Free Carried Away by Anna Markland

woman is much more satisfying and joyful if you share love and passion.”
    Aidan sighed loudly and rolled his eyes. “Father, you and Mother have told us this many times.”
    Caedmon suddenly realized he didn’t know if his son was still a virgin. “Yes, Aidan, but you and I have never had a discussion about how to satisfy a woman.”
    Aidan looked puzzled. “What do you mean ‘satisfy’?”
    Aidan’s deep blush told his Father there was likely a great deal of knowledge he would need to pass on to him. Agneta had made sure their daughters were prepared for marriage, and he regretted now he hadn’t been more direct in such matters with his sons. “I mean in bed, Aidan. Don’t worry. We’ll talk—it’s a long journey home. I’m an expert in these matters! Ask your mother.”
    ***
    Dieter offered Caedmon the seat at the other end of the oblong dining table from where he sat, and the twins dined facing each other on the sides. Blythe was relieved that her father’s anger seemed to have cooled, and the conversation was almost jovial.
    “I’m curious, Sir Caedmon,” Dieter said, “you’re an English knight. Blythe tells me you’re part Norman, part Saxon, and yet you speak with an accent reminiscent of Scotland.”
    “You’re right, Count von Wolfenberg, my mother fled to Scotland after the Conquest. I was born there, but returned to live in England when I married my wife.”
    “Your mother was the Saxon then?”
    Caedmon paused only a moment. “Yes, her name was Lady Ascha Bronson. My father was the late Ram de Montbryce, the first Earl of Ellesmere. He fought with William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings.”
    “And that’s the reason you bear the name FitzRam, and not Montbryce?”
    Blythe feared her father would get annoyed at these personal questions, but Dieter seemed genuinely interested and her father unflustered. What was going on?
    “Yes, I have two half brothers—Baudoin, the current Earl of Ellesmere and Robert, the Comte de Montbryce in Normandie, and a half sister, Rhoni.”
    They ate in companionable silence for a while before Dieter spoke again. “I’ve heard things are still unsettled in Normandie?”
    The two men chatted on amicably about politics. Dieter told the story of Andernach and shared his strong opinions about the Emperor. Caedmon related the tale of Agneta rescuing him after he fell at the Battle of Alnwick. Aidan and Blythe exchanged curious glances across the table.
    After a while Caedmon stifled a yawn. He leaned towards Aidan. “Come, this old man is tired. I can’t keep up with you young people any more. Let’s retire and enjoy the Count’s hospitality. I’m for bed.”
    “But Father, I thought I would—”
    Blythe could have sworn her father winked at Aidan. Her brother abruptly changed his mind.
    “You’re right. I’m tired. Goodnight, Blythe. Count.”
    Caedmon kissed Blythe’s forehead. “Goodnight, my lovely girl, I’ve missed you.”
    “I’ve missed you too, Father.”
    ***
    Silence reigned in the room after they left. Blythe twiddled her thumbs nervously. Her hands didn’t want to be still. She could feel Dieter’s eyes on her. “You and my father got along well this evening. I assume you settled on a mutually agreeable ransom for me?”
    “I asked for no ransom, Blythe. That’s not why I asked your father to come for you.”
    She looked up from her fidgeting and stared at him. “Why did you ask him?”
    He came to his feet and moved to stand behind her. He didn’t touch her, but she could feel the warmth of his body. “Because I came to realize I couldn’t keep you here any longer, no matter how much I wanted to. If I did you would loathe me more than you do now, and I would find that hard to bear. I knew I had to let you go.”
    Was he saying what she thought he was saying? “I don’t hate you, Dieter. I’ve tried, and find I can’t.”
    He moved to stand at her side, took hold of her hands and pulled her to her feet. “I