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Chapter
Onefree downlod Midtown Madness 3
Faucon Keep - Normandy, October 15, 1143free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Every autumn, for as long as Marianne of Faucon could
remember, the Comte of Faucon hosted a grand tournament
and faire. First her father's father had hosted the
event, then her own father. The task now fell to the
current Comte of Faucon, her brother Rhys. It had been
taking place for so long, that it was an expected celebration.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
The only difference this year was in the number of
attendees. A devastating famine swept England, bringing
more and more people to Normandy, France and other far-flung
locations. free downlod Midtown Madness 3
An imposing assembly of troubadours, jugglers, dancers
and musicians came to entertain the masses gathered
while lining their purses with coin. Knights and warriors,
tired of earnest battle and seeking to fill their empty
coffers with gold or the spoils of those less fortunate
at combat came to test their prowess on the tourney
field. free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Merchants, desperate to profit from the throng and
lighten their load of goods before winter set in, flocked
to the keep.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
It was a festival of merriment and necessity attended
by many¾evident by the multitude of gaily colored
tents dotting the open area between the forest and the
keep. Brilliant multi-hued pennants fluttered in the
warm autumn breeze.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Surrounded by more people than she could count, Marianne
could not dispel the restlessness coiling tight in her
belly. It rested there all day, growing stronger with
the setting sun.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Neither the clang of sword meeting sword, nor the
excited shouts and laughter of spectators in the stands
broke the unsettling gloom cloaking her like a dark,
suffocating shroud.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
An unhurried stroll amongst the vendors produced nothing
to lighten her mood. No bright hair ribbons, exotic
scents from the East, nor carefully crafted jewelry
caught her eye. It was truly a sad day when she could
find nothing new to purchase that would lift her spirits.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Marianne sighed before moving away from the crowd
attending this day's events. The annual festivities
used to send a thrill through her body. She'd looked
forward to the excitement for months in advance. Over
the last two years, the thrill had steadily begun to
pall. free downlod Midtown Madness 3
"Surely you are not leaving so soon?"free downlod Midtown Madness 3
An arm draped across her shoulders slowed her departure.
She knew by his simple act of lightly caressing her
shoulder, which of her three brothers sought to prevent
her leaving.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Her eldest brother Rhys would not have taken the time
to approach her. With so many armed men about, he was
far too busy keeping them in check.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Darius, the youngest brother, would never think to
be so familiar with her. He'd not lived at Faucon while
she was growing from child to young woman. Their relationship
was more formal than the one she shared with her middle
brother Gareth.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Marianne lowered her shoulder and side-stepped Gareth's
touch. "Yes. I am. The day has been long. My head
aches and the noise worsens the pain. Perhaps a few
quiet moments in my chamber will help lessen the throbbing."
The lie was a small one, surely not of a size worth
an eternity in hell.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
He grasped her wrist and tugged her back to his side,
bringing her escape to a halt. "It is heartening
to discover you have not lost the ability to fabricate
tales with a straight face."free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Marianne smiled up at him. "I learned from the
best, did I not?"free downlod Midtown Madness 3
His eyes widened briefly before his lips turned up
into a crooked, answering smile. "I suppose you
did." He released her wrist and ran a hand through
his sweat dampened hair. "But maybe it is time
to refrain from following in your brothers' footsteps.
After all, you are a girl."free downlod Midtown Madness 3
"Girl?" Oddly enough, Marianne's temper
sprang to life at his innocent statement. Her blood
ran hot and her heart quickened its pace in her chest.
She had not been a girl for many years. It was doubtful
if anyone outside of her family would mistake the roundness
of her hips, or the fullness of her breasts for a girl.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Gareth raked her from head to toe with a slow, piercing
stare. The sort of studied perusal a man used when uncertain
of what he saw before him. A frown creased his forehead.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose, before shaking his
head. "Nay. You are a girl no longer, are you?"
He sounded surprised. "When did this happen?"free downlod Midtown Madness 3
His sudden realization of the obvious banished her
ire. "Oh, I am fairly certain it occurred just
last week." She could no more restrain from teasing
Gareth than she could cease breathing.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
He ignored her banter and glanced briefly toward the
lists, obviously eager to return to the last of the
day's action provided in the tourney ring. With a resigned
sigh, he brought his attention back to her. "Why
is it that you are unwed?"free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Unrestrained laughter burst from her lips and worked
its way through her whole body. She wiped the tears
from her eyes, shook her head, then gesturing toward
the men waiting their turn to joust, she asked, "And
who among those gathered would Comte Faucon find suitable?
Which man would be worthy of my hand in marriage?"free downlod Midtown Madness 3
"What are you saying?"free downlod Midtown Madness 3
"Simple, my dear brother, of late I have encouraged
more than one eager man to seek Rhys's approval, to
no avail."free downlod Midtown Madness 3
"Were his reasons not sound?"free downlod Midtown Madness 3
"To him perhaps. But to me they seemed minor."
Marianne recited them, "Too old, or not old enough.
Not wealthy enough, or strong enough. Too arrogant,
or not arrogant enough. One was even deemed not intelligent
enough to become related by marriage to the great Faucon
family."free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Gareth stared at her. "Why did you never complain
until now?""I never felt that anything was
missing in my life until now."free downlod Midtown Madness 3
"What do you wish me to do?"free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Marianne shrugged. "Perhaps you could talk to
our brother, the Comte, and convince him that my heart,
too, is deserving of love."free downlod Midtown Madness 3
"It may not help, but I promise to try."free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Certain Gareth would indeed talk to Rhys, she resumed
her escape of the crowd. The short jaunt to the keep
was uneventful in an annoying sort of way. She would
give anything if some brutish lout would think enough
of her to take advantage of the fact she walked alone.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
No maid accompanied her. When she'd left the keep
earlier, they'd been too busy attending to the numerous
honored guests. A blessing as far as she was concerned.
It was rather enjoyable to have the freedom of movement
without her every step being watched.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Although, if Rhys or his wife Lyonesse discovered
her outside the keep without a maid or guard in attendance,
Marianne's ears would burn from their words of censure.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Both of them acted as if she was some great prize
who needed to be protected at all costs. It might make
sense to her if she was of royal blood, but she wasn't.
The only thing of value, besides the land from her mother's
family, was her virginity. And at the moment she'd give
that useless treasure away to anyone bold enough to
ask for the honor.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Marianne's face heated at her wicked thought. Her
family would be horrified, worse they'd be ashamed to
know what vileness ran rampant in her mind of late.
Was it normal to have these unexplained urges, these
frustrating feelings of need that kept her awake at
night and surly most of the day?free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Or, was this unquenchable yearning the Lord's retribution
for carrying the name Marianne? Nay. Surely, she could
not be held responsible for her sire's anger at the
Church. An anger so great that he burdened his only
daughter with a bastardized version of the Blessed Virgin's
name. It was no wonder the Church had excommunicated
him. free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Thankfully, that dire decree had not been extended
to the entire family. While her sire might reside in
the devil's realm for an eternity, at least she and
her brothers still had a chance for salvation.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
That is, if she could find a way to rid herself of
the uneasiness threatening to rule her.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Is this why most girls were married at a young age?
So that by the time they started having this odd, irritating
bodily awareness, they'd already be safely ensconce
in their husband's bed?free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Now her head truly did pound. All of this thinking,
wondering and longing for something she'd yet to experience
would soon make her sense take leave. As she drew closer
to the keep, she mingled with a group of people. If
anyone from her family saw her entering Faucon, she
could then say she'd not been out alone.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Before heading to her pallet for an early night, Marianne
detoured toward the family's private sitting area. Maybe
a brief visit with her nephews would take her worries
off things she could not change.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
"Who do you think Marianne should be given to?"
Lyonesse's voice drifted out of the chamber.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Marianne came to a rocking halt just outside the archway.
She ducked out of sight and pressed tightly against
the wall, listening to her sisters-by-marriage discuss
her future.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
"I thought Lord Markam's son looked promising."
Rhian, Gareth's wife offered.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Marianne bit the inside of her mouth to keep from
snorting aloud. Markam's son? Only over her dead body
would they convince her to wed that pompous ass.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
"Markam?" Rhys's wife laughed before thankfully
dousing any continued discussion of that suggestion.
"Lord Markam's son has not enough gold, strength,
or wit to protect his own pretty face let alone Marianne's."free downlod Midtown Madness 3
"It is well past time for her to marry. Soon,
she will be too old for any to consider. Marianne has
seventeen years on her and is not getting any younger.
She must wed with haste."free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Oh, bless you for that observation. Marianne wanted
nothing more than to wrap her hands around Marguerite's
neck and squeeze tightly. How Darius could have married
this woman was completely beyond her comprehension.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
"Rhys is well aware of his sister's age."
Marianne cringed at Lyonesse's sharp tone. When the
Lady of Faucon spoke in that manner, most people gave
her a wide berth. "He is doing his best to find
someone suitable."free downlod Midtown Madness 3
"Yes, well, Rhys needs to quicken his search
before some knave recognizes the unquenched lust sparking
from those eyes of her." Marguerite's observation
brought the heat of embarrassment back to Marianne's
cheeks. free downlod Midtown Madness 3
"Ah, you've noticed that, too? Then perhaps to
hasten the matter along, maybe the three of us should
offer to assist him." Rhian's calming tone eased
some of the tension from Marianne's neck and shoulders.
"After all, we are more able to know what would
make another woman content."free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Content? Marianne shook her head as the tension returned.
She wished not to be content. Not wanting to be seen,
or heard, she backed silently away from the chamber.
Not one of them would have settled for being content,
why did they assume she would? free downlod Midtown Madness 3
She was no different, she wanted the same things they
had. There was little privacy to be had in a keep, even
one as large as Faucon. Marianne knew what these women
shared with their husbands. She'd heard the throaty
laugher of the chase, the breathless sighs of pleasure
and the lingering moans of fulfillment.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
She needed that, too. She craved desire, a fierce
all consuming passion that would drive her mad, while
at the same time leave her completely fulfilled.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
But never content.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
Dear Lord, please, never let her live in so boring
a manner as content. She'd sooner die.free downlod Midtown Madness 3
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