“I shall return shortly with refreshments,” said Dougray’s wife, Em.
“Nicola!” Vilda called to the wife of Vitalis whom first she had met upon the Isle of Ely.
As the others exited, the lady turned. “Vilda?”
“’Tis a blessing to know you again, and I am glad for your happiness and the family you make with Vitalis.”
Though a shadow appeared on Nicola’s face, Guy knew it had naught to do with her marriage and children but the recent death of one dear to her husband and her—the favored second son of King William whom Vitalis had trained into a warrior, Richard’s young life claimed by a hunting accident.
The shadow passed, and the lady smiled. “Who knew, hmm?” Her eyes shot heavenward. “Well, down here? I hope you shall stay many a day so we may grow our friendship.”
Vilda nodded at the babe who was nearly asleep at the breast. “That we shall.”
The door closed.
“She would have made you a good wife,” Vilda referred to the tale long ago told of when William had considered matching that reckless young woman with this chevalier. “Of course, I am grateful Vitalis gained her and you gained me.”
“As you are fond of saying, it could not have gone better.” He stroked the little one’s cheek, then Vilda’s. “Four gifts you have given me, Wife.”
“And more to come.”
He winced. “After what I—”
“’Twas a shout, not a scream, Guy.”
“Regardless, each birth presents a risk of losing one for whom I did not know I waited so long until she was mine.”
“Surely you do not speak of your sturdy wife?” she teased.
“I do not. I speak of my beautifully sturdy wife.”
Her smile broadened. “Unless you wish no more children because five would begin to be too many, methinks we ought to leave it in God’s hands.”
Which were exceedingly capable, he silently acceded. “If He provides, then one more, Vilda.”
She glanced at their daughter who now slept, laughed softly. “Or two…or three…or…”
Guy bent his head. “In God’s hands,” he said and kissed his Saxon bride.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for joining me in the age of conquest. If you enjoyed the seventh tale in this series, I would appreciate a review of LAWLESS at your online retailer. A few sentences is lovely. A few more, lovelier yet.
Regarding the final book in a series that stepped back in time to give the origins of the Wulfrith family of the AGE OF FAITH series, the release of DAUNTLESS in Autumn 2021 will take an additional step back to reveal the origins of the D’Argents. Oh, what a ride this has been—and is yet to be!
Coming soon: The 14th-century AGE OF HONOR series and more Wulfriths. Ever more Wulfriths! ~ Tamara
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Dear Readers,
So many myths surround Hereward that separating fact from fiction often seemed insurmountable. Having pieced together accounts of The Last Great Englishman to give the reader a good sense of who he was and the events for which his leadership is credited, my hope is the seams of my patchwork quilt are strong.
As for the site of the resistance’s last stand to regain control of England, like Hereward, there are vague and various accounts of the sieges mounted by William the Conqueror to reclaim the Isle of Ely. There appear to have been three attempts to achieve that end, the first two by military might alone that included the use of causeways, one of which a chevalier named Deda did cross, with the final attempt dependent on betrayal of Hereward by Abbot Thurstan, Earl Morcar, and others.
Regarding the aged witch said to have fallen to her death after cursing the resistance from atop a tower during the second siege, as history is usually written by the victors, this author took the liberty of reimagining this Saxon by giving her a name, shaving off some years, and providing motivation for cursing her own people—and of course, making her kin to my fictional Theta.
The first seven books in the Age of Conquest series having covered the major events from the Battle of Hastings in 1066 to the resistance’s last stand on Ely in 1071, what about the eighth book? I think we must take a step back to that oft-mentioned tale of Godfroi and Robine whose son wed Lady Hawisa of the Wulfriths. An excerpt of DAUNTLESS is included here.
If you would like to know more about Maxen Pendery, his friendship with Sir Guy, and the woman who drove out the Bloodlust Warrior of Hastings, that tale is told in LADY OF CONQUEST.
Dauntless Excerpt
THE WULFRITHS. IT ALL BEGAN WITH A WOMAN
From USA Today Bestselling author Tamara Leigh, the eighth and final book in a series set in the 11th century before the Norman Conquest of England, revealing the origins of the Wulfrith-D’Argent family of the AGE OF FAITH series. Watch for DAUNTLESS Summer/Autumn 2021.
PART I: CHAPTER ONE
Castle D’Argent upon Valeur
Normandy, France
The Year of Our Lord 1036
Two things this day would remedy. Of greatest import was bestowal of the Barony of Valeur on its rightful heir. Of lesser import was an end to hostilities between the family D’Argent and the family L’Épée. The first would be achieved by way of combat, the second through marriage. What both entailed held no appeal, but would be finalized before sunset.
“God help us,” rasped the one face down before the altar, then he rolled to his back and opened his eyes on the bounded ceiling of his mother’s private chapel and wished himself outside beneath the boundless blue.
Though often the priest had assured the boy he no longer was that prayers were as easily heard through weighty stone and wood as through weightless air—the same as desperate beseechings of the mind—Godfroi yet imagined the Lord straining to catch words spoken here. And that seemed a great imposition for one whose intercession was sought, especially when the petitioner was not as faithful as he ought to be.
Turning his face toward the
