I frown, still trying to make sense of this, to fully comprehend the implications of what Stefan has achieved. “So, Sophia is… what? She is now your ward?”
“Yes.”
“What does that mean? For her?”
“It means she is in my care. She will live here, with us, until such time as she marries whereupon I will no doubt be called upon to provide her with a generous dowry. I gather the count de Chapelle died in somewhat strained circumstances so she can expect little in the way of inheritance. Still, I daresay we will manage.”
His smile is indulgent, but I do not underestimate the extent of my husband’s generosity. And his forbearance. “You did that for me. You took in another penniless orphan, the daughter of your enemy at that, just because you knew I loved her and that I was missing her?”
“Of course. Why would I not? I love you. I want you to be happy. I once, mistakenly, believed that becoming a nun would achieve that for you. I much prefer this solution though.”
“Me too. I cannot believe you would do this. For me. For Sophia. Will her presence her not be… painful for you?”
Stefan smiles at me. “I am no scholar, ‘tis true, but I hope my intellect is sufficiently well developed that I can discern the difference between an incompetent warmonger, one who has been dead or the best part of a year at that, and a small child playing in the corner of my hall. If there is some physical resemblance between them, it is lost on me since I never met her father. I am confident I will not confuse the two.”
“You will grow to love her?”
“Yes, I daresay.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.”
“I suspect you will come up with something, my love.” His smile fades and for a few moments his expression is serious. “You know how precious my children are to me. Why would I consider yours any less so? And please be under no illusion, my love, if it is within my power there is little I would not do for you. I love you, so ‘tis simple. Even on that first day at Hohenzollern, had I known of Sophia’s existence and her importance to you, we would not have left without her. You could have trusted me even then, though I do understand why you did not.”
I lower my gaze, ashamed now of my doubts. I was quite certain there was no chance, I knew with cold certainty there was no means by which I might affect Sophia’s fate. I have no influence, no power, no friends at court. I never considered for one moment that Stefan might intervene, that he would do this for me. I should have, I see that now.
I make a belated attempt to explain myself. I owe him that much. “I apologise, my lord. It never occurred to me that you would allow Sophia to come here, to be with me. The child of your old enemy, not even my own daughter.”
“Allow? What is this talk of allowing? Have I ever denied you anything you needed or desired, if it was in my power to provide it?”
“No, but…”
“And you should realise by now that family is not always about blood. Certainly ours is not. I thought you understood that, your attachment to Sophia is proof of it. Clearly I have some further work to do in convincing you.” His expression takes on a more stern aspect as he narrows his eyes at me. “As the switch is out of the question for the next few months I must come up with something else sufficiently compelling.”
“I am sure you will not fail me.”
“Your confidence is heartening, but I am open to suggestions nevertheless.”
“Stefan?”
“Mmm?”
“I love you.”
His expression softens and he kisses me. “Thank the dear lord for that. It is about time you got around to telling me.”
“If I tell you every day from now on, will it earn me more spankings?”
“Lady Natalia, you are quite wanton. Thank God I married you when I did for you would have made a deplorable holy sister. I fear you will prove a questionable influence on our impressionable girls.”
“In that case, perhaps we should retire to our chamber for a short while, my lord. Just to make sure I do not create the wrong impression.”
“What an excellent suggestion, my sweet. Even if Clare and Sophia were not traumatised I doubt Helena would approve of my fucking you on this table. I believe it to be freshly polished.” He glances around the hall. “Where is Mathilde?”
Just at that moment the maidservant reappears from the kitchen, a mug of ale in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. Stefan meets her halfway across the floor.
“Thank you.” He takes the drinks from her. “Lady Natalia and I have some matters of considerable urgency that we must attend to in our chamber. Perhaps you could watch the girls for us now? And ensure that we are not disturbed.”
Mathilde grins and nods, though she does have the grace to blush. Would that I still retained such finer feelings.
“She will know. She is sure to know what we are about.” I whisper my admonition to Stefan as he drags me up the stairs in his wake.
“They will all know soon enough. You do tend to be most vocal, my dear. I suppose I could gag you, if that helps.”
I sigh. “I am sure we will manage perfectly well, my lord, gag or no gag.”
He chuckles as he bundles me through the door into our chamber. “No doubt we will. Now, strip, and kneel, your grace.”
The End
Conquering Lady Claire
By
Sue Lyndon
Prologue
Galien sat at the duke of Leuthold’s right, his unease rising as the midday meal progressed. He had intended to depart Leuthold two days past, but the duke had invited him and his men to stay longer. Galien thought it unwise to refuse his overlord’s invitation and had agreed to prolong his visit, even though the duke’s constant questioning grated his nerves.
“Tell me about your intended. She used to live here in this castle, did she not?” the duke asked.
“Aye, the Lady Rhianna. She died when an illness swept through and claimed her father, her mother, her brothers, and many others in the castle.” Galien brought his goblet to his lips and swallowed the last of his wine in an attempt to drown his growing irritation.
The emperor had granted Leuthold the dukedom last spring, after the young man’s army helped overthrow an attack upon an important trading port, and this was Galien’s first visit to Leuthold in many years, a visit made tense by Leuthold’s increasingly peculiar behavior. If Galien didn’t know better, he’d think the young duke suspected him of some crime or treason. The less-than-casual interrogation had gone on for almost a fortnight.
“Did you know her well? The Lady Rhianna?”
“No, I only met her once as a child.”
“Sir Galien, I know you are anxious to return home, but I assure you I have good reason for inviting you to Leuthold.” The duke sat back. “I also have good reason for badgering you with question after question.”
Galien stiffened and placed his goblet on the table. “What reason is that?”
“To determine your character, Sir Galien.”
“My character?”
“Yes.” The duke crossed his arms and a brief smile flitted across his youthful face. “I have found you suitable enough for my purposes.”
A sense of foreboding struck Galien, for he recognized the look in the duke’s eyes. His father had given him that look many a time, always before he issued a command Galien didn’t care for. “Suitable enough for what?”
“To marry my sister, Lady Claire.”
God’s head. Marriage! Galien swallowed hard and felt the blood drain from his face. He’d endured many a lecture from his father in recent months about his responsibility to marry and produce an heir, but he preferred to postpone matrimony until absolutely necessary. He cleared his throat and tried to compose himself. He glanced in his empty cup. Why hadn’t a servant refilled his wine yet? “Your grace, I’m afraid I do not understand.”
“You will travel to Diterich Castle and fetch my sister. I believe she is still there, though I cannot be entirely certain
. I’ve sent her many letters since her husband’s death two winters ago, but she has offered no response. I do not trust her husband’s family, and I am taking it upon myself to see her wed again, this time to a man who isn’t old enough to be her sire’s sire. Are you familiar with Diterich?”
Galien had heard of the castle, and of the elderly Lord Diterich who had outlived his first five wives. “I did not know Diterich had taken a sixth wife, though I did hear of his passing.”
Leuthold leaned closer to Galien. “Aye, my sister became his sixth wife, but she did not bear him any children. However, she is still young and I am confident she will give you many sons.” He shrugged. “My mother gave my father six sons. I sense your reluctance, Sir Galien, but I am not giving you a choice. You will find Lady Claire and you will make her your wife.” The young duke smirked. “And to compensate you for having to spend the rest of your life with my spirited sister, I will extend your holdings into the valley. That means the trading village of North Wenzton is now yours.”
Servants passed by and collected their empty trenchers as the minstrels played a merry song that contrasted with Galien’s dark mood. From across the hall, the servant girl he’d tumbled on his first night here winked at him. He lowered his gaze, wishing the duke hadn’t found him suitable enough.
“You will leave on the morrow.” The duke of Leuthold patted his back as if they were longtime friends. “See that you find my sister and treat her with kindness. Do not disappoint me. I needn’t remind you that I have the emperor’s ear.”
Chapter One
Lady Claire blinked up at the white flag raised above the battered keep. All the hairs on the back of her neck stood up, and a knot formed low in her stomach. A tense silence blanketed the bailey, while outside the walls of Hohenzollern triumphant cries rang out.
It was over, or at least the fighting part of it. Claire wasn’t so naïve as to think the mercenaries and soldiers who fought on behalf of the emperor planned to march away empty-handed. She covered her mouth with an icy hand to stifle a gasp wrought from the sudden realization. The castle would be looted, or worse. Perhaps the knights would show some restraint, but over half of the army consisted of ruthless mercenaries, the type of men who knew no restraint.
She cast one last glance at the white flag flapping about in the frigid winter wind and made her decision. She had to escape Hohenzollern before the terms of surrender were finalized, before the conquering army streamed into the keep. Gathering up her skirts, she raced into the castle, almost knocking a young knight over in her haste to escape. Before she succeeded in moving by him, he gripped her shoulders and peered at her through the slit in his helmet.
“Sir Roland,” she said, recognizing the knight by his eyes, one blue and one green.
“You must depart the castle, Lady Claire. The princess is walking out to meet with the enemy as we speak, but I fear the mercenaries will storm the keep at any moment to claim their portion of the spoils of war, including the women within these walls.”
“Tell me how to leave this place and I will.” She clutched onto his armor-covered forearms to steady herself, praying he knew of a secret passage that led away from the castle and the carnage of the battle.
“Gather as many women and children as you can and make haste to the cellars. Lady Glenda is waiting there and she will guide you to safety. Go now and good luck!”
Claire nodded her thanks and gave him a sad smile. “God be with you, Sir Roland.”
“And with you, my lady.”
With a feeling of purpose that superseded her fear, she ran through the halls of the keep, gathered as many women and children as she could find, and bade them to follow her to the cellars. Glenda stood waiting as promised, and after lighting a few torches and handing them to the women who looked most able and alert, the dark-haired lady ushered them down a series of narrow passages, the light of their torches barely piercing the deep gloom of the underground escape route. Glenda paused when at last a faint light could be seen further on down a narrow tunnel. She bid the trembling lady at the front of the line to lead the group out of the tunnel and on to safety in the forest.
“There’s an old hunting cottage only a half-day’s journey, just keep moving north,” Glenda said. “We will find each other there.”
Claire’s conscience grew heavier and heavier with the knowledge that she hadn’t been able to find all her cousins, many of the servant girls, and other ladies who had been visiting the castle. She met Glenda’s stare through the dim light and reached for her hands.
“This isn’t half the ladies I meant to find, Glenda. They must be hiding in their chambers, or perhaps waiting to see what happens next.”
“I’ve sent two smaller groups out into the forest before yours, Claire.”
“Did you see Lady Hazel?”
Glenda shook her head. “No, I haven’t seen her since early this morning.”
“I must go back and find her.”
“Please hurry. I’ll wait for you here as long as I can.” Glenda squeezed her hands to encourage her, but Claire did not move right away. Something about the surrender troubled her. “What is it, child?” Glenda asked impatiently.
“I am surprised Lord Eberhard agreed to surrender so soon. I imagined that stubborn man would hold out for a few more days at least.”
Glenda scoffed. “Lord Eberhard is more a coward than he is stubborn. He joined the second group of women and children I took into the cellars. Pushed ahead of the group and ran off into the dark even as I hollered after him.”
Claire’s spirits plummeted to her feet. Poor Princess Susanna. No wonder a white flag had been raised. The princess had taken the most sensible course of action under the circumstances to save the lives of her people, and Claire respected her for it. “That bastard,” Claire hissed, thinking it especially cruel of Lord Eberhard to incur the anger of neighboring kingdoms only to run when they came seeking vengeance.
“Aye, he’s a bastard of the worst kind. We are running out of time. You must go now.”
Claire nodded and grabbed up her skirts, grateful that she’d worn her brother’s old boots today rather than a pair of dainty slippers. She’d taken to wearing them the moment the fighting began and had slipped a knife into a fold of leather against her ankle. She had no intention of letting some foul-breathed mercenary rut on her. It took her several minutes to find her way back down the passageway with only the light of her torch to guide her, but at last she emerged into the cellars once more, then quickly made her way upstairs.
Servants rushed to and fro through the halls, and Claire stepped in front of a footman. “Are the mercenaries inside yet?” She clutched his arm to prevent him from taking off again.
“Please, milady, I must go and find my daughters.” He tugged free of her grasp but paused long enough to divulge the reason for the new chaos that had broken out. “Gerhard of Bavaria announced that there would be no rapes or murders today, but women may be taken as wives.”
Her mind spun and for a moment she felt dizzy. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you’d best go and hide yerself, milady, lest you become the bride of some mercenary or a knight from the Free Cities. They’ve just summoned Father David to stand at the portcullis and perform quick marriage ceremonies. Hide now, milady! Before it’s too late!”
The footman dashed off and left Claire alone in the middle of the disorder.
She wasted no time in retrieving the knife from her boot. She clutched the bejeweled handle and set off in search of any remaining women and children. As she made her way to the stairs, she looked upon the great hall and her eyes went wide at the sight of rough-looking, brutish men spilling into the castle. The mercenaries she’d heard the servants whispering worriedly about. Knights too, some bearing crests she recognized from nearby houses, and some wearing crests she didn’t recognize at all.
Her heart sank at the sight of ladies and servant girls being forced to stand in a line against the far wall as the men
looked them up and down, while others were forced outside. Many of ladies were crying, and Claire’s heart went out to them. She wished to save every last one of them, and she held her breath as she scanned the crowd for her young cousin, the very lady who’d kindly asked Princess Susanna to send her an invitation to the castle many weeks ago.
“Claire! My God, it’s you!”
Claire spun around and breathed a sigh of relief. “Cousin! Where have you been?” She grasped Hazel’s hand and pulled her toward the cellars. “Oh, never mind. Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“Away from here.” Claire ran through the halls, desperate to reach the cellars before the soldiers made their way further into the castle. At last she came upon the stairs which lead to the cellars, and she pushed Hazel ahead of her. “Glenda is waiting for us. She’s already evacuated three groups of ladies through an underground passage. She will guide us out into the forest.”
Hazel rushed down the steps, holding her skirts high, the veil on her headdress flouncing through the air. Claire followed quickly. At the bottom of the stairs, Claire grabbed the torch she had left behind after coming back through the passage minutes ago. Moving quickly through the cellars, she guided Hazel through the door which lead to the underground passage, then handed her the torch. “Follow this passage until you find Glenda or reach the forest! I’m going to see if I can bar this door behind us.”
Hazel paused for a moment, then nodded and started down the passage. Claire turned back to the door which concealed the passage entrance from the rest of the cellars, forcing it shut and then searching for a locking mechanism. Unable to find anything after a few minutes, she cursed under her breath, then simply left it closed and hoped for the best.
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