Read Online Love's Ransom by Gwen Kirkwood - Free Book Online

thought of her in the big bed in her nightgown with her soft pale skin glowing in the candlelight.
    As they rode along the bottom of the valley the sun began to rise over the mountain in a splendour of crimson, pink, purple and gold.
    ‘How beautiful it is,’ Isabella breathed softly and Jamie, riding beside her, agreed but he sounded pensive. The same sun would rise and be just as beautiful over his own home but Isabella would not be there. He wondered what their mother would say and whether she would blame him. Wee Mary would cry, he knew that. Marjorie and Margaret would miss her dreadfully too.
    Isabella and Sam were both surprised when Zander called a halt, long before they reached the narrow mountain path they had traversed when they arrived.
    ‘We shall show you a shorter way to the other side of the mountain. We were later setting out than Sam intended so it will save time. You must both swear on Isabella’s life that you will not share the secret with any man?’
    ‘I swear I shall tell no one,’ Jamie said solemnly. Sam saw Zander was serious.
    ‘I give you my word, young master. I welcome anything which cuts short the journey over the mountain,’ he said fervently.
    ‘Very well, though you may wish you had stayed on the mountain by the time you reach the other side,’ Zander said with a rueful smile. ‘And in return maybe you will show me the path across the marshes one day, now our families are joined. Perhaps we could mark the path with poles?’
    ‘We could, but I doubt if they would last long, and then you could be led to your death,’ Sam said gravely. ‘It is the black mud that sucks things out of sight. I have seen sheep disappear and once the master and I saw a man and his pony sucked to their deaths. The man was a thief and thought to get away but no man could wish such a death for him.’
    ‘I see. You and Isabella are even braver than I realised to risk such a journey,’ Zander said. ‘May you have a safe journey home today. The path through the mountain is very rough so Thomas and Walter will leave their horses here and lead you through. It is a tunnel most of the way where water once flowed. It is dark and uneven but it will save a lot of time and it will be easier on the horses. I will stay here and wait with the horses. Isabella must wait here too.
    Isabella dismounted at once and ran to hug Jamie and bid him and Sam farewell. Walter moved close to Zander.
    ‘Do you think she will make her escape if we take her through to the other side?’
    ‘No, I don’t think that would enter her head when she has given her promise to Henry, but she is safer here.’
    ‘Is she, my friend? It will take some time before we see them onto the track and return to this side. She is very pretty and I have seen the way you look at her.’
    ‘She is married now. She is forbidden to me.’ Zander replied coolly.
    ‘Since when did that ever stop you, Zander?’ Walter laughed aloud.
    ‘Isabella belongs to Henry. That is the difference.’
    ‘I cannot believe Henry has bedded her. She still has the same air of innocence and she was out of bed so early. Anyway I can’t help wondering if Henry would be able...?’
    ‘I know.’ Zander’s tone was serious. ‘There will be the devil to pay if he cannot produce a grandson for Uncle William. He has set his heart on it.’
    Isabella stood until Jamie turned and gave one last wave before he disappeared from sight behind some boulders. When she turned Zander saw the tears streaming silently down her face. She had been so brave, so in control while Jamie could see her. His heart ached for her and he would have drawn her to him to comfort her but she brushed him aside.
    ‘Leave me. I need to be alone.’ She walked past him and sat by herself on a large stone with only her thoughts for company. After a while she regained her composure, and brushed her cheeks, wishing she could wash her tear stained face. She turned back to Zander. ‘What have you done with