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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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
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
Ellesmere—Location of castle given to Ram as a reward by William the Conqueror. Ram and Mabelle eventually turn a derelict Anglo-Saxon earthwork into a vibrant, thriving castle.