Chapter twenty two

Chapter 22 Isobel let Alex take her hand and guide her through the huge manor to the family dining room for a late breakfast. They had awakened at nine to a light tapping on the door by Marcus, who had left them a pot of cocoa and told them that breakfast would be at ten. With much blushing and laughter Alex had helped Isobel dress into one of her fashionable gowns and then brushed and braided her long hair, telling her that he would be happy to do it every day if she wished. Alex opened the door of the dining room and pulled her inside, seeing her blush as he did; he knew that she was embarrassed that everyone knew what they had been doing but he’d told her that they couldn’t hide in his chamber all day and that she had to be brave. “Good morning,” Valencia said as they entered. She gave them a big smile and motioned with a cup of cocoa for them to come and sit near her at the end of the table. Sir Liam stood and pulled out the chair beside him for Isobel as Alex stepped up to kiss Valencia on the cheek. “There you are, you rascal, there are eggs and sausage on the sideboard as well as buns and biscuits,” Valencia said. “Thank you, and good morning, Sir Liam. Good morning, you look well,” Alex said, stepping up to Isobel and taking her plate from her. “Sit I will serve you.” “Thank you, Alex, and thank you, Sir Liam,” Isobel replied in surprise as she sat, and Sir Liam pushed her chair in. “My pleasure.” Liam lifted a silver pot from the sideboard and filled Valencia’s china cup with cocoa before turning to Isobel. “Yes, thank you, I shall be spoiled soon, cocoa has always been an expensive treat to me, and I have had it every morning now,” Isobel replied. “I shall have to see that you have it every day.” Alex set a plate full of eggs and sausage in front of her. “Alex, this is too much.” Isobel protested, looking at all the food before her. “And you are too thin.” Alex set his own plate down and sat beside Isobel. “Where is everyone else?” “Your friends and their ladies ate already and are in the garden, the rest of the houseguests left this morning I’m afraid I was a poor hostess and had the servants roust them all early and sent them all off with only hot tea and buns, after last night I have had enough of guests,” Valencia said. “Speaking of guests Lady Laura was found in the hedge maze and spent the night locked in her chamber with Sister Margaret. I have sent Lady Laura home with two maids and three footmen as well a letter to her father explaining what happened here. Your friends were also kind enough to pen notes to her father explaining everything that happened so she should no longer bother you.” “Did she make much of a fuss?” Alex asked. “Yes, she said some rather unladylike things until Sister Margaret took her in hand and literally dragged her into the coach. I used to feel sympathy for the girl, but no longer. We have all suffered hardships of one kind or another in our lives, yet none of us used it as an excuse to hurt others. Her father needs to find her a husband and soon.” Valencia shook her head before taking a sip of cocoa. “I believe you are right, I am only sorry that her foolishness forced Isobel and I to have such a hurried wedding and not the one she deserves,” Alex said, reaching over to squeeze Isobel’s hand. “Well, on that account, don’t worry, once you have returned home, I shall follow and see that you have a proper wedding and reception; your mother would not forgive me if I did not,” Valencia said. “And now that the pleasantries are done there is something troubling that I must tell you.” Alex paused with his fork partway to his mouth. “What is it?” “Last night, while my men were searching for Lady Laura, Master Reed the manager of the drying shed discovered two men all in black watching the house he gave chase but the men escaped into the woods, this morning he showed Liam where they had been hidden,” Valencia said. “Men were watching the house?” Alex demanded in alarm. “Yes, this morning shortly after sun up I had Master Reed show me where he’d found the men, I brought along my hunting dogs and put them on the scent. They led me to a clearing in the woods where we discovered evidence of a camp where several men had been staying; there was a fire, a crude shelter and a picket line where several horses had been tied up.” Liam shook his head. “I had Master Reed pull as many men as he could from the fields and the sheds to search the woods and the area around the fields and they found further evidence that the estate was being watched.” “Watched by whom, for what reason?” Isobel demanded in alarm. “That I don’t know robbery perhaps or something more nefarious, either way, I have had Roger increase the number of footmen both in and outside the house, and today he is hiring several local lads that have done harvest work for us as guards to patrol the grounds.” Valencia pushed her plate away as she gave Alex a weary look. “I don’t like to think that I am being observed but the facts are irrefutable, it was another reason I had the guests leave at dawn, with so many wealthy nobles under my roof it was perhaps asking for trouble. I thought you should know and take extra precautions when returning to town.” “Thank you I shall, did you tell the others this?” Alex asked refusing to let the troubling news ruin the first day of his honeymoon. “Yes, the gentlemen were all angry and vowed to keep an extra watchful eye on their ladies till they return to the college,” Liam replied. “Which brings up the next point we must discuss, I spoke to Master Ogden this morning before he left and he has agreed to help with our ruse, and when Isobel and her friends return to the school you and your friends shall be introduced as visiting scholars that way you can stay close to them unless, of course, you wish to resume selling flowers,” Valencia said. “He is rather fond of Isobel and wants the best for her.” “No I have given up as a humble merchant, though perhaps you should consider continuing to use my wagon as a means to sell flowers and your lotions, I made a pretty penny every day.” Alex gave Valencia a smile. “In addition, there are two young lads that worked for me; I would not like to see them suffer because I gave up my ruse. They are both bright young lads who should be in school not earning coins to support their family.” “You speak of Ralph and Billy, they are both intelligent and hardworking and their mother was a wonderful seamstress till Lady Laura had her dismissed from her position,” Isobel added. “Well I always need good employees, what does their father do?” Valencia asked. “Their father was a miner till he was injured and then a stable man till the work became too hard on his injuries,” Isobel replied. “If he was given a chance I know he would be a good worker.” “I shall pass the information on to both Roger and Master Reed, we have positions in the drying shed that do not require heavy lifting, if the boys have been helping you then they now know something about flowers and I can always use apprentices in the mixing sheds where the soap and lotions are made. Of course, they would be educated during the winter months when work is slow, I expect all my employees to work on their education, now the mother was a seamstress you say?” Valencia said “Oh yes and a talented one.” Isobel gave Valencia a wide smile as hope for her friends filled her. “I have been thinking of expanding into making sachets to make use of the flowers and herbs that I can’t use for soap or lotions, if she is as talented as you say I could use her to train the women I shall need to hire. Give me their names and address later and I shall have Master Reed offer them positions here on the estate.” Valencia said. “Oh thank you, you won’t regret it; you are the kindest most generous person I have ever met,” Isobel said. “Well thank you but you go too far.” Valencia replied. “Now there is one last thing I would like to share with you last night Liam asked me to wed him again and I said yes.” “What, that is wonderful, news and congratulations.” Alex rose to hug Valencia and then offer his hand to Sir Liam who gave it a hearty shake. “When is the happy occasion?” “If it is all right with Isobel I would like it to be the day after she and her friends receive their master certificates, in fact, if you agree I would like to throw all three of you a party to celebrate your accomplishments. I know how hard you have all worked and the opposition you have all faced; it would make me happy to honor you all.” Valencia said. “My lady, of course, I would be honored,” Isobel replied feeling tears threaten. “Valencia please, we are family now. If you two have eaten it is a wonderful day to explore the maze, I have asked the cook to set out a picnic in the rose arbor later and to prepare a small celebration dinner for you tonight.” Valencia gave Alex and Isobel a dismissive wave. “Thank you we shall take your advice.” Alex gave Valencia a smile. “And congratulations again I am happy for you both.” “Thank you I was hoping for your approval, Valencia means the world to me and as her closest family if you did not approval I would be devastated,” Liam replied. “As long as you make her happy I approve.” Alex held his hand out to Isobel who stepped around the table to take it. Alex was happy for his aunt, her marriage had been arranged to unite the country and help secure his father’s place on the throne, her husband had been a harsh and unloving man who had never appreciated her. Alex led Isobel out of the dining room down the corridor and out a pair of French doors onto the wide balcony and then down the stone steps onto the lawn where their friends were playing croquet. “Isobel,” Sasha said dropping her mallet and racing over to Isobel gave her a crushing hug. “I’m so happy for you the first of us to be married but not the last I think,” Sasha said. “Did Sir Giles propose?” Isobel asked. “Oh no not me, Bridgette and Sir Bowden are going to wed as soon as school is finished, is that not wonderful,” Sasha replied. “Sasha you are terrible you ruined my surprise,” Bridgette said stepping forward to hold out her left hand to show a large sapphire ring. “It’s beautiful I’m so happy for you.” Isobel gave Bridgette a hug as Bowden joined them to slip a possessive hand about her waist. “Thank you, it took some convincing she did not believe I love her or like her as she is, or that she can wear breeches every day after we wed or ride horses all day, all I want is her and for her to be happy,” Bowden said. “Bowden is right I could not believe any man as handsome as he could want a plain girl like me, nor that he truly understood my love of not just horses but all animals. He said that after we are wed we shall return to his estate and that he shall build me my own stable with a work room for all my medical supplies and shall support my treating of animals. He also said that his father is sure to like me as I know so much about horses and my father is a breeder as well.” Bridgette turned to give Bowden a smile. “And he was very convincing with his arguments.” “I’m sure he was.” Alex gave his friend a wink as he saw Bridgette blush. “Isobel if you and your friends could excuse us for a moment there is something I must speak to Bowden, Giles, and Ahern about.” “Of course,” Isobel replied. “Come ladies let them have their secret talk, Bridgette I want details about the proposal.” Isobel motioned for her friends to follow her towards the shade of the rose arbor where a table had been set up with cookies and cold mint tea. “I understand now why you were so mad when you thought Isobel’s life was in danger, I have gone from a rational man who cared only about his friends, ale, and horses to worrying about one dark-haired beauty morning noon and night, and when I’m not worried about her I’m thinking about what I’d look to do to her.” Bowden shook his head. “Our wedding cannot come fast enough.” “At least your lady said yes, Sasha is leading me on a merry chase and driving me mad while she does it,” Giles said. “Perhaps if you spent more time listening to her and her ideas than telling her your own she would believe that you care for her. Did you look at any of her machine designs, or ask about how she would improve the function of the water wheel here? I think not, if you had she would be more receptive, Lady Lucy was a font of information last night and rather charming and witty. She told me that she and Lady Sasha have designed a boat powered by a rocket that can travel at great speed.” Ahern said catching Gile’s eyes. “I didn’t know what a rocket was and Lady Lucy was happy to explain, I ended up having a very enjoyable night.” “Perhaps you are right I have discounted some of her ideas because she is female, but it would not hurt to listen and look at them I suppose. And what is a rocket?” Giles demanded. “It’s rather hard to describe, it’s sort of like a giant crossbow bolt but instead of being powered by tension from a rope, it is powered by the combustion of something called black powder. Lady Lucy’s father was the ambassador to one of the far eastern countries where they invented these rockets, she told me they mix chemicals with black powder and launch the rockets into the air, and when they explode they make giant colored lights in the air. She said Master Ogden won’t let her make any at the school for fear she might burn it down, rather a shame if you ask men.” Ahern shook his head. “Till last night I never noticed how blue her eyes were, when I saw her in the market she was always wearing those colored glass lenses on her face. She told me that bright light hurts her eyes and that she has to wear the lenses.” “Oh lord another one lost. What did you wish to talk about Alex; I know it’s not advice on wooing women as you have won yours?” “No, not that it’s not all fascinating and I don’t wish you both good luck but I wanted your opinion on the men that were watching the house, it is rather troubling,” Alex stated. “I agree, were they trying to rob the house, or were they sent by Lord Dagda?” Bowden looked past Alex to where Isobel was laughing with her friends. “I do not think he has given up on taking your lady, as soon as Lady Valencia and Sir William told us I sought out Oscar and had him send the men into the forest to see what they could find. I am sure Sir Liam did an admirable job but it is my job to see you safe and now that includes your lady.” “Thank you let me know if Oscar finds anything,” Alex replied it was unthinkable that anything could happen to Isobel she was his future now. “I will, I know you promised Isobel that she could stay and finish her training but I think it’s best that you face the facts someone is out to harm her and that you should pack her into a carriage and take her home now,” Bowden said. “What you say is wise but I can’t do that I know how much this means to Isobel, her family was ripped from her, her lands and her home taken by the man that killed them, and on top of that he beat her.” Alex cursed his wayward tongue. “He what?” Giles demanded. “Last night I discovered that Lord Dagda whipped Isobel with his belt so severely that it left scars, the school has been her home and her sanctuary. Her desire to become a master and achieve her certificate has sustained her. I can’t just rip her dreams from her or her friends who are like her family, look at her, look at them and tell me that you would have the heart to take everything from her.” Alex fought the anger that boiled up inside him, anger at lord Dagda, anger that he couldn’t undo the past and protect Isobel from heartache and pain. “The filthy bastard what do you want to do?” Giles demanded. “I think it is time to go on the offensive when Oscar returns have him send two of our men home, have them tell my father I am wed and that there may be trouble defending my new bride who is a wealthy heiress, ask him to send back more men.” Alex was no longer going to let lord Dagda dictate things, it was time for action. While he could not bring in a large force of men without it being considered an act of war he could have men watch lord Dagda’s. “In addition, I want to find out everything we can about Lord Dagda, who is helping him, who are his followers? I want to watch him as he is probably watching Isobel; I want to learn everything I can about him. Ahern, Giles you are the least recognizable of all of us go to town later and begin asking questions starting with the men who attacked Isobel and I in the garden. Someone tried to have them removed I want to know why, I know they work for Dagda if they are well enough to question do it.” “We won’t fail you,” Ahern said. “I have learned that for enough money, most men will sell their loyalties, especially if their master has tried to have them killed,” Giles said. “That is all fine, but what about in the meantime, they must return to school soon, we can’t watch them then.” Bowden jerked his head towards the girls. “I know, but you and I have permission to enter the school as scholars for at least a week, after that we shall have to think of something else. I shall have Marcus continue to work my wagon with one of our men; we can have another man work yours as an excuse to have them near the school.” Alex replied. The others nodded, and Alex turned to see Isobel give him a wistful smile it was time to be with his bride. “Enough, for now, today is the first day of my honeymoon, and I have neglected my bride long enough.” Alex crossed the lawn to step into the arbor and take Isobel in his arms, pulling her against him. “Forgive me I had to talk to them about the men watching the house and your safety, your safety and happiness mean everything to me.” “And what did you say to them?” Isobel demanded. “That it is time I started taking Lord Dagda seriously, I am sending two men home to tell my father I am wed and to ask him to send back more men so that I can protect you better,” Alex replied. “I also asked Giles and Ahern to return to the marketplace as merchants to watch the school and to begin asking questions about lord Dagda. The more I know, the better I can protect you.” Isobel stood on tiptoe to brush a kiss against Alex’s lips forcing the scowl off his face. “ Thank you for telling me and for being truthful.” “You are my friend as well as my wife and lover, I will not keep things from you; you are too intelligent to treat as a child like some men treat their wives.” Alex cupped Isobel’s face with his hand, marveling at the color of her eyes and the pain he saw in them. “I love you because you are clever, because you are smart and witty and wonderful. I have no plan to change you. I intend to tell you everything I learn about lord Dagda, even if I think it pains you as it is your right to know.” “Thank you for being honest with me,” Isobel murmured. “Always I will never lie to you, you are my equal, not my property, now why don’t we go for a walk in the maze.” Alex brushed a kiss against Isobel’s lips as he fought the desire to drag her back to bed. “I’d like that,” Isobel replied. “We shall see you all for lunch,” Alex said leading Isobel away from the others. Behind them, Bowden took Bridgette’s hand and began walking with her towards the stables while Sasha took Ahern’s arm and began walking towards the rose garden while Giles followed looking annoyed. “I feel sorry for Giles, she likes him it’s just she thinks he is a bit arrogant as he doesn’t actually listen to anything she says,” Isobel said. “Ahern said the same thing; if it is meant to be, he shall change; if not then the fates have other plans for them. Sasha is a brilliant and lovely girl with much to offer the right man. Now enough about them, tell him about your ideal garden, my love. After lunch, I shall show you the sketches of my garden, and you can tell me your thoughts.” Alex said, and saw Isobel smile. “Remind me to buy you something pretty when we go back to town, perhaps a jeweled comb for your hair.” “I would prefer some rose bushes,” Isobel replied and Alex laughed. “Well that is what is good about being a prince I can buy you both, you will graciously accept the jewelry as I wish to spoil you and we shall pick the roses together,” Alex said earning a smile from Isobel that lit up her face. “Well if you insist but I do not need jewels or fine clothes, all I need is you, a roof over my head and a garden and I shall be content,” Isobel replied resting her head against Alex’s shoulder. “You have me for always, and the roof I come with is rather big, and as for the garden, it is about one thousand acres, but that includes a pond, a stream, two herb gardens, and a flower garden, and a rose garden. I’m thinking of adding a maze, but if we do, you must help to design it.” Alex pulled Isobel into a secluded dead end in the maze and took her in his arms. “A thousand acres, how do you get the weeding done?” Isobel asked with a smile. “With lots and lots of help.” Alex gave her a mischievous smile just before he claimed her lips with a kiss that said just how much he loved her.