The de Burgh Bride

Book 2: The de Burghs

by Deborah Simmons

Genres: Historical Fiction; Historical Romance; Medieval Romance; Romantic Suspense

Synopsis

By king's decree one of the de Burghs must marry the daughter of their fallen enemy. She's a notorious hellion rumored to have murdered her first husband on their wedding night, and none want to be her second.

A scholar as well as a knight, Geoffrey de Burgh values knowledge as much as his sword. But he can't explain why he's drawn to the maddening woman he must make his wife. And someone wants him dead. Is it his bride?

Elene Fitzhugh would have no husband and vows to drive him away with the point of her dagger. But the gallant knight is unlike any man she has ever known. And she must arm herself against a new threat—the power of attraction.

Release date: May 20, 2020

Publisher: Bennett Street Books

Print pages: 222

Sample

 

CHAPTER ONE

Geoffrey de Burgh looked down at the short straw in his hand with horror. Around him, he was aware of the responses of five of his brothers, their swift gasps of surprise, their relieved sighs and their mumbled condolences, but he did not reply. He could only stare at the small stick, unable to believe that he, of all the de Burghs left unmarried, had drawn it.

He had lost. And now he must wed the Fitzhugh.

Glancing up finally, Geoffrey met his father’s concerned gaze. If the Earl of Campion was startled that the most scholarly of his sons was to marry the renowned hellion, he did not show it. Gentle understanding at Geoffrey’s dismay was evident, along with pride, for the earl knew that Geoffrey would not disappoint him.

Geoffrey felt the weight of that faith and the responsibilities that flowed from it more heavily than ever before, but he could not deny it. King Edward had decreed that one of the de Burghs take the wench to wife, and so he must do his duty, for his king, his father, and his brothers.

Straightening, Geoffrey carefully masked his alarm. “Very well. I will have her,” he said.

There were no congratulations, for no one in the solar harbored any delusions that Geoffrey would be happy with his bride. And for once, none of his siblings engaged in their usual teasing and taunting. All were grateful that they had escaped his fate and would not make light of it.

Mumbling excuses, the five bachelors, fearless warriors all, fled the room, eager to forget their cowardice when it came to marriage. And Geoffrey could not blame them, for who would not flinch at the idea of such a wife? He watched them all go, leaving him alone with his father.

“Sit,” Campion said, tilting his head toward a nearby chair.

Geoffrey settled himself to face the man he respected more than any other, unflinching under his sire’s scrutiny.

Campion rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I would have hoped for another, Simon perhaps, though he is so hotheaded that he might have killed her before the ceremony was finished,” he said with a wry glance.

Geoffrey allowed himself a slight smile at the jest. Campion’s second son, Simon, was a fierce knight who had no use for women. No doubt, he would have cowed even the Fitzhugh, but he had a temper that sometimes clouded his judgment.

Campion nodded, as if in agreement with Geoffrey’s thoughts. “Aye, perhaps ’tis better that you, the most skilled negotiator, take on this task. I am proud of all my sons, but you, Geoffrey, are the most like me.”

Geoffrey glanced at his father in surprise. Although Campion made his affection for his sons apparent, he was not overly generous with his praise. This was high acclaim indeed, for Geoffrey knew of no other he would better strive to emulate.

“You have the strength that they do, but wisdom, too. Use your head and your heart, along with your sword arm, to deal with the woman who will be your wife,” Campion said. “We have heard many tales of her, but you know as well as I that such rumors are often exaggerated. People are not always what they seem, and I would ask you to keep an open mind when you marry. You, of all the de Burghs, are capable of heeding such advice.”

Geoffrey nodded silently, though he held out little hope that the Fitzhugh creature was anything other than what she had been painted: a she-devil who was known for her rude outbursts, foul speech, and wild behavior. ’Twas a fact that she had murdered her first husband in their marriage bed, an act that the king had seen fit to excuse because of the circumstances surrounding the wedding. Still, the cold-blooded deed gave a man pause, especially one who would follow in the dead knight’s footsteps.

As if reading his son’s thoughts once more, Campion cleared his throat, his expression turning somber. “Use your good sense and your compassion in the days ahead, my son,” Campion said, eyeing him somberly. “But don’t forget to watch your back.”