Aristide: Brethren Origins, #3

By Barbara Devlin

The charming Dionysia de Beaumais conceals more than her face behind a scarf. Despite her pleas for mercy, she is betrothed to a man with whom she shared pleasant conversation at court, and she dreads the inevitable disclosure of a painful past and her most intimate secret. But the giant knight is not what he appears, and he wins her heart. When an old enemy resurfaces, threatening her newfound happiness, Dionysia risks everything to save Aristide.

 

Reconciled to an arranged marriage, Nautionnier Knight Aristide de Laurentiis takes matters into his own hands and expresses interest in a mysterious but modest lady blessed with sharp intellect and wit, and His Majesty obliges the one-time Templar. When Aristide discovers the cruel truth his gentle wife hides behind her veil, his insatiable lust for revenge threatens to destroy them. Can love conquer evil and heal old wounds?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barbara Devlin
• Release date: Oct 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781945576911

Book preview

Prologue

London

The Year of Our Lord, 1312

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Marriage manifested a lethal trap for the unsuspecting soul. Forever bound to a woman, when the Templar Code demanded chastity, an honorable Nautionnier Knight dangled on the precipice of damnation until he passed into the not-so-glorious hereafter, given his disobedience of the tenets that defined his existence. It was for that reason Aristide de Laurentiis studied his brother with inexpressible sympathy, on Arucard’s wedding day, and focused his attention on something important.

His empty belly.

In the massive great hall at Westminster Palace, beneath the most opulent hammerbeam roof Aristide had ever seen, he lingered near the food table, perused the vast array of tempting items, and filled his plate with savory selections, including an impressive helping of lampreys with hot sauce. At one corner of the sweetmeats collection, he snared a puffed pastry in the shape of a lion.

I believe that is intended as a decoration, great knight. A soft, melodic voice offered wise counsel, amid the elegantly garbed nobles, and he quickly restored the item to its place and searched for the benevolent soul. In a dark corner, he narrowed his stare and spied a veiled creature. Hello.

My lady. In deference, he dipped his chin. Thank you, for sparing me a measure of embarrassment, and I am in your debt. It has been a long time since I mingled with such estimable company. Then he snickered. Wherefore do you shelter alone in darkness, when the other ladies vie for husbands?

Because I am a woman, it must follow that I am in want of a spouse? She snorted. By your logic, I have chosen the most opportune position, near the food, if your portions offer an indication of your inclinations. Or am I to conclude that brawn does not equate brains, my lord, and you are a wasteful sort? A hint of amusement colored her tone, thus he took no offense. As you evidence plenty of the former but little of the latter, in our brief discussion.

Indeed? When he rounded the display, she shrank further into the shadows. You should be careful how you speak, because there are those who might take insult to your assertions and seek retribution, in the form of a sound beating of your bottom.

Would you visit violence upon a woman half your size? A subtle tremor in her reply indicated he frightened her. I apologize, as I meant no affront, my lord. But you seemed so enamored of the fare that I could not resist teasing you. Pray, forgive me.

Come here, into the light. Intrigued by the fascinating creature, Aristide grasped her wrist and pulled her into the soft glow of a wall sconce. What is your name?

I am Lady Dionysia, daughter of Lord Goncourt. Possessed of the clearest blue eyes, and thick black lashes, she hid the rest of her face behind a veil, and he just resisted removing the scrap of cloth. Prithee, I beg you, kind sir. Do not hold my family responsible for my breach of decorum.

Calm yourself, Lady Dionysia, as I am not angry. In his life, never had he spent any time in conversation with the fair sex, because Templars did not often mingle in social events, but he quickly reminded himself he was no longer a member of the once great Order. And unlike his brothers, he found women rather mesmerizing in their differences, thus he wished to explore those distinctions now that he had an opportunity. If it is not a gross violation of some unwritten rule, will you consent to join me for the meal?

You wish to be seen with me? Panic flashed in her gaze, as she glanced from left to right, and he longed to reassure her. Because no one holds court with me.

What care I for what others think, as here I am a foreigner? Now he had to know her, and he set down his plate. Since you seem familiar with the palace, mayhap you can direct us to a more secluded spot, that we might talk without interruption or unwanted notice?

I would like that. With a wave of her hand, Dionysia summoned, and Aristide followed. There is a corridor, which leads to a larger hall and an alcove we might inhabit for a brief moment, but we must not delay for long, else we risk discovery and ruin.

Wherefore should anyone judge us so unfairly, when we are innocent? In the dark, he admired her silhouette, as the female form posited something new and enticing he had never before pondered with any serious reflection. So, do you come here, often?

Aye. At the end of the passage, she veered left and then disappeared into a niche on the right. My father and His Majesty are old friends, thus we enjoy the King’s favor.

How fortunate. A stone bench perched before an elaborate, stained glass lancet window, and he eased to one end, while she occupied the other. And are you in the habit of baiting the Sire’s knights? Do you do so because you believe the Sovereign protects you?

I am sorry, my lord, if you are vexed with me. Poised and refined, she adjusted her wimple, which failed to conceal her fiery red locks. Despite your impressive stature, you appeared lost, and I am not sure why I spoke out of turn, other than a sincere desire to spare you any discomfit.

Ah, you mistake my interest, because I am captivated, not vexed. What he would give to glimpse her face. You have not asked, but I should make you free with my name, which is Aristide. Tell me, Lady Dionysia, wherefore do you hide behind a veil?

Because my presence often makes others uncomfortable. That was the last response he expected. And I know who you are, great one. In fact, everyone knows of you and your friends. However, what remains a mystery is how you came to England and garnered His Majesty’s patronage. While you have not stated as much, I believe I detect a hint of a French accent, or am I mistaken?

You are clever, as well as beauteous. He chuckled. "I am from La Teste-de-Buch, a small town on the Arcachon Bay, in Aquitaine. Do you know it?"

No. She shook her head. What brought you to our shores, if I may impinge on your cordiality, Sir Aristide? Laughter pealed from the great hall, and Lady Dionysia hunkered low, and he wondered what caused her disquietude. And how can you call me beauteous, when you have seen naught more than my eyes?

There are different kinds of beauty, my lady. From what he spied of her expression, it was clear she underestimated her qualities, but he did not make that mistake. Not the least of which is what resides in your heart.

And you think you know me, thus? Bereft of any trace of vanity, she averted her stare. Despite the fact we just met and have formed no real acquaintance?

Some things cannot be contrived, my lady. Something within him awakened, and he coveted and nurtured the new and alluring experience. Might I beg a dance, when the musicians play the Quadrille?

You would partner me, in public? Again, her response gave him pause. Sir Aristide, we should return to the great hall, before our absence is noted.

Why should I not? Indeed, he cared not for the opinions of the perfumed peacocks that filled the palace, because he desired not their approval. And let us retrace our steps, if you are concerned about being caught with me, but I will have your word, as a lady, that you will dance with me, if only once, this eventide.

I had thought the reverse, great one. With grace and elegance, she rose, and as he stood, he caught her hand and brought it to his lips, savoring the subtle gasp she emitted. All right. Since you insist, you have my word. She led him back to the feast. But I should caution you to beware, as within the palace the walls have ears, and you know not whom you might call friend or foe.

A sensible warning I shall heed. Where are you sitting? At the food table, he located his plate, which he retrieved. Is your father in attendance?

He is, but I do not join him. When a guard approached, she turned aside. Have no fear, great one, as I will find you.

Sir Aristide, the King commands your presence. The guard stretched upright. Now.

Of course. Nodding, Aristide glanced at Lady Dionysia and discovered her gone. Although he sought some sign of the mysterious creature, he spied no sign of her. I am at your service.

This way, Sir Aristide. The sentry flicked his wrist.

At the imposing dais, the Sire presided over the festivities. When he noted Aristide’s arrival, the King’s smile faltered. Had Aristide committed some inadvertent but egregious error?

Majesty. Aristide bowed his head. I answer your summons.

Sir Aristide, we observed you making solicitous overtures to Lady Dionysia. The King narrowed his stare, and Aristide clenched his gut in anticipation of a sharp rebuke. This pleases us, given she is the daughter of a longtime ally, and we would ensure her future with an adventitious match. But the lady is damaged, thus we could not give her to just anyone, and we must reflect and proceed with prudence regarding a union. Might we rely on you for that task?

A chill of angst traipsed Aristide’s spine, as he considered the King’s proposition, though the prospect of marriage did not necessarily surprise Aristide. Indeed, ever since Arucard imparted the news of his impending nuptials, Aristide wagered every Nautionnier Knight would be similarly shackled, because the strategy made perfect sense.

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