Enemy of My Enemy

by Carm Nicosi

  "Aye. Go have breakfast yourself, too," Isabel said.

  The serf nodded, and left the room.

  Isabel moved a foot under the covers, to tap one of her husband’s legs. At first she got no response from him, but in a short time, he opened his eyes. As he stretched, and rubbed his eyes, he looked at her as if to say, 'is there some reason you're waking me up?'

  “Rosamund went to get something to eat, and have someone bring us a tray," Isabel began. "However, before she left, she assured me this babe in my arms, is definitely a boy." She paused, watching as Brant smiled at her. “I seem to recall asking, if the babe was a girl. You said I got just what I wanted. Would that be confusion, My Lord, or just a lie?"

  He raised himself up on an elbow, smiling, as he looked at his wife and child.

  After a few moments, he answered, “The babe looks to be healthy. You wanted a healthy child, did you not?” When she glared at him, he continued, “I did not want you to be disappointed with the child, right from the start. Just look at that little face. Besides, you still had a firm grip on my hand, and I did not want to risk it being crushed, anymore. I might never be able to wield my sword properly, again. Then, how would I protect you and the lads?”

  As he finished speaking, he gave her a mischievous grin.

  “I crushed your hand? Do you think it is badly injured?” she asked, with feigned concern.

  “Actually, I think my hand will recover,” he said, sitting up close to her. “Though, my arm may be permanently bruised.”

  He turned his arm to display three small marks, one partly edged with a crescent shaped gouge, where someone had squeezed very hard.

  Isabel laughed, and replied, “Oh my. Mayhap...”

  She was cut off, when a knock sounded on the door. In response to Brant’s command, the door opened. A serf entered with a tray of food, followed by Beautrice, with Nathaniel and Hannah.

  “Nathaniel wants ‘is mother, I think. He ‘as been fussy. Hannah wanted to see the babe,” Beatrice said.

  Isabel had tried to nurse the infant, but he had fallen asleep. She let the little girl see the babe a few minutes, then when Rosamund returned, Beautrice took Hannah downstairs. Rosamund laid the sleeping infant in the cradle, near the hearth.

  The parents, with a little help from their eldest son, tried the food from the tray that had been brought in, until Nathaniel laid down between them, to nap. After a short discussion, it was decided that the infant would be named Eric, after his grandfather. With that decision made, Brant moved the tray to the table, in the antechamber. Then, he went to look at the infant in the cradle for a minute more, before going down to the hall. A short time later, Isabel was sound asleep, beside Nathaniel.

  Brant returned to the Solar, less than an hour later. He had gone down to the hall, to have a couple of tankards of ale, with his knights. They all congratulated him, on the birth of his second son. Once back in the chamber, he sat at the edge of the bed, watching the woman and lad, who lay there asleep.

  Two years ago at this time, he had been planning an attack on one of Avery's Castles, which he had undertaken in April, of that year. Back then, he would occasionally think, about someday marrying and having children. Within a couple of weeks of his success, in gaining control of that Castle, the woman sleeping before him, had forced her way into his life.

  He recalled how angry he had been, when he was told he would be held prisoner until he married her, to protect her from his enemy. However, most marriages were arranged by families, frequently between couples who knew little, or nothing, about each other. Brant smiled, thinking about his decision to go alone with his captors, purely to move her forces into his camp, and weaken his enemy. He had no intention at the time, of having anything to do with the girl. He had not even looked at her, during their wedding, believing he wanted nothing to do with her. Brant still did not know, exactly what had sent her into his jail, pretending to be a pretty young serf. He was sure though, that she had sealed her fate with that decision, at least in his mind. The lad, who was beginning to stir from his nap, beside Isabel, would grow up here, with both his mother, and his father, if Brant had anything to say about it.

  That was the problem. He was not sure, what he had to say about it. Many people had gone to great effort, to aid and protect, Isabel. Yet, he could find no explanation as to why, they would expend that effort. Brant had his people and allies, get him all the information that was to be had, about his wife. There was no known connection, to the Crown. Lady Ann's family was wealthy, and respected, but not politically powerful or connected. Her father's family was also, largely an open book, except for her grandmother, the Lady Sophie. Somehow, when the grandparents were wed, they came into a large amount of cash, to purchase an extensive property from a debaucherous Lord, who desperately needed money. Other than that, while the grandfather's ancestry was well known, Isabel's grandmother was a complete mystery. Even Lady Ann, knew nothing about her mother-in-law’s family, or history. Ann had once said, she would have suspected that Sophie was a commoner, were it not for her refined manner. That could not be the case, as Isabel had once mentioned her grandmother's family crest, to Kate. Yet, no one knew anything about the woman, or those who knew, were not talking.

  Nathaniel raised his head, and Brant picked the child up, before he woke his mother. Ann was expected to arrive tomorrow. She had intended to be here for the birth of the new babe, but he arrived earlier than expected. With Isabel no longer carrying the child, her mother would once again, be harping about how their marriage was supposed to be strategic, and temporary. His mother had died when Brant was quite young, so that he barely remembered her. Then, his sire had wed Peggy, who was in no way maternal, even with her own child, his sister Esme. He did not want that for his sons. Under normal circumstances, particularly with the children, if Brant wanted to keep Isabel as his wife, that would be that. Yet, somehow, with Isabel, he felt certain that she would be his wife, only if she wanted that. But why, he did not know. Did she want out? At one and eight, did she even know what she wanted?

  Chapter 20

  Isabel entered the hall carrying Eric, with Rosamund, and Nathaniel, following her in. Twas a beautiful mid May afternoon. Nathaniel was walking by himself, though he fell quite a bit.

  It would have been a nearly perfect day, except for the message Isabel had received from her mother. Ann was demanding that her daughter meet her in London, in June. She was completely convinced, that if Isabel just left her children with their father, and made the rounds of the events and parties in London, she would realize that her marriage was a mistake. Ann had been on the same vein, for several weeks in March, when she came here, after the birth of her second grandchild. Isabel had tried to reason with her, but her words fell on deaf ears. Isabel let her thoughts drift back, to one of their many pointless discussions.

  “Eric is not my grandson, he is Brant's child,” Ann had insisted. “I will never except, you remaining with that man.”

  “Mother, we have two children. In a few months, it will be two years that we have been wed,” Isabel had pointed out. “That temporary arrangement went out the window, a long time ago.”

  “Nonsense. You just need to meet some other men. You will find someone acceptable, in no time,” Ann argued.

  “That is laughable, Mother,” Isabel said. “Did I want to leave Brant, which I do not, I would likely find my suitors to be a few men who desperately, want my money. Mayhap, a few who need an heir, considering how easily I conceived Nathaniel, and Eric. Most, would only be looking for a mistress, unless you are planning on doing some serious lying, about my prior marriage.”

  “Is that what he is telling you? That you will not find another, if you leave him?” Ann had demanded. “You are a beautiful young woman. Many men would be honored to be wed to you. You cannot let him make you feel, that he is your only option. I know he is older, and more worldly, so mayhap you feel you should defer to his experience. You must make your own decision.”
/>   “Brant has not said anything about this, other than that our sons will grow up here,” Isabel said. “I intend to stay here, and see that. There is no point in trying to reason with you, Mother. You just will not listen.”

  “I will not let you remain with that man who is responsible, at least in some part, for your sire’s death. Were it not for his damn war, there would have been no need for his protection,” Ann argued.

  “I cannot believe the way you are determined to rewrite history, Mother. He was well justified, in the war. Avery’s family was stealing from his. They murdered his father,” Isabel said. “I want to stay with my husband and our children, and that is what I am going to do, Mother. Do not say one more word, about it. That is my decision.”

  “I will not allow it,” Ann had stubbornly replied. “You are going to leave him and his children, if it....”

  Isabel had thrown up her hands, and walked away at this point. Trying to reason with Ann, was like hitting your head, against the wall. It accomplished naught. Ann had left, a few days later, with a declaration to Isabel, that ‘this is not over’.

  Isabel was pretty happy with her current situation, except for her mother. As Esme came downstairs, she thought, Brant’s sister is the one who needs to go to London, to try to meet an eligible young man. The girl was now one and six years old, with a birthday approaching at summer's end. As an heiress, Esme should have some opinion, in possible betrothal’s. Although, marrying a complete stranger, had not worked out all that awfully, for Isabel. At least, not yet. Though she had to admit, she still worried a little, that Brant might try to separate her from her two sons.

  Isabel thought about Lady Ann, again. Her mother had said, she would make all the arrangements for lodging in London, so she and Isabel, could stay for the month. That would give them time to meet a lot of people. Those arrangements, did not include Isabel’s children. Yes, Isabel thought, that was just about perfect. She would be meeting her mother in London, on the first of June. She would send her knight, William, to make all the arrangements.

  When Isabel walked out of the hall, her husband and several of his knights, were practicing with their various weapons, in the courtyard. The sun was shining brightly, so the day was fairly warm. With both of the lads napping, Isabel had decided to come out alone, thinking to go for a walk. The gate was open, so she walked toward it. She was still a short distance away, when Brant joined her, grasping her hand.

  “Going somewhere?” he asked.

  “I thought I might take a short walk,” she answered. “It is such a nice day, and for once, it does not look like it might rain.”

  “I think I will walk with you, if you do not mind, to make sure you do not get in trouble, or get lost,” he said. “Unless my company is going to get in the way, of whatever you are up to now.”

  “I do not mind at all. You know I always enjoy your company,” Isabel replied, laughing. “The only thing I am up to right now, is taking a walk.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked. “With Cora, and Ruth, both gone, maybe you need to find some more of my people, who are willing to help you cross me. Or, do you already have enough of those?”

  Not long after Cora and Angus had wed, Byron and Ruth had asked for permission to wed. Both couples, were now living at Isabel’s main Castle.

  “Am I going to need, to get your people to cross you, My Lord?” she asked, smiling.

  “Only if you are planning on crossing me, I would think,” Brant answered.

  They had been walking along the road toward the village, but when he did not offer any further comment, Isabel walked off the road, to a grassy sunlit area. She removed her mantel, laying it on the ground, before sitting down.

  “Do I get a list, of exactly what would be crossing you?” she asked. “Or, am I just supposed to hope, that you do not consider what I do, crossing you?”

  Brant sat down beside her, and asked, “Do you feel you need a list? It would seem like, a lot of that would be common knowledge. I mean, you grew up with parents, right?”

  “Well certainly. But by those guidelines, about everything I did, the first year and a half we were married, was crossing you,” Isabel said. “You know there is only one reason, they left me at your remote Castle as long as they did? Twas as good a place as any, to hide me until the babe was born. Except, then I messed up their plans, when I took the babe with me, when I left.”

  “I think you messed up their plans before that. They were not planning on Nathaniel, at all,” Brant said. “You did that. Why?”

  Isabel blushed, and tried to stand up, as she said, “I think I have had enough fresh air.”

  Brant grabbed her arm, and pulled her down against him.

  “Why?” he asked, again.

  She tried to pull away, but he held on tightly.

  So, she told him, “He was not in my plans, either. Your friend does not know you, as well as he thinks. Robert said, you only seem to like lewd tarts. Which seemed pretty accurate, until I realized you were just making conversation, while you got me a little drunk. You need to take a little responsibility for Nathaniel, too, I think.”

  She pushed away from him, and this time he let her go. Isabel stood up, and started walking back toward the Castle gate.

  He rose, and picked up her mantle. Of course, he had made polite conversation to put her at ease, so she would drink the wine. He knew that would make it easier to take her virginity. Robert had told them he only liked lewd tarts. So if she had been after the child, she probably would have tried to be seductive. Which brought him right back to, what was she doing in his jail cell?

  When Isabel arrived back in the hall, Eric was crying, loudly. She took the babe from Rosamund, and carried him up to the Solar, to nurse. Later, Rosamund came up with her mantle, and told her that William had returned. He was waiting in the hall, to speak to her and the Lord.

  Isabel descended to the hall, and lay the infant in the cradle near the hearth, before approaching the Lord’s table, where Brant and William sat waiting.

  “Did your travels go well?” Isabel asked, as she sat down next to her husband.

  “Aye, My Lady. I arrived just in time. You, and His Lordship, are to be in London for a private meeting, early on the 31st of May, with the lads,” William said.

  Brant stated, “Isabel, and our sons, are not going to London. I will not allow it.”

  William replied, “I have orders for you, to be at Court. You really have no choice, My Lord.”

  Brant said angrily, “You said in December, that all the King’s involvement, his investigation, was done.”

  Isabel interjected, “We are going to London, and Esme, will be going with us. We both know my mother has made plans for me to meet her there, on the first of June, as she made clear, when she was here in March.”

  “Alright,” Brant gritted out, as he stood up, to walk to the stairs.

  “He is really angry. I hope he is not going to be totally unreasonable,” Isabel said, with a sigh. “He actually thinks, if he tells my mother I am staying with him, that is that.”

  “Aye,” William said. “When I arrived, one of Ann’s knights was also there. He was trying, to get you ordered to appear at Court, with your mother. So, now Ann thinks her request has been granted, on the first of June.”

  As William was finishing his account, Brant descended from the Solar with a duffle. He walked through the hall, without a word. Isabel started to rise, but William stopped her. He rose, and went after Brant. The knight returned a short while later.

  “He says he will be back in a few days,” William said. “The Lord would not say where he was going. I told him when we would have to leave. Are you sure about this? He has a bad temper, you know.”

  “I do not have a lot of choices,” Isabel said. “He has never been violent with me. We have two little children. They have not done anything wrong. I was hoping to explain everything to him, to try, and avoid, having him get angry. As you saw, he walked out again.”

&nb
sp; William smiled, and said, “So you are not sure.”

  “I am sure, I am going to stay with my sons,” Isabel replied. “I am also sure, my mother needs to figure that out, once, and for all.”

  Chapter 21

  Brant returned two days before they were to leave for London, with no explanations. The only indication of where he had gone, was a change in their travel plans. They would stop briefly, at Robert and Kate’s. Sir Richard would be accompanying them, on the last leg of the trip.

  It was late afternoon, on the 30th of May, when the group rode into London. Isabel rode beside her husband, in the position that proclaimed her the Lord's Lady. Robert rode on Brant's other side, with a combination of all their men-at-arms, riding behind them. In the center of the procession, Rosamund and Greta were in a carriage, with the Lord's two young sons, with Esme, and Hannah, riding nearby the carriage.

  Sir Robert, and his men, left them when they passed where he would be lodging. The rest of the group, continued on the short distant, to where their suites were located, very near the palace. By the time they settled into their lodgings, they had only a short time to clean up, before the evening meal arrived.

  Isabel asked that a bath be prepared for her, after they had eaten. Rosamund helped her wash, and rinse, her hair. While she was finishing her bath, Brant came in, and ordered the maid out.

  Still, it was surprising, when he stepped into the tub with her, saying, "You do not mind sharing, do you?"

  "Actually, I believe I am done," Isabel said, and she attempt to rise.

  "No you are not," he replied, moving a leg to hold her in place. "I have not washed your back, yet. And you certainly, have not washed mine. Just think about all the work, we are saving the serfs."