‘A-ah…’ William Douglas let out a long breath. He knew now why Mary Ellwood considered the Douglas family her friends. He sighed heavily.
‘I do not know your mother, or her family, but I have heard of her story.’ He looked at Jamie. ‘But justice must be done. Whatever happened to your father the truth is you were found on Douglas land. You had been accompanied by a band of thieves.’
‘I understand,’ Jamie said and bowed his head in acceptance. ‘but I will not allow my sister to hang because of my lack of judgment.’
‘Father?’ Henry Douglas ventured diffidently. ‘There is something I should tell you.’
‘Oh?’ his father stared at him. ‘What could you have to say of importance, Henry?’ He loved his son but he had never understood him. He was a strange boy, not at all the warrior son he had longed for. He was nothing like Zander, the son who should have borne his name if fate had not intervened. By the time he returned from his enforced exile in Europe Zander’s mother had died in childbirth but she had married Latimer shortly before his death so that her son would have a name. On his return from exile William had married his beloved’s twin sister who had borne him Anna and Henry. He claimed Alexander as his nephew.
‘I-I believe I have a story which might bring comfort to the mother of the prisoner and his sister,’ Henry said, interrupting his father’s reverie.
‘Comfort?’ William Douglas scorned. ‘Are we to hear some of your biblical verses again? What could you possibly tell them, Henry? You spend your time with your books and your quill. You rarely venture forth with other young men of your age.’
‘Anna and Cousin Zander know I am often abroad when the moon is full and the world is bathed in its magic.’
‘Magic? Save me your poet’s imaginings! Tell your tale.’
‘Yes, Father.’ He looked across at Isabella. She gave him an encouraging smile. ‘It was a night when the moon was brightest. It is written in my journal so I could recount the time exactly. It is a little more than three years ago..’
‘Get on with it,’ his father growled impatiently.
‘That night the world was so beautiful I was led further than I intended.’ His father fidgeted but his cousin Zander moved to Henry’s side, knowing he rarely spoke more than a couple of sentences unless it was of importance.
‘I found myself beyond our boundaries when I heard a band of men approaching. I was on land belonging to the Kerrs. It was too late to run. I knew my life would be forfeit if they discovered me so I climbed into a beech tree. It was in full leaf and I was well hidden, but I could hear clearly. I knew at once the men were not Kerrs. They were near our own boundary when two men drew aside and stopped beneath the tree where I was hidden. The older one spoke in a low voice, “This will be near enough, Neb. The land across the burn belongs to the Douglas Clan.” The name Neb awakened my memory. I had never heard it before.’
‘Could it be Neb Truddle?’Isabella exclaimed. ‘Please, do go on.’
‘Another man appeared to be the leader for he held up his arm and spoke with an air of authority. He said, “We have reached the boundary of the Douglas lands. We go no further. We have seen no sign of thieves, or of the stolen cattle the Truddles claim they have lost. They brought us on a fool’s errand.” A few men grumbled but they turned and began to canter back the way they had come. Their leader turned to follow them. I didn’t see how it happened but he suddenly fell from his horse, not far from my tree. I could see he was hurt. The rest of his men had gone so I was about to climb down to see if I could help him but the two men were still beneath the tree, whispering. I heard the younger man say clearly, “My arrow brought him down but he’s still alive.” The older man went to their injured leader lay but instead of helping him he drew his knife and stabbed him many times. I gasped aloud. The man with the long nose looked up. I thought they would kill me too.’
‘Good God, Henry. I had no idea you ever got yourself into such adventures,’ Sir William exclaimed.
‘Yes, God was good that night,’ Henry said with faint reproach. ‘At least He kept me safe, Father.’ He and his father disagreed often about religion. ‘The killer said the gasp must have come from the dying man. The one with the long nose didn’t argue.’
‘You never breathed a word of this before!’
‘Would you have believed me, Father?’
‘I don’t suppose so. Can you blame me? You never hunt or fight or seek adventures like Zander and his friends’
‘The moonlight calls to my soul, Father.’
‘You should have told me. We would have given the man a decent grave.’
‘I gave him a grave,’ Henry said simply, as though it had never occurred to him not to do so.
‘You? Alone? How?’
‘I waited until the two men had gone. From my bough, high in the tree, I could see clearly in the moonlight. Some yards away, on our own side of the burn, a large tree had been uprooted by a storm some time ago. The roots had left a small crater. I carried the man and laid him there.’ It had been a struggle and taken Henry a long time. He looked at Isabella and Jamie. ‘I covered him well with leafy branches from other trees, then I pushed the soil from the edge of the crater to cover them. He sleeps in peace there. I have been back. Nothing has disturbed his resting place.’
‘Thank you, oh thank you,’ Isabella said, her grey eyes luminous with tears as she crossed the floor to stand before Henry and take his hand in both of hers.
‘I am sure that man was our father. It will comfort my mother to be assured he always kept his promise to her and now he lies in peace.’
‘We are very grateful,’ Jamie echoed her words. Henry Douglas gave them both his gentle, boyish smile.
‘I have always told you, Father, that my brother can be both brave and resourceful when he needs to be,’ Anna said.
‘I didn’t even know he could climb a tree,’ her father answered gruffly.
‘No,’ Henry said with a note of surprise, ‘I didn’t know either. I think the spirits of the moon must have taken me up there.’
‘Ach, you and your moon magic,’ Sir William muttered impatiently. Isabella gave Henry a sympathetic smile and squeezed his hand. Sir William observed them. His gaze became speculative.
‘You think me too hard on my son do you, Miss Isabella Ellwood?’
‘I am grateful to him and you do seem very impatient, Sir.
‘Well, you have just provided a solution to two of my problems.’ He turned to look at Zander. ‘It would be a waste to cut short a life with so much spirit, and more courage than most men. Don’t you agree, Zander?’
‘I do indeed. Both Miss Isabella and her brother have courage. I would not like to see either of them hang.’ Behind him the two men on guard sighed. There would be no excitement tonight.
‘But a penalty has to be paid. You will agree?’ Isabella looked at Alexander Latimer. Did his uncle always consult him? Was he in charge of the guardsmen?
‘What do you have you in mind?’ Zander asked with a puzzled frown.
‘One of them must stay to pay the penalty.’
‘Then I must stay,’ Isabella said, as Sir William had known she would. Her voice low but firm. ‘My mother and sisters need Jamie to protect them and the Ellwood Clan needs an honest man as leader.’
‘No! Isabella I cannot leave you here as a prisoner to take my place,’ Jamie said in consternation.
‘Our mother needs you, Jamie.’ She looked at Sir William Douglas. ‘If I have your permission, I will write my mother a letter. I shall tell her what your son did for our father and that you have agreed to spare Jamie’s life.’
‘You can read and write?’ Henry asked, his blue eyes lighting with interest. His father groaned.
‘It is all the boy thinks about, but this time it may prove an advantage.’ He looked at Jamie. Your sister will not stay here as a prisoner, but as a wife.’
‘A-a wife?’ Isabella’s eyes flew to Alexander’s face. He gave a little smile and h
is blue eyes danced. In that moment she knew he expected, yes and wanted, her to be his wife. She felt her stomach clench and her heart beat faster, but it was not with the fear or loathing she felt for Neb Truddle. Sir William Douglas claimed her attention, breaking the invisible thread which drew herself and Zander Latimer together.
‘Instead of celebrating a hanging tonight, gentlemen, we shall celebrate a wedding. I shall enjoy having grandchildren if they inherit, your spirit and courage, Isabella Ellwood. Your loyalty will be an extra gift. Yes, fate has taken a hand this day. Henry you will have a more worthy bride than I could ever have found for you.’ There were gasps from the men. Zander’s face darkened.
‘Me?’ Henry’s face paled. Henry stared at his father in dismay.
‘Of course I mean you. Who else can give me grandsons with the Douglas name. It will be an excellent match,’ Sir William insisted. Isabella opened her mouth in shock, then closed it. Her eyes were drawn to Alexander’s. She was sure he was surprised, yes, and disappointed. The other men whispered and chuckled amongst themselves even before Henry began to protest.
‘But Father you know I have no wish to be married. Not to anyone! You know what I want to do with my life. Cousin Zander will make a far better leader for the Douglas Clan when the time comes.’
‘No son of mine will become a monk and spend his days in a monastery,’ his father bellowed. ‘Anna!’ He turned to his daughter. ‘Will you tell the women to prepare. We hold a wedding feast tonight. Perhaps you could help Isabella find a suitable gown?’
‘Isabella?’ Jamie protested, rising awkwardly to his feet. ‘Surely you do not agree to this arrangement?’ he asked. ‘Sam must take you home at once.’
‘And leave you to hang on the end of a rope? Is that the celebration we shall have tonight?’ William Douglas interrupted. Isabella saw a ruthless glint in his blue eyes and knew why he was chief of the clan, and why his word was obeyed.
‘What will it be Isabella Ellwood, a celebration of your brother’s hanging or your marriage to my son, Henry?’
‘If - if Henry is willing to…’
‘Well Henry?’ his father demanded. ‘A hanging or a wedding? The choice is yours.’ Henry’s eyes swivelled to his cousin and there was no doubting the plea in them. Zander gave a helpless shrug but he stepped close and clasped Henry’s shoulder, turning their backs to Sir William.
‘You will help me?’ Henry whispered desperately
‘I don’t see how. But I’ll try…’
‘Well Henry?’ His father demanded impatiently. ‘Zander cannot come to your rescue over this. It is time you proved yourself a man! Will you make Isabella Ellwood your wife in a few hours’ time? Or will you put the noose around her brother’s neck?’
‘I will m-marry Isabella,’ Henry said. Isabella thought he looked very unhappy and she was sure there was panic in his blue eyes. She felt like comforting him with a hug as she did her sisters. His reluctance to take her as his bride was not very flattering but she was sure he would not be brutal or unkind to her as Neb Truddle would have been. He looked more nervous than she felt herself. Then, with a yearning she didn’t understand, she glanced towards his cousin. Zander was watching her intently. Was there a wistful look in his eyes, or had she imagined it? After all he did not know her and he was handsome enough to take his pick of all the girls. She raised her head proudly.
‘Jamie, it will be better for me to marry Henry than end my life, or yours, hanging from a tree,’ she said firmly. ‘I shall be safe from Neb Truddle here. We shall have thwarted him completely. He will not be expecting you to return to continue as Master of Braidlands and chief of the Ellwood Clan. Neither can he molest me every time I walk alone.’
‘That’s true,’ Jamie said slowly, ‘but I don’t want to leave you here, Belle. We shall all miss you dreadfully, dearest sister.’
‘As I shall miss all of you,’ Isabella said, her voice trembling at the thought of never seeing her mother and sisters again.
***
There was a great deal to do in a very short a time. Isabella found her head in a whirl as she was whisked away. Anna Douglas was as kind as Isabella had guessed she would be. She was also very generous and brought out her own finest gown of cream silk. Isabella was puzzled by her remarks regarding Henry and her earnest plea that she would be kind to him and try to understand and forgive his problems and fears.
‘This dress is beautiful,’ Isabella said, stroking the fine material. ‘My mother has one like it. My father brought back the silk after one of his journeys to buy salt. One of the French ships sailed up the Solway Firth bringing brandy and silks and satins.’ She sighed wistfully. ‘I can’t take your dress, Anna. It seemed a waste to wear my own best dress of fine wool to hang from a tree.’
‘You really did mean to take your brother’s place?’ Anna asked.
‘Of course. My mother and sisters need Jamie more than me. But I would rather be alive.’
‘I knew Jamie was not a thief. Zander believes he was wounded by one of your own men. The men here enjoy the sight of a hanging but Zander has always believed in justice.’
‘Then I am grateful to him for keeping Jamie safe. Why do you call him Zander?’
‘He is twenty two, three years older than I am,’ Anna chuckled. ‘I could not say Alexander at first so he became Zander to everyone here.’
‘Has he always lived at Moyenstane Castle with you?’
‘As long as I can remember. Our mothers were twin sisters but Zander’s mother died when he was born. My mother became the only mother he knew, and Lizzie, our old nurse. When my father was a young man he enjoyed the thrill of reiving over the English Border. He got caught and taken prisoner. He would have been hung if his men had not broken him free. He had to flee for his life so he travelled across the sea to a country called Holland. My aunt, Zander’s mother, married Edward Latimer. He was a very sick man and only lived a few weeks after their marriage. A month later Zander was born and my aunt died. Henry and I never knew her of course but Lizzie loved her and our mother and still tells us about them. When father returned he married my mother. Zander was two years old so he has always been here. Lizzie and Maggie were distant cousins of my mother so they came here with her and Lizzie looked after Zander. Maggie is a seamstress. They are both here still. This is their home. Lizzie regards herself as a servant but she has been like a mother to Henry and me, as well as Zander, though she says he was born proud and independent. Zander would do anything to protect Henry. He would help me too if I needed him but I am to marry Walter, Zander’s best friend. He will look after me.’
‘Why does Henry need protecting? He is older than Jamie.’
‘He is – he is different. You must not be hurt if he does not treat you as – as a husband treats a wife.’ The colour rose in Anna’s cheeks. ‘I-I mean in bed. It is not because he does not like you. He –he has wanted to be a monk for a long time. Father Oliver used to stay here to teach us how to read and write. My father blames him for influencing Henry, but we all liked Father Oliver and Zander and I were not changed by his teaching. Henry was always different. He was not rough or wanting to fight and wrestle as the other boys did. Lizzie believes he was born different because he was a twin and his sister died, but our father will not accept that. He wants to be proud of Henry as a man and as a leader.’
‘I see,’ Isabella murmured. She didn’t really understand what Anna was trying to tell her. She wished her mother was here to tell her what she was supposed to do, what would be expected of her when she was a wife. She didn’t know what a man was supposed to do when he shared a bed with a wife either. She only knew she would have hated to lie close to Neb Truddle with his slobbering mouth and his hands squeezing her breasts until she cried out in pain as he had when he had caught her alone. Already she felt a tenderness towards Henry. She felt he needed her protection, as well as Zander’s. She was sure he would never hurt her.
‘Do you understand, Isabella?’ Anna asked ‘Truly?’
Her blue eyes were as anxious and troubled, as Henry’s had been earlier.
‘I-I don’t know what I’m expected to do as a wife…’
‘I don’t know exactly myself,’ Anna said slowly, but I know we are expected to produce babies. My father wants you for Henry’s wife because he thinks your children will inherit your courage. You will share Henry’s room at the top of the tower instead of sleeping on this floor where the rest of us sleep.’ She waved a hand around the third floor of Moyenstane Tower. There were several alcoves or cubicles, some of them screened by a curtain from the view of other occupants. ‘Henry has slept up there since he was twelve. He will share his room with you.’
‘I am grateful for that.’ She would not like strangers peeping around the curtain or listening to her conversations with her new husband.
‘Lizzie was our old nurse. She will place a white linen sheet over the bed where you will sleep,’ Anna said slowly, as though repeating a lesson. ‘In the morning my father will send her to inspect the sheet to see if there is blood on it…’
‘Blood?’ Isabella echoed. ‘Why should there be blood…?’ Anna bit her lip.
‘I think it is a sign the bride is a virgin and her husband has – has entered into her. Y-you must have seen the animals mating sometimes, Isabella?’ she asked, willing her to understand things she scarcely understood herself.
‘B-but I didn’t know a man… I mean, I had not considered.’ She longed for her mother.
‘Lizzie does not think Henry will do what a husband ought to do. If there is no blood Lizzie says father will blame Henry. He’ll be very angry. Lizzie says he might even insist on staying in the room with you the next night to make sure Henry does what he is supposed to do. Zander has always helped Henry when he is in trouble with father, but I do not think he can help him over this.’
‘I should not like anyone in my bedchamber,’ Isabella said, her face flaming at the prospect.
‘Can you keep a secret? Lizzie has a plan to prevent Father getting angry.’
Love's Ransom Page 3