“I did. The courier has returned from Vienna.”
I sit bolt upright, almost crashing the top of my head into Stefan’s chin. “What? I did not know that. I have been watching for him.”
“Have a care, my sweet, lest you do me some injury. Neither of us would wish that, I am sure. He arrived while the household was still abed. You are eager for news then? Perhaps a reply from Sophia?”
“Was there any news, my lord? A letter for me?”
He shakes his head. “No letter, just documents from the emperor, all addressed to me. Matters he has agreed I am well placed to take care of. Oneof those matters will be of particular interest to you though, I suspect.”
“What matter is that, Stefan?”
He stands and settles me back on my feet. “Come, I will show you.”
I take his hand and he leads me from the room. I follow him down the narrow stairs into the great hall where servants hurry back and forth laden with laundry, fresh rushes for the floors, pails of water. The scene is a familiar one to me nowadays, the daily hustle of a large, busy household. We stop at the foot of the stairs and survey the room.
“Over there. Look.” Stefan points to the far corner where two small figures huddle over something. Mathilde is hovering in attendance. As we approach the group I hear the high-pitched mew of a kitten, followed by girlish giggles. Clare must be playing with one of the children from the village.
“Be gentle, Lady Clare. She is just a baby. And you must share her.” Mathilde’s tone is patient, as ever.
Clare picks up the tiny bundle of fluff and hugs it to her chest, just as she did her doll Mimi on that first morning we spent together. She hands the kitten to her companion, another small girl.
My heart lurches, for in this dim light the second child looks just like… I halt, forget to breathe as I stare at the incredible sight, taking in every familiar feature.
“Sophia! Oh, Sophia, can it be? Is it really…?”
I turn to Stefan, perplexed. Clare’s playmate looks so much like Sophia but it cannot be. Not here. Sophia, my Sophia is in Vienna, in the custody of the court.
“Mama!” The shriek of joy dispels my doubts. However this miraculous state of affairs may have come about, it has happened. The impossible, the wonderful, the truly unimaginable has actually come to pass. Sophia is here in Richtenholst. I drop to my knees in time to catch her as she concludes her headlong flight down the length of the hall. I hug her to me, my tears dampening her soft hair.
“My baby. My beautiful, beautiful baby girl. You are here. I never thought to see you again, yet here you are.”
“Mama, mama, mama,” Sophia’s words are muffled as she buries her face in my chest, her little arms locked tight around my neck. We hang onto each other, and I make myself the silent promise that come what may I will never allow us to be parted again.
When at last I raise my head, it is to see Stefan seated at the high table, Clare standing on the bench at his side. She has his face between her palms and is gazing into his eyes. It’s a staring contest, a game they like to play together. Perhaps distracted by my movement, Stefan turns to me.
“I won. Papa, I won.”
“I know, sweetheart. You did well. Could you teach the game to Sophia now, do you think?”
Clare hops down from the bench and comes over to Sophia and me. She takes Sophia’s hand and I let her go with reluctance. The pair of them head off toward the staircase. They seat themselves on the bottom step and are soon locked in earnest conversation.
“Tally, come here.” Stefan is still lounging at the high table, but his expression is anything but casual. I walk toward him, my head buzzing with questions.
Why is Sophia at Richtenholst?
How did she get here?
How can I ensure that she never leaves?
Stefan calls out to Mathilde, still hovering in the corner. The servant is as confused as I am. Almost.
“Would you get her grace a drink, please? Some mead, perhaps. Or a little wine. We will watch the children.”
That habitual bob, and she is gone, scurrying in the direction of the kitchen, no doubt to consult with Helena on my bizarre behaviour. Still dazed, I take a seat beside Stefan.
He reaches for my hand, and for the first time I realise it is shaking.
“From that display I assume you are pleased to see the newest addition to our family. Not counting this little one, naturally.” He pats my stomach, then leans in to kiss my forehead.
