Love's Ransom (19 page)

‘That may be so,’ Zander said with a touch of bitterness, ‘but he does not hesitate to manipulate the truth.’ He told Father Oliver of his desire to marry Isabella and Sir William’s refusal.

‘You are an honourable man, Zander. Even as a boy you always played fair. I understand how disillusioned you must feel, especially since you believe Sir William to be your father. You are the image of him now, except that you are young and strong, as he must have been once. Perhaps he is a little jealous of your character, as well as your physical attractions. When you return I believe you will find a way. I know it is what Henry would have wished for his wife - and your children,’ he added deliberately.

‘Henry told you of our – of our deception?’ Zander asked.

‘He did. I understood his reason. Marriage was forced upon him, and on Isabella too. She is a fine young woman. Like you, she is honest and true. She confessed to me because she considers herself a sinner. I hope I reassured her but you will both be happier when you are married and your union is approved by God and man alike.’

‘If fate decrees I should not return from my travels, Father, will you give Isabella your guidance and protection? I have left money with her if she needs to travel and she has two loyal men to accompany her, although one of them is still a youth.’

‘My dear Zander, surely you do not intend to make another journey to far off lands?’ Father Oliver asked in consternation.

‘I shall not travel to the east again, but I must make one more journey.’

‘As you see I am nearing the end of my life. I have introduced a young priest, to Isabella as a teacher for her child
ren. Sir William didn’t approve of my interference, as he calls it.’ His eyes twinkled. ‘I shall introduce you to Father Barron before you leave tomorrow. He is young but he is wise beyond his years. I am sure you could trust him when my time on earth ends. Now tell me where you are bound.’

‘I own a half share in a trading ship. The previous captain was also the owner. He was English, although he had not lived in Britain since he was a boy. We spoke the same language and had several things in common. We became good friends. He died on board ship o
n our way back from the China. He developed intense pain in his side. It was terrible to see. I nursed him as well as I knew how. I wished Henry was there to advise. Before he died he told us he had no family of his own. He had run away to sea as a boy. After his mother died his stepfather beat him every day so he stowed away aboard ship. He had made a success of his life. He asked me to write letters in his own words. He signed them both, leaving all he owned equally to me and to his assistant, who is now Captain Murray.’

‘No doubt he recognised you were an honourable man, Zander.’ Father Oliver gave a whimsical smile. ‘Were you glad I made you practise your writing and reading?’

‘I was very glad,’ Zander nodded. ‘I was able to give him a little comfort by reading to him from his bible which he always kept close. We buried him at sea as he requested.’

‘Then it was worth my time teaching you,’ Father Oliver said with satisfaction.

‘We had not intended to land in Britain on the return journey but we were blown off course and our supplies of food were running low so we put into port. I had not intended to return to Moyenstane Tower for many years but the temptation was too great. After being so far distant we seemed relatively close. I left the ship and travelled over land, but I promised to meet Captain Murray in Amsterdam, ready for another voyage. Now he will be disappointed when I tell him I must sell my share in our ship.’

‘Captain Murray is your partner?’

‘Yes. He has lived in the Netherlands most of his life but his father came from Edinburgh so he, and his sister and nephew, speak my language. I called on Isabella’s family on my way home. It was a shock to hear of Henry’s death. They knew Isabella had been expecting another child but they didn’t know whether she and the baby had survived the birth. I had to visit and find out for myself. I came by way of the marshlands. I found Isabella and the children enjoying the sunshine beside the burn, with Sir William,’ Zander added, frowning.

‘He may have an old man’s fancy for her, but he will not force her into marriage, Zander. He is too afraid of the God he pretends to despise to break his promise to a dying man,’ Father Oliver said quietly.’

‘I hope you are right, Father, but I shall return as soon as I can sell my share in our ship.’ He smiled. ‘We did well with our cargo by landing in Britain.’

‘It may not be so easy to sell your share in a sailing ship, Zander. Why not continue to trade? You could sell your wool, and that of other sheep farmers. If Captain Murray is willing he could trade between our northern ports and Europe. I hear there is great demand in France for our fine woollen cloth. There is another possibility too. Have you seen the black rock which comes out of the ground in some parts of the country? They call it coal. It is used for burning instead of peat and wood. I’m told it makes a hotter fire for working with iron. I believe some ships already carry it from Newcastle, and other British ports, to Europe.’

‘Henry always said you had a wealth of knowledge beyond religion,’ Zander said, and took one of the old man’s wrinkled hands in his. ‘I have finished with adventure. I want to spend my life with Isabella and the children now, but I thank you for your advice. I know it will not be easy to find a man Captain Murray can trust, as well as one who has the money to buy my share. I enjoyed the excitement of bartering. I do not miss the reiving.’

‘I fear not all the clans are content to keep the King’s peace,’ Father Oliver warned. ‘There are bands of men, both north and south of the border, who will rob you, and hang you, if they get a chance. You must take care. It would be safer for you to ride with the group of merchants who are travelling east from here.’

‘That is what you advise?’ Zander asked. He was not afraid of travelling alone but he had no desire to run into danger now that happiness with Isabella awaited him.

‘It is, my son, and may God go with you. I fear my strength fails me now and I must rest, but I am so happy you came.’

‘I am glad I have seen you again, Father. Thank you for your advice and encouragement.

Fourteen

The fine autumn weather lasted a few more days after Zander had gone but inevitably the clouds rolled in and the wind rose. The beauty of autumn was ruined as the leaves were blown from the trees. Isabella was as unsettled as the weather.

‘I shall visit Anna today, Nell but it will be quicker if I ride Beauty. Can you look after the children, please?’

‘But Mistress the wind is wild and the rain is heavy when it comes.’

‘I know, but I feel as restless as the wind myself. I need a gallop.’

‘I will tell Duncan to saddle the horses,’ Nell said, nodding doubtfully.

‘There’s no need. He is chopping wood for the winter store.’

Nell warned Duncan anyway. She knew he felt responsible for their mistress’s safety. Who knew what Snodd might do to waylay her, even if she was on horseback. Duncan was learning about the moods of women and he guessed his mistress was missing Master Zander. He thought of the gold coin he had hidden away and knew he must keep guard, even if he followed at a distance.

He made sure he had his pistol. His dirk was in its scabbard on his belt. He was as good as any of the other men now with a bow and arrows so he took them too. Walter had given him permission to ride Master Henry’s horse, Moonlight. She was the only silver-grey horse in the area and had been bred by the Irish Paddy. She had a docile temperament but she could gallop as fast as any horse in the stable. Duncan groomed her every day and saved her ant treat when he could. He waited until the stable lad had helped Mistress Isabella saddle Beauty before he entered the stable. He was dismayed to see his young mistress was already halfway up the hill, galloping fast, her cloak flying behind her. His young heart beat like a hammer in his thin chest and he hoped Snodd did not see her. He clearly remembered the nasty trick the blacksmith had played to unseat a man he disliked.

At the smiddy Snodd had had no warning of Isabella’s approach until he heard the gallop of hooves. He ran outside still holding an iron rod, its end glowing red from the fire. Isabella was already disappearing over the hill towards Anna’s. Duncan breathed a sigh of relief. Then he heard Snodd swearing and talking to his waiting customer. He drew Moonlight behind a clump of bushes.

‘She’s on her own for once and I missed her!’ he muttered. ‘I’ll have her yet though. Judd Snodd never forgets a grudge.’

‘Surely that was Master Henry’s young widow? What can ye want with her?’ Duncan recognised McMurdo, a decent man and a tenant from near the northern boundary.

‘She’s a woman, same as any other. She took Nell away frae me. She has no husband to practise his witchcraft on me now. I’ll see she pays for that.’

‘Aye, we heard about Master Henry tying ye in knots,’ McMurdo said, stifling a laugh.

‘’twas on her account an’ she’ll suffer for’t. She has tae come back this way.’

‘She’s a fine rider, especially for a woman,’ McMurdo mused. ‘Ye’d have a job to catch her.’

‘The faster the better,’ Snodd said slyly. ‘I know a few tricks to tame her.’ Duncan knew exactly what he meant and he shuddered. His mistress could be killed, or lamed for life.

Walter was in the stables dealing with Beauty when Duncan arrived.

‘What the devil do you mean letting Mistress Isabella come here alone? I thought all the devils in hell were after her.’ Walter’s face was pale with anger.

‘I’m sorry, sir but the mistress didna want anybody to accompany her today, but Nell told me her plans. She had passed the smiddy before Snodd heard her, but Master Walter he - he plans to get her on her way home. I hid in the bushes. I heard him ranting to Mr McMurdo.’

‘Make sure you stay beside her then. Do you have your pistol?’

‘Aye sir, b-but,ye dinna understand. I saw Jud Snodd bring a man down once. He tied a platted willow rope to a tree and laid it across the road. When the man came riding by as usual Snodd was hiding. He jerked the willow rope up in front o’ the horse. It reared in fright and threw the man off. He broke his leg. Snodd reckoned he’d would never walk again but Master Henry helped him. He bound his leg and made salves.’

‘I remember Henry saving Mr Fry’s leg. Is that the man you mean. I’ve seen him walking with a stick. Better walk with a stick than not walk at all, he told Henry. He was very grateful.

‘I’m feared I’ll not be able to protect Mistress Isabella if she is still in a wild mood and Snodd will treat her badly if he gets her.’

‘Aye, she laughed when I chided her for riding so fast and coming alone. She is in a reckless mood. Well I’m glad you warned me about Snodd and his evil plans. It’s time someone taught him a lesson he can’t forget. I will ride ahead through the bushes and see he tries any sly tricks. You must warn Isabella to hold tight to her reins though and stay close beside her.’

Anna was sorry to say goodbye when it was time for Isabella to leave.

‘Dear Anna, I value your company,’ Isabella said. ‘If it was not for my children I would not return to the Moyenstane Tower at all. It is not the same without Henry and Zander.’

‘Your low spirits will vanish when Zander returns,’ Anna said with her dimpling smile. ‘Walter says he loves you very much. I believe you love him too?’

‘Then why did he go away again if he loves me,’ Isabella said with rare petulance. ‘Why didn’t he stay so that we could be together.’

‘Walter says he owns a half of a sailing ship. He had promised to meet the captain, who is his partner, in time for their next voyage. He didn’t know then that Henry was dead, and you were free to marry him. Now he needs to sell his share and make his fortune so he can keep a wife without depending on my father.’ Anna’s expression sober. ‘I believe he wanted to be married before he left but my father refused his consent. But never fear Isabella, Zander will find a way to get what he wants. I pray he will not need to fight my father though, or take you and the children away. I know Walter will fight at Zander’s side.’ Her eyes filled with tears. ‘They might be killed. Why oh, why, does my father have to be such a stubborn old man.’

‘You think he is old, Anna?’

‘Of course he is. He’s my father.’

‘I don’t think he considers himself old,’ Isabella said slowly, remembering the way Sir William’s eyes followed her.

‘Mistress, Isabella,’ Duncan called, ‘I have brought the horses. It is time we left if we’re to be home before dark.’

‘I’m coming, Duncan,’ she called. ‘He’s my shadow,’ she whispered to Anna.

‘He is, but Zander would never forgive him if any harm befell you.’

‘I suppose not, and I’m grateful,’ Isabella said with a sigh. ‘But I so enjoyed my gallop alone through the wind and rain this morning.’

Duncan told her about Snodd and the evil trick he had once seen him play.

‘Master Walter says we should keep to a steady canter, but be prepared in case anything startles our horses.’ Even with Walter’s help he was not sure he could keep Isabella safe. Moonlight sensed his agitation but Isabella seemed to have no fear. He wondered if she looked forward to confronting Snodd but she didn’t know how mean and evil he could be.

‘Do you have your pistol ready, Duncan?’ she asked with a smile.

‘Yes, Mistress Isabella, but…’ He shuddered. ‘I don’t know if I can k-kill a man, even an evil fellow like Snodd. Master Walter has gone ahead. I –I hope he will deal with him before he can harm you.’

‘I am not afraid with both you and Walter watching over me. Someone must teach Snodd a lesson though or he will keep trying to waylay Nell and me. Remember Nell Duncan if you need to use your pistol. He would not hesitate to harm her.’

The sun had gone down and darkness was falling fast. A chill wind had sprung up and Isabella gave a shudder and tightened her grip on the reins. Beauty pricked her ears, sensing her mistress’s tension. Isabella leaned forward and patted her neck to reassure the little mare.

‘Oh Mistress do keep a tight hold on the reins. We’re near Snodd’s place and I dinna see any sign of Master Nixon, or his horse.’

‘I was only comforting Beauty. Horses are sensitive to our moods. Master Henry said Moonlight always understood his. He loved her dearly. How do you like having her for your own horse, Duncan?’

‘Oh I love her, Mistress,’ Duncan responded with youthful eagerness. ‘I never dreamed I would ride a horse like this.’

‘I knew you would treat her well. Walter told me you have gentle hands and a kindly heart.’

‘Please, let me ride a wee bit in front, Mistress?’ Duncan urged. ‘Snodd has some sly tricks.’ He edged half a neck ahead but they were still close together when a rope shot up across the track. A pistol shot rang out, quickly followed by another. The rope fell. A man screamed. Beauty would have reared but Isabella was prepared and she threw herself forward close to the mare’s neck, clinging on and trying to soothe her horse as she galloped forward, trailing the rope with her hind leg. This frightened her even more. Isabella managed to turn her, leaving the rope behind. It was only then she realised Duncan had been thrown from his horse. Her heart pounded with fear for him. Moonlight was galloping back the way they had come. Isabella guided Beauty to Duncan’s side and slid from her back.

‘Are you badly hurt, Duncan?’ She knelt beside him, smoothing his brow. He blinked his eyes and tried to lift his head. Confused and bruised though he was he saw Moonlight disappearing up the track. He put two fingers to his mouth and gave a piercing whistle then sank back against Isabella’s arm. Moonlight slowed, then came to a halt. Duncan gave a low whistle and the mare walked back to him.

‘Jesu! I thought it was a ghost horse! And her husband with her.’ Snodd uttered several oaths. Isabella remembered the brawny blacksmith had a fear of magic and ghosts. He had believed Henry had magical powers.

‘It’s lucky your head did not hit a stone, Duncan,’ Isabella said with concern. ‘You’re going to have a nasty bruise and a headache for a day or two.’ She pretended bewilderment. ‘I think somebody wanted to kill us.’

‘’Tisna him ye should be thinking about,’ Snodd whined as Duncan sat up. They both looked at Snodd sprawled on the grass at the edge of the track, one hand clutching his shoulder. Even in the fading light they could see blood trickling through his fingers. His leg seemed to be bleeding too. ‘Somebody tried to kill me. I’ll see him hang, whoever he is,’ he muttered, rocking backward and forward as he clutched his wound. Duncan struggled to his feet and shook his head, trying to clear it. He had fallen heavily and the world had a tendency to spin.

Walter came riding jauntily up the track as though he was just arriving on the scene. He was a good shot and he had aimed at Snodd’s shoulder to make him drop the willow plait. He had aimed at Snodd’s leg to teach the man a lesson. Duncan had been right, the willow rope was almost invisible if he had not been looking for it. He had hidden his horse further down the track then moved quietly through the bushes and mounted to ride back.

‘What’s going on here?’ he asked feigning innocence. He looked from one to the other. ‘Are you hurt, Duncan, laddie?’

‘N-no Master Walter. The horses were startled. Moonlight turned sae fast I fell off. I’ll be all right in a wee while.’ He approached his mare cautiously, murmuring gentle words to soothe the trembling animal.

‘Who’s this groaning?’ Walter asked with a wink at Isabella as he turned to Snodd. ‘Did your horse throw you too, Snodd?’ The blacksmith uttered another string of oaths.

‘You know damn well I havena got a horse. Somebody tried to kill me.’

‘He must have been a poor shot then if he wanted to kill a man your size.’

‘He hit ma shoulder.’ He looked down at his wound. ‘I’m bleeding to death,’ he yelled hysterically. ‘Ye’ll need tae get help. I canna move. He shot me in ma leg.’ Snodd was almost weeping in his pain and frustration.

‘Aye, it’s a pity Mr Henry isna here to dress your wounds with his magic salves,’ Walter mused. ‘Ye’ll need to bring a curse down on the man who made a hole in the garden fence and let in the wild boar that killed him.’ Isabella paled as she listened.

‘Did someone really weaken the fence?’

‘Aye, we found the damage,’ Walter said, serious now. They had no proof of the culprit but he and Thomas suspected Snodd could have done it deliberately. ‘Don’t worry Isabella. We mended it well and it’s rare for wild boars to come so near. It was probably starving.

‘Thank you, Walter,’ Isabella said with relief. ‘If you could help Mr Snodd into his house I will go and make up a salve to cleanse his wounds and something to soothe the pain.’ Normally she would have attended to them herself but she did not trust Snodd even now he was wounded. ‘Maybe one of your neighbours will help you dress the wounds,’ she said.

‘I want young Nell,’ Snodd demanded.

‘No!’ Duncan’s voice rose.

‘I cannot spare Nell,’ Isabella said firmly. ‘You must depend on your friends.’

‘If he has any,’ Walter muttered under his breath. ‘Come on then, Duncan. Are you well enough to help this hulking great man into his cottage?’

‘I’ll go and make up the salves,’ Isabella said. ‘Come to me Duncan and I will have a drink ready to ease your headache, and a salve for your bruises. You could have been killed,’ she added, glaring at Snodd, letting him know she was aware he was responsible and deserved his punishment.’