She seems content at Richtenholst. More than content. I believe her to be happy and I am relieved for that. I have encouraged her to speak to me of Sophia, and I believe that has helped her to come to terms with her new situation.
There have been difficult times of course, not least the day news reached us of the death of Princess Susanna. She never reached Vienna, having met with a fatal accident on the way there. For my part I regard this as a merciful end, for I doubt the princess would have found a sympathetic audience at court. The outcome of her trial was inevitable, and the penalty would have been death. She met that fate earlier than she might have, though without the indignity of being required to plead in vain for her life.
Tally wept at the news, and continues to maintain that Princess Susanna was the wronged party. From the little I saw of Lord Eberhard I can accept there may have been some truth to that, but we will probably never know. I held Tally, encouraged her to vent her grief and her sense of injustice. It was all I could do, and I hope it was sufficient. She is calm again now and immersed in her role as my duchess.
“Is there further news from Vienna? Princess Susanna eluded justice but the trials of her other nobles should be concluded by now, should they not?”
I glance at Karl, puzzled by his sudden interest in politics. He never showed such concern previously for matters of state.
“I have heard no word of it.”
“I see. It is just that Berthe is perturbed. She insists that the princess was unfairly used, and that the others who were accused with her had only acted under the instructions of that uncle of hers.”
“Her grace expressed a similar sentiment. They are both biased of course.”
“Could you enquire as to the outcome? It would please Berthe…”
“And that would please you, I do not doubt.”
He shrugs, but his sheepish grin is not lost on me. I have known from the moment he added her to our party and brought her with us from Hohenzollern that Karl entertained more than passing fondness for the maidservant. He is smitten. I grant she is comely enough and her disposition seems fair. She has become a valuable part of my household, though the duties of lady’s maid to my wife have largely been assumed by Mathilde.
“I will send a courier to Vienna if this will pour oil on the troubled waters of your courtship. Though why you do not simply bed the girl I cannot quite grasp.”
“I suspect she would crush my balls in the cider press were I to suggest such a thing without the benefit of holy wedlock.”
“Ah. Unless I miss my guess your balls are in a sorry state in either case then. Though I daresay you could consider the wench’s alternative. I do recommend it.”
Karl’s jaw assumes a familiar stubborn angle. “I have no intention of marrying.”
I grin at him, and note the uncomfortable shift as he adjusts himself in the saddle. A sorry state indeed.
“I see.”
* * *
“My lord. I have a request I would like to make of you, if you please.”
We are in our solar, Tally engaged on embroidering yet another tapestry whilst I am penning my missive to the emperor seeking details of the Hohenzollern trials. I lay down the quill and turn my attention to my wife.
“Indeed. Let me hazard a guess. You would like me to bind your wrists to the bedposts and lick that beautiful quim of yours perchance? Or perhaps you are in dire need of a spanking?”
Tally stifles a smile. “Those do sound quite delightful suggestions, Stefan. But my request is of a different nature.”
Her tone has become serious.
“Then ask me.”
Tally has also deposited her needlework. She wrings her hands, a gesture I have not witnessed for some time. And sure enough, she is chewing on that bottom lip again. These are not good indications. I wait.
“My lord…” Another bad sign, but I let her lapse go. After a slight hesitation, she continues. “I understand from Berthe that you intend writing to the emperor regarding the fate of the Hohenzollern prisoners.”
Karl must have told his ladylove of my plans. “That is correct, sweetheart.”
“Is that what you are writing now, my lord?”
“Yes, it is. Was there something specific you would like me to raise with the emperor?”
“Yes. No, I mean…”
