His Lady of Castlemora(45)

'You need to recover your strength and give the wound time to heal completely.'

'It almost is.'

'Almost is not good enough.'

She laid a hand on his sleeve. 'But, Ban...'

He was not to be coaxed. 'No, my darling, you're not going anywhere as yet.'

The tone was gentle but it carried a note she had learned to recognise. 'You sounded just like Lord Iain when you said that.'

'Did I so?' He smiled faintly. 'And just how does he sound?'

'Like a man who intends to get his own way.'

'I do mean to get my way.' He took her shoulders in a gentle clasp. 'I am your husband and I will be obeyed.'

Isabelle lifted a quizzical brow. 'Can I say nothing to persuade you?'

'Not a thing.'

'Perhaps there is something I might do then?' She twined her arms around  his neck and bestowed a lingering kiss on his mouth. 'Was not that  persuasive, my lord?'

'Aye, it was.'

'Good.' She kissed him again, a deeper and more intimate embrace. His  arms closed gently around her, drawing her closer, and he returned the  kiss with slow, contained passion. Then he drew back a little and looked  down into her face.

'Even better, but it has not changed my mind. You're staying here.'

'You can be so stubborn.'

'When it comes to your welfare, my sweet, I can be downright intransigent.'

It drew a reluctant smile. 'All right. You win, for now.'

His eyes gleamed. 'I'd to think I'll win all the time but I doubt it somehow.'

'So do I.'

They both laughed. Then her face grew earnest once more. 'But Ban, I  hope we will not wait too long. I would so like our child to be born at  Castlemora.'

'There is no reason why he should not be.'

She hugged him. 'Then I am content.'

* * *

It was some weeks later before they set out for Castlemora. Although she  was looking forward to their return Isabelle was sorry to say goodbye  to Ashlynn, if only for a while.

'Fortunately the distance is not great so I feel sure that we shall meet again before too long.'                       
       
           



       

Ashlynn smiled. 'I am determined that we shall.' She looked meaningfully  at her husband. 'When next my lord has occasion to visit Castlemora I  shall accompany him.'

Iain glanced at Ban. 'You have been warned, Brother.'

'So I have.' Ban leaned closer. 'I suppose there's no chance of a reprieve?'

'I seriously doubt that.'

'So do I.'

Both men grinned. Ashlynn surveyed them in mock indignation.

'You are right to doubt it. I am going to become an aunt and I shall not be kept away.'

'That's it then,' said Iain. 'We've been told.'

Ban gave his sister a hug. 'I sincerely hope you will come and see us soon, Ash. There is much to show you.'

'I look forward to seeing it.' Ashlynn smiled at Isabelle. 'In the  meantime, I shall miss you. Nor would I lose your friendship so soon.'

'Or I yours,' replied Isabelle. 'I shall never forget your kindness to me.'

The two women embraced warmly. Then Ban took his wife's hand.

'Come, my love. Let's be on our way.'

Since Isabelle could not ride she travelled in a wagon specially  prepared for the purpose. Two women servants accompanied her. When his  wife was comfortably ensconced, Ban mounted Firecrest. He raised a hand  in farewell and then they set off, an armed escort riding behind.

The pace was necessarily slow but Isabelle didn't mind it. She would do  nothing that might put her unborn child at risk. Her pregnancy was  beginning to show now, a circumstance that delighted her. Moreover, Ban  was solicitous over her comfort, insisting they travel by easy stages,  stopping frequently to let her rest.

'I have never travelled in such cushioned splendour,' she told him. 'I shall grow spoilt.'

He grinned and glanced at her belly. 'You will doubtless grow, my love, but spoilt never.'

Isabelle returned the smile. 'I wouldn't be too sure about that. I must be one of the most pampered ladies in Scotland.'

'You deserve to be pampered. Anyway, I enjoy it.'

'Then far be it from me to rob you of enjoyment.'

They lapsed into companionable silence for a while and she settled back  to look at the slowly passing landscape. It was impossible not to recall  that the last time they had travelled this country they had been hunted  fugitives and every rock and tree potentially sheltering an enemy. Now  their enemy was defeated, albeit at a cost. This time the mood was light  and the escort strong. This time there was no danger. Ban also looked  thoughtful and she guessed that he too was remembering.

'Between Castlemora and Glengarron we shall make this area safe again,' he said.

'The border lands have always been wild and lawless.'

'So they have, but this bit won't be if I have anything to say about it.'

'It'll take a strong force to accomplish that.'

'We'll have one, but it'll not be composed of mercenary thugs this time.'

'I'm relieved to hear it.'

* * *

A few miles further on Ban called a halt for a while. 'I would not have you grow too tired, my sweet.'

Isabelle was both touched and amused by his consideration. 'I am quite well, my lord.'

'I intend to see you stay that way.'

'You must not be so protective.'

'I am your husband. Who else should protect you if not I?'

'Your men will think you hen-pecked.'

'Let them think what they will.' He grinned. 'It could not change my  determination to keep you safe, for you are most precious to me.'

'As you are to me, my lord.'

He raised her hand to his lips. 'The most precious thing in the world.'

Isabelle's heart was full when she remembered how once she had never  thought to hear him say those words to her. Now the wheel was turning  full circle. Out of sorrow and pain had come triumph and love. She laid a  hand on her belly, swelling gently now beneath her gown. One day, not  so far distant, their child would be born. It would be followed by many  more; fine children to continue their line and hold Castlemora for  posterity.

* * *                       
       
           



       

It took several days to complete the journey but as the mood was  cheerful and the company in good spirits it did not seem overlong.  Nevertheless, it was good to reach their destination. To Isabelle it was  a longed-for homecoming. At the sight of the old manor house and its  rambling outbuildings, its fields and its orchard set in the bowl of the  surrounding hills, her eyes filled with tears. The welcome from her  people was warm and sincere and they lined the courtyard to welcome her  and her new husband. The news of their forthcoming arrival had been well  received, for it underlined the fact that Murdo's hated reign was  really over.

Naturally there was intense interest in Isabelle's marriage and in her  present condition. Though he was a Sassenach, her lord's connection with  Glengarron was a point decidedly in his favour. That he had also slain  Murdo was another. His coming was seen as a fresh start, one that raised  hopes and created a feeling of cautious optimism among the local  people.

Since Ban looked every inch the part of a noble lord, and was besides  young and handsome, he raised many a sigh in female breasts. However, he  had eyes only for the woman at his side. Isabelle returned his smile  and, on being lifted gently down from the wagon, accompanied her husband  into the hall. All trace of Murdo and his mercenary force had been  removed and the only thing that marred the occasion for her was the  absence of Nell among the servants.

'I wish she could have been here to see this.'

'How do you know she isn't?' replied Ban.

She smiled, albeit wistfully, for the thought was pleasing. Even now she  half-expected to hear a footstep and see Nell's familiar figure descend  the stairs or stand in the doorway.

'This would have pleased her so much.'

'Would it?'

'No question. She liked you.'

'I am honoured.'

'My father too would have been pleased. You were his choice of husband for me after all.'

'Then I am twice honoured.' He paused. 'If you wish we will go and visit his grave later on. His and Hugh's.'

'I would like that, though I think it will take a while to lay the ghosts.'

'I know.'

'I truly believe Murdo to have been capable of any outrage.'

Ban took her hand and turned her to face him. 'Murdo is dead, love. He cannot hurt us now.'

'I know yet he is hard to forget.'

He drew her into his arms and kissed her. 'We may never forget, but we  can leave him in the past where he belongs for we have a future to build  together.'

* * *

The new laird and his lady dined in their own hall that evening in  company with the captains from Glengarron who had accompanied them  thither. It was a lively and pleasant occasion, the company universally  cheerful, jests and banter flying as the ale cups were drained. Ban  looked about him with quiet pride but most often of all his gaze fell on  the woman at his side, the lady he had so nearly lost. When he had last  left Castlemora he had little thought to return in triumph as its  laird. What had gone before was just the easy part, he now realised. The  real work lay ahead but he relished the challenges involved. Ultimately  the common people would judge him by what he did, but he determined  that their lot would improve. Isabelle was right. It was what he had  been born to do and he would justify the faith reposed in him.  Castlemora would be strong and respected for all the right reasons.  Strong too would be its ties with Glengarron. What Archibald Graham had  begun Ban vowed to continue.