “What is it?”
    She put her hand on his chin and forced him to turn his head. His eyes widened as he took in the scene. Had he too been dozing when the alarm came?
    He quickly turned Nox and galloped back. He thrust the reins into Rosamunda’s hands as he jumped from the horse. “Stay here!”
    Denis had dismounted also, leaving Paulina atop Brevis. The sisters stared at each other. Paulina was obviously as terrified as she was. Denis’ mount was not as large as Nox, yet Paulina looked tiny in the wooden saddle.
    Both horses became nervous as the cries for help became more insistent. Rosamunda looked at the ground. Her throat tightened. Determined not to end