Page 46 of Bride takes a Scot
“Silence Lady Helena?”
Isabella would have laughed but didn’t, even though the thought of Lady MacKendrick being silenced was somewhat comical. Most of all, she’d realized, it was a blessing, one she wouldn’t destroy by poking fun at the woman. “Your brother spoke to her and demanded that she respect me, or that she should seek elsewhere to live.” She looked out over the shimmering water of the loch and inhaled the clean fresh air. She hadn’t been able to enjoy her new surroundings as much, until Helena had started to leave her alone.
Beside her, Rhona said softly, “I am sorry…”
Isabella turned and peered at her. “Sorry that Helena now has to respect me?”
Rhona giggled. “Oh, nay, for the way I behaved when ye first arrived. I am sorry, Milady. I was unkind and should not have been. My mother passed away years ago and I have not had a woman to speak to about…certain things. I cannot speak to Helena about anything because she taunts me and calls me a simpleton.” Rhona spoke awkwardly, lowering her voice with each word.
“I understand. She made me feel the same way.” Isabella leaned to touch the young woman’s arm. “Please, Rhona, call me Isabella. You are my sister-in-law now and I want us to be close, friends even. You can trust me because I shall never betray your confidence in me. My mother spoke of nothing but the duties of a wife and I was fortunate to have her to ask questions.” Isabella chuckled when Rhona’s eyes widened.
“Even about what happens in bed with a man?”
“That was her favorite topic. I mean not to take the place of your mother, Rhona, but I bid you to think of me as an older sister. You can ask me anything and I shall answer you honestly and as best I can.”
Rhona nodded. “Well, as ye know…I worry that Declan will not allow me to marry Willeli. I love Willeli and we have been together…you know, like that. I fear if my brother does not come around, I shall likely be heavy with child by the time he does.”
“Oh…” Isabella realized what Rhona meant. Whether or not she was ready to be a wife in Declan’s opinion, it didn’t appear to matter. Willeli and Rhona had made their decision and had already been intimate. “Worry not because I will speak to Declan and get him to agree.”
“How will ye be able to do that? Declan is stubborn, I vow, and when he sets his mind to something…there is no changing it.”
Isabella smiled. “I shall tell you a secret that my mother passed on to me…” She leaned closer. “When a husband wantsto please a wife in that way, it is easy to gain his accord. You just have to time it right.”
“You mean withhold yourself unless he agrees?” Rhona giggled.
“I don’t mean to actually withhold yourself, but after, when you have exhausted your husband or pleased him beyond sense, you can get him to agree to pretty much anything.”
“That is quite sneaky.”
“But unfortunately, necessary sometimes, especially when your husband is being bull-headed.”
Rhona laughed. “I am gladdened ye are here. We shall talk more.” Rhona clasped her hand. “There is Willeli. I must speak to him.” She got to her feet and scampered away.
Isabella searched for Noah amongst the children to assure herself that he was well and safe. She rose and walked around the coverings that littered the ground, speaking to some of the women she passed, wishing them a good day.
She noticed Claude, who stood by Friar Faelan; they were looking at an old piece of parchment. Curiosity piqued her interest and she walked toward them.
They didn’t cease their conversation when she reached them, but after a moment, the friar looked at her and said, “Oh, Lady Isabella, ’tis a fine day for an outing. I am heartened ye invited all here by the loch. It was a fine suggestion. It is much cooler here. I may even walk in the water a wee bit.” Father Faelan grinned. And then, he walked off and removed his sandals by the water. The clergyman wandered along the bank holding the hem of his robe up like a lady wearing a gown, and with the water up to his knees.
She turned to her brother-in-law. “I have seen you at the chapel every day this week, Claude. Are you apprenticing with Friar Faelan? I heard the friar speak of sacraments.”
The lad shook the hair from his eyes. “Aye, my brother gave me permission to learn from the friar. In time, God willing, I will be able to take the orders and then I will be a friar. Or a priest.” He smiled and ducked his chin.
Isabella clapped her hands. “That is wonderful news. I thought you were rather passionate about it when you spoke of it at supper that one time. Are you learning much from him, from Friar Faelan, that is?”
“I am. He can go on and on sometimes, but I like listening to him speak of God and our duty to serve Him. It is what I was meant to do.”
She smiled and was happy for him. Declan had actually listened to his brother and allowed his pursuit of the clergy. “What have you got there?” She pointed to the parchment.
“Oh, this is my grandda’s treasure map. I found it in his cottage hidden beneath a floorboard. It is hard to decipher for it is written in Latin—so Friar Faelan says—and some other language he doesn’t know.”
“Maybe you can still figure out what it means by the images drawn,” she suggested.
Claude peered at the parchment he held open and nodded. “I will study it further and maybe ask some of the elders what they think.”
“That’s a great idea.
“I would be pleased to help you. Why don’t I meet you tomorrow after morning Mass and we’ll look at it again and try to follow the markings.”