Isabelwoke to Eric's cries, from next room. Brant was sleeping beside her, with onearm laying across her waist. It was a rare thing thesedays, that he was not touching her somewhere, when shewoke in the morning. She managed to move his arm, and get out of bed without wakinghim, she had thought. However, as she donned her robe, she saw he was watchingher. She went to get the babe without speaking.

Rosamundalready had the infant changed, when Isabel entered, so she took him back toher bedchamber, to nurse. She sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard.Brant sat up, and placed a kiss on Eric's head. Then, he placed a longer kisson his wife's lips.

Brantleaned back grinning, and said, "Good morning, Duchess."

Isabelblushed scarlet, as she said, "Please, do not call me that."

"Youdid not seem to mind, being paraded around as the Duchess, last night,"Brant said, still grinning. “Twas all I could do, not to take a swing at allthe noble males, drooling over you, last evening. All the while, I was largelystuck across the dining hall, with their plump, simpering, wives, blessing mewith their drollery."

"Wholargely, all seemed to be drooling over you," Isabel replied, laughing."You know I only attended, to put an end to my mother's dream, of endingmy temporary marriage. There were three score people there, so any aspirationsof trying to pass me off as an innocent bride, aregone. Anyway, the Count, who kept turning up at my side to drool, seemed themost interested in our two sons. In eight years of marriage, his wife has givenhim three daughters. I felt like he was eyeing me, as breeding stock."

Brantlaughed heartily. He looked at the babe, suckling at her breast.

"Soyou are not interested in the Count?" he asked. Isabel rolled her eyes. Hecontinued, "Today is the big day with your mother. Are you all ready forbattle?"

"Abetter question is, are you ready for battle? You are the defiler, of herinnocent young daughter. You had me back with you, for just a few months, and Iwas breeding, again," Isabel said. "You know you are just adebaucherous warmonger, who's stubborn arrogance,contributed to the death of my beloved father. A tragic situation, that left mewith no choice, but to agree to a titular marriage, to gain your protection.And since Rosamund has a big mouth, she is aware of your excessive lust, whichdoes not please a Lady's mother."

Brantreached out to grasp the infant's hand, where it rested on his mother's breast.

“Yet,it only took twice, to get this little lad, did it not?" he asked, with a wickedgrin. "Mayhap you should correct your mother's perceptions. In those fewmonths, I only indulged my lust three times."

"Ido not think you want me telling my mother, about what you called your littlerevenge," Isabel said, looking down at Eric.

Brantplaced a finger under her chin gently, raising her eyes to meet his.

"Idid not think it would be that easy. I was mad, and wanted to embarrassyou," he said softly. "I did try, to be gentle with you later, incase you actually conceived. I did not want you to resent the child..."

Shelooked at him a few moments, unsure what to say. A knock sounded at the door.

Relievedwith the interruption, Isabel said, "Come in."

Hesmiled lowering his hand, as Rosamund opened the door, to enter the chamberwith Nathaniel. Brant motioned her over to him, and took the older boy from theserf. He was used to keeping Nathaniel occupied, while Isabel was nursing Eric.

Brantdismissed the serf, by saying, "Thank-you, Rosamund. We will be out, in alittle while."

Laterthat morning, Brant and Isabel were escorted back to the Palace, for themeeting with Lady Ann. A meeting that was all Isabel had expected. Both herhusband’s sins, and her naiveté, where fully cataloged. Though in the end, Annwas forced to accept that there was no turning back now. Particularly,after the Duke and Duchess, had attended the evening meal, the previous night.

AfterLady Ann understood, that her daughter would be remaining with her husband, andchildren, she grudgingly acknowledged Nathaniel and Eric, as her grandsons.Though, she was sure, she was not old enough to be a grandmother. They wereprovided with a sitting room to talk, after the official meeting. Ann used thatas an opportunity to express her disappointment, at never being allowed tointroduce her daughter around.

“Youtold me you intended to remain with him, and your sons. I am sorry, I have beenso obstinate about this, Alisa,” Ann said, apologetically. “You know I wasbetrothed to your father, without ever having met him. We really had verylittle 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 roundof parties, and social events. But I have certainly had choices, and madedecisions. And they all tied me to Brant,” Isabel said. “Our sons need boththeir parents.”

Annhad been in contact with various old friends, and distant relatives. Many ofwhom, had issued invitations for events, they had planned. She did not want to giveup on her idea, of introducing her daughter around.

“Youknow Isabel,” Lady Ann said, “we have relatives youhave never met, who will be in London, over the next month. They could prove tobe valuable connections, in the future. You never know, how the politicalclimate can change.”

“Thatis exactly what father always told me,” Isabel replied, laughing. “I am onlygoing 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, andmeet some people. Were there someone in the city, whocould properly chaperone a young Lady. I know how you love an event, Mother.”

“Youlittle witch,” Lady Ann said. “You let me come here, thinking I would be ableto spend some time with you. Now, you are trying to get me to introduce hissister around?”

“Thethought had crossed my mind,” Isabel answered, with a mischievous smile.“Provided you can convince me, you will not let anything happen to her, as somerevenge against her brother. Of course, if you are willing, we would be leavinga couple of knights for security. You know, to be sure Esme does not fallvictim to opportunistic criminals, or lax supervision.”

“Youcannot think I would hurt his sister,” Ann replied, defensively. “I knowRichard and I, did not tell him where she was, but we certainly, did not letany harm come to her. He would not tell us where you were, either.”

Isabelsmiled at Brant, as if to ask, if he cared to explain. He looked back shrugginguncomfortably, but said nothing.

“Well,we are going to be here several more days, so there is time to think aboutthis. I believe we have all been invited to the evening meal, right?” Isabelasked, and Ann nodded in confirmation.

Soonafter, Brant and Isabel, took their sons back to theInn. Early in the afternoon, Isabel told Brant, she was going to lay down withthe boys, for their nap. Her husband left with Robert, to take care of somebusiness, he claimed.

Onwhat was to be their last full day in London, Brant informed Isabel he hadpurchased Niles’ townhouse, from Penelope. Niles had spent a lot of time, inthe city. While Brant, did not intend to be therenearly as much, he would be required to go there more often, than he had in thepast. Staff had been hired, so that Lady Ann and Esme,could stay there thru the month. That also, allowed him to leave severaladditional men there, to see to his sister’s safety. By nightfall, Ann and Esme, had been settled into the house.

Firstthing the next morning, Brant and Isabel left, to make their way home, withtheir children and escorts. It was obvious to Isabel, that there was a much larger number of men leaving town with them, thanthere were in their party when they arrived.