Carried Away (The FitzRam Family Medieval Romance Series) Read online

  The whisper of the silk gown sliding off her body had fanned the flames burning in his loins. He’d dreamed of her breasts, of her body, but nothing had prepared him for the sight of her lovely nakedness.

  He rejoiced at the memory of the warm wetness of her intimate folds on his fingers. The ecstasy on her face when she’d released humbled him. She’d been tight when he slid into her, but as their gazes locked he’d watched passion triumph over pain, her contractions pulsating on him when she released again. When his seed had erupted inside her, the breath had rushed from his lungs. He hoped Blythe’s father hadn’t heard his loud cry of euphoria.

  ***

  Caedmon and Aidan wanted to be home in time for Yuletide, and departed almost immediately. Blythe clung to them for a long while before they mounted. She might never see them again. Aidan couldn’t speak. Caedmon clasped Dieter’s hand. “I’m entrusting to you the life of my daughter. Take good care of her.”

  Dieter’s father and sister returned to Saxony, taking Johann. He would be safer there until the conflict with Heinrich was over once and for all. The newly-weds celebrated Yuletide alone, completely immersed in their new found delight in each other’s bodies. They celebrated the Pagan tradition of burning the Yule log, lying naked before the hearth. He sang for her the ballad of Parsifal he’d been singing at the lake when she’d stumbled upon him naked. They laughed at the memory.

  For Yuletide dinner they dined on traditional roasted goose and Humble pie made from the heart, liver and brains of a deer. Blythe taught the cook how to make mincemeat tarts. The servants entertained them with a trope, chanting in dialogue the story of the nativity and the Holy Family. Dieter offered a toast of thanks to all his servants, wishing them health and happiness for the coming year. They returned the wishes.

  However, everyone in Köln acknowledged that the problems of the Empire’s domination remained unresolved and that a confrontation still loomed between Duke Lothar of Saxony, Dieter’s overlord, and the Emperor.

  ***

  Throughout the month of January in the year of our Lord One Thousand One Hundred and Fifteen, Dieter was kept busy organizing soldiers who would fight in the ongoing conflict with the Imperial Army. Though Emperor Heinrich had tried to bring Duke Lothar to heel, the Saxon continued to intrigue against him, and Dieter was the undisputed leader of the opposing forces in Köln. Lothar intended to be Emperor.

  Emboldened by their success at Andernach, the rebel forces decided to mount an all out attack. Blythe found all this talk of war and intrigue very unsettling, especially when Dieter told her the Imperial army was well to the east of Köln, and his men would likely have to ride several days to join forces with Duke Lothar.

  At the end of the month the confirmation came that they would be riding to join the Duke in Mansfeld, a four day journey. Dieter spent many days preparing his armour and weapons, Blythe watching him sadly. She was proud of his prowess as a warrior and his reputation as a hero, but fearful of what might happen to him. She’d just found him and couldn’t bear the thought of losing him. The day he left, bundled in his huge wolfskin coat to keep out the chill, she clung to him. Tearful servants gathered to see him off.

  “Don’t worry, Blythe,” he whispered in her ear. “This is something I have to do. I’ll return safely. Nothing can keep me away from you for long.”

  “We’ll be waiting for you,” she murmured, trying not to cry.

  He held her away from him. “We?”

  She nodded. “Your son and I.”

  He hugged her ferociously and buried his face in her neck. “You’re with child? You didn’t tell me.”

  “I wasn’t sure—but now I think it is so. I didn’t want to distract you from your mission.”

  He placed his hands on her belly. “You’ll never be a distraction. You’re my life, but life will be better for all Saxons, including this little one, once we get rid of Heinrich.”

  “Auf Weidersehen, my love.”

  “Auf Weidersehen, Blythe. Take good care of my son until I return.”

  He kissed her deeply, mounted his stallion and rode out to join his assembled forces.

  ***

  Their route took them through the village of Brilon situated high in the hills on the upper reaches of the river Möhne. The town lay between the Arnsberg Forest to the west and Lake Diemel to the south-east.

  From there they went on to the hill town of Warburg where they stayed in the Old Town in the Diemel Valley. Nordhausen at the southern edge of the rugged Harz Mountains was their next camp, where they went to Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Dieter prayed for the success of their campaign and for his wife and unborn child at home. He’d called Köln home for some time. He loved the city and his house there, but he would eventually take his family home to his own estates in Wolfenberg.

  Finally they passed south east of the River Harz, through Sangerhausen and on to Mansfeld, where Lothar waited.

  Five days later the forces of the Emperor commanded by Hoyer of Mansfeld gathered at Welfesholz to await the united Saxon troops led by Duke Lothar. Before the battle, Hoyer put his fist through a stone and proclaimed to his men the certainty of a victory over the enemy. The armies clashed in a long and bloody battle. The fight ended in the total destruction of the imperial army and Hoyer’s death. Heinrich took flight. Duke Lothar had broken Imperial power in Saxony. He was now the most powerful noble in Saxony and the wealthiest prince in all of northern Germany.

  The battle had lasted several days and Dieter and his men were exhausted. He’d lost a number of them and took charge of finding and burying their bodies. Some had to have limbs removed. The piteous moans of the wounded drifted across the camp and the stench of death filled the air. Dieter was sickened by it and longed to return home. He resolved to be done with war now that Lothar had been victorious. He would return to Wolfenberg with Blythe and take care of the lands Lothar had given him to rule over as Graf.

  It wasn’t until the end of the month of February that he was able to return to Köln. He’d sent messengers ahead and as he rode into the courtyard Blythe came out to meet him. His heart and his rute soared at the sight of her. He was exhausted, but his beautiful and passionate wife would soon restore his energy.

  ***

  In the autumn of that year Blythe and Dieter welcomed their son, Lothar Caedmon von Wolfenberg into the world. Graf Dieter von Wolfenberg paraded around the house firmly holding his baby son belly down on his hip, much to the delight of all the devoted servants and seemingly Lothar himself. Johann rode on his father’s back, laughing and giggling.

  When the babe wailed his demands, Blythe took him to her breast. “This child is going to be ruined if you keep on this way.”

  Johann wandered off to play with his toys. Dieter loved to watch her feed his son. Contentment washed over him. Blythe loved the manor house in Wolfenberg as much as he did. He had another healthy boy. After Lothar’s birth, he’d strutted around the house like a madman, proudly showing everyone his son’s maleness. The midwife had trailed after him, objecting loudly. If it was possible, he loved his wife even more after the birth of their child. “You were born to be a mother, Blythe. You’re radiant.”

  She gazed at her son. “I’m not sure yet whom he favours. Perhaps when he grows hair we’ll have a better idea! He has your blue eyes, though my mother told me a baby’s eyes sometimes change colour.”

  “I hope his will change to the colour of yours. Sometimes I think they’re brown, sometimes green. You’re a woman of mystery!”

  His arousal grew as he stared at his family. He ran his hand over his son’s head and then let his fingers trail over his wife’s swollen breast. “Perhaps when you’re done with Lothar you can see to my needs? I know I can’t enter you yet, but there are other ways to—”

  He looked at her speculatively, hoping she wouldn’t be shocked. He should have known better!

  Her eyes twinkled and a suggestive grin lit up her face. “Dieter, you know I’ll always
be ready to meet your needs in whatever way I can!”

  ###

  Thank you for reading Carried Away. If you enjoyed this book, I would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy it too.

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  Would you like to know more about Caedmon and Agneta’s story? How they met? Why Caedmon left her to join the First Crusade? A Man of Value.

  Read about Blythe’s twin brother, Aidan, in Sweet Taste of Love, Book II of the FitzRam Family series.

  Could any man tame Ragna, the FitzRam Family’s Wild Viking Princess?

  Perhaps a real Viking?

  LATEST RELEASE

  Dance of Love

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  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

  LEXICON

  Fr.=French

  W.=Welsh

  G.=German

  Abbesse Fr. Abbess

  Ap (or Ab) W. Son of

  Arrête Fr. Stop!

  Auf Weidersehen G. Goodbye

  Au revoir Fr. Goodbye

  Bébé Fr. Baby

  Brychan W. Woven blanket

  Commote W. area of administration in Wales

  Comte Fr. Count

  Comtesse Fr. Countess

  Cymru W. Wales

  Cymraeg W. Welsh language

  Derrière Fr. Bottom, backside

  Dieu Fr. God

  Ddoe W. Yesterday

  Dros Cymru W. For Wales

  Duw W. God

  Duwiau W. Gods!

  Enceinte Fr. Pregnant

  Enfant Fr. Child. Mes enfants=my children

  Exactement Fr. Exactly

  Fils Fr. Son

  Fromage cremeux Fr. Cream cheese

  Fy Nuw W. My God

  Garderobe Fr. Latrines

  Gottes segen G. Godspeed

  Gott sei Dank G. Thanks be to God

  Gräfin G. Countess

  Grandmaman Fr. Grandma

  Gut! G. Good!

  Ich bin es G. It’s me.

  Ich liebe dich G. I love you

  Ja G. Yes

  Jardin Fr. Garden

  Je t’aime Fr. I love you

  Jongleur Fr. Minstrel, juggler, medieval entertainer

  Kommen G. Come!

  Là Fr. There

  Liebling G. Sweetheart, darling

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

  Ma chère Fr. My dear

  Majesté Fr. Majesty

  Maman Fr. Mother (affectionate)

  Méchant Fr. Naughty

  Meine damen und herren G. Ladies and gentlemen

  Mein Gott G. My God!

  Mein Schatz G. My darling, my sweetheart

  Merci Fr. Thank you

  Mère Fr. Mother

  Milord Fr. My lord

  Minnesinger G. Minstrel

  Mon petit Fr. little one

  Nein G. No

  Oes W. Yes

  Oncle Fr. Uncle

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

  Oui Fr. Yes

  Pauvre Fr. Poor

  Père Fr. Father

  Petit baiser Fr. a little kiss

  Prie-Dieu Fr. Kneeler, prayer stool

  Regarde Fr. Look!

  Rute G. Shaft, manhood

  Rwy’n dy garu di W. I love you

  Schwarze ritter G. Black Knight

  Seigneur Fr. Lord

  Sieg G. Victory

  Siwrne dda W. Good journey

  Sûrement Fr. surely.

  Tais-toi Fr. Be quiet, silence.

  Ty bach W. Latrines

  Verch W. Daughter of

  Vous parlez francais? Fr. Do you speak French?

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

  Willkommen G. Welcome

  Yr Arglwydd W. My lord

  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 (FitzRam Family, Book 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

  Agnes—Norman scullery maid at Domfort Castle in 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

  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

  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

  ap Owain—Welsh patronymic—son of Owain

  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

  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.

  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—Horse belonging to Ram de Montbryce in CP

  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

  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

  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; married Blythe FitzRam

  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

  Elenor de Giroux—Norman; mother of Dorianne de Giroux; wife of Francois. PIB