Haunted Knights (Montbryce~The Next Generation Historical Romance) Read Online Free Page B

Montbryce brothers.
    She averted her gaze to hide the tears welling in her eyes. She wanted desperately to escape, but no nobleman wanted a wife who could not speak.
    Lucien crooked his finger under her chin. “Don’t cry, ma soeur . Your imprisonment is cruel and unjust. As soon as we are able, Vincent and I will free you both. But for the moment, it is Maman who rules the house.”
    Paulina backed away from the hearth, clutching the roses. “ Non !” she shouted. “I am content to remain here.”
    Rosamunda grasped her sister’s arm, thumping her own chest, shaking her head vehemently.
    Paulina broke free. “I am a freak. Do you think I want to be gawked at and ridiculed?”
    Vincent came to his feet. “You are not a freak, Paulina. Neither of you are. You must not allow Maman’s despair to destroy you.”
    Paulina choked back a sob. “If a mother cannot love a child—”
    Rosamunda touched her heart, gripping her sister’s hand. “I love you,” she mouthed.
    “So do we,” both men echoed.
    The four children of Marc and Maudine Lallement clung to each other in silent sorrow for long moments.
    It was Lucien who finally cleared his throat and sniffed loudly. “Anyway, there is other news from Melton. His cousin, Adam de Montbryce is en route to East Preston, with his half brother, Denis de Sancerre.”
    Rosamunda opened her mouth but Vincent held up his hand. “Before you ask, Adam looks exactly like Melton. But I’ve never met Denis, therefore I cannot describe him to you.”
    Paulina pouted. “What does it matter, Rosamunda? Why do you care about these men? You and I will never meet them. If we did, they would turn away in horror when they discovered our impediments.”
    Lucien shook his head. “The Montbryces are chivalrous noblemen. They would never slight a woman.”
    Paulina scowled, shaking her head.
    Lucien hesitated, casting a glance at his brother. Rosamunda sensed there was more.
    She punched Lucien’s shoulder and frowned.
    “I’m not sure,” he replied hesitantly. “There is something wrong, but Melton did not divulge what it is.”
    “Wrong?” Paulina asked.
    Vincent grimaced. “ Oui , with Adam de Montbryce. I sensed it too. Mayhap we were mistaken. They will be at East Preston after the morrow. We’ll ride over in a few days to bid them welcome.”
    Lucien and Vincent took their leave when Agnès arrived with the midday meal. Rosamunda bade her brothers farewell, letting them know she eagerly awaited news on their return from East Preston.
    ~~~
    Lucien and Vincent Lallement did not exchange a word until they reached Vincent’s chamber. It was the pattern they followed whenever they left their incarcerated sisters. As they had grown to manhood, the injustice of the imprisonment had grated on them more and more.
    Lucien slammed the door and leaned back against it. “It’s intolerable, brother.”
    Vincent sat on the edge of his bed and slumped forward, his head in his hands. “I agree, but what can we do? If we expose the truth now, Maman will never forgive us. She will cast the girls out, maybe us too. The Lallement family will be shunned. Papa would never be invited to attend court functions again.”
    Lucien paced. “Not to mention people might wonder why we had done nothing before. We too might be judged cruel.”
    Vincent looked up. “Perhaps if we spirited them away to a convent?”
    Lucien snorted. “We may as well condemn Rosamunda to death, and Paulina would become more convinced she should remain hidden.”
    Vincent came slowly to his feet. “You’re right. We’d better hasten to the Hall. Maman will nag if we are late.”
    Lucien stopped pacing. “In some ways, our parents are the true prisoners.”
    Vincent put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “You and I are thoroughly caught in their web of lies. It becomes increasingly difficult not to blurt out something Paulina or Rosamunda has said or done. They are beautiful young women any man would be proud to have