Lady Natalia appears distressed at the treatment meted out to her kinswoman. I have some sympathy with that as I surmise they may have been close, but I see no merit in encouraging my bride to consider matters to be less serious than they are. I am as certain as I may be of Princess Susanna’s eventual fate.
“She had ample opportunity to comply with the commands of the emperor. And she was under no illusions regarding the actions necessary to stave off military enforcement. She chose to defy the emperor, and will now pay the price for that.”
“What price? What will happen to her?”
“That will be the emperor’s decision, but I think it likely she will pay for her misdeeds with her life.”
“No! No, my lord. That cannot happen. It would be unfair, a gross injustice.”
Lady Natalia’s distress is palpable. If nothing else, Princess Susanna of Hohenzollern inspired great loyalty among her ladies. I fear that loyalty is misplaced for the princess has been sorely derelict in her duties as a monarch.
“I cannot agree, my lady. The injustice has been served on the landholders surrounding Hohenzollern who have suffered the ruination of their property, theft of their crops. The princess brought her fate upon herself.”
“No, she did not. It was all Lord Eberhard’s doing. He was the one who controlled the knights, whose instructions were obeyed. Susanna had no influence.”
“She was the ruler of Hohenzollern. It was her responsibility, hers alone, to curtail the excesses of her knights. She failed to do that.”
“Susanna was bullied by Eberhard, intimidated, as we all were. She could not prevent what happened. If anyone should stand trial in Vienna, it is he.”
“As indeed he will, when we capture him. But that will not absolve the princess of culpability in this matter.”
“No, this cannot be. She…”
I have heard enough. I raise my hand to halt the flow of words. “Princess Susanna’s fate is in the hands of the emperor. Her trial will be a fair one, and her fate dignified, as befits her rank.”
“But…”
“Enough, my lady. I must leave you now. Please remain here until I return. I bid you a good day, until later.”
I make a small bow, nod to Karl, and leave them to become better acquainted.
* * *
“A bride? I had no notion you were considering remarrying, Stefan.” Gerhard makes no attempt to conceal his amusement as he hands me a glass of rich red wine. Gerhard has chosen to receive me not in his own personal tent, but instead in the headquarters tent where battle plans were drawn up in the preceding days. I find this odd, but I say nothing of it to him. “I hear you have selected a lady of some considerable experience. Twice widowed already, I gather. Do you not find this ominous at all?”
News of my hasty marriage has preceded me. My commander was already aware of the broad facts of the matter but now seems intent on gaining the finer details from me. I know that Gerhard is just teasing, but I am in no mood to encourage my commander’s banter. I have to hope he will not take it amiss. Gerhard is my friend as well as my commander on this excursionand I would not normally be so taciturn. We have enjoyed many a frank exchange over several mugs of fine ale, but on this occasion I do not feel inclined to explain my sudden decision to claim Lady Natalia as mine—not that I would be able to summon much in the way of convincing explanation.
I settle for something innocuous, hoping to be able to leave it at that. “She seems harmless, and compliant enough. Do you have further instructions for me or is our business here all but concluded?”
My attempt to change the subject fails. Gerhard is not to be distracted.
“You are keen to regain your hearth at Richtenholst? I cannot say I blame you, blessed as you are with a new bride and all. What did you say her name was?”
“I did not. So—are we done here?”
He chooses to ignore my unforthcoming response.
“The widow of the count de Chapelle, I understand—I cannot say I am able to place the lady.”
Gerhard is nothing if not persistent. And well-informed. I wonder who has brought him this detailed report of the recent changes to my domestic arrangements. They were certainly quick off the mark.
He continues, his amusement at my discomfiture splitting his face in a wide grin. “Compliant, you say?”
I sigh, resigned to the need to supply at least some details to satisfy my commander’s curiosity. I take a deep draught of my wine. “She seems agreeable enough, though I have only just met her. I am confident we will get along well enough together.”
“Why marry her though? You know that you did not have to go so far.”
“Your edict to the men was clear enough, Gerhard. I well know your preference for leadership by example. And we all bore witness to your promise to the princess. How fares she, anyway?” I seize on this opportunity to change the subject, or at least deflect Gerhard’s interest from my own domestic concerns.
