The Earl And The Lady

Three

Three

‘ lady Isobel ’ Princess Whitney called from across the table where she was sitting down next to Andrew. Isobel raised her head and smiled at the princess ready to start fencing with her.

‘ yes your Highness. ’

‘ will you come for your father hanging? ’ Whitney said with a naive tone, Isobel forced a serene expression on her face as she fought for her composure, she sipped her tea, and by the time the tea cup was back on it saucer she had a tight control on her emotions. Then with her half smile she answered the quiet room, ‘ of course , me and my hand maid who is divine by the way, thanks your majesty , we made a bet how long he will last, she said a minute, I said 3-5 minutes , my father is a stubborn man, he is usually determined, just imagine what would have happen a day later, your majesty. ’

Every body stiffened except the king who laughed, ‘ I would still be alive, I had an inside informant. ’

‘ I know, I just wanted to see some people reaction. Now I have my answer. Anyway, princess Whitney will you like to join our bet? ’

‘ how can you talk about something that gruesome ?’ Brittany said when her lunch was not in danger if leaving her stomach although the rest women were still trying to keep their lunches down.

‘ I was trained with weapons instead of fans, I have watched countless number of deaths and I am not some delicate flower. Besides my maid ordeal made those things seem pale in comparison ’

‘ weapons ? ’ king Anthony asked in surprise.

‘ what ordeals ?’ Brittany asked curiously.

‘ yes weapons, ’ she replied smiling at the look on the king face, ‘ and yes her mistress made some men to r**e her while she begged for pardon and her mistress did it out of envy .’ she said as every one went silent, ‘ what? ,did I say something wrong, is her former mistress here? ’ lady Isobel asked in a naive tone while every body stared at princess Whitney.

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‘what on earth is wrong with you ’ Andrew yelled at Isobel and Isobel fought her body reaction to finch at his tone, she was already guessing that his bite is worse than his bark but less frequent and more hurtful, she just hope his patience level with her is still high because she cannot back down just yet.

‘ what do you mean ?’ she asked Andrew with an innocent tone.

‘ it doesn't work on me . ’ Andrew growled out his anger on her behavior to her face but she remained unfazed.

‘ well ’ lady Isobel began in an angry tone ‘ my husband threw me out to the wolves and when they circled me, I lashed out but I didn't kill them, just wounded them a little bit, if you see my husband tell him that he should let the wolves know that if they circle me again, I will land a killing blow, also tell him that I will be taking the adjoining room to his and he is not welcomed to my bed .’ And with that she left angrily making him to admire her courage. Princess Whitney legendary anger does not hold a candle to his wife own on a bad day. Shaking his head, he turned to leave, since when did he start to compare the two ladies.

****

‘ why didn't you protect your wife? ’

‘I wasn't aware that she needed my protection. ’ Andrew answered his friend who looked like he was two seconds away from pummeling him into the ground.

‘ you were. You knew that my sister would be on her and you just sat there. It is a good thing that she can defend herself or I would and that would have cause the greatest scandal unimaginable... ’

‘ and why do you feel the need to protect her when you owe her nothing ’ Andrew asked cutting his friend in the middle of his ranting. And as he suspected, his friend grew silent all of a sudden. ‘ I think the real question is what does she has on you that has you treating a traitor like a friend. ’

‘ she isn't a traitor. ’ Anthony said in an outraged tone.

‘ she is’ Andrew said in an equal tone. ‘ she is by blood.’ He was angry with his friend. How did Isobel wrap the king around her fingers... she couldn't have slept... no it's impossible... right?

‘ Andrew just leave the issue alone ’ Anthony said in a tired voice.

‘ okay but one last question then I leave you to yourself .’ Andrew said thinking of how best to phase the question so that his best friend would not behead him.

‘ did you have intimate relations with my wife. ’ Andrew blurt out then closed his eyes already imagining Anthony reaction.

‘ are you asking me if I slept with your wife. ’ Anthony asked in a low deadly tone.

‘ please sire, I need the real answer, I am sorry if that came out wrong but... ’Andrew started only for Anthony to bark out a tense command that made him swallow his words.

For a long period of time, none of them said anything, then Anthony started. ‘ I don't know if I should call you a bastard, an ingrate or an incompetent fool. She did not commit any treason against me or mine and she is a mighty catch and the best you can find in a woman who you want a good home with. You are a bastard for asking your king that question and actually meaning it. An ingrate for throwing away a very good woman like Isobel and a fool for making me realise that as my friend I allowed you too long without discipline. See yourself out of here and never speak of the subject again. Understood? ’

‘ yes your Majesty ’ Andrew answered as he left fuming. This has never happen to him before, how could he allow a small slip of a lady to muddle his head and almost ruin his relationship with someone he takes as a brother. Maybe it is time for him to give her a chance. Even if it is against everything he stands for.

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‘ where is your lordship. ’ lady Isobel asked Ben, Andrew manservant who follows him everywhere.

‘ he said he doesn't want to spend time with some one who makes his skin crawl. ’ Ben answered with a disdain look on his face.

Isobel stiffened at the news then slipped back her mask, she was not going to accept this treatment in her home from servants. Pasting a pleasant smile on her face she answered him. ‘ how would you like to be lashed then sent home with no pay. ’

‘ You would not ’ Ben said as he took a step back from her.

‘ why won't I ? I believe that I am the mistress of this house and I can control all things here including punishing servants who doesn't know their place. It could no food or lashing or heavy menial jobs or being removed from my home... permanently or all of them.’ Lady Isobel said with a hard look on her face that made Ben to start apologizing but Isobel just left with Agnes who made sure to use her tiny body frame to shove Ben causing him to topple back and when he caught himself and looked at Agnes she gave him a glare then left rushing to meet her mistress who is probably crying in her chambers but before she left Andrew who watched the whole scene called her back.

‘ yes my lord .’ Agnes answered, her eyes darting towards the door her mistress has taken as if she would disobey him and run after her mistress.

‘ please fetch my whip and ask the groomsmen to give Ben here seven lashes across his back separately so I can count them when I am free tonight. ’

‘ okay sire. ’ Agnes answered as she rushed towards the door that Isobel left with but Andrew called her back and redirected her.

With that Andrew left to see how his wife is taking in the altitude that Ben displayed.