by Trisha Baker
Meghann spoke their thoughts aloud. "You are not arrogant, Alcuin. I… I do not know what to say. All this time I looked at immortality and what it did to me. Me and my problems are all I ever thought about. You make me ashamed because I never once thought of others. But I will now. You're right… We have a responsibility." Charles nodded in agreement.
"There's no need to feel shame, banrion. To have lived with Lord Baldevar all this time, and still be capable of feeling duty toward mortals, to want to change, makes me hold you in very high esteem. You do honor to my house… as do you, Charles. You risked a great deal to reach out to Meghann. I compliment you… once for seeing what a fine young lady she is and once for braving Simon's wrath."
"Alcuin," she began, "how well do you know Simon?"
"About as well as anyone can know that blackguard. Why?"
"Is it true that he never had a… consort before me?"
Alcuin nodded. "He transformed many people… to gain their wealth, for slaves under his dominion. But you are the only one he made for a companion."
"But why?" she asked. "Why me?"
Alcuin sighed, and finished his drink. "Two reasons. First, you remind him of his second wife."
"Wife!" Meghann exclaimed. "When was he married? Why do I remind Simon of her? Why was he married twice?"
"You know nothing of Lord Baldevar?" Charles asked in shock.
"He never told me anything." She turned to Alcuin, who was pouring a second hefty glass of absinthe. "Will you tell me about Simon? I think I have a right to know."
"Of course you do. But I am warning you—it's not a pleasant story."
"Knowing what I do of Simon, I would expect no less."
Alcuin nodded. "I'll start at the beginning, banrion. Simon Baldevar was born on a small estate near York in 1560. He had two older brothers, Roger and Michael. Roger was the eldest and destined to succeed their father, Payton, as baron."
"Baron?" Meghann questioned. "Simon is an earl."
"A title given to him by Queen Elizabeth I," Alcuin replied. "To put it mildly, Simon was frustrated at being born the youngest son in a declining family. The Baldevars were a minor noble family, and they fit into a typical Elizabethan pattern. Venerable lineage, some land but no real wealth. What little there was would of course go to Roger. Simon was enraged by the thought of living the life of a third son—marriage to some landless woman of no account, his home some minor keep his brother would dower him."
"So what did he do?"
"In 1578, a young explorer came to Baron Payton with a proposition. He wanted to mount a voyage to the Middle East and he needed to sail under the protection of a noble name. If Payton would finance the trip, and provide protection that he could obtain from the queen, the explorer would give him seventy-five percent of the profit Alas, the baron was a cautious man. He was not willing to risk his crumbling estate on what seemed to him a risky venture."
Alcuin paused to take a drink. "Simon was furious with his father. He called him a fool, an idiot. Simon insisted that the family rebuild their wealth, as other noble families were doing—through investment in trade, backing merchants, shipping. Simon was quite right about the chance for success, but Payton unfortunately couldn't see that. He ordered his youngest son to leave his sight."
"What happened next?"
"The next morning, a maid discovered the baron's body in his bed."
"Did Simon kill him?" Meghann was fascinated.
"It was never proven. There were no signs of a struggle or poison. But many people—retainers, the explorer, serving girls—had heard Simon argue with his father the night before. The rumors began to fly that Simon had killed his father through sorcery—rumors that Simon did his best to encourage."
"Wasn't he worried about being burned at the stake?" Meghann asked.
"Not at all—and to some extent, the gossip was true. From a very young age, Simon dabbled in the black arts. A fact his brother Roger, now the baron, was well aware of. Roger was a deeply superstitious man and was terrified that Simon would use his black magic on him too. It took very little to persuade him to mount the expedition. His only stipulation was that his younger brother must accompany the explorer to the Levant."
"Probably hoping the journey would kill him," Charles put in.
"No one should underestimate Simon," Alcuin said. "He didn't die—that first exploration was a smashing success. Simon, without consulting Roger, purchased more ships—bound for the New World, India, and Algiers. In a few years, he tripled the Baldevar fortunes. He remained in Constantinople for ten years—I understand the Ottoman was quite fond of him."
"Why come back?" Meghann asked. "If the Sultan favored him, then he could have made his own fortune in Turkey."
"He didn't desire a Turkish fortune—he wanted what he thought was his. To his way of thinking, Roger was a stupid leech, who by a simple accident of birth was enjoying the profits of Simon's hard work. As far as he was concerned, he wanted everything he thought should be his—all the wealth, his brother's title, and marriage into a good family."
"So he had to come back and kill Roger to gain all of that," Meghann concluded.
"Correct," Alcuin answered.
"Had Simon married while he was in Turkey?" Meghann asked. "You said he married twice, and he would have been twenty-eight when he returned to England. I thought people married young in the Renaissance."
"They did—Simon was married for the first time when he was seventeen to Alice Joyes, eldest daughter of a prosperous merchant. He left her behind when he went to Turkey, and she contracted 'white throat' a few years after he left. He had nothing to do with her death, but I'm sure he regarded it as good luck. Now he was free to pursue a high-born woman for a better match."
"Did Simon kill Roger when he came back?" Meghann wanted to know. "And why didn't he kill the other brother too—Michael?"
"Michael died in the same epidemic that killed Alice—more good luck for Simon." Alcuin gave Meghann a sad smile. "Now we come to the part of the tale that pertains to you, banrion."
"Me? Oh, you mean Simon's second wife."
Alcuin sighed heavily. "Indeed, Simon's second wife—and his brother Roger's first wife, Baroness Isabelle Baldevar."
"He married his brother's wife?" Meghann asked incredulously. "But why? Why did she marry him? Did they love each other? Did he kill his brother for her? And why do I remind Simon of her?"
Alcuin stood and offered his arm to Meghann. "Come with me and you'll understand. Charles, would you like to join us?"
Alcuin took her into the library where he guided her to a portrait over the fireplace. Meghann looked up at it and gasped.
"There is an uncanny physical resemblance between you and Isabelle," Alcuin told her. "The only substantial difference is in your eyes."
The painting stunned Meghann. It was like looking at a portrait of herself from another time—except the woman in the painting had violet eyes while Meghann's were light green.
Charles spoke up. "Isabelle's features are a bit more delicate than Meghann's."
"Isabelle was French," Alcuin replied, "but the likeness is eerie—same color hair, even the shape of your eyes is similar."
Meghann couldn't stop gaping at the painting. You could be my sister, she thought as she stared at the woman above her, or you could be… me. Isabelle's hair was gathered into fiery red coils that rested on a lavender neck whisk. She was wearing a violet gown that matched her eyes. Meghann stared at the gown in wonder; she had never seen anything like it. The gown had a square-cut neckline with huge puffed sleeves that were slashed to reveal a light violet material. They tapered at her elbows. The gown had amethyst and diamond chips sprinkled all over the bodice and overskirt. There was an underskirt that matched the material in the sleeves. Isabelle was wearing a diamond and amethyst necklace. Pearl and diamond bob earrings dangled from her ears. Meghann frowned, trying to remember what that gown reminded her of. Her eyes widened when she realized that the violet gown was t
he same color as the dress she wore the night she met Simon Baldevar. That thought made her extremely uncomfortable. Had Simon looked at her and seen a woman he'd been married to nearly four hundred years before?
Meghann reached up and touched the painting. "She's beautiful. I wish I had eyes like that."
"Are you sure?" Alcuin questioned. "Take another look at her eyes—tell me what you see."
Meghann studied the painting more closely. At first, she had thought the woman's expression was tranquil, but now she saw that Isabelle's lips were tightly compressed. There seemed to be some tension in her face—like she was trying not to cry.
She turned to Alcuin. "Her eyes are stunning—I've never seen that shade before. But they seem filled with sadness—it's like her heart is breaking."
"That portrait was painted on the day she married Simon Baldevar," Alcuin informed her.
Meghann pulled her hand away as though she'd been scalded. "But she looks like she's dying!"
"I'm sure she regarded marriage to Simon as a living death," Charles said softly.
"What did he do to her?" Meghann demanded. The hair stood up on the back of her neck. "He didn't make her a vampire too?"
"Simon wasn't a vampire when he married Isabelle… No, he never transformed her. In a way, what he did to her was far worse. Are you sure you're ready to hear this?"
Meghann and Charles nodded their heads. Charles only knew a little of Isabelle Baldevar's tragic tale.
"Isabelle married Roger when she was fifteen years old—two years before Simon returned. The marriage was arranged to join land the two families owned in France, but over time it became a love match—rather rare for the time. One year before Simon came home, Isabelle gave birth to a son, named Michael for his deceased uncle."
Meghann, veteran of a thousand radio soap operas, picked up the thread of the story. "Then Simon came back and shattered their domestic bliss."
Alcuin nodded. "Your choice of words is quite accurate. Naturally, Simon always had it in mind to murder Roger, but that desire intensified when he became infatuated with Isabelle."
"Did she return his feelings?" Charles asked.
"Not at all. Isabelle was devoted to Roger, and she had a strong sense of honor. She would never betray her wedding vows. Now, Simon is a very good-looking man and can be quite charming when he wishes. He was not used to being turned down. Isabelle's refusal drove him wild."
"What did he do?" Meghann whispered.
"He never left the poor girl alone. She didn't know what to do; she was scared Roger might blame her. Matters came to a head one night when Roger came back from a hunt early and found Simon attempting to rape his young wife."
"And Roger—"
"Roger attacked him. They fought and Simon killed his brother before Isabelle's horrified eyes."
Alcuin paused and studied the painting. Meghann started in on her third glass of absinthe. She was starting to feel a bit intoxicated.
"With his brother slain, Simon had everything he wanted within his grasp. The only problem was Isabelle—she was the sole witness to the murder. Simon told her precisely what they were going to do. They would go to court where Isabelle would tell the queen that one of her husband's men had attacked her. Roger bravely fought him, but he was killed. At this point, Simon entered the room and killed the rogue. After Isabelle explained the situation to Elizabeth, Simon would petition the queen to name him Michael's guardian to rule as baron until the young boy reached his majority and assign him Isabelle's hand in marriage."
Meghann looked at the sorrowful woman. "Is that what happened?"
Alcuin gave a half smile. "Not exactly. Isabelle was a bit like you, Meghann—a determined young lady. She was more resourceful than Simon gave her credit for. While Simon thought she was sleeping, Isabelle fled the estate. Her plan was to beat Simon to the court and tell the queen the true story of her husband's murder. She rode at a furious pace, taking only two of Roger's most trusted retainers for protection."
Good for you, Meghann told the picture silently.
Then she frowned. "But what about her child, Michael? Wasn't she scared to leave him alone with Simon?"
"She didn't. Isabelle gave the infant to the captain of Roger's guard. Her plan was for the guard to take Michael to her father in Nice—along with a letter detailing what Simon had done to Roger."
Meghann felt like cheering for Isabelle, but then the tortured eyes caught her attention again. "What went wrong?"
"Four days later, Isabelle appeared before Queen Elizabeth and told her that she'd been widowed when a brigand guard murdered her husband. Only the quick action of her brother-in-law saved her life."
Meghann was crestfallen. "Why did she do it?"
When Alcuin spoke again, his voice was calm, but his lips were as tightly compressed as the painting of Isabelle. "Because when Isabelle arrived at court, Simon was already there. He escorted her to the suite of rooms the queen had given them. Once they were there, he produced her infant son, Michael. He put a knife to the infant's throat and assured her that he would murder the child if Isabelle did not back his story."
Charles spoke up before Meghann. "But how did he find the baby?"
"When Simon discovered Isabelle's disappearance, he had Alma, her tiring woman, brought before him. She refused to tell him anything, until he removed her fingernails with a hot pincer. Once he knew Isabelle's plan, it was easy to capture the captain of the guard who had to ride at a slow pace because of the baby. As for Isabelle, she was from France, and Roger's retainers had never been more than fifteen miles from the estate. None of them knew the most direct route to London, or which castle Elizabeth was holding court in—Simon did."
"Well," Meghann said practically, "why not agree to Simon's terms and then tell the queen the truth anyway?"
"He put a full-time guard on the child—his guard. The man had specific instructions to slaughter the child the second Simon was arrested."
Alcuin gave Meghann a twisted smile. "What do you know of Elizabeth?"
Meghann searched her brain for all she'd learned in history classes. "She was the Virgin Queen, and she made England a powerful empire."
"She may well have been 'virgin,' but she had an eye for handsome men. Appearing at court was the best thing that could have happened to Simon. The elderly queen became infatuated with his looks and charm. But what really enthralled her was his financial wizardry. Simon truly was an alchemist—everything he touched turned to gold. By 1588, the Crown was heavily in debt. By following Simon's advice, Elizabeth was able to recoup some of her losses. She made Simon a member of the court. Within a few months, she created him Lord Simon Baldevar, Earl of Lecarrow. Simon could do no wrong in the queen's eyes—even when he began beating Isabelle."
"Why did he beat her?"
Alcuin avoided Meghann's eyes. "Isabelle was a simple, Catholic noblewoman. You see, in Constantinople, Simon developed very… sophisticated tastes, and Isabelle was incapable of… pleasing him."
Meghann blushed scarlet. She knew what tastes Alcuin was referring to. That guard was right… She was Baldevar's harlot.
"No, banrion." Alcuin looked at her again. "You mustn't be ashamed of being a healthy, passionate young woman. Simon is attractive and… responding to him was a perfectly normal reaction. Indeed, Isabelle's life would have been far easier if she could have pleased him. But she found sex distasteful… particularly the way Simon wanted it. On their wedding night, he beat her black and blue in disgust. After a while, he entertained himself with the ladies of the court… sleeping with Isabelle only for the purpose of procreation."
"Procreation? Simon wanted children?" It had never occurred to Meghann that Simon could have had mortal children. "Did he have children?"
"No, at least none that I know of."
"Was Isabelle scared to give him a son—for fear he would murder her child with Roger?"
"Quite the opposite. She was terrified of what he would do to Michael if she didn't produce an heir
. You see if Simon had a son, that child would be in line to succeed him as earl. Roger was the former baron—the earldom started with Simon. So if she could give him a son, Michael would be quite safe from his stepfather's wrath. Indeed, Simon told Isabelle that once she gave birth to a healthy male heir, she could live out the rest of her life in France with her firstborn. Simon would even give the boy the land in France. So she wanted a second son almost as much as Simon did."
"But you said he never had children."
Alcuin bowed his head. "Oh, Isabelle—centuries have passed and your story still hurts me. After three months of marriage, she discovered she was pregnant. At first, Simon was so thrilled he was nearly cordial to her. He no longer forced her to his bed, and the beatings stopped—he would not harm his heir." Alcuin stopped and looked at Charles. "My young physician, what do you think medical care was like in the sixteenth century?"
Charles considered the question. "Horrible, Master. Did something go wrong with the delivery?"
"No, in her sixth month, she had a miscarriage. I believe she had what we now diagnose as toxemia. Anyway, she lost the baby—which was a boy."
Alcuin shuddered. "Simon was enraged. She told me how… he came to her bed and started throttling her. Before the midwife managed to get someone to pull him off, he screamed, 'You rotten, lazy, stupid wench! How dare you bleed my heir away! What the hell is wrong with you? You disgust me!' But that wrath was nothing compared to what he displayed when the court physician informed him that the miscarriage had so damaged Isabelle that she would never again be able to conceive a child."
Meghann and Charles exchanged sickened glances. Charles asked the question Meghann could not bring herself to say aloud. "What happened next?"
"As far as Simon was concerned, Isabelle was worthless now… and that is the way he treated her. He punished her morning, noon, and night. There were horrific beatings, and he made her participate in orgies. He knew her feelings… and it gave him no end of pleasure to see her cry and beg for deliverance from the sick acts he made her perform. The first night, he expected to see her copulate with two other women… and a dog." Meghann choked on her drink, and Alcuin waited until she regained her composure to continue. "With her last show of spirit, Isabelle said no. And then she told me, he gave her the most venomous look she had ever seen and told her that if she did not participate… her child would take her place."
