Kiltorren Castle, Ireland—April 1171
Kiltorren Castle, Ireland—April 1171Burke de Montvieux crested a rise, reined in his destrier, and stared at the scene spread before him. He had ridden hard for three days, pushing his steed to the limits of the beast’s endurance, Brianna of Tullymullagh’s challenge in his ears.
’Twas true enough that Burke had not departed upon the bride quest Brianna had issued to the three brothers Fitzgavin with the enthusiasm the lady thought her command deserved. Nor had he brought her a gift that he truly believed would win her heart—because Burke had no desire for Brianna’s affections.
For ’twas Alys of Kiltorren who haunted Burke’s dreams.
Burke’s guilty awareness of his unchivalrous behavior had taken him back to Tullymullagh, only to find Brianna happily
