Love's Ransom by Gwen Kirkwood Read Free Book Online

your new husband so that he will love you well.’ Isabella stared and her colour deepened even more. She wished her mother was here to explain everything. ‘I believe you are as modest as Henry.’ Anna chuckled. ‘I think you will do well together.’ She hoped Zander would be able to protect Henry from some of the more raucous and disorderly men. She did not warn Isabella that it was the custom for the men to accompany the bridegroom to the marital bed with many crude jokes and much advice.
    Two women were in the upper chamber and Anna introduced the older woman as Lizzie Buchan.
    ‘Lizzie is like a mother to Henry and to me. Now she will be like a mother to you too, Isabella, since you have had to leave your own mother behind. You must tell her if there is anything you need.’
    ‘Thank you.’ Isabella smiled nervously at the old woman with her wrinkled face and the tight white cap which allowed not a single strand of her white hair to escape. She looked around the room. ‘I-I am sure we-we shall be very comfortable.’
    ‘I dae hope sae,’ Lizzie said fervently and both Anna and Isabella guessed her thoughts were on Henry. ‘He’s a guid man. Be kind tae him lassie and ye’ll no rue the day ye came to Moyenstane. This is your own kist and I put some lavender in it frae the garden.’
    ‘You have a garden?’ Isabella asked, her eyes bright as she turned to Anna.
    ‘We have a wee patch near the house,’ Anna said. ‘Henry calls it a garden. Lizzie says Mother planted vegetables and herbs there. Did you have a garden?’
    ‘Yes. My mother learned to grow herbs and onions and plants for potions and poultices when she was at the convent, and she keeps the bees for honey. We have apples and plums on the trees. I would like to have a garden to tend.’
    ‘Then we shall tell Henry and Zander and they will make it bigger and safe from wandering animals, especially the pigs. Henry tends the bees so we have plenty of honey. Maybe you will teach me what to do before I become a wife to Walter?’
    ‘Aye,’tis a pity your ain mother and her sister didna live long enough to teach ye things, lassie,’ Lizzie sighed. Anna hugged her.
    ‘You’ve always looked after us well, dear Lizzie. Are the women preparing the food?’
    ‘Aye and Walter has brought his mother to make sure things are ready. Mistress Nixon is telling Eliza what should be done so she is a scowling fit tae turn the milk sour and scolding the wee maids who have come to help.’
    ‘Oh dear,’ Anna said, ‘I will come down soon and try to smooth things.’
    ‘Oh aye, and I forgot to say, Zander arrived back with the priest before I came upstairs. Nae doubt he’ll be quaffing ale and eating the best wheat bread.’
    ‘Father has not given us enough time to prepare,’ Anna said in despair. ‘Dear Isabella, can I leave you here while Lizzie and I go to the kitchens?’ She looked earnestly into Isabella’s eyes. ‘I must go now, or it will be too late.’ Isabella nodded.
    ‘I shall come back and help you dress.’
    ‘Would it be possible for me to have a quill and paper so that I may write a letter for Jamie to take to our mother when he leaves?’
    ‘You really can write a letter? On your own?’ Anna asked in surprise.
    ‘Of course. Mother taught me and my sisters to read and write. Even wee Mary is learning to form her letters.’
    ‘Then I will ask Henry to bring you what you need. He is our scribe and he will be delighted to give you everything you want.’
    When Anna and the women had gone Isabella sank down onto the heavy oak chest. There were two of them, presumably for herself and Henry. The bed looked very wide and she longed to stretch out on it but it didn’t seem right somehow. She felt a terrible weariness wash over her. She had had no sleep the night before while she waited for Jamie and Sam’s return, and they had left well before dawn to cross the marshes. So much had happened. She couldn’t believe that in a few