If Love Dares Enough by Anna Markland Read Free Book Online Page A

with his forefinger. “What is it, Hugh? A nightmare?”
    Hugh struggled to sit on the edge of the bed. “ Oui , sorry Antoine. Just a nightmare as you say. Go back to sleep.”
    Shall I save her, only to kill her myself?
    He hoped no one else in the silent house had heard him cry out.
    ***
    Devona watched the Norman noblemen ride away with their men. She cursed that she’d allowed a flicker of hope to ignite when Hugh de Montbryce had looked into her eyes. She’d experienced a peculiar sensation of heat deep in her belly, terrified Renouf might notice something unusual about her reaction.
    While both Montbryces were handsome men, it was Hugh’s husky greeting that had warmed her as his lips brushed her fingers. Had he noticed the marigold? Compared to the unpleasant body odours that accompanied Renouf and Torod wherever they went, Hugh had smelled—clean, wholesome, naturally male.
    Last night, Renouf had collapsed in a drunken stupor, evidently not wanting to cause any unpleasant noises that might awaken the visitors. She’d dreamt of Hugh de Montbryce, of lying safe in his warm embrace.
    But the Montbryces were Normans. She could expect no help from them. They would never oust a fellow countryman from an estate he’d stolen. In any case, Hugh dwelt in Normandie. How could he be of help? Her family was nothing to him, Melton Manor just a source of revenue. Not that there would be much wealth remaining with Renouf’s excesses.
    Weary in mind and body, she didn’t know how much longer she could bear Renouf’s depraved brutality. She could do nothing to please him. The only thing that kept her going was the fear of what would happen to her family if they were left to Renouf’s mercies. She’d thought of killing him, but would never have had the strength to complete such an act. And if she did, Torod and his men would probably take great pleasure in slaughtering all of them.
    Her once energetic grandfather had aged terribly since her marriage to Renouf five years before. Five years! It felt more like a hundred. Her mother had deteriorated further into the madness that consumed her and Renouf threatened daily to have her burned as a witch.
    Bemia, now three years and ten, was beginning to develop, and Devona feared Renouf would, in the course of time, turn his depraved eyes on her. Aediva scurried around, trying not to be noticed, barely ever saying a word. Devona tried desperately to devise a plan to spirit her sisters away, but could think of no way to accomplish it. Torod was a constant unpredictable menace who brutally terrorized the remaining servants.
    Renouf never allowed any of them to leave the Manor, except to climb down the long twisting flight of fifty steps, hewn from the rock, which led to the isolated beach below the cliffs where the house stood. It was their only time of joy.
    The sisters went there with Boden and Brigantia a fortnight after the Montbryce brothers had visited. The weather had warmed considerably. They hoisted their skirts and paddled in the waves, watching the dark brown sand pool around their bare feet as the water receded. Devona loved the salty tang of the sea breeze on her lips. The girls squealed as the dogs emerged from the sea and shook the water from their sleek coats all over them.
    “Boden! Brigantia! You’ve soaked us through!” Aediva laughed. It gladdened Devona’s heart to hear her sister laugh. There was little laughter left in their lives.
    “Come on, Devona, stop daydreaming! Let’s walk along the beach and collect shells,” Bemia called.
    Devona realized she had indeed been daydreaming, hoping, as she stared out to sea.
    If you’re coming Hugh de Montbryce, come soon .
    ***
    A month after his return from England, Hugh was convinced he would never have another good night’s sleep. Nightmares beset him whenever he laid his head on the bolster. Hastings predominated. It had ever been so since that fateful day. He awoke cold and clammy, convinced that the