by Carm Nicosi
"Aye. And that is, how I plan my activities," Isabel said, smiling in response to his words, and the accompanying grin. "By whatever will spare the serfs work. Are you going to turn around, so I can reach your back, My Lord?"
Brant moved the leg that had restrained her, and pulled her toward him so she was straddling both his legs, causing her to blush. Brant had barely touched her, since about a month before Eric was born. Now, with both of them naked in the bath tub, Isabel was feeling very nervous.
"Can you reach my back, now?" he asked, taking the soap she was holding, and putting his arms around her, to lather her back. He continued, "I do not think I want to smell like this flowery soap."
When he was done, he leaned forward to pick up a second bar of soap, from a stool beside the tub. He handed it to Isabel, then pressed her against his chest. She was left with little choice, but to slip her arms around him, to soap his back, while she wondered how far he intended to take this.
When she was done rinsing his back, he said, "Thank-you, My Lady."
Then, Brant moved her away from him far enough to lower his head, and place a kiss on each of her breasts. He raised his head to give her a wicked grin, and a quick peck on her lips.
"I believe I can manage from here, if you would like to get out," he said.
He let her go, and she rose to get a bath sheet, to dry with. Brant watched as Isabel dried off, and donned a kirtle. She was always so jumpy around him, and it bothered him.
He lathered his hair, then asked, “Is there any clean water left to rinse, Alisa?”
She walked over to the tub, and picked up the bucket of clean water, as she said, “Aye, but it is not very warm. Is that alright?”
Brant nodded in the affirmative, so she poured it to rinse his hair. When that was done, he stood to step out of the tub. Isabel turned to get towels for him to dry with. Just then, there was a knock on the door and Brant responded come in, even though he was standing there naked. Greta opened the door, and stopped, looking uncomfortable for a moment.
“William needs to speak with ye, Me Lady,” the serf said. “When ye have a moment. Would ye like me to find your robe?”
“Nay, tell him I will be out shortly,” Isabel answered. Once the woman exited, and closed the door, she asked Brant, “Was that necessary?”
He took the towel she was holding, and replied, “It is not like she has not seen it before. Cora was not always available, you know.”
“Really?” Isabel asked. “I wonder why no one mentioned her, to me? They told me about Cora, Ruth, and a couple of others.”
She turned to her trunk to find her robe, so she could cover the thin kirtle, while he was left wondering what else she had been told.
The next morning, the couple had a meeting at the palace. Or, Isabel and her sons, had a meeting. Brant was left to amuse himself with a group of knights, most of whom he did not know. However, the ones he was acquainted with, were aware of his newly acquired title, which made him someone all of the others wanted to get to know. He, on the other hand, just wanted to know what was going on with his wife, so Brant had some trouble keeping up with the conversation. It was over an hour, before he was escorted in, to where Isabel was.
Half and hour later, Brant was dismissed, with an order to return to the palace in the evening for dinner. Isabel would be escorted back to their suite later in the day, which he did not like, but thought better of questioning.
Leaving the palace, Brant walked with his Knight Hyram past the Inn where they were staying, down the street to the Inn where Robert's accommodations were. Robert had been ordered to appear with Lady Ann, on the following day. Isabel's mother thought Robert had something to contribute, to why her daughter’s marriage must end. Arriving at the Inn, Brant went directly to the common room where Robert was waiting, as they had planned.
"So, what is the verdict?" Robert asked, as his friend approached.
"Apparently, Isabel is unwilling to leave our children, so she will be remaining with me, if what I have been told can be believed. Although, they are still determined to protect her. I have been warned that do I make the Lady very unhappy, she could become a widow, and keep the lads," Brant said.
"Any explanation as to why, they are protecting her?" Robert asked.
"Aye, though I have been sworn to keep it quiet," Brant said.
"I was placed in the middle of this, I think I have a right to know why," Robert argued.
Brant looked around to be sure they were not overheard. Seeing that the serving girl was approaching with fresh tankards, he waited for her to leave, before answering.
"The Lady Sophia was a relative to the King. Forty-five years ago, she was betrothed to a son of a very wealthy, and powerful family. She wished to wed a lower born Lord. Her family would not agree, or give her a dowry, to marry him. The family felt they needed the alliance, with the more powerful family. Her chosen groom's family, was also against them because she would have no dowry. So the couple ran away and wed, anyway. Then, they sent a ransom note to her family, which the family paid, but the girl did not return. The two geniuses used the ransom money, to buy a large estate from a debaucherous Lord, who was in dire straits. Her family, to avoid repercussions from breaking the betrothal, spread the story that the Lady had died, suddenly. Twas years before they discovered what had become of her. The young Lord she had wed, claimed she was from the continent, and they had wed when he was in Normandy, to ally suspicion. Later, Edmund's sire inherited some of his rightful lands. However, because of the unpopular marriage, the land holdings were split between two brothers, which is what gave Avery and his sire their start, in poor management. Edmund, also provided services to the Royal family, gaining grants of additional lands. So my wife is quite wealthy, and powerful," Brant explained.
"So, Isabel is a protected relative, but the deception will continue?" Robert asked.
"Aye, they still feel it would be a destructive scandal, did the truth come out. Though, no one is saying who the family they offended is. So let us not speak of it, again," Brant said.
He waited for Robert's nod of agreement.
Brant continued, "Anyway, Isabel and I, are to have the evening meal at the Palace, so that by tomorrow, it will be common knowledge that she is my wife. Lady Ann will have to give up, on any idea of keeping that from others. So it looks like I will get out of London, with my wife, without having to kidnap her."
"If you can trust what you have been told, as you said," Robert replied.
"I am not being given free reign. She will retain control of her property, and people, which I was told, I am agreeable with," Brant said, laughing. "Right now, my big concern is that I was dismissed, but Isabel and the lads, are still at the Palace."
"Well, what you have been told sounds good, at least," Robert reassured his friend.
"Aye. Yet, I am not going to relax too much, until the four of us are on our way home together," Brant said.
The two men had a couple more tankards, and talked about other things for a while. Then, Brant and Hyram, made their way back to their Inn.
Chapter 22
Isabel woke to Eric's cries, from next room. Brant was sleeping beside her, with one arm laying across her waist. It was a rare thing these days, that he was not touching her somewhere, when she woke in the morning. She managed to move his arm, and get out of bed without waking him, she had thought. However, as she donned her robe, she saw he was watching her. She went to get the babe without speaking.
Rosamund already had the infant changed, when Isabel entered, so she took him back to her bedchamber, to nurse. She sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard. Brant sat up, and placed a kiss on Eric's head. Then, he placed a longer kiss on his wife's lips.
Brant leaned back grinning, and said, "Good morning, Duchess."
Isabel blushed scarlet, as she said, "Please, do not call me that."
"You did not seem to mind, being paraded around as the Duchess, last night," Brant said, still grinning. “T
was all I could do, not to take a swing at all the noble males, drooling over you, last evening. All the while, I was largely stuck across the dining hall, with their plump, simpering, wives, blessing me with their drollery."
"Who largely, all seemed to be drooling over you," Isabel replied, laughing. "You know I only attended, to put an end to my mother's dream, of ending my temporary marriage. There were three score people there, so any aspirations of trying to pass me off as an innocent bride, are gone. Anyway, the Count, who kept turning up at my side to drool, seemed the most interested in our two sons. In eight years of marriage, his wife has given him three daughters. I felt like he was eyeing me, as breeding stock."
Brant laughed heartily. He looked at the babe, suckling at her breast.
"So you are not interested in the Count?" he asked. Isabel rolled her eyes. He continued, "Today is the big day with your mother. Are you all ready for battle?"
"A better question is, are you ready for battle? You are the defiler, of her innocent young daughter. You had me back with you, for just a few months, and I was breeding, again," Isabel said. "You know you are just a debaucherous warmonger, who's stubborn arrogance, contributed to the death of my beloved father. A tragic situation, that left me with no choice, but to agree to a titular marriage, to gain your protection. And since Rosamund has a big mouth, she is aware of your excessive lust, which does not please a Lady's mother."
Brant reached out to grasp the infant's hand, where it rested on his mother's breast.
“Yet, it only took twice, to get this little lad, did it not?" he asked, with a wicked grin. "Mayhap you should correct your mother's perceptions. In those few months, I only indulged my lust three times."
"I do not think you want me telling my mother, about what you called your little revenge," Isabel said, looking down at Eric.
Brant placed a finger under her chin gently, raising her eyes to meet his.
"I did not think it would be that easy. I was mad, and wanted to embarrass you," he said softly. "I did try, to be gentle with you later, in case you actually conceived. I did not want you to resent the child..."
She looked at him a few moments, unsure what to say. A knock sounded at the door.
Relieved with the interruption, Isabel said, "Come in."
He smiled lowering his hand, as Rosamund opened the door, to enter the chamber with Nathaniel. Brant motioned her over to him, and took the older boy from the serf. He was used to keeping Nathaniel occupied, while Isabel was nursing Eric.
Brant dismissed the serf, by saying, "Thank-you, Rosamund. We will be out, in a little while."
Later that morning, Brant and Isabel were escorted back to the Palace, for the meeting with Lady Ann. A meeting that was all Isabel had expected. Both her husband’s sins, and her naiveté, where fully cataloged. Though in the end, Ann was forced to accept that there was no turning back now. Particularly, after the Duke and Duchess, had attended the evening meal, the previous night.
After Lady Ann understood, that her daughter would be remaining with her husband, and children, she grudgingly acknowledged Nathaniel and Eric, as her grandsons. Though, she was sure, she was not old enough to be a grandmother. They were provided with a sitting room to talk, after the official meeting. Ann used that as an opportunity to express her disappointment, at never being allowed to introduce her daughter around.
“You told me you intended to remain with him, and your sons. I am sorry, I have been so obstinate about this, Alisa,” Ann said, apologetically. “You know I was betrothed to your father, without ever having met him. We really had very little in common. I just always hoped, you would have some choices, that I did not.”
“Mother, I will grant you, I did not meet numerous, eligible men. Nor, did I do a round of parties, and social events. But I have certainly had choices, and made decisions. And they all tied me to Brant,” Isabel said. “Our sons need both their parents.”
Ann had been in contact with various old friends, and distant relatives. Many of whom, had issued invitations for events, they had planned. She did not want to give up on her idea, of introducing her daughter around.
“You know Isabel,” Lady Ann said, “we have relatives you have never met, who will be in London, over the next month. They could prove to be valuable connections, in the future. You never know, how the political climate can change.”
“That is exactly what father always told me,” Isabel replied, laughing. “I am only going to be here, for a few days, though. However, Esme will be one and seven, in September. It would be beneficial to the girl, to spend some time here, and meet some people. Were there someone in the city, who could properly chaperone a young Lady. I know how you love an event, Mother.”
“You little witch,” Lady Ann said. “You let me come here, thinking I would be able to spend some time with you. Now, you are trying to get me to introduce his sister around?”
“The thought had crossed my mind,” Isabel answered, with a mischievous smile. “Provided you can convince me, you will not let anything happen to her, as some revenge against her brother. Of course, if you are willing, we would be leaving a couple of knights for security. You know, to be sure Esme does not fall victim to opportunistic criminals, or lax supervision.”
“You cannot think I would hurt his sister,” Ann replied, defensively. “I know Richard and I, did not tell him where she was, but we certainly, did not let any harm come to her. He would not tell us where you were, either.”
Isabel smiled at Brant, as if to ask, if he cared to explain. He looked back shrugging uncomfortably, but said nothing.
“Well, we are going to be here several more days, so there is time to think about this. I believe we have all been invited to the evening meal, right?” Isabel asked, and Ann nodded in confirmation.
Soon after, Brant and Isabel, took their sons back to the Inn. Early in the afternoon, Isabel told Brant, she was going to lay down with the boys, for their nap. Her husband left with Robert, to take care of some business, he claimed.
On what was to be their last full day in London, Brant informed Isabel he had purchased Niles’ townhouse, from Penelope. Niles had spent a lot of time, in the city. While Brant, did not intend to be there nearly as much, he would be required to go there more often, than he had in the past. Staff had been hired, so that Lady Ann and Esme, could stay there thru the month. That also, allowed him to leave several additional men there, to see to his sister’s safety. By nightfall, Ann and Esme, had been settled into the house.
First thing the next morning, Brant and Isabel left, to make their way home, with their children and escorts. It was obvious to Isabel, that there was a much larger number of men leaving town with them, than there were in their party when they arrived.
“We seem to have a lot more men leaving with us, than we had when we arrived,” she commented to Brant. “Are you expecting some trouble?”
“No. I just had some of them ride in ahead of us,” Brant answered.
“Why?” Isabel asked, when he offered no explanation.
He looked at her for a moment, in indecision.
Then he answered, “To keep track of you. I thought if you had any ideas, about not returning home with me, I might need them to change your mind.”
“Should I consider myself your prisoner?” Isabel asked.
“You are my wife,” Brant answered. “You were determined to go to London. I took you to London. Now, I am taking my wife home. If you had decided not to be my wife, you would be remaining in London, a little longer. At least until my men could bring you home, as my prisoner.”
“So, if I decided to go along with my mother, you intended to kidnap me, and hold me prisoner?” Isabel asked. “What is the difference between being your wife, and being your prisoner? Either way, I am stuck with you.”
Brant replied, “I would think there is a big difference, between wife, and prisoner. As my wife, you have an order from the Crown, granting you control of your resources, which I will honor. You have fre
e movement around our home, and with proper escort, may go riding, or walk to the village. Obviously, as a prisoner, I would have to curtail your activities, to see you did not escape.”
He reached out, covering her hand that held the reigns, to her mount.
He continued, “You are getting that cornered look, that provokes you to try, to get away from me. Control it. You will not get away from me, not for long, anyway. Certainly not, with our sons, which you are not willing to leave. I believe we just established, that they need both of us, did not we?”
They rode in silence, from then on. After a few minutes, he released her hand.
Chapter 23
Knowing the ride home would take several days, Isabel did not pay much attention to the landmarks they passed, at first. However, when the landscape began to look very familiar, she first suspected, then became certain, that they were nearing her father's stronghold. She was also certain, that it was not on any direct route, to Brant's home. As none of the others, had said anything, they must have known in advance that he intended to go there. It was late in the afternoon, they would have to stop for the night soon. But why would Brant want to spend the night at the same Castle, where she had held him prisoner?
Soon her Castle came into sight, and in no time, they were riding through the open gate. When they entered the hall, Isabel discovered the serfs were busy preparing for their arrival. Brant had sent a messenger the previous evening, to give them time to prepare the bedchambers, and food. Isabel had been uncomfortable all day, after her husband’s admission, that he had no intention of allowing her to leave him, did she want to. Being here, increased that anxiety. Some of the things that had been done to him here, many men would consider worthy of punishment, ranging from flogging, to death. Brant had never really done anything, to retaliate for all her possible wrongs, against him. She was confident, that he would not harm her physically, but that was not necessary to make her miserable, she had already learned. Isabel, once again, found herself thinking her husband was someone she did not really know, or completely trust.