Enemy of My Enemy

Oncethere, he told her, "Just so there is no misunderstanding, you may nothave the chamber across the passage. You may sleep in that bed."

Isabellaughed, and replied, "I am not sure I like that bed. It seems like, inthe past, when I have slept in that bed, I have not gotten much rest, forvarious reasons."

"Youdid not appear to be having any trouble sleeping in it, this morning,"Brant countered.

"Thatis true. I suppose I could give it another try," Isabel said.

Sheturned to get the babe changed for the night, before laying him down in hissmall bed. Nathaniel was fast asleep, in no time. Brant had left the chamber,probably to go back down to their guests. Isabel was still very tired, from theactivities of the last few days, and decided to just get ready for bed.Beautrice had not been in, to see if she needed her to sit with Nathaniel,anyway.

Isabelchanged into her night clothes, and was nearly asleep, when Brant returned. Hismovements around the room roused her, and she watched him as he added wood, tothe fire on the hearth. While he removed his tunic, and folded it, he brieflypaused to watch the sleeping child. Then, Brant placed the folded garment inhis trunk, and walked over to the bed.

Noticingthat she was still awake, as he walked to the far side of the bed, he asked,"Did it really take a year, and a half, to get Niles? It sounds like hewas involved in enough reprehensible acts, to convict him much sooner."

"Mayhap,not," Isabel answered. "It took a year for me to turn one and eight,though. Besides, Niles played it pretty close to the vest. There were just acouple of his top mercenary knights, who knew of his true nature, andactivities. I heard him and Avery, talking about various crimes, and plottingothers, but I had not reached my majority. Therefore, I would not have been areliable witness, in the eyes of current law, especially against a HighLord."

"Sothis was mostly about you?" Brant asked.

"Well,seeing that I was safe, was one big objective,"Isabel said, turning toward him, as he got under the covers. "There reallywas very little, hard evidence against him, until he started talking lastnight. However, Niles was also a disgrace to his title. At least, in regard tothe way he treated me, and suspicions about other women, with the alternativebeing you. Although, you were an improvement over him, some accounts left themwondering, if it would be a big enough, improvement."

Helaughed, and pulled her toward him.

"So,they knew he was a disgrace, but they were not sure if they wanted to make memore powerful?" Brant asked.

Shenodded, and replied, "There was some thought, after Nathaniel was born, thatif Niles killed you, then they could arrest him, and make him vanish. Thatwould pass the title to the child. The powers that be, decided against that,when I informed them I had grown rather fond of you, and promised to work onyour character."

Henoticed that Isabel was holding herself away from him. He moved to press hisbody against hers, and immediately, became aware of her rounded belly. Brantdrew back in surprise, to run his hand over the mound.

"Youstill carry the babe?" Brant asked.

"Aye,My Lord," Isabel answered. "I am still carrying your little revenge.Although, in the interests of seeing that it is not so sweet for you, I do prayeveryday for a girl. I think it would be highly amusing, to watch you, tryingto defend a Lady's honor," she concluded, laughing.

Brantleaned forward, to place a light kiss on her lips, before saying, "Youtruly do have an evil bend."

"Lookon the bright side. You only have a few months to worry about it," shereplied, still amused.

"Youwould be wise to be quiet, and try to get some sleep, lest you find somethingother than the babe, in your belly," Brant said, with a leer.

"Aye,My Lord," Isabel said, snuggling her head against his shoulder.

Earlythe next morning, Brant lay in bed, watching his wife sleep. She said, ‘shetold them, she had grown rather fond of him, and promised to work on hischaracter’. That was very amusing, he thought. Before he met Isabel, the womenin his life, had always been subservient to him. It never mattered what theythought, or said, he made the rules, and decisions. If any of them, ever toldhim what they really thought, he certainly was not listening. Laying down thelaw with Isabel, was a situation where, if shedisagreed, things could get ugly. She was praying his revenge, was a girl. Lastnight when she said, she supposed she could give his bed one more try, he hadto leave, to avoid rolling on the floor, laughing. How many women had thrown themselves at him, hoping to get into his bed? He should beangry with her for vanishing, for the past many months. Instead, he wasrelieved that she was here, and safe. Since Isabel invaded his life, everythinghad changed. The lewd tarts he had amused himself with, no longer held anyinterest for him. They just were not her. Somehow, Isabel had stolen his heart.Her, and her supporters, decided Brant was going to wed her, and he had. He didnot know what anyone else was pla

Brantheard Nathaniel chattering, over in his bed. The child had begun the dayyesterday, with similar, unintelligible sounds. Soon the little boy’s headpopped up, as he climbed into a nearly sitting position. Brant eased himselfout of the bed, and went to the child. His bottom was wet, just like yesterday,only then, Beatrice had been there to see to him. Hechanged the babe, as he had seen his wife do, and thought it was not a badeffort, for his first attempt.

Brantcarried Nathaniel to the bed, and laid down. The boyimmediately crawled over to chatter, and pat his mother’s face. When her eyesopened, he squealed in delight, making his father laugh. In response to Brant’slaughter, the little boy crawled over, and raised himself on his knees, withhis hands on his father’s chest.

Isabelmumbled sleepily, “You know, I think he likes you. Though I ca

Shepropped her head on an elbow, as her son went through another string of happygibberish.

Therewas a light knock on the door, and in response to Brant’s command, Beautriceopened the door. As she took in the scene, the serf gave a dower, almostdisapproving look, to the occupants in the bed.

“Iwas wondering, if ye need any help with the lad, MeLord?” the serf asked.

“Nay,Beautrice. I think his sire has it under control,” Isabel said, smiling. “Weshould be down for breakfast soon.”

Beautricestood there for a few seconds, eyeing Isabel, before saying, “Very well, MeLady. I will be going down to eat, then.”

Shewithdrew closing the door.

“Isuppose, I had better get dressed, before she comes back, to glower,” Isabelsaid.

Sherose, and went to her trunk for clothes. She proceeded to go through the gownsin the trunk, one by one.

 “Not that,” Isabel said. “Certainly,not that.”

Brant, who had come up behind her, said, “I alwaysliked you in that blue one. Whynot that?”

Sherolled her eyes, and answered, “The straight style makes me look like I amready to pop. Of course, in a matter of weeks, I am going to look like I amready to pop, in all of them. I wonder what you are going to think, of yourrevenge, when I am waddling around, as graceful as a cow.”

Brantlet out a hearty laugh, and commented, “For some reason, that thought makes mewant to take you back to bed.”

“Andyou, were calling me evil?” Isabel asked.

Overthe next few weeks, Isabel settled in, to await the arrival of her secondchild. Robert and Kate, had stayed several days,before returning home. Isabel wished they had stayed longer, as Kate had beensomething of a deterrent, to A