Isabellaughed, and replied, “Oh my. Mayhap...”

Shewas cut off, when a knock sounded on the door. In response to Brant’s command,the door opened. A serf entered with a tray of food, followed by Beautrice,with Nathaniel and Hannah.

“Nathanielwants ‘is mother, I think. He ‘as been fussy. Hannahwanted to see the babe,” Beatrice said.

Isabelhad tried to nurse the infant, but he had fallen asleep. She let the littlegirl see the babe a few minutes, then when Rosamundreturned, Beautrice took Hannah downstairs. Rosamund laidthe sleeping infant in the cradle, near the hearth.

Theparents, with a little help from their eldest son, tried the food from the traythat had been brought in, until Nathaniel laid downbetween them, to nap. After a short discussion, it was decided that the infantwould be named Eric, after his grandfather. With that decision made, Brantmoved the tray to the table, in the antechamber. Then, he went to look at theinfant in the cradle for a minute more, before going down to the hall. A shorttime later, Isabel was sound asleep, beside Nathaniel.

Brantreturned to the Solar, less than an hour later. He had gone down to the hall,to have a couple of tankards of ale, with his knights. They all congratulatedhim, on the birth of his second son. Once back in the chamber, he sat at theedge of the bed, watching the woman and lad, who lay there asleep.

Twoyears ago at this time, he had been planning an attack on one of Avery'sCastles, which he had undertaken in April, of that year. Back then, he wouldoccasionally think, about someday marrying and having children. Within a coupleof weeks of his success, in gaining control of that Castle, the woman sleepingbefore him, had forced her way into his life.

Herecalled how angry he had been, when he was told he would be held prisoneruntil he married her, to protect her from his enemy. However, most marriageswere arranged by families, frequently between couples who knew little, ornothing, about each other. Brant smiled, thinking about his decision to goalone with his captors, purely to move her forces into his camp, and weaken hisenemy. He had no intention at the time, of having anything to do with the girl.He had not even looked at her, during their wedding, believing he wantednothing to do with her. Brant still did not know, exactly what had sent herinto his jail, pretending to be a pretty young serf. He was sure though, thatshe had sealed her fate with that decision, at least in his mind. The lad, whowas beginning to stir from his nap, beside Isabel, would grow up here, withboth his mother, and his father, if Brant had anything to say about it.

Thatwas the problem. He was not sure, what he had to say about it. Many people hadgone to great effort, to aid and protect, Isabel. Yet, he could find noexplanation as to why, they would expend that effort. Brant had his people and allies,get him all the information that was to be had, about his wife. There was noknown connection, to the Crown. Lady Ann's family was wealthy, and respected,but not politically powerful or connected. Her father's family was also,largely an open book, except for her grandmother, the Lady Sophie. Somehow,when the grandparents were wed, they came into a large amount of cash, topurchase an extensive property from a debaucherous Lord, who desperately neededmoney. Other than that, while the grandfather's ancestry was well known,Isabel's grandmother was a complete mystery. Even Lady Ann, knew nothing abouther mother-in-law’s family, or history. Ann had once said,she would have suspected that Sophie was a commoner, were it not for herrefined manner. That could not be the case, as Isabel had once mentioned hergrandmother's family crest, to Kate. Yet, no one knew anything about the woman,or those who knew, were not talking.

Nathanielraised his head, and Brant picked the child up, before he woke his mother. Annwas expected to arrive tomorrow. She had intended to be here for the birth ofthe new babe, but he arrived earlier than expected. With Isabel no longercarrying the child, her mother would once again, be harping about how theirmarriage was supposed to be strategic, and temporary. His mother had died whenBrant was quite young, so that he barely remembered her. Then, his sire had wedPeggy, who was in no way maternal, even with her own child, his sister Esme. Hedid not want that for his sons. Under normal circumstances, particularly withthe children, if Brant wanted to keep Isabel as his wife, that would be that.Yet, somehow, with Isabel, he felt certain that she would be his wife, only ifshe wanted that. But why, he did not know. Did she want out? At one and eight,did she even know what she wanted?

Chapter 20

Isabelentered the hall carrying Eric, with Rosamund, and Nathaniel, following her in.Twas a beautiful mid May afternoon. Nathaniel waswalking by himself, though he fell quite a bit.

Itwould have been a nearly perfect day, except for the message Isabel hadreceived from her mother. Ann was demanding that her daughter meet her inLondon, in June. She was completely convinced, that ifIsabel just left her children with their father, and made the rounds of theevents and parties in London, she would realize that her marriage was amistake. Ann had been on the same vein, for several weeks in March, when shecame here, after the birth of her second grandchild. Isabel had tried to reasonwith her, but her words fell on deaf ears. Isabel let her thoughts drift back,to one of their many pointless discussions.

“Eric is not my grandson, he is Brant's child,” Annhad insisted. “I will never except, you remaining withthat man.”

 “Mother, we havetwo children. In a few months, it will be two years that we have been wed,”Isabel had pointed out. “That temporary arrangement went out the window, a longtime ago.”

“Nonsense.You just need to meet some other men. You will find someone acceptable, in notime,” Ann argued.

“That is laughable, Mother,” Isabel said. “Did I wantto leave Brant, which I do not, I would likely find mysuitors to be a few men who desperately, want my money. Mayhap,a few who need an heir, considering how easily I conceived Nathaniel, and Eric.Most, would only be looking for a mistress, unless youare planning on doing some serious lying, about my prior marriage.”

“Is that what he is telling you? That you will notfind another, if you leave him?” Ann had demanded. “You are a beautiful youngwoman. Many men would be honored to be wed to you. You cannot let him make youfeel, that he is your only option. I know he is older, and moreworldly, so mayhap you feel you should defer to his experience. You mustmake your own decision.”

“Brant has not said anything about this, other thanthat our sons will grow up here,” Isabel said. “I intend to stay here, and seethat. There is no point in trying to reason with you, Mother. You just will notlisten.”

“I will not let you remain with that man who isresponsible, at least in some part, for your sire’s death. Were it not for hisdamn war, there would have been no need for his protection,” Ann argued.

“I cannot believe the way you are determined torewrite history, Mother. He was well justified, in the war. Avery’s family wasstealing from his. They murdered his father,” Isabel said. “I want to stay withmy husband and our children, and that is what I am going to do, Mother. Do notsay one more word, about it. That is my decision.”

“I will not allow it,” Ann had stubbornly replied.“You are going to leave him and his children, if it....”

Isabel had thrown up her hands, and walked away atthis point. Trying to reason with Ann, was likehitting your head, against the wall. It accomplished naught. Ann had left, afew days later, with a declaration to Isabel, that ‘this is not over’.

Isabelwas pretty happy with her current situation, except for her mother. As Esmecame downstairs, she thought, Brant’s sister is the one who needs to go toLondon, to try to meet an eligible young man. The girl was now one and sixyears old, with a birthday approaching at summer's end. As an heiress, Esmeshould have some opinion, in possible betrothal’s.Although, marrying a complete stranger, had not worked out all that awfully,for Isabel. At least, not yet. Though she had toadmit, she still worried a little, that Brant might try to separate her fromher two sons.