Anna Markland - Viking Roots Medieval Romance Saga 02 (17 page)

Sonja was glad to put her feet up on a footstool in the main hall once the children had disappeared with their nannies or gone out to play.

She was surprised to see servants carrying in two rundlets Bryk normally protected as if they were filled with gold. His
experiment
, he called it.

Her husband was also eyeing the casks curiously. “What news then,
onkel
?”

Alfred stood near the hearth, looking a lot older than Sonja remembered. “There is talk of a rebellion brewing.”

It was apparent from the puzzled looks on everyone’s faces this didn’t seem a reason to break open Bryk’s precious casks.

“I’ve heard rumblings of this,” Bryk said, again to Sonja’s surprise. “I mentioned it to you, Torstein.”

Her husband averted his gaze. She understood. He hadn’t wanted to cause alarm.

“
Ja
,” he replied. “Their leader is Riouf of Evreux. He thinks we Normans have become too Frankish, too soft. He has challenged Rollo on many occasions.”

Cathryn gasped. “What is Rollo’s response?”

Bryk frowned. “That’s part of the problem. He’s old and doesn’t seem to realize what’s transpiring at a time when we need strong leadership.”

Alfred cleared his throat. “The news I bring might alleviate your fears. Break open your cask, brother. Let’s see what eight year old apple wine tastes like.”

Bryk furrowed his brow but commanded the servants to open the rundlet and pour the concoction.

Sonja sniffed her tumbler of golden liquid, wrinkling her nose when the pungent aroma assailed her nostrils. “Doesn’t smell like wine,” she whispered to Hannelore.

When each person had been served, Bryk turned to his brother, his tumbler raised.

Alfred touched his tumbler to Bryk’s. “We drink to the good health of the new Duke of the Normans.”

“Rollo is dead?” Torstein asked.

“No,” Alfred replied. “But three days ago he relinquished his title to his son. Vilhelm Longsword is now our Duke.”

Long moments of silence followed this pronouncement. Sonja chuckled inwardly at the image of Poppa’s indignant face behind her eyes. During the interview with the Ragnarsens the woman had insisted on her son marrying a Frank. It was common knowledge Vilhelm lived openly with his concubine, Sprota, a Breton princess he’d captured.

“To our new Duke Vilhelm,” Bryk declared, “who wouldn’t be alive today were it not for Torstein’s defiant bravery.”

Sonja’s heart filled with pride when her husband blushed modestly. He smiled as their eyes met across the chamber. Following the lead of the others who hesitantly lifted the tumblers to their lips, she sipped the golden liquid, squeezing her eyes tight shut as the fiery taste took her breath away and fumes soared up her nose.

Bryk banged his tumbler down on a table. “
Ja!
” he shouted, licking his lips. “
Gut
. Alfred will take back to our new Duke a barrel of the first spirits distilled in the land of the Normans.”

The men eagerly held out their tumblers when he signaled for everyone to receive a second serving.

The red-faced women looked at each other in disbelief, rolled their eyes to the rafters and politely declined.

Sonja leaned close to Hannelore’s ear. “It would make a good cure for a blocked nose,” she whispered.

FAMILY TREE

(
The Rover Bold
is the beginning of Bryk and Cathryn’s story)

ANNA MARKLAND

Thank you for reading
The Rover Defiant
. If you’d like to leave a review where you purchased the book, and/or on Goodreads, I would appreciate it.

I’d love you to visit my
website
and my Facebook page,
Anna Markland Novels
.

Tweet me @annamarkland.

I was born and educated in England, but I’ve lived most of my life in Canada. I was an elementary school teacher for 25 years. It was a rewarding career, financially, spiritually and emotionally.

After that, I worked with my husband in the management of his businesses. He’s a born entrepreneur who likes to boast he’s never had a job! He’s also of Norwegian descent and LOVES this series.

My final “career” was as Director of Administration of a global disaster relief organization.

Not content to fade away into retirement gracefully, I embarked upon writing a romance, essentially for my own satisfaction. I chose the medieval period mainly because that genre of historical romance is one I enjoy reading.

I have a keen interest in genealogy. This hobby has had a tremendous influence on my stories. My medieval romances are about family honor, ancestry, and roots. As an amateur genealogist, I cherished a dream (as do many) of tracing my own English roots back to the Norman Conquest—an impossibility since I am not descended from nobility! I made up a family and my stories follow its members through successive generations.

One of the things I enjoy most about writing historical romance is the in-depth research necessary to provide readers with an authentic medieval experience. I based the plot of my first novel,
Conquering Passion
, on an incident that actually happened to a Norman noblewoman.

I hope you come to know and love my cast of characters as much as I do.

I would like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of my critique partners, Sylvie Grayson, Jacquie Biggar and Reggi Allder for their help in polishing this manuscript.

MORE ANNA MARKLAND

If only my heroes and heroines had revealed their stories to me in chronological order, it would have made life much easier for you! If you prefer to read sagas in chronological order, here’s a handy list.

Conquering Passion
—Ram and Mabelle, Rhodri and Rhonwen

If Love Dares Enough
—Hugh and Devona, Antoine and Sybilla

Defiant Passion
-Rhodri and Rhonwen

A Man of Value
—Caedmon and Agneta

Dark Irish Knight
—Ronan and Rhoni

Haunted Knights
—Adam and Rosamunda, Denis and Paulina

Passion in the Blood
—Robert and Dorianne, Baudoin and Carys

Dark and Bright
—Rhys and Annalise

The Winds of the Heavens
—Rhun and Glain, Rhydderch and Isolda

Dance of Love
—Izzy and Farah

Carried Away
—Blythe and Dieter

Sweet Taste of Love
—Aidan and Nolana