His Lady of Castlemora(38)

Ban had no trouble interpreting that look and knew he was more than  willing to do his part in bringing about the desired event. However, in  the background remained the shadow of a conflict. Before he and Isabelle  could ever live secure an enemy had to be faced. Unwilling to spoil the  mood he had put off saying anything, but now that his sister had been  safely delivered of her child he knew that Iain's mind would turn to  other things.

In that he was right. Leaving the women to admire the new baby he took Ban aside.

'Tomorrow I begin my preparations for an assault on Castlemora.'

'When do we ride?'

'As soon as the harvest is in. The men cannot be spared before then.'

Ban nodded. The grain was almost ready for cutting now, aided by the warm sunshine and unusually dry summer months. 'So be it.'

'This matter cannot be delayed any longer. The sooner Murdo is dealt  with the better.' Iain grinned. 'Castlemora is about to have a new  laird.'

'Aye.'

Seeing Ban's thoughtful expression Iain's eyes narrowed a little. 'Is something wrong?'

'It's just hard to take in, that's all. After so many years of  dispossession it seems incredible to think of being a landed nobleman  again.'

'That's understandable. In your place I imagine I'd feel the same.' Iain  paused. 'But this is the moment and we must act. Only then can you  regain your rightful place in the world.'

'I shall regain it, never fear.'

'How is the shoulder now?'

'Not yet as strong as it was, but I'm exercising a little more every day. I'll be fit enough when the time comes.'

'Good. I need you with me, Brother.'

'I'll be there, never fear.' He paused, eyeing his companion steadily.  'Just one thing though. When we do meet Murdo, the bastard's mine.'

Iain nodded. 'So be it.'

* * *

Back in the bed chamber the two little boys stared at the cradle wide-eyed. Then Robert looked at their mother.

'A girl?' The tone suggested bemusement and curiosity. It was echoed in  his expression. Clearly the concept was entirely strange to him.

Ashlynn smiled. 'That's right. You have a little sister.'                       
       
           



       

He looked at the baby again. 'That's good...I suppose. All the same, she's very small, isn't she?'

'All babies are small,' said Ashlynn, 'but she'll grow soon enough.'

'She's not going to be much use at tag for a while.'

'No, not for a while.'

Isabelle caught Ashlynn's eye and smiled. Then, leaving her to speak to  the children, she left the room and returned to the chamber she shared  with Ban. He was conspicuous by his absence but Nell was there, folding  clothes. She looked up as Isabelle entered.

'Have you seen the wee mite then?'

'I have, and she's beautiful. Perfect in every way.'

'Well, that's good. I trust Lady Ashlynn is well.'

'She is.'

'I'm glad to hear it. Childbed is hard on a woman.'

Isabelle thought she'd gladly endure any amount of pain if it meant she  could have a child, if she could give her husband the son he longed for.  Sons perhaps. Daughters too. She smiled to herself. Ban was lusty  enough to sire a dynasty and he did not neglect his responsibility.  Since their marriage very few nights had gone by without him claiming  his rights and that was no hardship to her: the thought of him was  enough to make her feel weak at the knees. Ban was inventive, sometimes  demanding, but he never hurt her. In his arms she had only experienced  uninterrupted delight.

Suddenly she was very still as the implications of that began to dawn.  The natural interruption hadn't occurred. It had been weeks since her  last flux. Mentally she began counting backwards. Her breathing  quickened and instinctively one hand went to her belly. She shut her  eyes for a moment, fighting a rising tide of excitement, and made  herself count again. The answer was the same. She ought to have bled  three weeks ago. The ache in her breast might not be due to envy after  all. Her heart thumped harder. Dear God, was it possible?

'Are you all right, my lady?'

Nell's voice brought her back to earth with a start. 'What? Oh, yes. Perfectly.'

'Are you sure? You look a little pale.'

'It's nothing, really.'

'Maybe you should sit by the window and get some air.'

Isabelle knew she was far too excited to sit. 'I think I'll just go outside for a while.'

Before she could be questioned further she hurried out of the room. Once  in the passageway she paused, wanting to avoid company for the time  being, and then headed for the roof terrace. As she'd hoped it was empty  and she could have the place to herself. For a while she paced up and  down, fighting to contain her excitement, trying to collect her  thoughts, uncertain whether to laugh or cry. In the end she did both.

When she was a little calmer she began to think more rationally. It was  early days yet, too soon to say anything to anyone. She needed to be  sure. In another week or so her flux was due again. If she missed that  as well... The hope was almost painful. She glanced down at herself  again. Could she really be carrying Ban's child? If so she must have  conceived very quickly. Her heart swelled with joy until she thought it  might burst. She tried to imagine his expression when she told him. He  would be thrilled. The future they both wanted was within their reach.  She clasped trembling hands.

'Please, God, let it be.'

She remained on the terrace until she was reasonably certain of being  able to control her emotions in front of others, and especially in front  of Ban. Whatever happened she would not raise his hopes until she was  absolutely certain.

* * *

In spite of her best intentions she could not entirely conceal her  secret. It manifested itself in quiet smiles and a strange suppressed  excitement. The next week seemed to crawl by but at its end there was  still no sign of her flux. Moreover her breasts were larger and slightly  sore too. Then, one morning, she was sick for no apparent reason.  Despite the queasiness in her stomach she was utterly elated.

Ban had left the chamber a little earlier so she was alone. The  impending confrontation with Murdo meant that he had even more duties to  undertake, and he was assiduous in carrying them out. The harvest was  imminent and all the men would be required to help. He also spent a part  of each day in exercising the muscles in his shoulder to build up their  strength. It would be a while before she saw him but Isabelle could  hardly wait until they were alone to tell him her news. She smiled to  herself. Then another wave of queasiness rose like a tide and she rushed  for the bucket once more.                       
       
           



       

Just then the door opened and Nell came in. She took in the scene at a glance, her brow creased with concern.

'Good heavens. You are unwell, my lady.'

Isabelle straightened and wiped her mouth. 'No, I was never better.'

'I don't quite...'

'I'm pregnant, Nell.'

The older woman stared at her and then her face was wreathed in an  incredulous smile. 'May God and all the saints be praised! That's  wonderful news.'

'Isn't it?'

'How far along are you?'

'About two months, as near as I can tell.'

'Does he know?'

'Not yet.'

'He'll be thrilled, I'm sure of it. What husband is not on hearing such news?'

'It's a dream come true. I can't wait to tell him.' Isabelle sat down on  the edge of the bed, waiting for her stomach to quieten. 'We've both  been hoping for this. I had no idea it might happen so soon.'

Nell squeezed her arm. 'I'm happy for you, my lady.'

'I was so afraid I might never conceive; that what happened before was my fault. This is such a vindication.'

'Forget what went before. Just think about what is.'

'I shall. I want nothing more than to put the past behind me. If I could expunge every memory of Alistair Neil I would.'

'He'd dead, God rest his soul. Lord Ban has given you what Neil never could.' Nell grinned. 'The first of many I have no doubt.'

'I truly hope so.' Isabelle laughed shakily. 'I want a dozen children at least.'

'Well, there's no reason why not, is there?'

'Not any more.'

* * *

Later, when she had washed and dressed and made herself presentable  Isabelle left the chamber and went in search of Ban. When the hall and  the courtyard revealed no sign of him she enquired of a servant and was  informed that he was currently closeted in private discussion with Lord  Iain. Stifling disappointment she realised her news was going to have to  wait. In the meantime there was a pile of mending awaiting attention.  It occurred to her then that there would also be baby clothes to sew now  as well. Smiling to herself she retraced her steps to the tower.

* * *

In the event it was evening before she saw Ban again. The hours out of  doors had evidently agreed with him. In the past few weeks the pallor of  illness had been replaced by a healthy tan that banished the shadows  beneath his eyes and enhanced the strong lines of his face. With his  mane of tawny hair and lean athletic frame he looked every inch the  warrior he was. As he took his place beside her at table her heart  constricted with love and desire and she longed for the hour when they  would be alone.