Brant escorted her up to the Lord’s Chamber, so she could cleanup a little from the days travel, or rest for a while if she wanted. Her sons, and the serfs charged with their care, would be in the room across the passage. After he left her, the Castle mistress came in, to see if her Lady, required any special assistance. Isabel laughed at her choice of words. The serf knew of Brant's imprisonment, and had been involved in drugging him and his men, the last time they were here. She told the woman no, then asked the serf to get her, her favorite wine, when she came down to the hall, later. She was a bit frazzled from the day’s events, Isabel explained.
When Isabel descended to the hall, Nathaniel, Eric, and Hannah, were all near the hearth. She sat down in a chair, and a serf brought her a chalice of the wine she had requested. Noticing the wine that Isabel rarely drank, other than with meals, Rosamund asked if the Lord had done something to upset her. She told her no. Yet, the serf continued to eye her, suspiciously. Isabel sat, and sipped the wine, to relax her frayed nerves. Once she felt calmer, she moved to a mat on the floor, to play with her sons.
Brant was at the Lord’s table, indulging in tankards of ale with the men that had traveled there with them, as well as some of the Castle Knights. He noted that Isabel was playing with their sons near the hearth, which was a normal activity. Yet, a short while ago, she had been drinking wine, which was a little unusual. Isabel tended to use it as somewhat of a crutch, to relieve stress. She was here, surrounded by her people, whom she had control and authority over. Would he find her gone, again?
The meal passed without incident, much to Brant’s relief. He was a little nervous, after his last visit. Isabel seemed to be more interested in her wine, and less interested in food or conversation, than normal. After she finished eating, she returned to amuse the lads, until bed time. Shortly before it would be time to take the boys upstairs, Brant joined his wife. When it was their bed time, he carried Nathaniel upstairs.
Once the children were in bed, Brant took Isabel’s arm, to steer her across the passage, to the Solar. There, he picked up a bottle of wine, and after checking to see that the passageway was clear, lead Isabel to the back stairs. Outside of the back entrance, three of Brant’s men were waiting, one holding a torch to light their way. As they walked away from the building, three additional men fell in behind them. Isabel had begun to panic, when her husband walked her out of the main residence. Now, realizing he was walking toward the jail, she tried to pull back, but he just handed the wine to a knight, and picked her up to carry her to the door.
Inside the jail, he took the wine, and told his men to see that they were not disturbed.
Leading her into his former cell, he said, “Sit down, Alisa.”
When she did not move, he pressed her gently into one of the chairs, at the small table that held two chalices, and a few candles. He poured the wine, and handed her a chalice, then sat down in the other chair.
“Did you enjoy your visit to London, Alisa?” Brant asked, as he motioned for her to drink the wine.
She raised the glass to drink as he had indicated, wondering what he was up to. History said, this would end in the bed, in the other room.
“Why do you do that? Call me Alisa, sometimes. Is that just to remind me of 'my deception', that you so frequently mention?” she asked, setting the wine down.
“I like Alisa,” Brant said, as he leaned forward to refill her drink. “She understood, she had no right to refuse me. You on the other hand, always seem to be difficult, and argumentative. Drink up, love.”
“You know she does not exist, right?” Isabel asked. “Nor really, does that Isabel, that kidnapped you. After my sire’s death, I did a lot of things, that I would never have thought of doing, a few months earlier. As far as being difficult, it is always in the back of my mind, that you have many very good reasons to be angry. You should want some revenge.”
“For a long time, I had no idea what was going on. I had everyone telling me to cooperate,” Brant said. “I certainly was angry. I believe, I should have been told some things, that were kept from me. That is all behind us, is it not? Right now, I want you to cooperate. Drink up, Alisa.”
“As you wish, My Lord,” Isabel said.
She picked up the wine, and drained the chalice.
“As I wish,” he repeated, laughing. “Aye, I like that. Come.” He took her arm leading her in toward the bed. Stopping beside the bed, he said, “Help me with my tunic.”
In the interest of not being difficult, and argumentative, Isabel played along. It quickly became clear, that he was intent upon reliving the night two years earlier, when their marriage first became more than a strategic sham. Seeing what he was about, she followed his lead, until the world beyond the two of them ceased to exist, and the only thing of any importance was their bodies moving together.
Later, as Brant held Isabel against his side, he asked, “Are you alright, Alisa? No injuries?”
“You know I love you, right?” Isabel asked, squarely meeting his eyes.
He smiled, and replied, “Aye. I know that. Though I was not sure if you knew, love.” He placed a gentle kiss on her lips, then asked, “Since you are confessing, would you care to tell me what brought you into my jail cell, dressed as a serf?”
“Curiosity,” she answered, honestly. “You know I met your cousin. You were not what I was expecting, at all. Particularly, after watching you fight somewhat successfully, with the four guards after our wedding. I am afraid I found myself fascinated with your body. I wanted to know what you were like. Since you were not known to like innocent girls, it seemed safe. By the time I figured out it was not, I was locked in here with you. To tell you the truth then, would have given you a hostage, to try to escape. Playing along was the only choice. I mean, we were wed.”
“Of course, you had to do what was necessary, to see I could not escape. Even if that meant, you could not escape me,” Brant laughed. “Have I satisfied your curiosity?”
She gave him a mischievous grin, as she answered, “Aye, I believe my curiosity has been satisfied. At least, for a day, or two. After that, I might want more information.”
“You are quite shameless, you know that?” Brant said.
“Aye, and you love it, right, Brant?” Isabel asked.
“I most certainly love you,” he said, kissing her again. “However, since I have satisfied your curiosity with my body for now, we should probably go back in, to get some sleep. I would like to have the energy, to travel home tomorrow.”
As they rose to dress, Isabel thought about how nervous she had been, wondering what her husband’s intentions were, in bring her here. Now she knew her fear had been groundless. He loved her, just as she loved him. He had planned to kidnap her, if she thought to stay in London, with her mother. Brant wanted her with him, just as she wanted to be with him. Whatever the future held, they would face it together.
Once they were dressed, they made their way out of the jail. Brant had left six of his men outside, to see they were not disturb. Isabel smiled, when she saw that now, there were Brant’s six men, and four of hers, outside of the dungeon.
Isabel’s Knight William said, “Good evening, My Lady. We thought we would wait with the Lord’s men, to see that you were alright.”
“I am fine William, thank-you,” she replied. “Though I think we all need to get some sleep, before we travel home tomorrow.”
“Good night,” Brant said with a grin, as he walked toward the hall, arm in arm, with his Lady.