Zander rarely sought her out during the daytime. She knew he was at pains not to rouse his uncle’s suspicions but she didn’t need to wait for the next full moon to talk to him. She often sought sanctuary in her garden if she wanted to be alone or when she wanted time to think. After a busy day binding and stooking sheaves in the harvest field she was glad to sit down on the stone seat which Henry had made. She had not been there long when Zander joined her.
‘Walter tells me he and Anna are expecting a child. He spoke of her monthly cycle.’ He lowered his voice to little more than a whisper. ‘It occurred to me that we do not share such intimate knowledge of each other when I can only talk with you for a few nights each month, dearest Isabella.’
‘I had not considered it, except to be pleased when it did not trouble me,’ Isabella said truthfully. ‘Indeed I did not know such things changed. Anna says when the seed is growing the cycles cease until the baby is born. My mother never talked of such things. Anna thinks I must be expecting a baby and if she is right it will be born in February.’ She looked anxiously up at him. ‘Are you happy if it is true, Zander?’
‘I know it is what you want so I am happy, dear Isabella, but does that mean I must not come to you anymore?’
‘Oh no! It can’t mean that. I long for you to come Zander. I watch the moon and long for the round bright disc which lights the sky and guides you to me.’
‘Then I am happy,’ Zander said and smiled. ‘I too watch the moon now.’
‘I must tell Henry. Anna wanted to tell everyone today but I asked her to keep it a secret until Henry knows.’
‘Then you must tell him tonight, Isabella. Anna is not good at keeping secrets when she is excited. She will be sure to tell Walter as soon as they are alone together.’
Henry wondered why Isabella seemed so agitated and why she didn’t lie down and close her eyes ready for sleep instead of sitting up in bed and staring at him so intently. He hated her seeing him undress and he turned his back as he tugged on his nightshirt. He wondered if she had watched Zander undress and if she was comparing the two of them. He noticed she had not pulled the long pillow between them tonight as she usually did. He felt apprehensive.
‘Do hurry, Henry. Please don’t blow out the candle I want to see your face.’
‘See my face? Whatever for? You see it every day.’
‘I think I am going to have a baby.’
‘A baby?’ His blue eyes grew round. ‘Are you sure? Has Zander…’
‘Y-yes. Do you mind, Henry?’ Isabella asked feeling nervous.
‘Mind? It is wonderful news, Isabella. I knew Zander would not let me down when I needed his help. Are you happy? Do you feel well?’ He gave a thoughtful frown. ‘I have read that some women are ill at such times. You must take care. You must not work so hard at the harvest.’ Isabella chuckled at his new concern for her and with the wisdom of women the world over she sensed this was a good time to ask him for the favour she wanted.
‘I would like us to stay here, in our own bedchamber at the top of the turret, Henry. I don’t want to move where everybody can hear everything and….
‘Of course we shall stay up here, Isabella. I don’t want to move either.’
‘I know, but Lizzy is getting too old to climb so many stairs caring for me when the baby comes, but I have had an idea. There is a young girl who has been helping with the hay and the harvest. She has no family of her own since her grandmother died. She is thirteen but she is small and very thin. I think she has been caring for the old lady for a long time. They lived in one of the rickety wooden houses on the way to Anna’s but she doesn’t have a home of her own anymore. The man who has the smiddy lives near. He offered her a bed but she seems afraid of him. She says she would rather sleep in a barn. Anna says he is a horrid man.’
‘What is her name?’
‘Nell. Nell Tindle I think. Henry, she seemed so hungry and she is very thin, but she was quick to learn when we showed her how to gather and bind the sheaves and which way to stand them so the rain would run off. I would like to have her for my own maid. I could teach her how to be clean and neat then she could help me with the baby. Later I will teach her to spin and how to weave. There is enough space at the top of our stairs for a truckle bed and a trunk, as well as half a dozen cribs.’
‘Well we shall not need more than one crib,’ Henry said with a smile.
‘Please Henry? I would so like to help her. She seems sweet and kind and she doesn’t remember her own mother. Her father died with a fever three winters ago.’
‘I can’t see any reason why you shouldn’t train the girl to your ways, Isabella. In fact I think it is a splendid idea. Father Oliver, our teacher was very strict about keeping ourselves clean. He insisted we should only drink ale, or water if it was fresh from the spring. Your mother must have been a good teacher too because you already know these things.’
‘So can I go to see Nell tomorrow and ask her to come and live here?’
‘Yes. I shall tell my father but when he hears our news he will grant you anything you desire if it is in his power, Isabella. He may even be reasonable with a request from me too. I would like to make a journey to the monastery to re-stock our herbs and potions and collect some books. I have read the books several times which Father Oliver loaned to me. If I take them back he will let me have others. He knows a lot about the use of herbs for cooking and for medicines. I shall ask him if he has any seeds to spare for your garden.’ He shivered suddenly and Isabella pulled down the long pillow and lifted the quilt. ‘You’re cold, Henry. Blow out the candle and get into bed, and thank you for granting my wish. I think Nell will be happy to come and live here and I shall enjoy teaching her some of the things my mother taught me.’
Henry was not cold. He didn’t understand the sudden urgency which made it imperative for him to visit Father Oliver and learn all he could about women and childbirth and anything he could do to protect and help Isabella. He could never forget that his own mother, and Zander’s, had both died in childbirth. His thoughts and fears kept him awake long after Isabella had fallen into a sound sleep. He had grown very fond of her even though he felt no desire to indulge in the pleasures of a normal husband. He couldn’t bear the thought of her young life being cut short by the birth of her child.
Isabella was surprised when William Douglas came searching for her in the small room off the kitchens where she was adding to her collection of herbs and potions. Soon she hoped to have more from her garden, including lavender and roses to scent her hair and the linen.
‘Ah, there you are m’dear, Isabella.’ He strode towards her with a beaming smile and swept her off her feet in a great hug. ‘Henry tells me you’re going to make me a grandfather at last! He tells me you want to take in Joe Tindle’s wee bairn to train her as a nursemaid?’
‘Yes, I would like to do that. She seems to have no one of her own and I thought her young legs would save Lizzie.’
‘Aye, so they would, eh Lizzie?’ he asked, glancing over his shoulder at the older woman’s smiling face.
‘Aye, and wee Nell could dae wi’ a wee bit o’ kindness.’
‘Her father was a good worker,’ William recalled.
‘Aye, her mother was a decent woman tae, God rest her soul. She didna live long enough to help her wee lassie though,’ Lizzie said, shaking her head, making wisps of her white hair escape from her cap.’
‘Henry said he would fix up a straw pallet for her,’ Isabella said so perhaps I could bring her here this afternoon when I go to see Anna.’
‘Aye, and I hear ma bairn is going tae be making ye a grandfather tae,’ Lizzie declared. ‘Ye’ll soon have more bairns running around ye than ye ken what tae dae wi’, eh?’ She grinned at her master. They had known each other all their lives.
Isabella saw Nell hanging around outside the courtyard when she set off for Anna’s house. She guessed the girl was hungry because there had been no work in the harvest field today. They were waiting for t
he sheaves of oats to dry before carting them into the larger of the two barns.
‘Hello Nell. I am on my way to see Mistress Nixon and I hoped to find you and bring you home with me. Are you hungry? Would you like a drink of milk and a hunk of bread?’
‘Oh yes, if ye please, ma’am.’ Nell’s dark eyes shone with pathetic gratitude as Isabella led her into the big kitchen.
‘There’s still a bit ’o broth left in the cauldron if the wee maid would like some,’ Eliza offered. Now that Isabella had got to know her better and knew how to humour her the old cook was not so grumpy and even her heart was touched by the waif of a bairn with neither kith nor kin to call her own.
‘Do you have any things you want to collect from your grandmother’s cottage, Nell?’ Isabella asked when the child paused for breath after supping her broth.
‘The new folks moved in to Gran’s cottage so I had pack up my things. I was going to move them to – to a wee shelter near the barns b-but…’ Her face grew pale and tears welled in her eyes.
‘But what? Where are they now?’ Isabella longed to see her in a clean dress and apron but she seemed to have worn the same one every day since they met and it was very dirty and she had lost her cap.
‘He snatched my bundle and carried it off before I could pick it up,’ Nell said her mouth trembling.
‘He? Who, Nell?’
‘Snodd. He-he works the forge and he lives in the end cottage. H-he said he’d give me a bed.’ She shuddered. ‘‘H-he said I could have my things back when I g-go to his house and ask p-prettily.’ Her eyes filled with tears again but she added vehemently. ‘I’ll never go. Never!
‘Quite right, lassie. Your puir grandmother would turn in her grave if ye went into Jud Snodd’s house.’ Eliza said. She looked at Isabella. ‘He’s evil. The bairn is wise tae keep away frae him.’
‘Well don’t worry, Nell,’ Isabella said reassuringly. I will find you a clean dress and apron of my own. They will be too big but we shall find a cord to tuck them up for now, then you can come with me to see how Mistress Nixon is today and we shall call to collect your bundle on the way back.’
‘You’ll come to Snodd with me, Mistress? I-I couldna go near him on my own. He’s big.’ She shuddered again. ‘He’s horrible.’
‘Don’t worry. If I am there he will have to hand over your bundle. Is it heavy?’
‘On no Mistress. Just my clean dress and pinafore and ma nightgoon. B-but it has ma mother’s brush and a comb for her hair and a wee chain for round her neck and the few pennies Granny had left to tide me over for f-food ’til I could find work.’
‘Her grandmother used to do sewing and washing when she was able,’ Eliza said with a nod.
Eventually Isabella and Nell set out for Anna’s house beside the tower. It was a warm day and half way up the hill Isabella stopped.
‘I think I must rest for a few minutes before we climb the rest of the way.’ Nell nodded and settled quietly beside her. Eventually Isabella got to her feet and they made their way to Anna’s.
‘This is Nell Tindle, Anna. I am going to train her so she can be a nursemaid.’
‘I know Nell. How are you?’ Anna asked, smiling at the nervous girl. ‘Where are you living now?’
‘She is coming to live at Moyenstane. She will sleep on the top floor. There is enough space for a bed. Henry and your father have agreed.’
‘That’s splendid,’ Anna said. ‘I’m pleased to hear you have moved away from Jud Snodd now that you have no one to protect you, Nell.’
‘We must call on him on our way back. He took Nell’s bundle from her.’
‘Oh dear. Are you sure you should go there, Isabella? All the women say he is a terrible man and he’s very strong.’
‘Who is very strong? Are you talking about me?’ Walter asked with a grin as he came to say good bye to Anna before he re-joined the other men who were moving some of the oat stooks to drier ground.
‘No, we were talking about Jud Snodd. Isabella and Nell are going to call on him on their way home. He snatched Nell’s bundle and says she must to call on him if she wants it back.’ She looked pointedly at Walter. ‘I’ve heard what he’s like.’
‘Aye.’ He nodded. ‘I know.’ Isabella felt they had exchanged a silent message. They had known each other all their lives and for a moment she felt almost envious because they were so close and affectionate, but then she thought of Zander and she knew no man could ever make her feel as wonderful as he did.
‘How long will you be staying, Isabella?’ Walter asked.
‘Oh about an hour or so, unless Anna gets tired of our company,’ she grinned.
‘You know I shall never do that,’ Anna exclaimed.
She had baked new bread and churned butter earlier in the day so she insisted on Anna and Nell taking refreshment before they left.
‘I want to teach Nell to spin and to weave,’ Isabella said. ‘Do you mind if I bring her with me sometimes when we meet to work?’
‘No, I don’t mind, so long as we can still have time to gossip a little.’ She walked with them to the door and lifted a stout stick from a stand. ‘Take this with you and use it if Snodd causes any trouble.’ Her words made Isabella feel nervous, but surely no man would behave badly when she was Henry’s wife and Sir William was owner of the cottages and the forge, as well as being warden of the barony and responsible for keeping peace.
When they reached the short track which branched off towards the cottages Nell trembled and moved to walk behind Isabella. What could the man have done to make the child so terrified? Isabella pondered. Snodd had seen them approaching down the track and his small eyes gleamed malevolently. The little bitch needn’t think a woman could protect her, whoever she was. He would deal with them both if he got half a chance. He sauntered towards them but he was surprised when he realised Nell’s companion was Henry Douglas’s wife. That did not deter him for long.
‘So, ye wee bitch, ye’ve come tae collect your miserable bundle, eh? Well ye know where it is and what ye need tae dae tae get it.’ He reminded Isabella of Neb Truddle.
‘If you will bring it to us, Mr Snodd we shall be on our way,’ Isabella said politely. She didn’t want the man to come any nearer. He was at least as tall as Zander but he was far broader and fatter. Already she could smell smoke and grease and an overwhelming stink of stale sweat. His long grey hair was matted with dirt but worst of all was his beard. Her stomach heaved as he came closer. There were bits of stale food and… her eyes widened …she saw movements. Lice. It was infested with lice. She raised a hand. ‘Stay where you are. Don’t come any closer.’
‘And why not? I think you should come into my house tae.’ He reached out a big dirty hand to grasp Isabella’s arm but she brought Anna’s stout stick down hard on his arm. He clasped it for a moment with his other hand, muttering several foul oaths, then without warning he pounced at Isabella and grabbed her shoulder hard. ‘I heard ye had spirit. Well I like a woman wi’ some fight in her. That half-man ye call your husband wouldna ken how to deal wi’ any woman, even less one like you. Come, I’ll show ye what ye’re missing. He began to drag Isabella towards his cottage. She raised the stick to strike him again but he was prepared this time and easily twisted it from her with his free hand. He flung it away. Nell began to scream hysterically. This was all her fault and she knew he would do to her young mistress what he had tried to do to her. She thanked the good Lord that the new tenant and his wife had arrived in time to interrupt. She still had the bruises on her arms and her skinny thighs. He was a brute.
‘Leave my mistress alone! I dinnae want my bundle. Ye can keep it. Let her go-o-o.’ Nell screamed then ran to pick up the heavy stick but Snodd gave a scornful guffaw. He could stuff the waif under one arm if she came close enough.
‘You will pay for this, Mr Snodd,’ Isabella gasped as she struggled to break free. She tried to kick him with her boot but he was a big man and he kept any tender parts well away from her flailing legs. ‘When my fath
er-in-law hears of this you…’
‘It will be too late by then,’ he sneered. ‘They’ll keep it quiet. Your husband has milk in his veins instead o’ guid red blood.’
‘You’re mad. They will run you out of the glen if you lay a finger on me.’
‘Nay, ye’re wrong. They’ll be feared ye have a bairn with my red blood in it instead o’ being a milk sop like your husband. If ever he’s chief o’ the clan we’ll be overrun with thieves and reivers. They’ll need men like me. There’ll be plenty of us around. I’ve sown my seed. They’ll be real men.’ He gave a furious jerk at Isabella when she struggled harder than ever. He thrust his face close to hers and she almost gagged at the smell and at his beard so close to her face.
Seven
Walter made a point of finding Henry to tell him Isabella was intended to call on Snodd to collect Nell’s bundle.
‘I wouldn’t trust that rotter near any woman I respected. They’ll be staying about an hour with Anna.’
‘But Isabella is my – my wife. He wouldn’t dare lay a hand on her, or Nell, now she is under our protection.’
‘He’s an ignorant fool. I wouldn’t trust him near Anna. Young Nell is already terrified of him or she would have collected her things before now, poor bairn. It is good a good thing that Isabella has rescued her, but I wouldn’t like them to be hurt at the hands of that brute.’
‘You’re right. I’ll take Moonlight and ride to meet them.’
‘Good man, Henry,’ Walter nodded. He hesitated then added. ‘It might be a good idea to take your whip.’
‘My whip?’ Henry laughed at the idea.
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