Love's Ransom (14 page)

‘Maybe he prefers this way to hanging?’ Zander shrugged.

‘He’s certainly trying to wriggle his fat arse through the window,’ Walter agreed. ‘Shall we leave him like this while we bring Sir William? He will decide whether we should cut off a few slices…’ They had raised their voices deliberately so Neb would hear. Remembering his intentions towards Isabella they felt no sympathy. Neb groaned as another frantic wriggle caused a splinter in the wooden frame to tear at his belly. It might be painful but it was not too late to pull him back into the room. Zander touched his bare thigh with the cold blade of his dagger. Neb Truddle jumped in fright and gave a frantic twist. Suddenly he was free! Free? He gave a fearsome scream. Zander stared down with a feeling of horror as he hit the ground. Walter brought his discarded clothes from behind the chest and threw them after him, then closed and barred the shutters.

‘There’s no need to feel sorry for him, Zander. He meant to harm Isabella most viciously, judging by the way he grabbed at me. Thank God you were warned of his intentions,’ he added with a shudder. ‘The world is a better place without such men.’

‘I know you are right, my friend, and I thank you for your help. I shall tell Sir William of the day’s events and the man’s intentions, but it is better to let the rest of the world draw their own conclusions when they hear the body of a half clothed man was found lying in the courtyard.’

‘Yes, you are right,’ Walter agreed. ‘Shall you tell Isabella?’

‘I don’t know. Not yet. One thing I must do immediately is write a letter for her brother and get it to Sam before he and his grandson leave for home.’ It was Zander’s turn to shudder. ‘Thank God for loyal friends. We may never have known if Sam had not brought a warning. I shudder to think of the consequences.’

‘Isabella would certainly have suffered. You love her, don’t you, Zander.’ Walter said quietly. For a moment Zander was too startled to answer. Had he shown his feelings so clearly?

‘Of course I love her. She is my cousin’s wife,’ he answered quickly. ‘Henry and Anna are like my brother and sister. I would do anything to protect them, and theirs.’ Walter met his gaze steadily, then nodded and lowered his eyes. Zander had no idea what his closest friend was thinking at that moment, yet they had always been able to read each other’s thoughts.

Zander knew better than anyone that if his uncle ever discovered he was the father of Isabella’s child he would be hung for treason, or at the very least publicly whipped and dispatched to foreign lands, never to return. Was Walter warning him? He knew he was taking a terrible risk in visiting Isabella at night when Henry was away. What fate would Isabella herself suffer if it was discovered she had welcomed him into her bed. She would never deny she had welcomed him. She was too brave and loyal for that. No, he must desist and stay away from her. As soon as he knew the baby was safely delivered he would go away. He would take passage on a ship and journey across the water, as his uncle had once done. How different his own fate might have been if the man who was his true father had not fled to other lands.

The following day Isabella refused to wait for Zander to collect her and Nell so Walter accompanied them safely home. She was piqued that Zander had taken her away from the excitement of the truce day. Not only that but he had not hurried to bring her home. There was a coolness in her greeting when they met at table that evening. Sir William noticed.

‘Have you not told Isabella how you and Walter saved her from a cruel fate, Zander?’

‘I thought it might upset her. Knowing Isabella she would probably have insisted on riding to see Sam, and in her condition…’

‘Yes, of course,’ his uncle nodded. ‘I expect she is missing Henry. I can’t understand why he needed to visit the monastery. I should never have allowed Father Oliver to be his tutor. If it is not a monk he wants to be, he hankers to be a physician!’

‘Henry is very good with at healing with his herbs and salves,’ Zander defended his cousin. ‘The farmers look to him to cure the ailments of their animals, sometimes their families too.’

‘Yes, yes, they seem to have faith in him for that, but what use would it be if he is needed to fight and lead the clan? I trust you will always be there to support him, Zander, as you did when he was a boy.’

‘I doubt I can do that,’ Zander said. ‘I have decided to travel and see more of the world, as you did once,’ he added quickly, anticipating Sir William’s objection.

‘I went to save my neck, though I admit I enjoyed my travels. I would never have left your mother had I known…’ he broke off abruptly, his mouth tight.

They had almost reached the shortest day of the year when Henry returned. After so many weeks apart Sir William shook his head in despair as he watched Henry greet his lovely young wife with no more than a chaste kiss on her cheek. Isabella appeared to accept this as normal. He had brought two donkeys. Their panniers were laden and from one Henry carefully lifted two kids with soft creamy coats.

‘They are nanny goats. They will provide milk for our children,’ he said. ‘I shall make a pen for them near the garden.’ The other panniers were filled with various plants and salves, and lastly a parcel wrapped in cotton. It contained a sheet of glass with a beautifully painted border in reds and blues and greens.

‘I thought you would like this Isabella. I shall fix it in the window frame of your room to keep out the cold. It will be brighter and prettier than closed shutters.’ Isabella was delighted with his gift and stood on her toes to hug him and kiss his cheek, whereupon Henry blushed like a girl, in his father’s opinion. He had also brought several books for himself and two which he thought Isabella would like to read, in addition to a book of herbal remedies which they would study together.

When Lizzie had climbed the three flights of stairs to inspect the glass window she chuckled.

‘It is very pretty but no more young men will escape through the window now.’

‘Whatever do you mean, Lizzie?’ Isabella asked.

‘D’ye mean to tell me neither Master Walter nor Zander told you about the man with the big nose who came to take ye away on truce day?’ It was only then that Isabella learned of Neb Truddle’s visit and his subsequent death after struggling through the window to escape from Walter and Zander. Lizzie couldn’t stop chuckling as she recounted the picture of Walter dressed in a white night cap and voluminous gown pretending to be her.

‘So that is the reason Zander banished me to Anna’s!’ Isabella cried, ‘and I never knew. I treated him so coldly because I thought he had deprived me of the pleasure of the day, and then he did not come to bring me home. I must apologise.’

‘And I must thank them both for rescuing you, dear Isabella when I was not here to protect you.’ Henry said. ‘The man deserved to die,’ he added with a vehemence which surprised Isabella for Henry usually deplored violence of any kind.

Isabella had never been quite sure when her baby would be due but she was twice the size of Anna. When the pain began she assumed it was normal. She had seen various animals giving birth and she accepted pain as nature’s way of creating a new life. She was sure it would all be worthwhile when she had her own tiny infant to love and cuddle. Zander was alarmed. He was sure the baby could not be due for a few more weeks yet but he dare not share his concern, or his knowledge of the timing. He wondered if Henry’s uncanny intuition could be correct? Was Isabella having two babies?

Isabella tried not to moan but she could not lie still in bed. She paced the room and longed for a breath of fresh air. She almost wished Henry had not installed the pretty glass window.

‘Ye canna go down,’ Lizzie pleaded. ‘I can see the pain is getting worse Ye might never get back up all the stairs.’

‘I know, but I long for some air. The pain is all in my back. It is not as I expected a baby’s birth to be.’

On the second night Isabella was surprised when Henry came to her chamber. He had always avoided physical contact and he never saw her undressed. Lizzie seemed surprised too. She was inclined to be affronted.

‘I’m taking good care o’ her,’ she said sharply.

‘I know you will do your best, Lizzie, as you have always done for Zander and Anna and me. But you are tired. You need to sleep.’

‘Nell has given me her bed. She’s a good bairn. She saves my old legs, emptying the chamber pots and carrying up food and drink. I rest when I can.’

‘Nell is a loyal wee maid,’ Henry said patiently, ‘but you will be needed later so you must sleep now. Isabella is exhausted too. I have made a drink for both of you. It will help you to relax and gather your strength while you sleep.’

‘Is this one of Father Oliver’s herbal remedies?’ Lizzie asked suspiciously, staring into the tankard of dark brown liquid.’

‘It is. He assured me it is perfectly safe. You will find it tastes good with plenty of honey to help restore your energy for tomorrow. Isabella’s drink is slightly different. I will stay with her and watch over her while you sleep.’

‘You, Master Henry?’ Lizzie stared at him in astonishment. ‘But this is women’s work and you – you...’

‘Sleep now, Lizzie. I shall call you when it is time for the women’s work. And Nell will help me take good care for her mistress.’ As soon as Lizzie had gone to lie down Henry handed Isabella the tisane he had made for her. She wrinkled her nose at the smell but the taste was pleasant enough and she drank obediently because she had faith in Henry’s knowledge and she knew he would never do her, or her baby, any harm. Henry crossed to the fire and spoke to Nell in a low voice.

‘Would you go down and bring the wicker basket you made for the baby, Nell? And air the clothes to go in it. I would like to see how you weave the willow so skilfully and we must have something to occupy out hands and our thoughts while we watch over your Mistress. Will you bring up more canes and show me how you start?’

‘Why yes, Sir,’ Nell said, surprised, but delighted at Henry’s praise. She loved his gentle manner. She was nervous of men, recalling her grandmother’s warnings, but Master Henry never frightened her.

‘I feel so tired already, Henry,’ Isabella said wearily.

‘You had no sleep last night and have paced the floor all day, my dear. A sleep will give you strength. Do you mind if I feel your baby?’ He didn’t wait for her reply as he drew aside the bed clothes and gently pressed her stomach, feeling with both hands. Isabella was amazed. This was her husband, but he avoided all contact with her. His face was filled with concentration. He seemed anxious. He pressed again, moving his hands over her distended belly. ‘I think there are two babies.’ Isabella did not answer. She heard his words as though from the end of a long tunnel but she was too exhausted to reply.

Nell returned, her arms full of the wicker baby basket she had made and the clothes Isabella had sewn so beautifully. She also brought a bundle of willow wrapped in a hessian cloth and the knife she used.

‘Thank you Nell. I think we must prepare another basket as quickly as you can weave. I think your mistress will have two babies.’

‘Twins!’ Nell turned to him her eyes round and anxious. She had never seen a baby being born but there was not much she had not heard about the birth of babies. Her grandmother had been the person all village women sent for when they were having babies. Even when she could no longer attend them in person the young woman who had taken her place came often to the house to seek her advice.

‘My grandmother didna like when there were two babies,’ she said slowly now. ‘She said they sometimes lay head to toes and it was better if the head came first. Oh Sir, my mistress will be all right? Ye’ll not let her die?’ In spite of her skill Nell knew her grandmother had been unable to save the life of her own daughter, Nell’s mother. Henry’s mother had died giving birth to his twin. The two were silently united in their thoughts and prayers for Isabella,. She was so young, and so lovely,’ Henry thought as he looked down at her face relaxed in sleep now with the lines of weariness smoothed away. His father should never have forced her to marry into his family.

Ten

It was the evening of the following day before Isabella experienced an overwhelming urge to push, and the excruciating pain which accompanied it. She knew now that Henry was convinced there were two babies. Lizzie had banished him from her chamber but he had insisted on staying in Nell’s small room so that he would be near at hand if Lizzie or Isabella needed him. Nell was almost beside herself with worry for her beloved mistress. Henry made a herbal drink for her in the end and sent her down to the floor below to get some sleep. Meanwhile Zander found any excuse to linger near the house. He longed to see Isabella for himself, but it was not his place. He seethed inwardly, knowing that the woman he loved could be dying and he would not be with her because she was Henry’s wife, at least in name.

At last Henry heard the mewling cry of a living baby. Moments later Lizzie opened the door.

‘Tell Nell to come. I need her now. The next one is in a hurry.’ She thrust the bundle into his arms and disappeared again. An hour later there were two tiny baby girls lying head to toe in the wicker basket. In spite of her exhaustion Isabella wept tears of joy and relief at the sight of them. She longed for Zander to see his babies. Lizzie and Nell gazed down in awe and delight at the tiny sleeping infants, but Lizzie knew Sir William would not be content until he had a grandson, or even two or three. She knew he had wanted a lusty boy child.

‘Mistress Isabella and her babies have passed a good night and they’re very well,’ she announced the following morning to Sir William and Zander before they had time to ask. ‘She has more courage and stamina than any man I know,’ she said glaring at her master defiantly. ‘Many a one would have given in and died during such a long ordeal. She has fed both her babies already with Nell’s help. I can see the lassie stepping into my shoes one day.’

‘Er…umph,’ Sir William muttered. ‘I knew my daughter-in-law had such qualities. It is the reason I chose her as a mother for my grandchildren, but I would have been more content with one baby if it had been a boy.’

‘My God, you should be thankful they are all alive,’ Zander said heatedly, and Henry swiftly agreed. He had just come in and was in time to see his father’s raised eyebrows at Zander’s anger. He guessed his cousin had longed to be with Isabella during her ordeal. He understood how frustrated he must feel. Zander had already told him of his plans to travel as soon as Isabella was safely delivered. He understood the reason so he had accepted Zander’s decision, but now he would have his father’s yearning for a grandson to contend with all over again.

‘After what happened to our mothers you should be down on your knees giving thanks, Father,’ he said coldly. He looked tired and strained. He had been up all night and all his father could think of was a grandson who would bear his name. Would his father never be content? He turned to Lizzie. ‘It would be better if you do not repeat my father’s words to Isabella,’ he said.

‘There is no need, Master Henry,’ Lizzie said drily. ‘She told me what he would say about wanting a grandson, but I can only thank God for her safe delivery. She is delighted with her babies. She says she will love her wee daughters and enjoy them whatever their grandfather might think of them.’ She pushed back her chair and left them with a defiant sniff.

‘I’m not so fond of spending my time on my knees as you and your monastery friends, Henry, and Lizzie Buchan is taking on too much authority in her old age,’ Sir William muttered.

‘Isabella could have died without her,’ Henry said, quick to defend his old nurse and loyal servant. It was not often Henry expressed irritation or anger and both his father and Zander raised their eyebrows.

Six weeks later Anna gave birth to a baby boy. He was small but healthy and Walter was relieved the labour had been relatively quick for he didn’t believe his beloved wife had the same stamina as Isabella. Sir William was relieved that his daughter had been safely delivered but he couldn’t resist a hint to Henry that he expected him to produce a son the next time too. Henry didn’t answer but as soon as he and Zander were alone he muttered, ‘Did you hear him? All he wants is a grandson who bears his name. I hope you will change your mind about your travels.’

‘I dare not change my mind. I must get away, Henry. I love Isabella with all my heart. Every time I see her I am tempted to take her in my arms. You know the risks, the danger, if anyone should suspect. We may be his own kin but he would be ruthless in his punishment. We should be lucky to escape with our lives, or at least I should. You would have to plead ignorance and say I deceived you. He would punish Isabella too. He might send her away without her daughters. It would break her heart if he did that.’

‘I could never plead ignorance and leave you and Isabella to bear his wrath. Isabella would pay with her life if he thought she had deliberately deceived me.’

‘Life is a tangle,’ Zander said with a sigh. ‘It is fortunate the babies resemble you with their fair hair. Isabella thinks they will soon grow curls.’

‘It’s not me they resemble,’ Henry said, ‘it is our father. Lizzie is only a few years older than he is. She remembers him as a boy with a mop of blond curls. Anyway you and I are not so different except in build. You are tall and broad and strong, more like my father.’

‘Isabella missed you while you were away,’ Zander said. ‘You will be content together.’

‘I am content. I enjoy my wife’s company and conversation more than I believed possible when we were thrust into marriage. I believe Isabella has grown to love me as she loves her brother. She has told me several times she is glad we share interests in books and gardening.’

‘Yes, I see you have made a wattle pen for the goats and one of the sows next to the garden,’ Zander said, changing the subject. ‘I’m told goats like to wander.’

‘They are safe for now and Lizzie says Isabella has been glad of the milk to supplement the feed for the twins. They are thriving and content.’

‘It was a good idea, and Nell seems to have taken to them. She doesn’t allow anyone else near when she is milking.’

‘I’m glad. She follows Isabella’s instructions about keeping the milk clean. But you are avoiding the subject. I am pleading with you not to leave us?’

Zander knew it would be foolish to set out on his travels during the bitter winter weather. Walter’s baby son now claimed his attention, and his love for Anna had deepened. He rarely joined his friends if they went hunting for venison or wild boar. Although the king had made Sir William Douglas a generous grant of lands the surrounding woods belonged to the crown and Walter had no wish to risk his freedom if they were caught. ‘I want to see my son grow to manhood,’ he declared. ‘You would not be so restless, Zander, if you had a wife and children.’ Zander wondered what his friend would say if he knew the truth. He would never understand how a mere glimpse of Isabella tugged at his heart. As for her two tiny infants, they were beautiful. It was almost a physical pain to gaze upon them and know he could never claim them as his.

The weeks passed but gradually winter turned to spring and Zander’s yearning to be with Isabella increased. When she was not feeding her babies she was usually in the kitchens, or the garden. The grass in the pastures was freshening. The snowdrops had blossomed and died beneath the trees. In their place the grassy banks were covered with yellow flowers which Isabella called primroses. Henry had seen how difficult it would be for his wife to walk around the garden carrying two babies in her shawl so he made a small wooden cart and attached two rods with a wooden wheel on each end. Isabella was delighted. She padded the sides and bottom of the box with sheep’s wool covered with linen so that the babies would not be bruised. Nell loved to push the little cart, taking the twins for walks while Isabella inspected her herbs and plants in the garden, or when they put the clothes out to dry. Zander could not quell the pangs of longing as he watched them. He knew he had to get away for all their sakes.

Henry had not ventured far on moonlit nights during the coldest spells of winter but towards the end of March when the world glowed with the silver light of a full moon again he could not resist the magic which drew him to explore. He knew where the birds would be building their nests; the vixen hiding her fox cubs or the badger digging her den. Zander had seen Henry leave and he knew Isabella would be alone in her bedroom at the top of the tower. Now that the twins were sleeping through the night Henry had moved the crib into Nell’s small room. She was delighted. For two nights Zander resisted the temptation to climb the secret staircase, but on the third night he knew he could not set out on his travels without saying good bye to Isabella alone.

When she heard the soft scraping sound of the wooden panel sliding open Isabella’s heart beat faster. She sat up in bed and threw out her arms in greeting.

‘Dearest Zander, I have longed to see you. I’ve missed you so much.’

‘Never as much as I miss you, Isabella,’ Zander said, his voice husky with emotion as she lit the candle and he saw her in her white nightgown again. ‘The temptation to be with you, to hold you in my arms grows greater with every passing day. My desire for you is a risk to all of us. I must leave, but I could not go without bidding you farewell, my love.’ He moved and knelt beside her bed, taking both her hands in his and pressing his lips against her palms.

‘Aren’t you coming in beside me, Zander? I long to be held in your arms and feel your heart beating against mine,’ she whispered softly.

‘Don’t tempt me,’ Zander groaned softly. ‘Wherever I am, whatever I am doing, I shall always love you Isabella. Sir William is not God and he should not have tried to arrange our lives, Henry’s or yours,’ he added with a note of bitterness. Gently Isabella drew one hand away and stroked his hair.

‘I know, and I know my heart has never been the same since the morning I first saw you when Sam led me across the marshlands and you escorted us here.’

‘I should have made you mine then,’ Zander said with a sigh of regret.

‘I would probably have been terrified. All I could think of was offering my lif
e in exchange for my brother’s. Marriage to Henry seemed a much better offer, and he is kind to me. I know he would never hurt me. I suppose I am selfish to want more, but – but oh, Zander, I long to lie in your arms, to feel you are part of me.’ She lifted the bedclothes. ‘Please?’

Zander stood up and shed his clothes. Already his desire was evident. Isabella curled eagerly into his arms and held him close, while she ran her hands once more over his muscular body.

‘Love me, Zander,’ she whispered close to his ear. ‘Love me one more time before you leave us.’

‘You’re sure you are ready? It will not harm you, my love?’

‘I need you, Zander.’ He needed no further invitation. There was an urgency in their loving and a surging passion which carried them into a heaven of their own. They were young and they loved each other; they would soon be parted. Their passion was like an ever rolling tide throughout the night. Neither of them wanted to waste precious time in sleeping.

‘The twins usually waken early for their morning feed,’ Isabella whispered reluctantly many hours later. ‘Nell will bring them in to me.’

‘Then I must leave at once, my dearest Isabella. I had intended to set out on my travels today,’ Zander said, ‘but I cannot tear myself away from you.’

The moon was bright and clear for two more nights and when Henry left Zander entered the dark tunnel leading upwards to the crumbling secret stairway and Isabella. On the third night they talked a lot and loved each other in a gentler manner, knowing they might never meet again.

‘I shall miss you so much, Zander. I shall be lonely knowing I cannot even glimpse your tall figure in the distance.’

‘You know I would not go if I thought it was safe to stay, my darling, Isabella. It is too dangerous for all of us. I could never resist coming to you and there are always enemies like Snodd to cause trouble. Two nights ago Henry saw him prowling within the high walls, near the pig pen. You heard the questions Uncle William asked at dinner.’

‘Yes, I wondered if he suspects?’

‘I think he might. You must visit Anna and put me out of your mind.’

‘Nell and I are afraid to walk up the hill past Snodd’s forge. He is evil, even though he believes Henry has magic powers.’ Zander was quiet for a few moments.

‘You need someone you can trust to accompany you, someone not yet required for guard duty. I think I know who would be loyal and reliable. He is still young, but I shall ask Walter to train him to shoot with a bow and arrow and then with a pistol. If he is armed Snodd will keep his distance.’

‘What is the young man’s name?’

‘Duncan McTurk. He helps Snodd so he knows his ways, and his weaknesses. He treats the lad like a slave but his mother is a widow and needs the money. It was Duncan who warned me of Neb Truddle’s arrival and his plan. I will tell Henry and he will recompense the lad instead of Snodd. He may even teach him some of his own tricks with the whip. Perhaps you could find other work for him, helping you with your garden, or the bees perhaps, when you are not visiting Anna. I’m sure he will watch over both you and Nell. They were children together.’

Although Isabella knew of Zander’s plans to set out on his travels she was dismayed to discover he had already left when she and Nell carried the twins downstairs.

‘You seem surprised by Zander’s departure, Isabella,’ Sir William remarked watching her closely. ‘I see the news saddens you.’