Book: A HUSBAND FOR ESYLLT
Character: Connor Hunter, Lord Sheridan
On this cold February night, in the year of our Lord 1296, we meet with Connor Hunter, Lord Sheridan, who he is about to leave for Wales, to marry his second wife on the king’s orders.
How would you describe your childhood, my lord?
Like that of any nobleman you can imagine. I was my parents’ only child, and a son, so I trained to be a knight. My days were spent riding, training with a sword and learning how to take care of our estate.
Matthew, my milk brother, and I were always getting ourselves involved into all sorts of mischief whenever we could escape the castle. I owe him what little joy I got while growing up.
What is your greatest talent?
I am a knight, so naturally I am skilled at riding, sword fighting, jousting, hand to hand combat, but I like to think I’m also rather adept at hide and seek.
Can you tell us more about your wife to be?
My wife Helen recently died. (A distant look appears in his pale green eyes.) It was a marriage of convenience and I’m about to go to Wales to marry Esyllt ferch Llewellyn, a Welsh woman I’ve never met. I don’t mind admitting I’m not holding much hope this union decided by the king will bring me more satisfaction than my first marriage did. But we all know love is not what one gets in a marriage, so I will do my duty and count myself lucky.
Where do you live?
I’m about to become lord of a Welsh Castle called Esgyrn Castle, so I expect I won’t be spending as much time in England as I would wish, in the next few years at least. The king expects me to help bring order to the newly conquered country but in all honesty, I would rather have stayed at Sheridan Manor, my family estate.
Do you have any enemies?
Not that I know of. It would be a foolish man who tried to cross me. (He smiles) But I have a feeling I will soon be surrounded by them.
Do you have children, pets, both, or neither?
Why would you want to know that? (The green in his eyes becomes as cutting as glass.) What is it to you if I do? (I don’t insist.)
What is your greatest disappointment?
Not being able to avoid answering those questions. It’s nothing personal, but I could have done without it, especially at this time. I should have sent Matthew to answer in my stead.
Your greatest source of joy?
Jane. (He offers no other explanation and, once again, I dare not insist.)
What keeps you awake at night?
Memories of all the people I’ve lost. Not very original, I know, but isn’t that what keeps everyone awake at night? Fortunately, once I do fall asleep, I sleep with the sleep of the dead.
What is the most pressing problem you have at the moment?
(He gives a mirthless laugh.) You had better ask me what is not a problem at the moment. In a week’s time, I will be married to stranger, who is most likely hostile to me, get to know her and establish my authority in a place where I will be seen as the enemy, make sure I fulfill my duty to the king, all this while keeping my brother happy. I might as well tell you he is not looking forward to living in a country of savages, as he calls the Welsh.
Is there something that you need or want that you don’t have? For yourself or for someone important to you?
No. I can’t afford to think in those terms. I will just have to make do with what I find in Wales. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get ready. We ride at dawn.
The Welsh Rebels #1
Wales, 1296, a time of turmoil.
Recently widowed, Connor Hunter, Lord Sheridan, is ordered by the king to take a Welsh wife, and sent into hostile territory to help bring the local rebels to heel.
Having lost her husband in traumatic circumstances, Esyllt has no wish to remarry. She is given no choice, however, when an English husband is chosen for her in a strategic move. Married to one of the despised invaders, she will be the instrument of his destruction.
Determined not to be used so cynically, she devises a plan to rid herself of her would-be groom before it’s too late. But on the night they meet, nothing goes as planned—and distrust settles in.
How will the two strangers, whom everyone considers as enemies, overcome the huge odds stacked against them and find the happiness they crave in their forced marriage?
Romance Historical [Oliver-Heber Books, On Sale: December 3, 2024, e-Book, / ]
Virginie thinks she became a writer the day she decided to write a (very bad, shamefully close to the real story) version of White Fang when aged nine or ten! As for the Middle Ages she fell in love with it at school during a history lesson, then Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood put its final seal on it all. A girl of twelve then, Virginie never recovered!
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