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 free 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.