Dunstan, A Knight of Crozby

A Romance Novella

By: Ronnda Eileen Henry

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Dunstan, A Knight of Crozby is a romantic fantasy set in a medieval-like land called Penruddock. It is part of a planned collection of romance novellas featuring male protagonists that will be called The Knights of Penruddock.

Dunstan is a common-born knight originally from the region of Crozby in the kingdom of Penruddock. Orphaned as a child, he enlists as a man-at-arms at the age of sixteen and travels to a colonial outpost to defend it against attacks. After twelve years, he won not only the rank of knight but also that of knight commander. He's finally ready to return to Crozby and claim his parents' farmstead when he's called upon to rescue Annagret, the young daughter of a blacksmith.

Annagret has been kidnapped by a dastardly knight named Sir Arnold who plans to sell her to slavers as payback for her rejection of his dishonorable attentions. In the struggle, Arnold is killed. Dunstan and Annagret are forced to remain together overnight due to a terrible storm. When he returns her to her father the next day and delivers Arnold's body to the outpost commander with a report of what occurred, the tongues begin to wag. Annagret's reputation, which was heretofore spotless, is ruined.

Dunstan offers marriage but she rejects it, not wanting to burden him with a common-born wife who can bring him little when he might now seek the daughter of a knight or an earl and increase his status and standing in the future. But, the tongues still wag, and Dunstan must make a practical choice. Will true love ever find its way?