A Nordic Knight of the Golden Fleece: Jakob & Avery: Book 2 (The Hansen Series - Jakob & Avery)

by Kris Tualla

She poured fresh water into the basin and handed him a cloth. “I suppose you should start at the beginning.”

  Jakob wet the cloth and began to wash under his arms. “Obviously, the king was displeased.”

  “Obviously. We knew he would be.”

  “Yes.” Jakob rinsed the cloth and continued his ablutions. “He made a point of telling me that to allow a knight—any knight—to flaunt convention without consequence would make his king appear foolish and weak.”

  Avery sank into the remaining chair not adorned with Jakob’s clothes. “He makes a point, I am afraid.”

  “He does indeed.” Jakob reached for his nightshirt, which Askel had laid across the foot of the bed. “And yet, in light of my long service, he did not wish to dismiss me outright.”

  “What does he wish to do?”

  “Humiliate me.” Jakob’s head disappeared under the loose linen shirt, and reappeared through the neck opening. “He wishes to make an example of me.”

  Avery’s indignant rage began to burn in her core. “And you will allow him to?”

  “I have no choice.”

  “Why not?” She jumped to her feet. “Why not merely leave?”

  He sighed and gave her a patient look. “It is not so simple as that.”

  She crossed her arms in front of her, chin jutting. “Then please, explain it to me.”

  Jakob held out his hand, beckoning her to him. “Let’s go into the front room, have a glass of wine, and discuss it.”

  Avery stalked through the bedchamber door and claimed a spot on the couch. Jakob followed, and went to the sideboard to fill their cups. He handed Avery hers, then sat beside her.

  “First of all, I acted wrongly. We must remember this.”

  Avery reluctantly agreed. “Did you explain the circumstances?”

  “Yes, of course.” Jakob sipped his wine. “I also reminded him of your influence in King Henry’s court.”

  Avery’s shoulders drooped. “Yet even so, he feels he must assert his sovereignty over you.”

  “As is his right.”

  Avery stared at the wine in her cup. It was amber in color and sweeter than the red wines she was accustomed to. “So what form is this humiliation to take?”

  Displeasure tightened Jakob’s features. “Starting immediately I—well, we—are banned from court appearances.”

  “No more suppers. No competitions. No festivities.” Since she did not know these people, and was unable to follow their rapid conversations, this censure would mainly impact Jakob.

  “Correct.” He took another drink.

  Avery waved a hand, indicating the apartment. “What about our living quarters?”

  One corner of Jakob’s mouth quirked. “How could I be humiliated, if my exclusion from these things could not be observed by everyone?”

  “So we will live here, clearly visible under everyone’s noses, and then your banishment from the king’s side will be obvious?” Avery snorted. “How mature of him.”

  Jakob shrugged. “We have a home. We can take meals in our rooms if we choose to, or we can go about the city. Our time is ours for the most part.”

  Avery tried to tamp down her irritation for Jakob’s sake. “How long must we remain here in København under these constraints?”

  “I am not certain.”

  “Make a conjecture.”

  Jakob blew a breath through pursed lips. “I would guess perhaps three months.”

  “Until mid-September or so.” Avery leaned toward Jakob and looked him hard in the eye. “And then what?”

  “And then, once my punishment ends, I am free to do as I wish, and with all of my Danish investments intact,” Jakob explained. “If I left now, I would lose everything I have accrued.”

  “King Christian would simply take it.”

  He gave her an apologetic look. “He has invested in me for sixteen years and would see it as his legal repayment.”

  Avery heaved a sigh. “So you would be made penniless and have no income.”

  “Yes.” Jakob chuckled. “And I am afraid that my manly pride will not allow me to live off of my wife’s charity for the remainder of my days.”

  Avery nodded. She understood his mindset clearly; if he thought differently, however, he would not be the man she fell in love with. “Have you decided if you will remain in his service after that?”

  “No. I believe we shall make that decision together.” He reached out and took her hand. “If you do not grow to love Denmark, then I will take you back to England.”

  Avery’s irritation with their situation evaporated in the light of her husband’s selfless generosity. “I love you, Jakob.”

  His thumb stroked the back of her hand. “And I love you, Avery. I would do anything for you.”

  “And in exchange, I do promise to try and love Denmark.” She smiled seductively and pushed her nightdress off her shoulder. “Shall we begin that process now?”

  *****

  Jakob curled around his wife in complete post-coital bliss, thrums of pleasure still trilling through his frame. For the last half of an hour, their passionate bedsport pushed aside all considerations of his situation with his king.

  He had not been completely honest with Avery about Christian’s demands, but told her enough for her to understand how they would live. What he held back from her was how precarious his situation truly was.

  Denmark was now openly at war with Sweden and, though the war was mostly fought at sea, the threat on land was real as well. With Christian hobbling him so publically, Jakob could be in danger.

  Yet he could not, in good conscience, leave behind a king he had respected and served for so long. Nor could he abandon a decent income of his own making. To live off of Avery’s trade business would be a constant thorn, pricking him until he was consumed by that pain, and the rot of the wound would poison his love for her.

  He meant it when he told her he would take her back to England. After spending several months there, Jakob believed he would adjust to living in that country far better than Avery would adjust to living in this one.

  He only had to survive the next three or four months, and his destiny would once more be in his own hands.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  June 25, 1519

  Jakob and Avery spent the next week settling into Jakob’s apartments in the royal residence. Besides breaking their fast, they took one additional meal a day in their rooms, and the other—either midday or supper—in some establishment which Jakob knew in the city.

  The problem with that, as far as Avery was concerned, was that Jakob did not always join her for the second meal and she was left to dine in their apartment alone.

  “I cannot slink off like a recalcitrant pup,” Jakob stated when she broached the subject after breakfast. “After my absence, I must reestablish my alliances, so that when I am reinstated I will not have lost my influences.”

  After spending years in a royal court, Avery understood exactly to what her husband referred. That did not ease her loneliness, however.

  “If only I could find a companion,” she said. “Someone who speaks English or even Latin. Perhaps someone to help me with Danish and Norsk.”

  Jakob pulled her close. “Would it help if I arranged for a carriage to be available whenever you wished?”

  Avery looped her arms around his neck. “I suppose. It might be nice to get some fresh air every day.”

  “Then consider it done. I shall make the arrangements this morning.” Jakob kissed her tenderly, his mouth tasting of smoked salmon and soft cheese.

  Avery sighed and leaned into him. Since arriving in København, their lovemaking had been particularly intense. She would believe that to be a good thing, if it were not controverted by the deepening lines of stress around Jakob’s mouth and a wariness in his eyes. Christian’s punitive actions were clearly harder on Jakob than he admitted.

  When the kiss ended, he rested his forehead against hers. “Remember to smile when you are in public.
The best way to survive this stricture is to appear unconcerned with the outcome.”

  He made a good point. The wisdom of Solomon stated that showing kindness to an enemy was like heaping burning coals on that enemy’s head.

  Avery brushed a piece of lint from Jakob’s chest. “Yes, husband. I promise. I shall be positively giddy.”

  Jakob slid a knuckle under her chin and lifted her face to his. “And I promise you, Avery, all will be right in the end.”

  She gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “Go, now, and conquer Denmark.”

  He gave her another quick kiss before striding out of the room, leaving her to fill another day with her own devices.

  *****

  Hans Andersen waited in the prearranged spot, a small chapel inside the red brick and gothic-arched Vor Frue Kirke—Church of Our Lady—next to the Universitet of København.

  “I am sorry if I am late.” Jakob dropped onto the bench beside him. “Avery had some concerns which I needed to address before I left.”

  Hans turned worried brown eyes on his. “What sort of concerns?”

  Jakob waved a hand. “She is bored and lonely, as you might well understand. I arranged for her to have a carriage and driver at her disposal, so that while I am not with her, she can get out from under Christian’s roof and do as she pleases.”

  Hans nodded slowly. “The king’s retribution is hard on both of you.”

  “It is.” Jakob looked up at a massive scaffold rising at the entrance of the cathedral, and the myriad of workmen scaling it. “What is being done here?”

  Hans gave a little snort. “Christian has decided to commemorate himself by building a great tower. From what I have seen of the plans—of which he is very proud, I must add—the tower is to be as high as the church is long.”

  Jakob frowned and returned his regard to Hans. “That is an odd sort of proportion, is it not?”

  The other knight shrugged. “You, out of all of us, know how prideful the king is. I can only assume he wishes to tell the world what a magnificent ruler he is.”

  “And because of all the activity here, no one will mark our conversation.” Jakob nodded his approval. “So what have you brought me here to discuss?”

  “Our not-so-magnificent ruler.” Hans twisted on the bench so that he faced the entrance to the chapel. “Are you aware of his plans to invade Sweden?”

  “No.” Jakob flashed a rueful smile. “He does not confide in me these days.”

  Hans shook his head. “It will be a disaster. The Swedes only want to secede from the Kalmar Union and get out from under Danish rule, but Christian continues to fight them.”

  “The Swedes have always been troublesome,” Jakob observed. “Why not simply let them go?”

  Hans waved a hand toward the construction. “Ask the man who is commemorating himself with an over-sized tower.”

  Jakob chuckled. “I see your point. But what does this have to do with me?”

  The knight folded his hands. “Why are you still here?”

  Jakob chuckled again. “What do you mean by that?”

  “I mean, once Christian lowered his decree, why did you not simply leave Denmark?” Hans shrugged. “You have a Spanish wife who is friends with the English queen. So I ask again, why are you still here?”

  Jakob’s mood sobered. “I do have some pride of my own, Hans. I cannot bear to live on my wife’s charity.”

  “How does remaining in København prevent that?”

  Jakob heaved a resigned sigh. “I have substantial investments here, which will continue to provide me with an income if Christian releases me after all of this nonsense.”

  “I guessed as much. And if you leave, the money remains here?” Hans pressed.

  Jakob nodded. “He has given the banks orders not to allow me to withdraw my funds. In addition, the king has placed a guard in the stable and on the dock. If I, or my wife, try to leave København, we will be stopped and searched.”

  “He really does want to make an example of you,” Hans sympathized. “Why, do you suppose?”

  Jakob waved his hand toward the scaffold. “Ask the man who is commemorating himself with an over-sized tower.”

  Hans laughed, and ran a hand though his pale blond hair. “Now I see your point.”

  “Is that all you wished to ask me?” Jakob stretched out his leg and rubbed his thigh. “If so, perhaps a tavern might be our next stop.”

  “No, there was something else.” Hans lowered his voice. “How much money would it require to replace what you lost if you left?”

  Jakob gave the knight a confused look. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean…” Hans’ gaze shifted to the opening to the chapel, then back to Jakob. “There are men who wish to secure Sweden’s secession from the Union. Wealthy men.”

  Jakob leaned back and folded his arms over his chest. This conversation had just taken a very dangerous turn and his response must be well measured. “I would never do the king harm.”

  “You would not be asked to.”

  “What, then?”

  Hans’ eyes locked onto Jakob’s. “We are speaking about quite a large sum of money. Can I trust your discretion?”

  “Can you trust me?” Jakob countered. “How long have you known me?”

  Hans’ eyes narrowed. “I have known you since you were seventeen Jakob. And because you have always behaved in an honorable and trustworthy manner, I personally put your name and your situation forward to the men involved.”

  Jakob said nothing, but waited for Hans to continue. He did not want to be accused of encouraging this conversation, should it be discovered later.

  “The king has put you and your wife in a very unsatisfactory position, Jakob. He actions are not worthy of you. And I am empowered to offer you enough money to leave Denmark comfortably.” Hans lifted one unconcerned shoulder. “And the task is simple. You would leave immediately upon completing it.”

  Jakob pondered his next words carefully. “Who are these men?”

  “I cannot say.”

  “Then I cannot believe you.”

  Hans frowned. “What do you need to know?”

  “I would like to meet them and judge their character for myself.”

  “Impossible!” Hans blurted.

  “Then we are finished.” Jakob stood and stretched, grinning at his friend. “Would you care to get lunch?”

  The knight rose to his feet as well, looking as if he was about to lose a very large fish from a very trusted net. “I will ask, Jakob. But I cannot promise anything.”

  “That is fair.” He turned as if to leave, then turned back. “How much money are we talking about?”

  Hans relaxed a little. “A large amount.”

  “A large amount to a pauper? Or to a king?” Jakob wagged his head. “Can you be more specific?”

  “Fifty thousand krone.”

  Jakob did the conversion his mind; that amount was about five thousand in English pounds. “Seventy-five thousand and I will think about it.”

  Hans recoiled. “Are you mad?”

  “That is only seventy-five hundred in pounds sterling, and I am a young man yet, with refined tastes.” Jakob pointed a stiff finger at Hans. “You ask me, a knight sworn to the king’s service, to commit some sort of treason. Considering that, I believe it is a bargain.”

  Hans had lost much of his bravado, but clearly not his hope. “Because you are so trusted, I believe they might comply with your requests. I will ask.”

  Jakob assumed that the other knight would be paid as well, if he succeeded in this negotiation, but he needed to make the other man work for his portion. “Good. Now let’s eat. I have worked up an appetite.”

  *****

  Jakob paused in the hallway, realigning his composure before facing Avery. He had hidden much of what he revealed to Hans about their imprisoned station from his wife and he needed to appear unconcerned in her presence.

  Then, of course, Hans’ startling scheme must
remain undisclosed as well. Jakob hoped he had not demanded too much, and scuttled the proposition altogether. Yet he did not wish to appear too eager to accept, thereby raising the men’s suspicions as to his motives.

  There was a very fine line to walk in situations like these, and he prayed he had not strayed from it.

  Avery greeted him with a bright smile when he finally opened the door. “Welcome back, husband. Was your day profitable?”

  Her choice of words, while quite common, threw him for a moment. “We shall see,” he said casually. “And was yours?”

  “Oh, yes!” She stood and approached him. “Why did you not tell me there was a university here?”

  “Because women cannot attend,” he replied, wondering what her point was.

  “No, but they can peruse the library, if they smile sweetly enough.” Avery laughed. “And flummox the librarian with a barrage of languages he does not understand.”

  Jakob had to laugh as well. “You snuck into the university library? What next? Lecturing to a class?”

  Avery smacked his chest with the back of her hand. “Someday women will lecture, I would wager. Our gender does not prevent us from having keen minds.”

  “As you have clearly proven, my dearest love.” Jakob patted his belly. “I had a very large midday meal and feel the need for exercise. Will you walk with me?”

  Avery reached for a hat. “If you will buy me chocolate. My midday meal was not so grand.”

  “Agreed.” Jakob smiled at Avery. Walking never alerted a guard and they were free to stroll through the streets unmolested—especially when he was attired in his knight’s finery.

  His wife never appeared anything but noble.

  “Perhaps we might dine near the water this evening,” he suggested. “The weather is quite mild.”

  *****

  Jakob was definitely up to something.

  Avery watched his eyes constantly drift aside to stare at nothing during their supper, before he returned his attention to her and asked her to repeat what she just said. Perhaps their odd banishment was wearing on him more than she realized.