Enemy of My Enemy

Isabelglared at him, and before Brant could speak, retorted, “You Sir, abused me morethan enough, the night you exposed yourself to me, andthen slapped me. I demand that you find whatever little tart, you whereinvolved in some deviant behavior with, and punish her, for leaving you in acompromising position. Do I hear more of this insane tale,I will consider it, an act of war. Know you, that I have been granted controlof my own forces, by order of the Crown. Do you continue, I will have todeclare war on you, putting Brant in the position of choosing to back his wife,or his cousin. A choice, I do not believe will go yourway, My Lord.”

“Thisis not an insane accusation. I know you did it, just as I say,” Nilesstammered.

Isabelglanced to her mother, then to Brant, before returning her eyes to Niles.

Afterplacing an index finger beside her mouth, as if considering, she said, “Commonsense, would argue against any truth, in your accusations. If you actuallybelieved, I could get past all your security to accost you while you slept, tisunlikely, you would be here demanding I be punished. Twould be more likely, youwould want to know, did I consider us even. You know,so you can be sure, I will not be coming back to slit your throat, in yoursleep. I know not, what you hope to gain by this outrageous insult, but Iinsist, Sir, that you desist, immediately.”

Finishing,she rose, and left the study.

Nileslooked to Brant, arguing, “I am telling you the truth. She was in mybedchamber, with her men.”

Brant,copying Isabel’s lead, gave Niles a disapproving look, and said, “I am afraid Iwill have to agree, with my wife. This is most unlikely. You need to findwhatever tart, left you in a most embarrassing position, and punish her. Sendthe tart away.”

Nilesthen looked to Lady A

Shealso rose, and walked out. This left Brant, Niles, and Angus, in the room.

“WhatI say is true, Brant,” Niles stated, trying to sway his cousin.

“Itseems an unlikely story. However, if you find your tart, I will try todetermine if there is any risk, that you may have your throat slit, while yousleep. Agreed?” Brant responded.

Nileswas furious. He was a Titled Lord. He had been abused quite badly, by a woman.Worse than that, a woman who held lands, that werenearly twice the size of his lands. He could not even chance, having herdeclare war on him. He had no intention, of letting Isabel get away with whatshe had done. However, Brant was not going to help him, so he merely nodded inagreement. He could not risk Brant’s ire, either. Niles had hoped,that he could set his cousin against his wife. Thereby,getting Brant to remove one of Niles’ problems, for him. What she haddone was a very grave offense, that could Niles prove it, would carry direconsequences. He had not expected that Isabel would so adeptly turn thesituation, to Niles partaking of some deviant behavior, with a serf.

Aftermaking her exit from the study, Isabel took Nathaniel up to the chamber she hadsettled into, across from Brant. She had been there only a short time, whenLady A

Ashort while later, Brant came up the stairs behind Nora, who was showing Nilesto a guest room. He knocked on the portal across from his Solar, and called hiswife’s name. He noticed Niles lingering in the doorway briefly, beforefollowing Nora into the guest chamber.

Beautriceopened the door to Isabel’s chamber, looking to see that the passage was clear,except for Brant, and quickly made her way across the passage, with Nathaniel.He was slightly surprised, that the child was being taken to his chamber.However, the door was wide open, so he entered to talk to Isabel.

“Areyou done, as regards my cousin?” Brant asked his wife.

Isabelmet his eyes, and replied, “Did I have the means, to get inside his Castle,believe me, I have no future plans to do so, at thistime.”

Hesmiled, noting that she neither confirmed, nor denied, being there. She onlyassured him, she had no future plans, to go there.Brant wanted to stay, and question her further, but Isabel claimed fatigue. Sohe wished her good night, and crossed the passage to the Lord’s chamber.

Onceinside his bedchamber, Brant thought about how smoothly she had turned thesituation on Niles. How would she get in his castle unseen, fly on broomstick?He laughed. She had threatened him, with worrying that she might come back, toslit his throat. My God, she was good, Brant thought. Even better, right atpresent at least, she appeared to be on his side. Although, he had no idea whatIsabel was about, or why she was goading his cousin. He prayed her, and hersupporters, knew what they were doing. Niles was a powerful man, born into ahigh position, that you did not trifle with.

Chapter 17

Acouple of hours later, Isabel sat brushing her hair, with a lone candle burning, that barely lit the room. Everyone else in the Castle, was likely fast asleep, by that hour. Suddenly, thedoor opened, and Niles slipped in. His eyes quickly darted around the dimly litroom, settling on the cradle.

“Getout,” Isabel ordered. “Or I will scream, and wake the Castle.”

Nilesquickly moved to stand beside the cradle, in a darkened corner, of the chamber.

"Youwill not scream, if you value your son's well being," Niles said,displaying a dagger. “You will keep your voice down. Where is the book?”

“Whatbook?” Isabel replied.

Nilesreplied, “You were in my Castle. All the diagrams, showing the passages were inthe book. I know you have seen it. Where is it?”

Isabelanswered, “Oh, that book. The one with the birth records, for you, and Brant’ssires. That book?”

Nilessmiled. “Now, we are getting somewhere. You have obviously seen the book. Whereis it?”

Isabelsaid, “Aye, I have seen it. It was with my father's papers at his stronghold.Though, I do not understand some things. One of Avery's men said you met Ericas he was leaving Lady Peggy’s, and helped Avery ambush him. You had his title,why kill him?”

Nilesstated, “I had the title, he had most of the property. Even worse, most of myproperties are in Normandy. Tis pure folly, to try toprotect, and manage lands, with the cha

“Oh,so it is just greed,” Isabel interjected.

“Itis what is right,” Niles insisted. “Avery’s plan with Lord Eric,went perfectly. The idea worked well with your sire, too. Only, Avery met upwith him, to ask him to reconsider helping him. My men met them a short whilelater. That was a little dicey, as our side, was only two men stronger."

"Soyou were involved in my father's murder, as well?" Isabel asked insurprise.

"Averywas desperate, and I could not openly side with him," Avery lamented."His plan to kidnap the girl, should have goneequally well. Then, I would have the property that should go with my title, throughthe girl. At least, until a sufficient time had passed, toallay suspicion. I know Avery had the girl. I do not know why it did notwork. Brant should be dead, not Avery.”

Isabelreplied, “Aye, it was a good plan. Not very honorable.The only big mistake you made, was discussing it in front of me. That, and showing me what a despicable person you are. Myonly question is, since you discussed the plan, two weeks before Esme wastaken, why did your warning arrive, four days after it happened? Was your messagedelayed? Or, was it merely sent to allay suspicion?”