The Prince’s Stolen Love

“Isobel. Isobel, aren’t you listening to me?”

Isobel looked up from her mortar and pestle, where she was grinding dried aspen bark, to see Sister Margret, the apothecary, a few feet away, an exasperated look on her face.

“I’m sorry, Sister. I was lost in thought. I was trying to think of what else we could try to take away Mistress Jameson’s pain.”

Isobel wiped her hands clean on her apron and pushed to her feet, her stool grating across the stone floor.

“It’s all right. It’s just the headmaster has asked to see you.”

Dread washed through Isobel. It was never good to be called before the headmaster. Her anxiety must have shown, because Sister Margaret patted her on the arm.

“I’m sure it will be all right. You are our best student. Without you we would have lost many patients last year during the winter epidemic.”

“I hope you’re right.” Isobel looked down at her stained apron and wrinkled gown and sighed. She wouldn’t have time to return to her cell for a clean apron or a fresh gown.

Isobel gave her apron one final jerk and then walked quickly from the preparation room, earning stares from several of the underclassmen.

Lady Laura and her constant companion Lady Sarah gave her downright hateful looks.

The two girls were not her friends. In fact, she would even go so far as to call them her nemeses, all because she’d surpassed both girls in their studies and was now a senior student to them both.

Laura and Sarah had started studying at the university two years before Isobel had.

But the girls were more interested in men and gowns than studying, and as such had fallen far behind the more diligent Isobel, who was now a master-level student and helped teach classes.

Isobel shook her head. She had more important things to worry about than them.

After several minutes of walking and climbing, she made her way to the third-floor tower room that was Headmaster Ogden’s room.

Isobel took a deep breath and then knocked on the headmaster’s massive wooden door. A moment later she heard a faint “Enter!” and eased the door open.

Seated behind his massive wooden desk was Headmaster Ogden. Standing beside him was Mistress Beatrice, her normally pleasant smile replaced with a decided frown.

Isobel gave them both a nervous smile. “Master Ogden. Mistress Beatrice. You summoned me?”

“Be at ease, Isobel. You aren’t in trouble. It’s just, well, a small problem has arisen in regard to your tuition,” Headmaster Ogden said.

“My tuition? I don’t understand,” Isobel stammered. Her tuition was paid for by the man that was laughingly called her guardian.

In reality, Lord Dagda was a distant cousin and the man who had falsely accused her family of being traitors and murdered them all in a bid to seize her family’s holdings.

Isobel had only been spared as she’d been at a neighbor’s castle tending the lady of the keep, Baroness Sinclair, who was ill.

Lord Dagda had of course demanded that Baron and Baroness Sinclair turn her over to him, but Baron Sinclair had refused and petitioned the king on her behalf.

King Thaddeus, who was also a distant cousin, had reluctantly admitted that the evidence of treason against her family had been slim, and they had been posthumously pardoned.

At the age of fourteen, Isobel had become a wealthy heiress with no family to protect her.

King Thaddeus, being a spineless coward, had awarded Isobel’s guardianship to her family’s killer, on the condition they never live under the same roof and that Isobel be allowed to decide where she wished to live.

Isobel had decided to go to school in the neighboring country of Cenhelm, where there was a noted university for ladies.

Lord Dagda, as part of the agreement, was required to pay for her tuition, as well as room and board.

As the fees for both came from the rents off her family’s estates, Isobel had never felt guilty about it.

“Yes, your guardian has sent a messenger. He said you are to return home and wed him.

“Therefore he has refused to pay for your remaining tuition and room and board,” Headmaster Ogden stated, looking ill at ease.

“What? That is impossible.” Isobel felt the room tilt and had to reach for the back of a nearby chair to steady herself.

Mistress Beatrice appeared beside her and helped her into the chair, then took the chair opposite it.

“I’m afraid it is true. Lord Dagda’s messenger is in my waiting room. He brought the missive from Lord Dagda and claims he wants to take you back to Bryste.

“I told him he would have to wait till we spoke to you, which did not please him. The fool thought we would simply hand you over.” Headmaster Ogden scowled.

“But the king promised me I could do as I wished, promised me that I would never have to live with Lord Dagda.” Isobel shook her head.

“Well, it would seem that, as you shall soon be twenty-one and of age, Lord Dagda has persuaded the king to change his mind. Something about inheritance,” Beatrice sighed.

“But you need not leave with him. What Master Ogden and I want you to know is that you will always have a home here, and that we will not simply let you be taken away.”

“You will let me stay? But how shall I pay?” Isobel had only a small amount of funds saved. Lord Dagda was tight-fisted and only sent the minimum amount required to see to her room and board.

Isobel earned a few coppers selling potions and soap to the other girls and the noble ladies in town, but it was only enough to buy a few poor gowns and a new pair of shoes every year.

“Mistress Beatrice and I have been discussing that we do not wish to lose you, Isobel, as a teacher.

“We have decided that your remaining tuition shall be free, in exchange for your teaching and work in the apothecary. We can give you two weeks to find new lodgings.

“I would let you room for free, but we must answer to the regents, and they are very tight with the funds.” Master Ogden gave her a thin-lipped smile.

“Two weeks. Oh, thank you, Master Ogden. But where will I go?” Isobel was grateful that she could continue her studies. But where would she live?

“Don’t worry. Mistress Anna, the baker’s wife, has a room to let in exchange for a few hours of work in the bakery.

“You know she is fond of you. I know she’d let you have the room,” Mistress Beatrice stated.

Isobel nodded. Living in the Baker’s home would not be horrible. Anna Baker was a pleasant woman, who was always smiling.

Isobel had cured three of the Baker’s children from lung fever two winters ago and earned the Baker’s undying gratitude.

“Thank you, Mistress Beatrice, Master Ogden. But you said there is a messenger here. I suppose I must see him.”

Isobel was afraid. But in the years since her parents’ murder, she’d learned that she could be strong. Now was such a time.

Besides, Master Ogden and Mistress Beatrice had promised they wouldn’t let the man take her away.

“Yes, perhaps it’s time.” Master Ogden rose and stepped up to the door at the side of his chamber. He pulled it open and motioned to someone beyond.

A moment later, a tall, muscular, middle-aged man stepped into the chamber. His dark eyes settled on Isobel, and she felt a chill go through her.

Isobel rose stiffly, her hands at her sides, and forced herself to return the man’s chilly gaze.

“Lady Isobel, I am Sir Raymond, Lord Dagda’s captain. I have come to take you home.”

The man stepped closer to Isobel. He gave Master Ogden and Mistress Beatrice a contemptuous look. “If you would both leave, please, I must speak to the lady in private.”

Master Ogden bristled. “I think not. Lady Isobel is under my protection, and this is my chamber. Anything you say to her you can say in front of us.”

“Of course. It is just I was given instructions to speak to the lady in private. Besides, it little matters. She will be leaving with me,” Sir Raymond replied with evident disdain.

“I have no intention of going with you,” Isobel replied, her head high. “Master Ogden, Mistress Beatrice, if you might step into the hall for a moment. But leave the door open. I will not be long.”

“If you are sure.” Master Ogden gave Sir Raymond a dark look, then motioned for Mistress Beatrice to proceed with him to the main door.

“Yes, I’m sure.” Isobel would not let Sir Raymond intimidate her.

Sir Raymond, with a scowl, watched the others leave, then turned his cold gaze back to Isobel.

“You have no choice. You will be leaving with me within the hour. You may have time to pack your belongings, if you are quick. Lord Dagda is expecting us within seven days.”

“I know who you are, Sir Raymond. You were among those that murdered my family. I will not be going anywhere with you.

“I am not foolish enough to go anywhere with the man who murdered my family,” Isobel stated evenly.

“You and Lord Dagda also have no say over me. By order of the king, I am to never be under the same roof as Lord Dagda.”

“You are a very outspoken girl. But you are wrong. The king has changed his mind and awarded both you and your family’s lands to Lord Dagda as a reward for his loyal services.

“Therefore you will be coming with me. You have no say in the matter.” Sir Raymond gave her a scathing look. “Now, I am weary from my trip. Go pack your things. We leave within an hour.”

“No. You forget we are not in Bryste, so neither you nor Lord Dagda has dominion here. In addition, I am twenty and of legal age in Cenhelm, which means neither you nor Lord Dagda can order me about.

“I also demand you show me proof that the king has given me to Lord Dagda. If what you say is true, the king should have given you a missive addressed to me with his seal on it.”

Isobel felt cold sweat running down her back, but she refused to be cowed.

Sir Raymond frowned. “The king gave his command in person to Lord Dagda. There is no missive. You will accept my word. Now it’s time to leave. You try my patience.”

“You think I’m fool enough to accept the word of the man that murdered my family and is likely planning to murder me?

“The only one who would gain from a union between Lord Dagda and I is Lord Dagda. I very much doubt I would survive my wedding night.”

Isobel shivered at the thought of Lord Dagda touching her, much less anything else. “I will not be coming with you, now or ever. Now leave.”

“You’re refusing me and Lord Dagda. That shall not be tolerated. You have no choice but to obey.”

Sir Raymond stepped menacingly closer to Isobel, and the chamber door opened wide, and headmaster Ogden stepped into the chamber, followed by two of the largest footmen.

“Sir Raymond, I believe that it would be best if you leave,” Master Ogden stated.

“Not without Lady Isobel. She belongs to Lord Dagda and must return to with me,” Sir Raymond snarled.

“You have no say here, sir, and no proof of what you claim. Lady Isobel is both a student and a teacher here and is therefore under my protection.

“If you challenge me, my men will have you forcibly removed.”

Master Ogden stepped before Isobel, using his considerable bulk to shield her.

In his youth Master Ogden had been a knight in the king’s guard, his career as a master swordsman being cut short by a life-threatening injury.

It had only been because of the healers at the university that he survived.

Master Ogden had asked to remain at the university as its protector and had over time become both protector and headmaster.

“You dare to challenge me,” Sir Raymond snarled.

“Don’t try something you will regret. You are unarmed, or did you forget?”

Ogden leveled Sir Raymond with a challenging look. “My men will escort you to the door. The Lady Isobel will not be going with you today, or ever.”

“You shall regret defying me, both of you.” Raymond turned and strode for the door.

Master Ogden motioned for Leo and Bruce the footmen. “Follow him, see that he leaves.” Leo and Bruce nodded as one and then two burly footmen followed Raymond down the hall.

As soon as Sir Raymond stepped from the room, Isobel grabbed the back of the chair for support, as she thought her knees would buckle.

She felt strong hands on her arm and smiled at Mistress Beatrice.

“Perhaps you should sit down. He was a terrible man. I admired how you stood up to him,” Mistress Beatrice said.

Isobel shook her head as she pulled herself together. “No, I’m all right. Thank you for your help, Master Ogden.”

“It is both my duty and my pleasure to protect you. You are one of my favorite students and a valuable member of the faculty.

“I would never let you come to harm. Perhaps you should retire to your chamber for the rest of the day.”

“No. Thank you though, Master Ogden. I prefer to stay busy.”

Isobel didn’t want to think about how her life had abruptly been thrown into chaos, how what she had believed to be her home these past five years had suddenly become unstable and unsafe.

“It will be all right, Isobel. You shall see. Master, perhaps you could give us a moment alone,” Mistress Beatrice said.

“Of course. I should check that Sir Raymond has left. I will see you ladies at the evening meal.” Master Ogden gave them a nod then stepped from his office, closing the door after him.

The moment he was gone, Beatrice gave Isobel a motherly hug.

“It will be all right. I know things are scary now, but you are not alone. I am here for you, as is Master Ogden.

“I understand the thought of leaving the university is scary, but you are to graduate soon. What would you have done then?” Beatrice asked.

“I was hoping to stay as an instructor, like Sister Margaret,” Isobel replied, dashing at the tears that leaked from her eyes.

“Oh, Isobel. You are too young and lovely for that. You have a life ahead of you. You have a chance to find a husband and to have a family.

“Sister Margaret came to us after her betrothed died. She had given up on life. Yours is ahead of you.” Beatrice stepped back, giving her a smile.

“But what of my training? Won’t it all be in vain if I marry? Won’t I have to do as my husband commands?” Isobel demanded.

“Isobel, you know so little of men. If you find a man who really loves you, he will want you to continue with your work. He will want you to do what makes you happy.

“Have you considered marriage? Marriage to a nobleman would protect you. It would give you a home and more.”

Mistress Beatrice gave her another smile. “I will walk you back to the apothecary and explain to Sister Margaret what happened. She will want to know. She is your friend as well as your instructor.”

Isobel nodded. Sister Margaret was indeed her friend and more.

Isobel had come to think of Sister Margaret as family. In fact, she thought of most of the faculty as her family, which was why it was so hard to think of leaving.

“She is, as are you and Master Ogden,” Isobel replied.

“I feel the same. Now, don’t worry. Things will work out. Perhaps a dashing prince will come and whisk you away,” Beatrice stated.

“You are kind. But how would I meet a prince? And if I did, he would not notice me, for I am small and plain.”

Isobel was a good head shorter than most of her classmates and had unfashionable hair of rust red.

If a prince came to the school, he would likely only notice Lady Laura, with her white blonde hair and regal height.

Beatrice made a tsking sound. “You don’t give yourself enough credit. You are lovely. And what is more, you have a gentle heart.

“The right man will see that and fall in love with you. You just have to open your eyes and your heart to the possibility.”

Isobel wanted to say no, but perhaps Mistress Beatrice was right.

She’d never thought of marrying. Her studies had consumed her and filled the void where her family had been. But finding someone to love who loved her in return would be wonderful.

He didn’t have to be a prince, just a kind and handsome man who loved her.

“Perhaps you are right. The spring open house is coming up, and there will be many scholars attending. Perhaps I shall meet a kind man then.”

“Perhaps indeed. Now head up. All will be well,” Beatrice replied with a smile.

Isobel nodded and prayed that Beatrice was correct.