Isabel snuffed out all but one of the candles, and got into bed. As she relaxed under the covers, she realized for the first time in well over a year, she was not tense with fear of something. There was no doubt that her father had been her security, as a child. Her mother was frequently visiting, or even staying at one of the family properties, far from her father's stronghold, where Isabel grew up. Rosamund had raised Isabel, at least as much as her mother, Lady Ann had. When her sire died, and Avery claimed guardianship, fear had set in. The feeling had continued with Brant, and the babe. She was not sure what had happened today, but a good amount of the fear, Isabel had felt for a long time, was gone.
Sometime later that night, she felt gentle caresses roaming over her body. In a drowsy dreamlike state, somewhere between asleep, and waking, Isabel responded to her husband’s love making. Afterward, she quickly drifted back to sleep in his arms.
When Nathaniel's cries awoke her in the morning, Isabel was alone in the bed. However, she recalled Brant whispering, "just relax", and "everything will be alright", as he made love to her, during the night. Or she thought, she remembered that. Had she dreamed it? No, he had removed her gown during the night. As she rose to get the babe, Isabel wondered, if when Brant whispered everything will be alright, he was thinking about last night, or everything in general.
Chapter 13
The following day, Isabel was in the hall with the babe in the cradle, beside her chair. Lady Ann, Esme, and Hannah, were with her, chatting about various mundane matters, when the arrival of another guest was announced. Isabel watched as a youth entered, and spoke briefly to Brant. He cast a nervous look in her direction, before moving closer to the entryway, to await the new arrival. She continued to watch surreptitiously, until the door opened to reveal the Duke, Niles. Isabel was instantly assailed with a panicky feeling, that she quickly tamped down. She watched Brant quickly escort the blackguard into a receiving room, off of the hall.
Then, Isabel saw Nora coming up from the kitchen, and rose to meet her, hoping to get some information about the guest.
Nora asked, “Have the new guests arrived?”
“Aye, Nora. The Duke, Niles, is here. Do you know if the Lord was expecting him?” Isabel asked, hoping she had kept the distress she was feeling, out of her voice.
“Actually, Niles is the Lord's cousin, Me Lady. I have not heard, or seen anything of ‘im, since right after His Lordship, and Lady Esme, both disappeared,” Nora explained. “I believe ‘e was helping His Lordship, by spying on Avery. The Duke sent ‘im a message, but he was not around to receive it.”
“Do you recall what the message was?” Isabel asked, trying not to sound too interested.
“Aye. It was something about a bit of fluff, Avery was trying to pedal, that the Duke hoped he ‘ad sent running to ‘er sire. Oh, and that Esme should have extra guards, as she might be in some danger. Unfortunately, Esme ‘ad already left for her mother’s,” Nora said.
“Well, Brant has taken him into the receiving room, so I do not know if he will be staying,” Isabel said, as calmly as she could.
She moved away from the housekeeper, who continued on her way, to check on the new guest. As Nora tapped on the receiving room door, Isabel retrieved her son from the cradle, and took the child upstairs. She had been informed that Niles was back from Normandy, but she had been hoping, he would stay away from his cousin.
While his wife was heading upstairs, Brant was questioning his cousin, Niles, about what had happened with him, Avery, and Isabel.
“As you will recall, I was playing the debaucher with Avery, so he would let his guard down, right?” Niles paused, until Brant nodded. He then continued, “Avery said he had an alliance with the girl’s father, and was helping arrange a strategic betrothal. He claimed Isabel was one and eight, and a prime piece. She certainly was the latter.”
“She was only one and six,” Brant interjected.
“Well that explains some of it. I had never seen the Lady at Court, or any other function of the gentry. The girl would have been paraded everywhere to find a husband, unless her family was lowborn, or of ill repute. It did not occur to me, that she might be younger. Even in debauchery, my position would not allow me to fiddle with a girl that young. Avery must have realized that,” Niles explained, attempting to defend his actions.
Brant noted the supreme effort Niles was making, to gloss over his actions. His cousin really was not saying anything pertinent, to what actually transpired. Niles appeared to be implying, that he felt his actions were necessary. While at the same time, avoiding being specific about what those actions were.
“Exactly what happened, Niles,” Brant asked. “I know it upset Isabel, quite badly. She told her maid if she ever saw you, again, she was going to slit your throat, or castrate you.”
“She sounds dangerous. You will protect me, will you not, cousin?” Niles asked, flippantly.
When he received a stern look from Brant, Niles reluctantly continued, in a much more serious tone, “Anyway, Avery took me up to the girl’s room, and ordered her serf to leave. She had her head covered, so Avery tried to pull the mantel off, so I could see her. The girl kicked him, and then yelled at us to get out. Avery slipped a rope around one of her hands, and she elbowed him in the gut. So he put the rope around the bedpost and tied her other hand, just so she could not hit him, again. She was still yelling at us to get out, so he threatened to gag her. Though she did lower her voice, she continued to verbally defile him. Twas Avery taking down her braids, so I could get a look at her. I was really in a spot, with the roll I was playing, and him expecting me to look the girl over. So I moved up in front of her, and she started reviling me. Isabel is quite attractive, and I must admit that by that time my little soldier was at attention. To my shame, I acted the debaucher I was playing, and undid my laces, so she could see what she was doing to me. Then, she called me a disgusting pig. Somehow, I could not resist brushing a finger across the exposed side of her breast, thinking to scare her. She is quite bold. The girl just called me a disgusting little man, and spit at me.”
Niles paused, trying to judge Brant’s mood, but his cousin revealed nothing. He merely motioned to Niles, to continue his story.
“I am sorry to say I lost my temper, and slapped the girl. Realizing that things were getting out of hand, I told Avery I had seen enough. After that we moved to the side, and discussed what he had in mind for the girl. I told him I was due to leave for Normandy for a few months, so any arrangements, would have to wait until my return. That was when he mentioned having a plan to kidnap his enemy's sister, to draw him out. That was why I sent you word, to guard Esme. With our talk done, Avery cut the rope on the girl, and I told her I hoped to see her again, in a few months, as we left the room.” After another short pause, Niles said, “My actions were quite awful, with Isabel. I can only plead that it seemed appropriate, with the roll I was playing.”
He did not tell his cousin, that had it not been for Avery, Niles might very well have forced himself on the girl.
During Niles lengthy explanation of his encounter with Isabel, Brant observed that he continually emphasized Avery's poor treatment of the Lady. At the same time, Niles tried to downplay his own behavior, as largely necessary to maintain his cover, so he could spy for Brant. Somehow, his efforts to minimize what he had done, left Brant questioning his cousin's character. While his high position in society, required that Brant show Niles some deference, he could not shake the feeling that Niles was someone he needed to watch. Brant's sire had never totally trusted Niles' father, for some reason he would not explain, and now, Brant was suspicious of the son.