The exceptionally handsome man spoke. “I am Adolphus, Lucy from Bury. I apologize for not introducing myself when last we met. But possibly it is that you’ve heard my name since then.”
“Yes,” Lucy said.
Adolphus held up the cape. “It has come to my attention that you’ve brought my Klara a gift. Is that so?”
“It’s so.”
“And why, may I ask, have you done this?”
“Because she was cold.”
“I see.” Adolphus turned to the soldier on his right. “Are you cold?”
“Yes, I’m cold,” the soldier answered.
Adolphus turned to the soldier on his left. “And you?”
“It’s cold. I’m cold.”
“And so am I cold,” Adolphus said. He turned to Lucy. “We’re all cold. But you’ll not furnish us with capes, will you?”
Lucy remained silent. A look of violence came over Adolphus, and he said, “Here’s how it’s going to go, boy. I’m going to give you back this cape. And you may give it to another village lass, or you may wear it yourself, or you may set it afire. You may do with it what you wish, for it is yours. But there is one thing which, I’m here to tell you, you may not do with it, and that is return it to Klara. As a matter of fact, I should think you and she have no further business together, is that understood?”
Lucy didn’t answer. The soldiers were standing unnecessarily close to him, he noticed. “May I ask what you men are fighting about?” he asked.
“We fight so that others need not,” Adolphus said.
“And who are you fighting, that I need not?”
“They are bastards and will die bastards.” Adolphus gestured at the men standing about him. “Now, we’ve a significant campaign beginning soon, which will see us through to the spring. I’ve quite enough to do in preparation for this without having to worry about some non-regional cast-off wagging his tiny pink pecker at my bride-to-be. Will you heed me, yes or no?”
He stood and crossed over to Lucy. If only he weren’t so much larger, Lucy thought. If only he weren’t so bold. Lucy couldn’t look him in the eye, and when Adolphus thrust the cape into his arms and pushed him out the door, there was no option other than to accept its happening, and so he did.
Walking numbly through the village, he caught sight of Klara in the marketplace, shivering in her old, ragged coat. He approached her, and was aware of an anger gathering within him. Standing before her now, he wondered if he didn’t hate her.
“Adolphus says you’re to be married,” he said.
When she faced him, he could see she had been crying. “Anyway, according to him we are.”
“I suppose I should offer you my congratulations, then.” He bowed. “A long and happy life to you both.”
She was wounded by this, and retreated a pace. Staring at the cape in his hands, she said, “Is that all you have to say to me, Lucy?”
He had hoped to communicate an appearance of cold control and indifference, but in looking at Klara’s face, and in knowing he had been bettered in love, then did his heart turn against him, and an expansive sorrow welled up in his chest. “Long life!” he said, and spun around, retreating for the castle, his face gone hot with tears. By the time he’d climbed the stairs to his room he had exhausted himself, and felt as though there were nothing inside him at all. Acting automatically, he pulled his valise from under his bed and packed his belongings, including Klara’s cape, and Mr. Broom’s telescope. He pocketed Agnes’s coin before taking up pen and paper to compose a short farewell letter to her and Mr. Olderglough. Leaving this atop his pillow, he scooped up Rose, gripped his valise, and descended the steps. Crossing the entryway, he saw the Baron had left a letter on the side table. Setting down his valise, he stared at it. He opened it up and read it.
Last night I took up a razor, that I might open my own throat with it. How simple this would be: a flick of the wrist and the life would pour from my body, the room would dim, and I would have my rest. I am not afraid to die, and have not been for some time now. And yet I found I couldn’t perform the gesture, knowing you are still drawing breath. If you yourself were passed, it would be nothing, but the knowledge that you remain lulled my hand. I will live until you come back to me, then. If you do not come back, then I will die waiting. This is my pledge to you.