Brant’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of chains, clanging together. He rose to see that the barred door, between the two cells, had been closed, apparently from the outside. He tested the bars, and discovered that he was securely locked into the cell with the bed in it. He watched, as a guard opened the door into the other cell, so a serf could carry in a trunk, that bore Brant's family crest, proclaiming it his.
Seeing him watching, the serf asked, “Would ye like water for a bath, before they bring ye breakfast?”
“Aye,” Brant replied.
The serf nodded and left, only to return a short time later, with buckets of water to fill the tub. A stool, with soap and a sponge, was placed beside the tub. Once the serf was back outside the cell, the outer door was locked, and the bars between the cells were reopened.
“Leave yer clothes at the door ‘ere, and we will get ‘em washed for ye, Me Lord,” the serf instructed, before moving out of sight.
While Brant was preparing to avail himself of the hot bath, the center door was pulled closed, once again. He watched as the serf entered the other cell, to empty the chamber pot. Then, once again, the chains clanged together, grating on each other, and on Brant’s nerves, as the door was reopened.
Brant relaxed as best as he could, in the hot bath, while he thought about how well they had his prison arranged. His jailors could secure him in one cell, while serfs moved in and out of the other, without giving him any chance of escape. He thought about how the noise from the chains on the door, grated on his nerves. They seemed to scream that he was truly trapped, with no choice, but to comply with his captors.
Later, after Brant had bathed, dressed, and eaten some of the morning fare, a serf had brought him, Richard came, again. At his query as to whether Brant would consent, to the nuptials, Brant informed him, he had no desire to wed a “child”. Richard came, and went, again in the evening. For several more days this scenario repeated itself, with both men determinedly maintaining their opposing positions.
When Richard returned the next morning, Brant repeated, “I have no desire to wed some child.”
“You will not leave here, as anything other, than the Lady’s husband,” Richard stated with steely resolve, before storming out.
When Richard returned early in the evening, to plead the case, Brant had had enough of his own company. Although, he would like to have held out longer, the isolation of his prison, was giving him unpleasant thoughts, of being helpless. His captors’ control, over every aspect of his life, was playing havoc with his mind. It had been a mere six days, since Brant woke up here. Yet, it seemed like an eternity to the Lord, use to having his days filled with the various activities required to manage, and protect, his large land holdings.
To Richard's question, Brant conceded, "If that is what I have to do to get out of here, I will agree to wed the child."
"I will inform the Lady to prepare for the ceremony, and send for the friar. It will take several hours to arrange, but the wedding must happen quickly," Richard said.
Looking greatly relieved, he hurried out to make the arrangements. Brant was left to glare at the door, seething, at being forced to comply with this insanity.
Esme sat by the hearth across from her mother, Peggy, working on her sewing. She had caught her mother looking at her several times, since she arrived this afternoon, with an almost gleeful smile, that Peggy had quickly covered up. Her mother’s behavior was causing Esme some apprehension, for there seemed to be more to the smiles, than just being happy to see her daughter. The girl hoped she was just reading some ulterior motive into her mother’s actions, because she was slightly on edge about being here. Peggy’s request for her daughter had come a few days after Esme’s brother Brant, had ridden off with his good friend Robert, and not returned. That was a little unusual, as Brant normally told her where he was going, and when he would be back. However, he had on occasion, left with someone for a few days, before. When Brant did not return, Esme had begged Brant’s knights to let her come to visit her mother, without getting her brother’s permission. After a couple of days, they had caved, and escorted her here.
Esme, of course, loved her mother, but Peggy had betrayed her father, with another man. Twas common knowledge that Esme’s sister, Hannah, was sired by Peggy’s lover, who ever he may have been. Esme, and her half-brother Brant, whom she now lived with, both believed that Peggy may have had some involvement, in their father’s death. So the Lady’s covered up smiles, were making Esme worry that Peg, might be up to something devious, again. That thought greatly concerned the girl. Her mother could not expect to keep getting away with betrayals, forever.
When it was time for Hannah to go to bed, Esme asked to see the child to her room, and their mother nodded in approval. The five year old was a sweet, happy child, and Esme always enjoyed, what little time she got to spend with her.
After putting her sister into bed, Esme decided to go to her room, rather than returning to the hall. She had spent hours traveling here this morning, and was feeling tired, and dirty, from the trip. She sent her maid, Mary, to arrange to have water brought up for a bath. Esme had finished her bath, and donned her bed clothes, by the time Peggy came up from the hall. Mary was braiding Esme’s flaxen hair, the only feature the girl shared with her mother, when Peggy entered her room.
“I am so happy, you were finally allowed to come to visit,” Peggy said. “Would that I could see you more often.”
“Aye,” the daughter replied. “But I know there is no love lost, between you, and Brant. And he is my legal guardian.”
Peggy angrily declared, “I wish you could live here with Hannah, and I. Though, I know that will not happen, as long as your cursed brother is still alive.” Then, seeing her daughter’s shocked look, she softened her tone, saying, “I am sorry. I know he is your half brother, but he is no relation to me. Well, I am off to bed. Rest well, sweet daughter.”
Peggy blew the girl a kiss, before passing through the door, and closing it behind her.
Chapter 4
It was several hours later, when Richard returned. Robert and Justin, as well as two other very large men, were with him. Brant was released from the cell, and Richard led the way to the castle hall. The other men walked beside, and behind him, so he could not attempt to escape.
Inside the hall, Brant was asked if he wanted a tankard, or some wine. He tersely stated, he just wanted to get this done. So he was directed to a place near the hearth, in front of the friar, where he stood staring intently, at the holy man. Brant felt, more than saw, the small figure that was drawn up beside him, though he noted she stood no taller than his shoulder. The wedding ceremony was completed in minutes, without either the bride or groom, saying more than “aye”, to the friar’s query, “Do you take this man ...this woman”.
However, when the friar asked, “Will you seal the bargain with a kiss?” the groom turned away, and stated “no.”
Then, he stalked over to a nearby table, that held a large candelabra and several wine skins. Once there, Brant began imbibing heavily, in the liqueur.
The bride, who had been left standing alone, in front of the friar, moved to seat herself, in a chair in front of the hearth. Brant noted the pale green mantle, that covered her head, and wound around her shoulders, disguised her features and hair. However, the matching colored gown she wore, revealed a trim but shapely figure.