The Lady Bornekova

by Sara R. Turnquist

  Pavel moved toward his destination again, lengthening his stride and rushing his steps until he arrived at the chapel. The small sanctuary was empty. He closed his eyes and breathed out his relief. Making his way to the altar, he bowed and crossed himself—Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Then he all but collapsed on its sturdy oak frame. And all was silent.

  Could he remain in the stillness? Allow himself to feel in the silence? Let his emotions wash over him before he began?

  In the end, he had no choice. For it took several moments before Pavel saw through the pain to pray.

  Father, I have been so blind. I thought I could be strong on my own, without You. I have struggled with this heartsickness, but nothing could move me toward You because I was so angry.

  Yet I am persuaded by the truth of Your love for me. I fall on Your grace. Have mercy on me, O God. It would be my desire that you take this heartache, this pain. Still I know Your will is greater than mine. You have proven that I cannot understand Your will, Your plan. Help me yield.

  I confess my bitterness. Help me understand. Help me let her go, because every time I see her face, I feel myself surrender ever more to the love I have for her. I am captured by her beauty and fear I will be a prisoner for life without Your divine intervention.

  As Pavel poured out his heart, he fought his mind's shifting focus. Praying over his relationship with Karin caused him to conjure images of her, bringing with it a host of emotions, some of which he was in the midst of confessing. Would he ever be whole again?

  * * *

  Karin slipped onto the corner balcony. It was, perhaps, the smallest of the entire chateau. But it had been the place her father chose for her as she healed. The view of the grounds was not her favorite, but she had come to appreciate it.

  Sitting a bit higher than the larger balconies, which boasted the preferred views, this one offered something else. At night, the small platform thrust her into the heavens. Memories of the evening she and Pavel spent stargazing came forth.

  Did Pavel think of her? Not a day went by when she did not battle the heartache of being left behind, of watching him go. Her chest felt empty and heavy at the same time.

  If he did think of her, may it not be with the sting of regret, but with a fondness. Her heart was steadfast, devoted. That did not mean his had been. Did he still think of her with love in his heart? Or had he found comfort elsewhere?

  Karin was haunted by the tender memories of what time they did have and the words they spoke to each other. If he meant those things, if he felt but half as much as she did for him, he still thought on her and their time together.

  Perhaps he was resigned to their separate fates. After all, she had accepted Stepan's proposal. Was it the right choice? As much as she had come to care for him, her heart still beat for Pavel.

  But what would be the gain in fighting it? Stepan was an honorable man who would care for her. Pavel was gone and would not return. Even if he could, they would remain separated by her father's desires for her to wed the house of Dvorak.

  "If you do think of me," she whispered, willing the wind to carry her voice to her beloved, "know that I must try to put you from my mind, as thoughts of you are never far away. You have forever marked my heart. There will never be a day without thoughts of you."

  Karin hugged her wrap closer as the wind whipped around her, answering her with a cold rush. With regret, she let the chill of the world turn her back to the chateau and to the warmth it offered.

  * * *

  Stepan, Zdenek, the Viscount, and Radek made a grand show of moving through the village on horseback. The Viscount saw to it that an announcement was posted, telling of negotiations for his son's bride to be held that evening.

  Zdenek, whom Stepan had selected in Pavel's absence to be his kecal, led the party through the streets. And so the men had taken great care with their appearances that afternoon. Each were garbed in their finest.

  They moved beyond the village, with a small contingency of followers. Were they curious to see the courting negotiations of a noble family? These villagers were led to the doors of the grand chateau.

  Karin heard them coming, drawing nearer, pushing her ever closer to her fate. What would the next hours hold? Could she contain the thumping of her heart?

  A loud knock echoed through the chateau. They had arrived. The small crowd was soon admitted and led to the Golden Hall.

  One table stood at the front of the room. The negotiators would be seated here. Even then, her parents sat, waiting and watching. Zdenek's contingency filled the remainder of the room.

  An older woman, Beata, had been selected as Karin's stara svarby and she sat at the end of the table. Yes, a stranger would serve as her “old-of-the-marriage”.

  Karin observed all of this from her place in the corner behind her parents. Why did they put the bride-to-be on such display? She was to be out of the negotiations, but present for the townspeople to stare at.

  Once in the room, Zdenek declared, "Good evening. I am coming to you, if it is true you have promised to give your daughter away to us indeed?"

  Father nodded.

  Zdenek, Stepan, and the Viscount took the other seats at the table. Radek stepped among the people, pressing into the space.

  After everyone was settled, Zdenek began the speech he had taken such care to write and memorize, "Most beloved parents! The reason we all come under this roof is the desire of the honorable and high-minded boy, the Lord Stepan Dvorak, son of the Viscount Vlastik Dvorak, to enter the holy state of matrimony with this honorable and innocent lady, the most beloved daughter of yours, Lady Karin Bornekova, who has also clasped him to her heart, having fallen in love with him and chosen him as her accepted spouse in the presence of God."

  As he mentioned Karin, a room full of gazes landed on her, but as was her place, she dropped her eyes to the ground, keeping them downcast. She would remain this way the whole of the interchange. Neither she nor Stepan were to speak for most of the meeting. Everything would be done by their parents, Zdenek, and Beata.

  With the opening speech concluded, the talks commenced. These were negotiations about Karin’s dowry and the property Stepan would bring to the union.

  Karin found it difficult to follow the words spoken back and forth. The money and land meant little to her. What mattered was what the conclusion of this ceremony would signify. She would be engaged to Stepan and would marry him. There would be no hope left for a marriage to Pavel.

  Once these negotiations were finished, she and Stepan would sign the marriage contract—all but declaring them husband and wife. How could she do this? Her heart cried against it. But did she have a choice? Her father made this arrangement, and she did care for Stepan. Though it was not the same as her longing for Pavel, still there were true feelings for Stepan all the same.

  "Karin?" her mother prompted her.

  Had the time in the ceremony for her response come? She glanced between her father and mother. All in the room watched her, waiting. Her father must have asked if she agreed to marry Stepan.

  She stood and nodded. Her eyes seeking Stepan's.

  He offered her a warm smile.

  Karin made every effort to return it, yet she found she could not force her lips to obey. So, she averted her gaze.

  Soft murmurs from the crowd created a din of sound. What had so fascinated them? Did she care?

  Karin sat.

  Father pulled out a paper for them to write all which had been agreed. The paper had been filled out prior to these proceedings, it only lacked the final details. It did not take long for those to be penned.

  Then it was time for those involved to undersign.

  Karin hesitated, seeking a few extra moments by glancing over the papers.

  It has been agreed between the Lord Stepan Dvorak, the legitimate son of the Viscount Vlastik Dvorak, belonging with the father's will and consent, as the groom on the one hand, and then the Lady Karin, the legitimate daughter of the Earl Petr Bornekov, with w
hose consent, on the other hand, the following Wedding Contract had been concluded as the irrevocable conjunction with the exception of the spiritual union…

  She continued to read, but the words blurred. No, she would not cry. Not now. Closing her eyes, she gathered hold of her emotions.

  “Karin, is something amiss?” Father moved closer and whispered in her ear.

  Opening her mouth, she found herself unable to speak. So she shook her head. Her eyes worked their way over the final lines.

  This Marriage Contract has been signed true and without pretense by both parties and by three independent witnesses.

  In Hradec Kralove on the 22nd of July 1415

  Having taken as much time as she possibly could looking over the document, threatening insult to the parties there, Karin took a deep breath and inscribed her name.

  Stepan took the quill, his fingers grazing hers. He placed his name alongside hers.

  The fathers signed next, followed by Zdenek, Beata, and then Radek.

  Now that the marriage contract was complete, the two fathers maneuvered around the table to present Karin and Stepan to the crowd, an engaged couple.

  Zdenek put Karin's hand in Stepan's. As far as everyone was concerned, the courting stage was ended and preparations for the wedding would begin.

  Applause greeted them.

  The doors to the room opened, and servants entered with trays carrying kolace and donuts to celebrate, and the men were offered beer.

  The Viscount raised his glass. "You are all invited to return this evening for a ball to honor my son and his bride!"

  Shouts of gratitude and celebration filled the room. Indeed it seemed everyone was eager to make merry this joyous occasion.

  Everyone but the bride.

  * * *

  Luc sat in his cell, wishing the day away. How would it be unlike every other day? Guilt for the lies he continued to tell plagued him, but he must maintain his story for the sake of those who meant more to him than his own well-being: his parents and his sister.

  His family had a secret, one that had to be kept at all costs. No one knew that his father's estate was being depleted, and had been, by Father’s physicians and care. To no avail. Father’s health continued to fail.

  They were not independently wealthy, as were many of his friends. No, Luc’s family enjoyed wealth because of Father's hard work. But with no money coming in and more and more leaving, it became a dire situation.

  Their hopes had been on him rising to a prestigious career, securing an influx of money. Perhaps this would retain their standing and ensure his sister a good marriage.

  His sister had found favor in the eyes of a rather wealthy baron. There was but one problem. She had, for a short time, been connected with a man they came to find a philanderer. While he was never with Suzka unchaperoned, her connection, albeit brief, could ruin any chances of an advantageous match. Their secret must be kept.

  How she found out this dark piece of his family's past, he did not know. But she held it over his head. Still. And so, though he alone was accused of this crime, he dare not speak. As long as he remained silent, there was the chance this secret would remain buried. With Suzka's betrothal so close in the making, he must not betray the one who had controlled him.

  No one would understand the burden he bore. Perhaps no one would ever know. What difference would it make should he bring forth what darkness remained at the chateau? A harsh punishment for the crime he had committed marked his future. Regardless. The fact that he had been caroused would not bring a pardon. Luc had commited the deed.

  He would spend years of his life in this hole—maybe an even darker hole under the hands of jailers who enjoyed having power over a man of noble standing. Already, he had felt their frustration with the upper class leveled upon him, the only one within their reach.

  Even now he heard footfalls nearing his cell. Coming for another round?

  Luc was tired, but he turned to face his fate.

  A figure wearing a hooded cloak stood beside the jailer.

  "You have a visitor," the harsh man's gruff voice echoed off the stark walls.

  A visitor? Men guilty of attempted murder were not allowed visitors. They would only break his solitude for a member of a noble family…and a handsome bribe. Was it Stepan come to visit his anger upon Luc?

  Luc leaned against the wall, heaving a deep sigh and hanging his head. Where would he find a last measure of strength? He gazed at the man who intruded upon his isolation, the form veiled in darkness.

  "How can I help you?" Luc asked, his voice heavy with sarcasm.

  "I would have the truth." The man's response was quiet, so much so that Luc could not discern the voice's identity. Now facing away from Luc's position, the figure looked out of the cell's sole window—a pitiful opening, much too small for even both of Luc’s arms to fit through.

  "That is a fine request from someone making every effort to conceal his identity."

  The figure whirled toward him and threw back the hood, revealing his face in the shadows. Darkness continued to cover much of his features, but Luc did not have to ask him to come into the light. For seconds later, Pavel was face to face with Luc, his nose no more than two inches from Luc’s.

  "Now there should be nothing preventing you from speaking the truth."

  "I have told all there is to tell," Luc lied, a mask going up.

  "No!" Pavel’s voice was sharp, he shook his head. "Do not lie to me."

  " I am not proud of what I've done, but a man must own his actions. I planned to murder Karin."

  "That cannot be true," Pavel said, his voice firm. Did he not believe Luc capable?

  "Are you so adamant for her sake or for mine?" Luc shot at him.

  "Both." Pavel pushed against the wall, thrusting back and creating space between them. "I don't want to see you take the blame for something you were coerced into doing.” Pavel took a deep breath. When he spoke again, his voice was calmer. “I know you, Luc. I know you do not have it in you. The fact that you did not hurt her proves it. If you wanted to kill her, you would have. This much I know.”

  Luc hung his head. What could he say?

  “I also know that if the person who pulled you into their scheme is still out there, then he will try again. Can you not see that?”

  Yes, he had considered that. But told himself he didn’t care.

  “Karin is innocent! Can you stand by and let her die while you protect her murderer?"

  Pavel didn’t know anything. How dare he speak thusly to Luc? He shot to his feet and closed the distance between them. "How can you be so sure it was not me? You may not know me as well as you think!"

  The blue eyes that met Luc’s were hard. And there was something else? Compassion?

  Pavel’s steel gaze held Luc’s. "This was not the first attempt on her life. There were other times. The carriage..."

  Did Pavel truly want to hear all of this? So be it. "I hacked the wheel connections while you were with Karin and the rest were at the pub."

  "The horse..."

  "It was I who slipped the saddle loose when I checked the straps for her. I slid the burr under the saddle then, too."

  "What about the bolt? Was that you? Injuring Stepan?"

  Luc nodded. "He got in the way."

  "What about Karin's poisoning? That was before we arrived."

  Luc became quiet. This was a large hole.

  "That could not have been you. We were all in Prague."

  What could he say? Pavel spoke truth. Fumbling for his words, Luc was struck with inspiration. "Perhaps it was not a poisoning at all. It could have been an animal just as the doctor said."

  "But it was not. We both know that.” Pavel’s eyes softened. “Think of Karin! Think of how you are allowing an innocent woman to suffer!"

  Luc was silent again. As much as he wanted to fight it, Pavel’s words penetrated his heart. He protected those close to him with his silence, but what of the cost? Was it one Luc could pay? Eve
n if he did not yield the weapon that finished the deed, would it be as if he did should he not speak up?

  "It is not that simple." Luc's whispered, his hard exterior cracked.

  "Then tell me.” Pavel stepped toward him.

  Could Pavel forgive him? Offer him friendship after what he had done?

  “I am on your side, Luc."

  It was too dangerous. "I cannot."

  Pavel shook his head. "Then you truly are a murderer. Whoever hired you will not stop until they succeed. Can you live with that? I couldn’t." Moving toward the door, Pavel raised a hand to summon the jailer.

  Luc’s thoughts jumbled. And his heart raced. Did a part of him want to tell Pavel? He needed someone to know about this war within. Sagging against the wall, he looked at Pavel’s back. It was time to tell someone the truth. The whole truth.

  "Pavel, wait." His voice was calm, determined. Why so? He feared it would shake as unsteady as his insides had become.

  Pavel spun and stepped toward Luc.

  Luc took a deep breath, but it came out quite ragged. Then he met Pavel’s eyes once more. "Let me tell you a story."

  Chapter 12

  Caught

  "My katka, you are beautiful this evening," Mother said, pride enfused in her voice as she helped Mary affix a headdress to Karin's hair.

  "Thank you, Mother." Karin's face lit, from somewhere deep within she found courage. She felt like a princess of a long-ago story, one who graced the fine castles of Prague.

  "We must get you to your ball!" Mary said, as she stepped back. Had they finished?

  Karin’s mother took her hand and led her from the bedchambers and to the top of the grand stairs.

  Father and Stepan were there. Waiting.

  Stepan paced, moving back and forth across the opening to the stairs. Was he nervous? Having second thoughts?

  As Karin and her mother neared, he caught sight of them. It caused him to halt, his gaze fixed on her. His eyes widened and his lips parted.