‘I will protect Isabella,’ Sir William said, ‘and care for your children. His voice gruff as he stared down at his dying son. Isabella bent over Henry and kissed his brow but she couldn’t prevent her tears falling on his face. She didn’t think he knew but he whispered, ‘Don’t…grieve… my…Bell…’
‘He’s gone, my love.’ Lizzie spoke softly at her side. ‘You must lie down and rest.’ She raised her eyes to Sir William. ‘In her condition… Such a thing to happen. We must take care o’…’
‘Aye, we will. But he asked for Zander,’ he said brokenly. ‘We don’t know where he is, or how to find him.’
‘Mistress Isabella’s health is more important,’ Lizzie said her voice sharp with tension and the struggle to control her own emotions
‘I’m fine,’ Isabella said, but she stumbled as she straightened up.
‘I’ll tend tae him now, lassie.’
‘Lizzie’s right, Isabella. Take care of yourself and the baby now,’ Walter said. I’ll help you to your chamber?’
‘I’ll send a soothing drink up with Nell in a wee while,’ Lizzie promised.
Isabella felt too upset and exhausted to argue. Her knees felt weak and she was glad of Walter’s strong arm to support her as they climbed the three flights of twisting stairs.
Anna came to stay the following day. Isabella was glad of her company. Everyone in the household seemed to be watching over her. They wouldn’t hear of her doing any work. Anna had brought her baby and Jeannie, her maid. Everyone tried to tempt Isabella with morsels of tender meat or the tastiest broth but she had little appetite for food. She was finding it difficult to shake off her low spirits. She longed to see her mother and be able to talk with her but that was impossible. Her family would not know what had happened or that she was a widow now. Even if they did her mother could not ride a horse across the marshes and it would take several days to travel round by the tracks, and she could not leave three young daughters.
News spread with amazing speed. People came from all over Sir William’s vast acres to attend Henry’s funeral. A few came from further afield, including Warden Herries and some of his men. They came in friendship and Sir William appreciated the gesture of goodwill. Isabella was touched by his kindness when he offered to make a detour on the way home if she would like him to take a letter to her family. She seized the opportunity and wrote a long letter, covering every possible space on the page from left to right and top to bottom. There was only a small stock of paper left. She wondered where Henry had procured such things.
Anna didn’t know and couldn’t help for she had little interest in writing, or in books. She stayed for two weeks. Isabella missed her company. Her thoughts frequently wandered between Henry and Zander as she sat sewing.
She was standing at her window at the top of the tower one morning when she saw a man approaching. He was riding an elderly looking horse and leading a donkey on a rein. She watched curiously. As he drew nearer she realised he was not a young man. His shoulders were bowed. She still felt too young to be mistress of Moyenstane Tower but all the servants deferred to her. She made her way slowly down the spiral staircases in time to meet the man as he approached the high walls of the courtyard. She realised at once that he was a monk and she called Duncan to take charge of the horse and donkey. Walter came round the corner at the same time.
‘Why Father Oliver, we were not expecting you, or at least I had not heard you were coming,’ he stammered. ‘I-I am sorry Master Henry is not here to greet you...’
‘A traveller called at the monastery and brought news of Henry’s death, my son. It grieves me.’ Isabella stepped forward. She saw relief on Walter’s face.
‘Aah Isabella, this is Father Oliver. He was tutor to Master Henry and his sister and Zander.’ The elderly priest turned to Isabella and took her hands in his.
‘I have come to express my sorrow for the death of your husband Mistress Douglas. He was a fine young man and the brightest pupil I ever taught.’
‘Henry spoke highly of you too, Father. But please come inside. You must be ready for rest and refreshment.’
‘Indeed a drink of ale and a crust of bread would be welcome, dear child, but first I would relieve my faithful old donkey of his load.’
‘Of course.’ She beckoned to Duncan who was hovering uncertainly in the doorway. ‘This is Duncan, Father Oliver. Henry hired him as my special guard and he is most loyal and protective.’ She smiled at the boy and he bowed his head awkwardly at them both. ‘Will you carry the baskets into Master Henry’s medicine room Duncan. They will be safe there until Father Oliver can attend to them, then please take his donkey to the stables and give him food and water.’ She turned to the priest. ‘Please come with me, Father. I will take you to the living quarters then bring you food and drink.’
‘I am familiar with Moyenstane Tower.’ He gave her a kindly smile. ‘I lived here for several years while Zander and Henry were young. Do not trouble to carry food for me, I am content to eat at the kitchen board and bless the food and all who work within. Is Lizzie still here?’
‘She is, Father.’ Isabella bit her lip and her expressive eyes reflected her sadness. ‘We are all missing Henry’s presence and his wisdom but he was like a son to Lizzie. She has taken his death very hard.’
‘Yes, she always had a most tender heart for Henry.’
Isabella sensed a cool reserve in Sir William’s attitude to Father Oliver, so much so that she felt a need to make excuses for him.
‘Do not worry, my dear,’ he said in his gentle way. ‘Sir William and I have our different opinions but we understand each other. I am afraid he holds me responsible for Henry’s love of books and his search for knowledge. I taught Henry, Alexander and Anna in the same way and they all turned out differently. Henry was never meant to be a warrior and he abhorred the reivers and their raiding. He was pleased when King James declared we should all live at peace. His father has come out of the agreement very well. The King granted him a large area of land in return for keeping the peace in this area, and for holding the Truce Days with his English counterpart to uphold the laws.
‘We were surprised when Warden Herries attended Henry’s funeral. Many people came.’
‘Many people had reason to be grateful to Henry for helping them save their animals, and even their children sometimes. He will be badly missed.’
‘He told me you taught him all he knows about the herbs and various plants and the medicines he used.’
‘I awakened his interest and he was quick to learn, but he read all the books I could provide and we had many discussions together. I shall miss his visits to the monastery.’ He sighed heavily. ‘But we must all accept God’s will.’
‘I try to tell myself that,’ Isabella said, ‘but it is not always easy. Henry was very brave. He saved my life and it cost him his own.’ She broke off as her voice shook. Her eyes filled with tears. ‘I shall leave you to eat in peace and go and prepare a room for you, if you will excuse me, Father?’
‘I will, dear child. I shall look forward to talking with you later. I have brought some spices and dried fruits which I know are difficult to obtain when you are so far from the sea and the merchants who have contacts with the ships.’
‘Oh Father Oliver, we shall all be most grateful for your kindness. Such things are a rare luxury for us.’
‘I have also brought some books which I think you will enjoy reading and a supply of paper. Henry told me you appreciate such things and that you keep a daily journal?’
‘Yes it is true and I am more grateful than you can ever know. Our supply of paper is almost finished and I wondered if I would ever get any more.’
During the two weeks Father Oliver spent at Moyenstane Tower it was clear that Sir William was avoiding spending time alone in his company so Isabella was left to entertain him. She was grateful for the opportunity to walk with him in the garden and learn all he could tell her. She showed him the herbal room where Henry had brewed some o
f his draughts and she asked him for information on the ones she did not understand.
‘You must write labels for your own understanding of their uses, Isabella. Henry used the symbols because the servants could understand them when he asked them to bring him a jar with three circles or two squares or one circle. Few, if any of them can read.’
‘Then I shall label them and keep their uses in my journal, but I shall also keep the symbols. I am trying to teach Nell to read. She is my young nursemaid. Duncan sometimes joins us and takes an interest.’
‘It gave Henry the greatest pleasure when he discovered you could read and write, and even more joy when you both shared an interest in gardening and growing the herbs and vegetables. Who taught you these things?’
‘My mother taught all of us, my brother and my three young sisters.’ Her eyes clouded with sadness when she thought of her family. She had sent a long letter to them via Warden Heries but she had not received a reply. She knew they would have written if there had been anyone travelling this way to bring a letter.
‘I see it saddens you to think of your family, Isabella,’ Father Oliver said with his usual perceptiveness.
‘My mother was brought up in a convent. She taught me all I knew about plants until Henry began to teach me more. I long to be able to tell her.’
It was the last day of Father Oliver’s visit and Isabella’s spirits were heavy. She had debated long into the night about whether she dare confess her sins to him. Would he despise her if he knew how wicked she had been?
‘I did not expect to enjoy my visit so much, knowing Henry would not be here,’ Father Oliver said, ‘but it has been a pleasure, thanks to your company, Isabella. It concerned me greatly when I heard Sir William had forced you and Henry to marry, but he told me he could not wish for a more understanding person to share his life.’
‘Oh Father,’ Isabella said in a troubled voice. ‘I am not a good person.’
‘Perhaps there are things you would like to share with me, child? Shall we go to the chapel? We shall not be interrupted there.’
Isabella thought of the small room off the main living area with its ceiling arched by the curve of the stairs. There was a large gilded cross hung on the wall and in front of it stood a carved oak table with two tall silver candle sticks. In spite of his own intolerance about religion Sir William insisted there must always be two of the best bees wax candles ready to light. There was also a silver bowl which had been used when the twins were baptised, and a small silver vessel to hold wine. It was a small sanctuary amidst the comings and goings of Moyenstane and Isabella had often found peace there.
‘Even walls have ears sometimes,’ she said quietly now, her face serious. ‘Will you walk outside with me, Father, out beyond the courtyard?’
‘Of course, my dear, if that is what you wish. Shall I call Duncan? I have noticed he is a loyal young guard.’
‘I think it is better if we go alone,’ Isabella said. ‘I’m sure I shall be safe with you beside me. Even Jud Snodd respects and fears you.’
‘Very well,’ Father Oliver nodded, ‘but you must wrap up well in your warm cloak, for the weather is very cold. I regret I must leave tomorrow but I would not wish to be caught in a snow storm.’
‘We shall be sorry to see you go, Father,’ Isabella said with a sincerity he could not doubt, though he knew her father-in-law would be only too happy.
Isabella automatically turned in the direction of the Long Glen with the hills in the distance and the path she had first travelled with Sam, escorted by Zander and his men, when she had come to Moyenstane Tower to offer her life in exchange for her brother’s. They had walked some distance from the safety of the high walls which surrounded the tower before Isabella found the courage to talk openly and honestly.
‘I fear my wickedness as Henry’s wife has brought grief and sadness to all of us and I do not know how I can ever make recompense. Even now I fear for the lives of my children and,’ she laid a hand against her stomach, my unborn child. I ask myself if they will be called upon to suffer for the sins of their mother, and if they suffer then I shall suffer with them. Henry should not have given his life to save me. I am unworthy of such a sacrifice.’ Father Oliver came to a halt and turned to face her.
‘I am sure Henry wanted you to live, child, you and your baby. What great sin can you have committed to fill you with such fear of the future?’
‘Adultery…’ Isabella whispered hoarsely. ‘Henry is n-not the father of my children, Father.’ Her eyes filled with tears.
‘Ah, now I understand what troubles you, Isabella. I knew there was something weighing heavily upon your spirit.’ He was silent for several minutes as they walked slowly onwards. They passed a few isolated cottages and women at work but no one interrupted them.
‘You know that a priest must never divulge whatever secrets or sins a man, or woman, may confess to him?’
‘Yes, Father. I know you will always keep my confidences.’
‘I will, just as I would have kept Henry’s, had he been alive. I have known him since he was a boy. As a young man he longed to join the priesthood, to learn about medicine and plants and help those who are sick. His father would not hear of it. He wanted his son to be a warrior. Even after the King declared peace in our Border regions, William still expected Henry to excel at fighting so that he would take over as head of the Douglas clan and be respected for his prowess. There were many times when his father made Henry deeply unhappy. He was sensitive and kind and he had a love of learning and an instinct for healing.’
‘He did, and men respected him for that, as much as they would have done for fighting. They sought his help with their sheep and cows.’
‘I knew from an early age that Henry was not quite developed as other boys and I did not think he would ever sire children. Lizzie knew too. She tried to tell his father once. He flew into a rage and forbade such things to be mentioned. I think Anna and Alexander knew, or suspected, that Henry was different, but they were always loyal and loving towards him. They would have done anything to protect him.’
‘Yes, I know,’ Isabella said quietly, recalling the cup of blood Lizzie or Anna had provided on the night she and Henry married. It was only later she had realised it was for Sir William’s benefit, to protect Henry from his wrath. She and Henry had been as innocent as a pair of children.
‘Sir William blamed my influence on his son for what he called “his bookish ways”. He sent me away but even his father could not prevent Henry making visits to the monastery from time to time. Perhaps this helps you understand why Henry confessed to me that Alexander is the father of your children, although he claimed them as his own? He assured me that neither he nor Alexander had forced you against your will?’
‘Oh no, Father! Neither of them would have done that.’ She bit her lip, before she added in a whisper. ‘I love Zander. I love him as a man. I loved Henry as I love my brother. I – we were friends and I miss him terribly.’
‘I know Alexander left because he could not resist temptation. He called to see me on his way to Newcastle. He understood that discovery would have brought terrible retribution to all three of you. The circumstances were forced upon you by Sir William Douglas but God knows all. He will forgive.’
‘Even though I have broken the vows I made at the marriage ceremony?’
‘The sin was Sir William’s. He forced Henry to marry against his will. He told me he was grateful to be blessed with such a wife as you, my dear. He said you were discreet and considerate, you did not gossip, even with Anna, though I understand you are good friends?’
‘We are, and I am grateful for that, but I would never discuss such personal matters. I am glad Henry explained to you, Father.’
‘Then my visit has been worthwhile, my child. I hope you will find happiness with your children. We have a young priest who will make a fine tutor for them when they are ready for learning the things you cannot teach them yourself.’
‘Thank you
, Father,’ Isabella breathed a sigh of relief.
‘There is another matter on which Henry sometimes sought our advice, although his father did not know.’ Father Oliver chuckled and his eyes crinkled at the corners. At the monastery we see many travellers and hear news of trade and wars and many matters. We have merchants who buy and sell our produce. Through his contact with us Henry frequently obtained a better price for wool than his father could have got, in spite of his power and influence. There is a wider world beyond our borders and it is changing. Our Scottish wool is of high quality and in demand. Good merchants can sell it across the water to France and Holland, and beyond. Your children will depend on you now they have neither Henry nor Alexander to provide for them. Your young guardsman is extremely loyal to you already. When he is older I believe he will obey your orders, however difficult they may be. If you have any problems or questions you must write a letter and send him with it to the monastery. We shall treat him kindly and help if we can, even if I am not there in person.’
‘You have eased my conscience, Father and now you offer help. How can I thank you?’
‘Don’t thank me, child. Thank God for helping Henry save your life, and that of your baby. May the Lord bless and keep you and yours.’
Twelve
Isabella missed Father Oliver’s company when he departed the following morning but she felt more at peace than she had thought possible since Henry’s death. She knew the birth of her baby was getting close and it saddened her that neither Henry nor Zander would be here. She prayed everything would go well. Anna was also expecting another child and she craved company.
‘I wish Nell or Duncan could ride,’ Isabella said to Walter. ‘When I am able to ride again they could accompany me to visit Anna. The weather is so cold now.’
‘Duncan can ride a little. It would be good for him to exercise your little mare. She’s missing you.’
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