Chapter Four

MINGLING WITH ROYALTY

Kathe stayed to have supper at the castle, taking in the experience with the same amazement that had accompanied her throughout the day. With the men present, she had an opportunity to observe them more, and she loved their interaction with each other, with the women they loved, and as a family. One moment Kathe would feel so completely comfortable with these people that imagining her life among them was natural and easy, and the next moment she had to pinch herself discreetly to be certain she wasn’t dreaming. She wasn’t naive enough to believe that life could ever be like a fairy tale, and yet it seemed very much that way right then. She reminded herself that whatever good she shared with Erich would surely be balanced with many challenges. But for the moment she just tried to relax and take in all that was good. And there was plenty of that! She loved Erich. She loved his family—his parents especially. And it seemed they were more than pleased with Erich’s choice of a future wife. For now, that gave her all of the contentment she needed.

After supper, every member of the family personally expressed their delight in meeting her and their hope to see her again very soon. As Erich escorted her down the lengthy main hall of the castle toward the door, he put his arm comfortably around her and asked, “Did you have a good day? You seemed to enjoy yourself.”

“Oh, I did,” she said with enthusiasm. “You family is wonderful!” She smiled and added, “You have your charms, as well.” His answering smile sent butterflies into her stomach.

Erich rode home with her, declaring that he needed to take care of all this properly. Kathe felt a little nervous when she realized he meant speaking with her father about their marriage. He was right when he said that his own family couldn’t all be aware of their plans when her own family was not—most especially her father. Kathe couldn’t imagine her father having any objection, especially after the conversation they’d shared earlier, but she would be glad to have this over with.

When she and Erich were seated in the parlor with her father, Erich actually seemed nervous. But when he began to speak, she could see no evidence of anything beyond perfect confidence. She wondered if that came from his years of training to be a diplomatic leader. And yet his diplomacy was so genuine, there was certainly nothing false or patronizing in his behavior.

“Mr. Lokberg,” Erich said firmly, “I would like to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

Kathe was a little taken aback by how Erich had come so quickly to the point, but she saw her father smile slightly. Karl said nothing for a full minute that felt much longer. Erich glanced more than once at Kathe while they waited patiently. She began to feel more nervous than Erich appeared to be, but he smiled at her and took her hand with silent reassurance, as if he knew that there was nothing to worry about.

“You know,” Karl finally spoke, “there are some questions I’ve always figured I’d ask when this day came.” He chuckled. “But I don’t suppose there’s any reason for me to ask what you do for a living.”

Erich chuckled as well, relaxing. “No, sir, I would imagine that’s pretty clear.”

“And I don’t need to ask about your family. They’re rather well known.”

“Yes, I believe they are,” Erich replied.

“So, I only have one question.” Karl’s eyes tightened on Erich. “I know you won’t have any trouble providing for Kathe’s earthly needs, but will you do everything in your power to always see that my daughter is happy and cared for?”

“Yes, sir,” Erich said with confidence. “As long as there is breath in me, I swear to you, she will never see a day without love and security.”

“Well, then,” Karl grinned, “you have my blessing, young man. But don’t expect me to call you ‘Your Highness’ when I come to visit my grandchildren.”

Erich snorted a laugh. “Heaven forbid.”

“Do people really call you that?” Kathe asked.

“All the time, I fear,” he answered. “Unfortunately it’s considered proper and necessary, and I have to put up with it.”

Kathe smiled at him, but she wondered what else they would both have to put up with that was proper and necessary.

They visited for a while with Karl, and then Kathe walked Erich out to the stable.

“What a day!” He chuckled.

“The happiest day of my life,” she said.

“So far,” he added and kissed her. And kissed her. And kissed her.

“Yes,” she said breathlessly, “so far.”

Kathe sat in the garden for a long while after he’d gone, just watching the stars and trying to comprehend the way that Erich du Woernig had changed her life. Nothing would ever be the same again. For a few minutes she carefully reexamined her feelings, her motives, and the enormous decisions she had made today. She had to ask herself if she was being impulsive or foolish, but as soon as the question appeared in her mind, the answers came firmly to confront it. She could never put into words how or why she knew this was the right path for her life, but she knew it with all her soul. And with that knowledge she could go forward and face whatever might lay ahead. With Erich du Woernig at her aside, anything felt possible, and everything felt right.

Erich resisted going to bed, not wanting the day to come to an end. He doused the lamps in his room and leaned his shoulder against the side of the window frame, looking out toward the valley below and thinking only of Kathe. He’d waited for so many years to feel this way, trying to keep believing that it was possible to feel this way. And now it had happened—and so quickly. A delighted little laugh escaped his lips, not to be heard by anyone but him. He felt deeply happy, and perhaps more importantly, he felt completely at peace. It was as if his years of adulthood prior to this day had been spent reaching toward these events, even preparing him somehow. And now that he and Kathe were together, with marriage on the horizon, his destiny—whatever it might entail—would fall into place. There was no reason to question his convictions over the matter. He already knew beyond any doubt that he was firmly on the right course for his life to be what it needed to be. And oh, how he loved Kathe! He loved her with all of his soul! With that thought firmly in his mind, and the accompanying feelings warming his heart, he forced away the fears that had confronted him earlier, banishing his frightful dreams and memories as if that might make them never have any viability in the future. Keeping his mind only on Kathe, he finally crawled into bed and drifted into a peaceful, dreamless slumber.

Erich woke early, feeling rested and eager to begin his day. He went for a brisk ride but didn’t stay out too long, knowing there was another important conversation he needed to have. He wasn’t disappointed to return to his room and find Theodor there, setting out Erich’s shaving things.

“Good morning, Theodor,” Erich said brightly.

“Been riding early?” Theodor asked.

“Yes, I had to get some fresh air before I go to that stodgy meeting.”

While Erich shaved and Theodor laid out his clothes, Erich said, “Have you talked to your sister since dinner the other night?”

“No,” Theodor said, becoming more alert.

“How about your father?”

“No,” Theodor repeated. “I had the day off yesterday, remember? I spent it with friends. Why?”

“I was just wondering if you thought she liked me.”

“It was difficult to tell.”

Erich laughed, and Theodor gave him a sidelong glance. “Well,” Erich said, “just so you don’t have to wonder, she likes me. I was just curious to see if you thought she liked me.”

Theodor leaned against the bureau and folded his arms. “You saw her yesterday, didn’t you.”

“All day,” Erich said and laughed again. He was really enjoying this.

Theodor grinned with gratification and delight. “It would seem that you like her, too.”

“Actually, I’m madly in love, or hadn’t you noticed?”

“I suspected that you were impressed.”

“Impressed? Oh, my good man”—he paused his shaving to look directly at Theodor—“there is no woman on earth like your sister.”

“So, I was right, eh?” Theodor grinned smugly.

“As much as I hate to admit, it would seem I’m going to have to.”

“Why is that?”

“Since we’re setting a date this afternoon, I really should admit it, don’t you think?”

“A date?” Theodor’s voice almost squeaked.

Erich laughed again, and then he forced a sober expression and pointed a finger at him. “But don’t think for one minute that you can quit your job just because you’re my brother-in-law. I need you.”

“You’re serious,” Theodor said a bit breathlessly after studying Erich’s expression a long moment.

“Of course I’m serious. I asked your father for her hand last night.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.”

“Oh, no.” Erich smiled, but his voice remained very serious. “For this, Theodor, you will be richly blessed, I can assure you. I’m only wondering why you weren’t more insistent about this two or three years ago.”

“You didn’t seem interested,” Theodor said, and his tone sobered. “And to be quite honest, I don’t think she was ready. She probably would have slammed the door in your face—literally. But that doesn’t seem to be a problem now.”

“No,” Erich grinned and slapped Theodor playfully on the shoulder, “I don’t see any problem now.”

Erich walked into the meeting of the duke’s advisory committee to a hearty round of congratulations. He looked at his father and Georg across the long table as everyone was seated. “You’re a bunch of old gossips,” Erich said.

The men all laughed, and Han leaned toward Erich, whispering slyly, “How does she kiss? Is it good?”

Erich chuckled and relished in the bubbling that erupted inside of him at the thought. “Oh, mercy yes!” he replied, and the meeting got underway. Erich tried to be attentive, but it was difficult to keep his eyes off the clock. He’d never found a meeting so tedious in his entire life.

In the middle of the afternoon, Kathe walked through the garden to her father’s woodshop to take him a message that had just arrived. She stopped in the doorway when she saw Erich sitting on a stool with his booted feet on one of the workbenches, as if he’d been there for hours.

“You have a beautiful daughter,” he said, smiling at Kathe, her father still unaware of her presence.

“Yes, I do. She looks much like her mother.”

“Tell me, is she available?”

“I’m afraid not.” Karl chuckled. “She’s betrothed to some scoundrel.”

Erich laughed and put his hands behind his head. “Tell me where to find the rogue and I’ll challenge him to a duel.”

“You are a funny man,” Kathe said, and Karl looked up in surprise.

“So you keep telling me.” Erich put his feet down and rose to greet her with a quick kiss. Kathe caught her breath to see that he was dressed differently. His boots and breeches were the same style, though much finer than what he’d worn yesterday. He wore a fitted striped waistcoat over a cream-colored shirt, and a satiny cravat was neatly tied around the shirt’s high collar. The effect was almost heart-stopping. He was so handsome she could have spent the day just looking at him.

“Hello, my dear,” Karl said to Kathe when she pulled herself away from Erich to kiss her father as well.

“Here’s a message for you. It’s about that custom order for Mrs. Dermer, I think.”

“Thank you,” Karl said and opened the folded paper to read it.

“How long have you been here?” she asked Erich as he put his arms around her and momentarily lifted her off the floor.

“Not long enough,” he replied, “which is roughly around an hour or so. I’ve just been learning a few tricks of the trade.” He nodded toward the workbench where Karl sat. “Your father’s a genius.”

“Yes, I know.”

“So, what are you going to do now?” Karl asked, turning in his chair.

“I was thinking of starting some gossip, if Kathe is willing.”

“Exactly how do we go about that?” she asked, not certain whether she liked the idea—whatever it may be.

“Well, you see, we go into town together. It’s market day, you know, which is especially advantageous for gossip-mongers. We walk around, buy a few things—holding hands, of course. And before sundown, everyone in Horstberg will know that”—he raised his voice to mimic the probable gossip—“Prince Erich is in love. Although,” he added more seriously, “I really just want to show you off; that’s all.”

Erich became concerned when her expression fell. “What’s the matter?”

“I . . . I can’t go into public . . . with you.”

Karl looked at her in astonishment. Erich asked lightly, “Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?”

“Don’t be silly. Of course not. It’s just that I . . .”

“You what?” her father asked when she faltered.

“I . . . I don’t have anything suitable to wear to be seen in public with a prince.”

“What you wear is absolutely irrelevant, Katherine, I can assure you,” Erich insisted. “You look fine. Let’s go.”

“I’ve been cleaning house. I can’t—”

“Kathe,” her father interrupted gently, “your Sunday dress would do well, I think. There’s no need to upset yourself.”

“There, you see,” Erich said. “Your Sunday dress would do well. Listen to your father.”

Kathe sighed in exasperation and went into the house to change.

“Perhaps I’m being too overbearing,” Erich said when she was gone.

“I think you’re terribly good for her,” Karl replied, concentrating on a tiny wood carving. “She became awfully reclusive when she lost her mother. It got a little better when Leisl moved in. She took Kathe under her wing, and they did things together. But when we lost Leisl . . .” Karl shook his head. “Well, Kathe just took over raising that baby. She’s had a few gentleman callers now and then, but I think she scared them off; afraid of getting her heart broken again, I’d guess.”

“Well,” Erich chuckled, “I’m certainly glad she scared them off. I should have married her a long time ago.”

Karl didn’t move his eyes from his work, but Erich saw him smile. “You know, Erich,” he said, and Erich liked the way he already felt like family to this man, “I’m certain you would buy her anything she needs or wants, and by all means, you should. I just want you to know that her lack of wardrobe is her own choosing. In truth, it’s been an issue between us. I say she should take some money and buy herself something new now and then. She says it’s silly to waste money on such frivolity.”

Erich chuckled. He could well imagine her saying it just that way. Karl looked up at Erich. “Maybe you could get her to take some interest in being a lady. She’s grown up with far too much masculine influence.”

“There are certain social requirements that go along with me—or rather my position. But I don’t want her to feel that she has to change herself for me. I just want her to feel comfortable. Perhaps I can turn her over to my mother and sister for such matters.”

“Good idea,” Karl said. After a minute he added, “I quite like you, young man.”

“That’s good, because you’re going to be stuck with me for a long time.”

Kathe hurried outside, surprised by her own nervousness. She paused partway between the house and the workshop to catch her breath before she slowly took the remaining steps and appeared in the doorway, wearing a dark blue dress with an intricate white lace collar. The usual braid was wound up and pinned at the back of her head.

“Very nice.” Erich smiled with approval, and she felt a little less nervous. “You look beautiful, as always,” he said, and she knew he meant it. “Can you ride a horse in that thing, or should we—”

“Plenty of room.” She smiled patronizingly and lifted the sides of her skirt to indicate the full gathers.

“Let us go, then,” Erich said, offering his arm in mock gallantry. “Good day . . . Father,” he said to Karl.

“Have a good time.” Karl waved and chuckled.

Kathe expected Erich to saddle her horse as he’d done the day before, but he motioned for her to mount his. “One horse is plenty for gossip,” he said as he got into the saddle behind her.

Kathe unintentionally gasped at the reality of being so close to him. He brought one arm comfortably around her waist and took the reins with his other hand. She noticed then that there was no longer a bandage on his hand, but a quick glance showed her it seemed to be healing well.

“You all right?” he asked, guiding the horse up the drive.

“Oh, yes,” she answered, wishing it hadn’t sounded quite so dreamy.

He chuckled and tightened his arm around her. “Ooh, this is nice,” he said. Kathe couldn’t argue. Feeling him this close could make nearly anything tolerable, even being paraded before the people of Horstberg for the sake of gossip.

“This is ridiculous,” she said for lack of anything better to say. “You can’t seriously enjoy being gossiped about.”

“Actually, I hate it. But I’ve learned to accept that it comes with being a du Woernig, and that makes it all right. And I must tell you, I’m not usually so concerned about such things. But for the last ten years I have not gone into public without feeling like some prize to be won. Women look at me as if I’m something they could win in a card game and hang on their wall. I have endured countless horrible social invitations from well-meaning people who believe their homely or garish daughters are destined to become royalty. And so, my dear Katherine, today I will settle it. Without saying a word, I will make it clear that I have found my prize, and the contest is over.”

Kathe laughed and soaked in the dreamlike experience of his expressions of adoration toward her. Being paraded around town with him was seeming less ominous by the minute.

“You’re a heartless man, Mr. du Woernig,” she said. “Can you imagine how many women will be crying into their pillows tonight, knowing they’ve lost their chance?”

Erich chuckled and pressed a kiss to her neck. “Do you know what I love best about that?”

“What?”

“You don’t even care whether I’m a prince or not. I’d go so far as to guess that you would probably prefer my being a blacksmith, or a farmer, or—”

“A chemist,” she said.

“Yes, well . . . it would be much less complicated. But I am glad that you love me . . . in spite of my royal obligations.”

“And you love me in spite of my common upbringing.”

“Or perhaps because of it,” he said.

The short distance from her house into town went slowly. Kathe realized they could have just as well walked, but she wondered if his prolonging the journey was for the sake of being close to her in the saddle. She certainly didn’t mind.

Erich stopped the horse at the edge of the square and dismounted. Already Kathe could feel eyes turning toward them. He tied off the reins and put his hands at her waist to help her down, holding on to her longer than necessary when her feet touched the ground.

“You look beautiful,” he said, offering his arm.

Kathe smiled and put her hand over it. He put his other hand over hers and they walked together into the square. It was a place she felt comfortable, but coming here had never been like this. She was amazed at the way people regarded them with deference. Everyone they encountered seemed to hold some degree of awe in his presence, and every greeting had a ‘Your Highness’ in it.

In the past she might have been surprised to see the way Erich du Woernig interacted with the commoners. But today it came as no surprise to see his warmth and congeniality as he exchanged small talk with the vendors, expressing sincere interest in their business.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just send out a proclamation or something . . . about your engagement, I mean?” she asked when no one was close by.

“Oh, we’ll do that,” he said, and her eyes widened. “But this is much more fun.”

After nearly an hour, Erich bought some hot pasties and they sat on a park bench to eat them.

“How do you do it?” she asked. “You don’t appear ruffled at all, while every person in sight is watching you.”

“I grew up with it,” he said. “My parents always handled it well. Although,” he glanced around nonchalantly, “people seem a bit more interested today.” He smiled at her and his eyes sparkled. “Today they’re watching you. Don’t worry,” he added when she knew her expression betrayed her alarm, “I know exactly what they’re thinking.”

“Oh, really?”

He leaned closer and pursed his lips as if he were an old woman. “They’re saying,” he raised his voice comically, “‘Isn’t she the loveliest thing you’ve ever seen?” He changed his tone and turned his head slightly to give both sides of the imaginary conversation. “I wonder where she came from. She looks familiar. I’d swear I’d seen her before.” Then the other side, “Oh, no. I’m certain he must have found her in some exotic place. She’s probably one of those princesses from the Far East.” Kathe smiled timidly, and he changed his voice again. “I’d always hoped he would marry my little Brunhilde; never mind that she doesn’t know how to spell Horstberg, and she weighs more than him. They would still make an ideal couple.”

Kathe laughed as she swallowed the last bite. Erich took her hand into his. “Your fingers are sticky, Miss Lokberg.” She gasped when he put the tip of her finger into his mouth and licked it clean. Then another, and another.

“Erich,” she protested softly, “people are watching.”

“I know,” he smiled and lifted his brows quickly. “Just think of the scandal we’ll cause.” In his gossip tone he added, “I never realized what a rogue he is. Do you think he’s capable of ruling a duchy? Heaven help us all!”

Kathe laughed and was actually disappointed when he’d finished licking her fingers. “You are a funny man, Your Highness,” she said.

“Nonsense,” he quipped. “You would be amazed at the things people will say. I often read things about myself in the newspaper that I would have never known if I hadn’t read them.”

“Then I shall have to start reading the newspaper so I can discover what kind of man you aren’t.”

“Well,” he said, “some of it’s true—all the good stuff, of course.”

“Of course,” she laughed. He pressed her hand to his lips, and his eyes delved into hers. “What are you thinking?” she asked, marveling at how every moment with him was like an adventure.

“I was thinking about kissing you . . . long and hard.”

Kathe smiled shyly and glanced away. “Not here, I hope.”

“Perhaps another time,” he said as they walked back into the square. “I think we’ve given them enough to talk about for one day.”

They perused the wares for another hour or so. He tried hats on her and insisted on buying one that he declared would be perfect for working in the garden. He held silk scarves up to her face and settled on a deep red one that he swore enhanced the color of her eyes. Kathe tied the scarf around the crown of the hat and wore it throughout the remainder of their excursion.

When they finally left the square, Erich rode the opposite direction and up the hill to Castle Horstberg. They went first to find Erich’s mother in her personal sitting room where the door had been left open. She appeared to be writing a letter at a small desk before they entered, and she looked up, a smile brightening her face.

“What a lovely surprise,” Abbi said and came to her feet. She kissed her son on the cheek, then surprised Kathe by giving her a warm, tight embrace. Kathe felt a mother’s love in the gesture and had to fight back the tingle of tears in her eyes.

Abbi insisted they sit down and tell her what they’d been up to. Erich told her all about Kathe’s father giving his blessing for the marriage, and his loitering in Karl’s workshop as if it had been a great adventure. He told his mother about their time in town and made her laugh more than once. Kathe interjected her own comments comfortably, loving the everydayness of such a conversation. She also loved the evidence that Erich and his mother shared such conversations as a regular habit. His tenderness toward his mother said a great deal about his character, especially when Kathe didn’t feel at all as if what they shared would ever take anything away from her own relationship with Erich. Rather, she felt destined to share her own closeness with this great woman, and it added to her joy.

They all went together to the office where Erich knew no meetings or special business was going on at the moment. Abbi entered the room first, and Cameron rose to greet her with a kiss as if they were newlyweds. Han and Georg were also there, and it was evident they’d been busy at something that involved the papers spread over the huge desk, but all three men seemed glad to put the work aside, and they greeted Kathe with warm familiarity, as if she already belonged among them. They were all seated, and Erich gave them a condensed version of their trip into town, which made all of the men laugh boisterously.

Their conversation eased into the discussion of wedding plans, and they all looked over a very full calendar to set a date for the wedding. They settled on a Thursday less than two months away, and Kathe wondered how she would ever be ready.

“Will that be all right with your family, Kathe?” Abbi asked.

“Oh, my father said anything would be fine with him. And Theodor does whatever Erich tells him to do.”

They also set a date for a social to celebrate the betrothal and make it official, and the duke declared that he was sending out the proclamation to have it posted all over the valley.

“I am officially unavailable,” Erich said.

“And it’s high time,” Han declared.

Erich grinned toward Kathe, and she prayed the fairy tale spinning around her would never end. But then it became evident that living this particular fairy tale would require new clothes. She felt uneasy when it came up that Abbi and Maggie needed to take her shopping, and they needed to get right on it so that the dressmaker would have plenty of time to see that Kathe had the right wardrobe for all of the events coming up. She wanted to protest, but both Abbi and Erich assuaged her concerns as if they sensed her unease. She didn’t admit that she had been stewing in the back of her mind about the forthcoming changes in her life—and the wardrobe that would be required. There was no question that her father would manage to buy her anything she needed; she had been more concerned about what to buy. But surely no one would know the answer to that better than Erich’s mother and sister. She politely thanked Abbi and tried to focus more on her relief for their help rather than her discomfort over certain facets of what lay before her. And she told herself she needed to trust their judgment and not be difficult when everyone had been so perfectly kind and accepting.

The following morning, Abbi and Maggie came for Kathe, and she felt almost as nervous as she had when she’d first been told that Prince Erich was coming to dinner. When Kathe saw one of the ducal coaches in front of the house, she wished that Mrs. Burger next door was home to see it. But her widowed neighbor had left the country the previous week to stay with her sister for a couple of months. Kathe couldn’t wait to see her again. She could well imagine the look on her neighbor’s face when she realized who would be marrying Prince Erich.

For the hundredth time this week, Kathe had to remind herself she wasn’t dreaming as she was seated in the luxurious coach with the Duchess of Horstberg and her daughter. They made her feel immediately comfortable in their presence—which wasn’t a surprise—but Kathe felt the need to address her nerves over the purpose of their outing.

“It’s really good of you to go with me,” Kathe admitted as the coach went the short distance to town. “I must confess I’ll be grateful for whatever advice you can give me.”

“Maggie has a real gift for fashion,” Abbi said. “But this is a pleasure for us, my dear. We’ve waited a long time for Erich to find the right girl.”

Abbi’s smile was so warm that Kathe nearly blushed. “I still can hardly believe it,” she admitted. “It all seems too good to be true.”

“That’s the way real love feels when you finally find it, I believe,” Abbi said.

They arrived quickly at a shop on Herger street where it was evident they’d been expected. Kathe quickly became overwhelmed with so many things to choose from; she felt nearly dizzy. But Abbi and Maggie managed to gracefully make suggestions without being overbearing, and still giving her the opportunity to voice her preferences. While Kathe had never considered the way color might affect a woman’s appearance, Maggie was especially concerned about it. They experimented with different fabrics in the mirror, and Kathe began to see what she meant. The colors that brought out Maggie’s beauty and enhanced the richness of her hair made Kathe look nearly sick. It was quickly established that greens and browns wouldn’t work, but certain shades of blue were good. And pinks and reds did well. Yellow was atrocious on Maggie, but it gave Kathe a glow of radiance.

They took a break and walked to a nearby inn to have lunch. Kathe was intrigued by the contrasting feelings of being in their company. Just as when she’d been in public with Erich, she couldn’t forget that she was in the presence of royalty by the way they were regarded and observed. And yet she felt as comfortable with them as if they were schoolmates, chatting and laughing. It was as if she’d known these women forever. Just like Erich, they were so wonderfully normal and gracious, she couldn’t help but love them.

They returned to the dress shop and spent the afternoon putting together an order, making it clear to the dressmaker which items would be needed first. They finally left around four o’clock with Kathe’s order consisting of two riding habits, one a deep blue pinstriped, and the other a burgundy red; several day dresses in a variety of fabrics, and two evening gowns. The first of these was to be picked up to celebrate the betrothal. There were also multiple pairs of shoes, gloves, a cloak, underclothing, and stockings. Kathe had only once suggested a concern about the cost for so many wonderful clothes, telling them that her father had gladly offered to buy her whatever she wanted, but Abbi had graciously assured her that she was considered a part of the family now, and such expenses were considered normal and customary. “If you weren’t marrying into all of this ridiculous social life, you wouldn’t have to worry about such things. The least we can do is pay for this stuff.”

Kathe thanked them for a wonderful day, and when Abbi suggested there were many things they should discuss, Kathe promised to come to the castle in the morning. She didn’t see Erich that evening since he was involved in a social event with visiting dignitaries, but it gave Kathe a chance to catch up on some things she needed to do and spend some time with her father. His obvious happiness on her behalf was warming, yet she felt concerned about neglecting the duties around the house that she had done for so long. He assured her they were managing fine, insisting that she enjoy every moment she could with her new family. He confessed that he’d been thinking for some time about hiring a live-in housekeeper, knowing that Kathe would be moving on eventually. At first Kathe wasn’t certain if she liked the idea, but as they discussed it in length, she thought it would be good for her father, and realistically, she couldn’t continue keeping house for her father and nephew.

Kathe talked with her father into the morning hours about her feelings for Erich, and the love and acceptance his family had shown her already. She marveled aloud on the wonder of it all, and his enthusiasm on her behalf made everything perfect.

A message arrived the following morning with the ducal seal, inviting Kathe and her family to a formal dinner the next evening at Castle Horstberg for the purpose of getting better acquainted. It was signed Abbi du Woernig, Her Grace, the Duchess of Horstberg.

Kathe wondered as she rode to the castle that morning if she had been neglecting to use their titles properly. It had come up briefly once before, but Kathe wanted some clarification on exactly what was proper so she wouldn’t embarrass herself or anyone else. She was grateful to feel comfortable enough with Abbi to come right out and ask, and relieved when she was told not to be concerned. The duchess made it clear once again that she would prefer to be called Abbi—or even Mother—except when they were in public or involved in certain formal situations where using titles would be appropriate. She reviewed these things carefully with Kathe since many diplomats from other nations would be present at the upcoming social. Kathe felt a little unnerved to realize that Erich’s betrothal was of great interest to many very important people, but Abbi’s calm assurances soothed her.

They discussed many topics of etiquette that Abbi declared to be a lot of nonsense, but in order to avoid embarrassment, it just had to be done. Kathe felt some relief to hear the Duchess of Horstberg admit, with all sincerity, that she considered most of this kind of thing to be superficial and tedious.

“Then how do you do it?” Kathe asked. “How do you commit your whole life to something you don’t enjoy?”

“Oh, I didn’t say I don’t enjoy it,” Abbi replied. “I enjoy it because every little while, Cameron winks at me across the room, or he sneaks up behind me and whispers something in my ear to make me laugh. You see, Kathe, to us it’s an occupation. We smile and do whatever it takes to keep Horstberg at peace and running smoothly, the same way your father goes out to his workshop every day and does his craft.”

Kathe hadn’t even realized that Abbi knew what her father did. She was freshly amazed by this woman’s goodness and perception as she went on.

“And when I catch my husband’s eye, it’s as if we share a great secret. We both know why we do it, and we both know that real life goes on behind the social decorum; unlike some people, who believe the decorum is real life. There are many unhappy people in this business, and you’ll be meeting them soon, my dear. It quickly becomes evident where their priorities are, and why they are so unhappy.

“And that is why,” Abbi leaned closer and smiled, “it is such a good thing for Erich to marry someone like you, my dear.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Do you have any idea, Kathe, what balance you will put into the ruling of this nation in years to come?”

Kathe’s eyes widened. She wanted to suggest that the very idea of her contributing anything to a nation was preposterous. But the duchess went on.

“There have been countless women who would have been more than delighted to marry Erich because of the prestige, the wealth, the power, the social decorum. And what would he have had but an ornament? However, with a woman by his side who will marry him for love alone, and endure the requirements of such a life for the sake of love, he will stay grounded in what’s real, and he will be happy. And I have seen for myself that happy men make better rulers.”

“You’re an incredible woman,” Kathe said. “I only wish I had more of what it takes to be such a woman. For Erich’s sake, I wish that I—”

“Kathe,” Abbi interrupted, pressing a hand over hers, “let me share something with you. As a young woman, I rode horses. That is all I did. I wore calico—the older the better, as far as I was concerned. And I refused to put my hair up.”

“Surely you’re joking,” Kathe insisted.

Abbi laughed softly. “I assure you I am quite serious. And then, one day I met a man who changed my life.”

“How did you meet him?” Kathe asked, imagining some magical encounter, not unlike hers with Erich.

“He found me nearly frozen to death in the snow,” she stated. “But that wasn’t actually the first time we’d met.” Much to Kathe’s relief, she went on to tell the story in detail of being snowed in for the winter with a man she didn’t even know. She told how their love had grown, and how they had exchanged private vows with the intent of making their marriage official at the first possible opportunity.

“When I left the mountain in the spring,” Abbi said, her tone growing more severe, “I feared that he might not even survive long enough to make our marriage public. I knew nothing about him. He had kept his identity from me for my safety. His brother was the duke at the time, and my involvement with Cameron could have been considered treason.”

Kathe felt chilled as she saw a deep intensity come into Abbi du Woernig’s eyes. She looked at Kathe as if she could see into her soul. “I gave everything to him, Kathe, but it was what my heart told me I had to do. As far as I knew, he was a common thief. I knew his life was in danger, and that was all I knew. At one point I had to accept the possibility that I might be left to raise our child without him.”

Kathe unintentionally gasped and put a hand to her heart. The love she felt for Erich made her wonder how a woman could bear such a thing. And it made her wonder if Erich’s life might ever be in danger, but she didn’t know how to ask and she really didn’t want to know.

“And I remember wondering,” Abbi went on, “if I should have regretted the things I’d done to put myself in that situation. But I knew in my heart that what we shared was something most people only dream of. The circumstances with which we started our lives together were not normal or ideal by any means. Cameron needed the love I gave him to get him through; to give him the determination to reclaim his country from the hands that would have destroyed it. I had followed my heart, and I could not regret it. If he had never come for me, I would have raised his son with gratitude in my heart to have a part of him with me. I learned many things. I learned that right and wrong are not always black and white. And I learned that the moment I realized I loved Cameron more than life, I gave him my life. And I would have done whatever he asked of me, even if that had been raising his son to honor his memory.”

Kathe was embarrassed by the tears that spilled down her face, until she glanced up to see that Abbi was crying, too. She watched Abbi dry her tears with a lace handkerchief, and then she smiled at Kathe.

“Obviously the story had a different ending,” Kathe said.

“Yes,” Abbi said wistfully, “in a matter of hours I went from wondering if the common criminal I loved was dead, to being crowned the Duchess of Horstberg. And I was terrified of the position. I felt certain I couldn’t do what was expected of me. But with time I learned that God had not brought Cameron and me together by coincidence. If the love we shared was destiny, then I was certainly capable of becoming whatever being his wife required of me.”

Kathe became lost once again in the fine details of Cameron du Woernig’s reclamation of 1817. She especially loved the way Abbi told her that she knew Horstberg was in Cameron’s blood, and he could not have been happy without having it a part of his life. Kathe knew that Erich shared those feelings with his father. As Abbi rambled on, Kathe couldn’t deny the relief and comfort she’d found in these stories. If Abbi du Woernig had once been a common woman in calico, then Kathe could almost believe herself capable of being worthy of Erich du Woernig.

It was difficult to break away and go down to lunch, except that Kathe knew she had a lifetime to spend with these people. They walked into the dining room a few minutes late. The men were laughing boisterously over something, and for a moment Kathe watched Erich while he was unaware. She admitted to Abbi in a whisper, “Just seeing him makes my heart go faster.”

Abbi chuckled. “I know the feeling well. If not for Erich’s red hair, I could almost believe he was Cameron all over again.”

Erich and Cameron turned and smiled as if they’d sensed they were being talked about. As Erich helped Kathe with her chair, he whispered, “I’ve been going mad without you. After lunch I’ve got a mind to steal you away for a little serious necking.”

Kathe met his eyes briefly, astonished by his boldness. It was difficult to tell whether or not he was teasing, but she couldn’t deny the delighted tremor that erupted inside of her at the thought.

Through the meal, Abbi and Maggie talked on and on about the shopping they’d done the previous day and the plans they were making for the wedding and all that led up to it. But it was only when she met Erich’s eyes that Kathe could feel that everything happening to her was real.

As soon as they were finished eating, Erich took Kathe’s hand and whisked her away, declaring that his mother and sister had had more than their fair share of her, and it was his turn. He took her to one of the many parlors in the castle. It was impossible for her to keep track which it was. She stood in the middle of the room to absorb its lovely decor until he backed her toward the sofa.

“What are you doing?” she asked with a little laugh.

“Sit down, Miss Lokberg. I’m going to kiss you.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” she said and sat dutifully.

Erich laughed as he put one knee on the sofa beside her, and pressed his mouth over hers with immediate passion. “Oh, I’ve missed you,” he said, pushing one arm around her waist. He kissed her again while he managed to sit beside her and maneuver her legs over his lap. The more he kissed her, the more preoccupied she became with the way it made her feel. She sensed his desires intensifying, and nearly expected him to become consumed with irreversible passion at any moment. But he seemed content to just hold her and kiss her, as if each time their lips met was a new experience to be explored and savored.

“I love you, Katherine,” he whispered, his voice husky. He buried his face against her throat and eased her closer. “Do you have any idea the effect you have on me?”

Kathe pressed her hand into his hair. “Perhaps I do,” she said and urged her mouth over his. She felt more than heard him moan, and a moment later she heard the door open.

Erich looked up but made no effort to let go of her, as if to say that he had every right to be holding her this way, and he had nothing to be ashamed of. His confidence inspired her, but she put her face to his shoulder, trying to force away the warmth of embarrassment. Whoever was entering the room, she didn’t want to look at them.

Erich chuckled and said, “What are you doing, little man?”

“I was just wondering what you’re doing,” Stefan said. Kathe looked up. She could handle facing a child.

“As you can see,” Erich said, tightening his embrace, “I am quite occupied.”

“Are you going coursing today?” Stefan asked, and Erich smiled. He knew how much his young nephew enjoyed their little hunting expeditions, but it had always been more about spending time together than actually trying to bring home any game.

“Actually, I think I’ll just kiss Kathe until suppertime—if it’s all right with you.”

Stefan sighed and shook his head with comical disgust, as if he were ten years older, then he left and closed the door behind him.

Erich laughed and pressed his face against Kathe’s shoulder. “If you keep this up until suppertime,” she said, “you might find yourself compromised.”

Erich looked into her eyes to see them sparkling. “Really?” he asked. “What exactly did you have in mind?”

Kathe laughed. “How would I know? I can assure you I am quite naive on such matters.”

“How delightful.” He smirked playfully in spite of the intrigue in his eyes.

“It would seem you’ll have to teach me . . . about such matters.”

Erich chuckled. “My dear Katherine, I’ve already taught you everything I know—and more, I believe.”

Kathe tried to comprehend what he meant. “Surely you’re joking. I find it difficult to believe that you’ve remained innocent into your thirties without dozens of women throwing themselves at your feet, offering all they have.”

Erich ran a hand through his hair, and she thought he actually look embarrassed. “I can’t deny that a few women have given me some interesting . . . propositions. But I never once took more than a kiss; I swear it. And there came a day when I stopped doing that.”

Kathe leaned back but kept her legs over his lap. Watching his face, it became evident he wasn’t joking. “You continually surprise me,” she said.

“Why? Because you expected me to be some kind of philandering rogue?”

“Maybe.”

“And you love me anyway?”

“Does love come under such conditions?”

“No, I suppose it doesn’t,” he admitted.

“However, trust is another matter. Rogue or not, from this day forward you are mine, and mine alone.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” He laughed.

“So, why did you stop kissing all those women who were throwing themselves at your feet?”

“I think it was when I realized that nearly every encounter I had with a woman was soon common knowledge. One girl actually told me she couldn’t wait to tell her friends who she’d been kissing. It’s embarrassing. I can just hear it.” Erich picked up his gossip tone. “Oh, did I tell you he kissed me? He’s not much for kissing, but he is a prince, so please tell everyone you meet that he kissed me. No, I don’t like him at all, but he is a prince, and he did kiss me.”

Kathe laughed until she realized he was watching her, an intensity in his eyes she’d never seen before.

“What?” she asked, resisting the urge to turn away. She could well imagine him being a very powerful man just by that look in his eyes.

“I was just wondering what it might be like to have you compromise me.”

Kathe chuckled for fear of making a fool of herself otherwise. “I’ve not even known you a week, Erich du Woernig.”

He pressed her hand to his lips but kept his eyes fixed on hers. “We are betrothed, Miss Lokberg.”

“Then we have something to look forward to,” she said, and he smiled.

Erich watched her eyes turn serious and he almost knew her thoughts were wandering to the same places his were. But he’d been raised to respect the bonds of matrimony related to intimacy. While a part of him wanted to explore these desires completely, there was something about the anticipation of such an experience that made waiting almost pleasurable in itself. Fearing he would compromise her if he wasn’t careful, he steered his thoughts to the enormity of his feelings. He was amazed at how far he’d come in the years since he’d even considered marrying. For many reasons, he was glad to have waited until now, but there were ironies in his life that had been on his mind far too much. He debated whether or not to bring up the topic, but opted for the moment to just kiss her again.

Soon after lunch, Han entered the duke’s office with his father, where they found Cameron searching frantically through his papers.

“Georg,” Cameron said without even looking up. After all their years together, they could almost sense the other’s presence. “Did you take one of the maps of the castle?”

“You mean the layout?” Georg asked.

“Yes.”

“No.”

“We had two copies of it, did we not?” Cameron asked, his voice growing more tense.

“We did.” Georg remained calm, but Han sensed he was also concerned.

“Well, we don’t anymore,” Cameron said sharply, placing his hands on his hips in exasperation.

“There is only one possibility,” Georg said. “We’re too organized for it to be anything else.”

“I know,” Cameron said. “Blast!”

“I don’t understand,” Han said.

“It’s most likely been stolen,” Georg replied. “And it’s been a long time since we’ve needed those layouts, so it could have been gone months for all we know.”

“I always suspected that one of the servants was responsible for the little accidents we had back in forty-one,” Cameron said. “We never did find out who it was, but I’d bet they’re still working here, and most likely still associating with Nik Koenig.”

“It’s amazing,” Georg remarked. “Even when we hardly see a sign of him, he seems to hang over us like some kind of plague.”

“And I have a feeling we’re in for a fresh epidemic,” Cameron said. “I don’t know why. I just do.”

“Because a map was stolen?” Han asked.

“Exactly.” Cameron’s face was sober.

“Do you really think it has something to do with Koenig?” Georg asked.

“I don’t know,” Cameron said thoughtfully. “He’s pretty much been minding his own business, but if I were to try and second-guess him—perhaps believing he thinks like his father—I would bet he’s just waiting for us to get comfortable. Or perhaps for something unusual to happen that might have us distracted.”

“Like what?” Han asked.

“Like a wedding,” Georg put in, and only silence replied.

“This is ridiculous,” Cameron chuckled tensely a minute later. “Absolutely nothing has happened. I’m getting all worked up over nothing.”

“Except gut instinct,” Georg said. “And when you and I get the same gut instinct, I tend to listen.”

“Remember that, Han,” Cameron said more lightly, as if in an effort to lessen the tension. “Good thought there.”

“So, do you think there is still at least one servant here who is . . . well, you know?” Han asked.

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Cameron replied. “But as I’ve said before, there is little to be done without any proof. And where do I begin to find the guilty servant out of the whole crew? Do you know how many people it takes to staff this place?”

“We just have to be careful,” Georg said, “and do as we did before—trust no one.”

“I always thought,” Cameron said, “that amid the walls of this fortress, my family could find safety and refuge; we could be a defense against the problems we face. I still can hardly believe how we were undermined from the inside. I’m afraid I’ve just been reminded that I can’t feel we are completely safe as long as Nik Koenig is alive.”

Han looked to Cameron. “Don’t you think Koenig took your threats seriously?” He recalled clearly the conversation in this very room between the duke and Nik Koenig. Cameron had made some bold threats in regard to his family remaining safe, but Nik had seemed to know that Cameron would not break his own laws, even for such reasons.

“To some degree,” Cameron said. “Everything has been calm for quite some time, but perhaps we’re getting too relaxed, too comfortable. Maybe that’s what he was counting on. And when it comes right down to it—as much as I hate to admit—he was right to a certain extent; though I don’t want him to believe that.”

“What do you mean?” Han asked.

“I am governed by the law, and the law has restrictions. If I am to remain supported and respected by my people, I cannot disregard the law to satisfy my own motives.” Cameron glanced at Georg. “It boils down to one thing.”

“One du Woernig against another,” Georg said.

Again, only silence followed the comment.

“Han,” Cameron finally said, “will you find Erich and tell him I need to talk to him? It won’t take long.”

Han nodded and opened the door to leave, not liking the dread left hanging in the air.

“Oh, hello there,” he said to Stefan, who was about to knock. “What are you up to?”

“I’m just bored,” he reported, sauntering into the office. “I wanted to go coursing with Erich, but he said he’s going to kiss Kathe all afternoon.”

“Did he now?” Cameron asked with a little smirk.

“And where is Erich now?” Han asked.

“In the north parlor . . . kissing Kathe.”

“I see.”

Han and Cameron exchanged a quick glance before Cameron added, “I suppose I can wait a little while to talk to Erich. I doubt war is going to break out in the next hour.”

“I sure hope not,” Han said with light sarcasm.

Cameron asked one of the officers outside the door to go find Captain Dukerk, but to tell him it wasn’t an emergency. With the order given, they all sat down, including Stefan, to focus on other matters at hand.

Ten minutes later, Captain Dukerk entered the room and took a seat when Cameron motioned to a chair. They exchanged some small talk as they usually did, most of which centered around the captain’s report that Dulsie was doing very well. He and Nadine would be going to visit her in a few days, and it was always a joy to see how she was thriving in her new surroundings. Everyone present was glad to hear such a positive report since they had all shared a common concern for Dulsie for many years.

After a brief mention of the weather and some other odd tidbits of conversation, Cameron explained to the captain the dilemma over the missing layout to the castle, and they discussed the possible suspicions all over again. The captain said that even though they had no idea how long it had been since the layout had gone missing, he would still have the officers questioned who stood guard at the office door. He had records going back for months on who had done each shift. He would also have the servants questioned who had done the cleaning of the office. Records were always kept of that, as well.

“It might not give us the answers we want,” the captain said, “but we have to at least try to find as much information as we can.”

“I agree,” Cameron said. “Thank you.”

Han noticed how Stefan absently drew a picture of a horse during the discussion, but the boy was also listening attentively. With the child’s ongoing desire to be in the office with the men, as opposed to playing with the other children, he had promised to never repeat what he heard in this room, and the men were all careful not to discuss anything too delicate when the child was present. But Han hoped now that Stefan wouldn’t hear anything in this conversation that might make him feel alarmed. They had all grown so accustomed to him being there that Han wondered if perhaps sometimes they spoke too freely. He made a mental note to speak with Stefan later and make certain he was all right.

Captain Dukerk stood to leave but stopped and turned back before opening the door. “It occurs to me . . . I know we haven’t had officers guarding the door that leads to Erich’s laboratory for years. I assume the door is remaining locked, and only family members with the key can open it?”

“Erich assures me he keeps it locked,” Cameron said, “but I will check with him and make certain.”

“Just a precaution,” the captain said and opened the door.

“I am completely in favor of precautions,” Cameron agreed, but Han saw a faraway look in the duke’s eyes that was haunting. Han’s own memories of Nik Koenig’s past crimes mingled with fears for the future, knowing the man’s motives. If Han was feeling it, he could only imagine what Cameron and Georg were feeling. A glance between the two older men seemed to affirm what Han was thinking, but Cameron changed the subject, and they began discussing other issues. Stefan didn’t seem to notice.

Erich looked at Kathe sitting close beside him and had to convince himself that it would be wise to engage in conversation. And they certainly had much they still didn’t know about each other. He began by telling her about Dulsie and the lifelong friendship they’d shared. He felt comfortable telling Kathe all about Dulsie’s situation and her struggles with it, knowing he could trust her completely, and she reassured him that she would never repeat anything he told her that was spoken in confidence. He was glad to be able to tell Kathe that through the regular letters he exchanged with Dulsie, he knew she was doing better than she ever had. She was blossoming with her new life, and she even had more than one suitable male admirer. He felt certain she would be able to find a good husband and a good life, and he was happy for her.

“I sent off a letter to her just this morning,” Erich said, “telling her about our good news. I’m certain she’ll be pleased, although you should know that I asked her to marry me and she turned me down.”

Erich could see that Kathe initially thought he was joking, but when she noted his serious expression she said, “Well, I’m glad she didn’t agree to it.”

“As we all are,” Erich said. “But still, you should know.”

He went on to explain that when both he and Dulsie had been getting older and nothing romantic was working out for either one of them, he’d believed that they could have a good marriage. He told Kathe that he’d meant it, even though he and Dulsie had both known they didn’t share the kind of feelings that should ideally exist between a husband and wife.

“Still,” he said, “sometimes we don’t always get what’s ideal, and I didn’t know if I would ever find someone.” He kissed Kathe’s hand. “I’m glad that Dulsie had the wisdom to turn down my repeated proposals, and I’m glad that she’s doing well. But I’m especially glad for me. In all selfishness, I feel like the happiest, most blessed man in the world.”

“Is that selfish?” she asked, touching his face. “If it is, then we are both selfish. I too am happy and blessed. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with making each other so happy.”

“No,” he smiled and kissed her, “I don’t suppose there’s anything wrong with that.”

Erich kissed her again, then had to remind himself of the boundaries that needed to be carefully kept between him and Kathe. He eased away and decided there were other things he needed to talk about with her, even if he didn’t want to.

“There’s something I want to ask you,” he said, and Kathe felt intrigued.

“So, ask me.”

“All right. Call it a hypothetical question. Let’s just say, for instance, betrothed as we are, that something happened to me, and I became paralyzed.”

He paused as if to let her absorb the idea, and she recalled his reference to once having been temporarily paralyzed. She still wasn’t certain if he’d been teasing about that or not, but there was no questioning the severity in his eyes.

“I couldn’t walk,” he added, “nor could I father children.”

Kathe’s eyes widened. While his directness surprised her, she didn’t feel uncomfortable. He reminded her of her father in that respect.

“All right, so you’re paralyzed. What about it?”

“Would you still marry me? Would you want to spend your life with half a man?”

“You’re serious.”

“Yes, I’m serious,” he insisted vehemently.

“Why are you asking me this?”

“Because it’s important for me to know. But I need you to be honest with me.”

“Would you expect me to be any other way?”

“No, I would expect you to be brutally honest with me, Kathe. That’s one of many reasons I have for loving you.”

“And what if I said no? Would you think less of me?”

“Kathe, I would not expect any woman to want to live her life with half a man—most especially you.”

“Where do you get this idea of being half of who you are? Would your heart be paralyzed, your mind, your laughter?” She touched his face. “Your dimples?” He glanced away but didn’t smile. “Erich.” She touched his chin to make him look at her. “Is that what you think my love is based on? Whether or not you can walk and give me children?”

“There’s more to it than that,” he protested.

“Yes, I know what you mean. You don’t have to say it. I am by no means experienced in such things, but I have observed a great deal in my life. I don’t believe that intimacy is just a physical thing, any more than I believe that a happy marriage comes from two people walking down the aisle together. When I told you I would marry you, I gave you my life—for better or worse.”

Kathe was surprised by the glisten of moisture that appeared in his eyes. She pushed a hand into his hair and asked, “And what if it were the other way around? What if I were bed-ridden the rest of my life, unable to give you children—you, who are supposed to have an heir?”

He pulled her into his arms almost fiercely. “For you, Katherine,” he whispered, “I would give Horstberg away.”

“But you couldn’t.” She drew back to look him in the eye. “It’s in your blood. It’s a part of you.”

“Yes,” he admitted, “but for you—”

Kathe placed her fingers over his lips to stop him. “Don’t say it. I would never ask such a thing of you.”

Again he hugged her tightly, pressing his lips into her hair. Kathe had to ask, “Why such a hypothetical question?” He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “What happened, Erich?” she added. “Does this have something to do with that temporary paralysis you mentioned before?”

Erich leaned back with a sigh. His eyes became distant. “It was several years ago. Maggie was expecting Hannah at the time, I believe. I walked into my laboratory, and I could smell something strange. I turned to leave and the door slammed in my face and locked, then—”

“What do you mean?” she demanded.

“I mean somebody slammed the door and locked it from the outside.”

“But who would—”

“If we had known who, they would have gone before a firing squad.” At her questioning gaze he clarified, “Because it was attempted murder.”

Kathe was so stunned she couldn’t speak. He looked away as he went on. “I remember banging on the door, and then getting dizzy; then everything went black. I woke up from the coma weeks later, in my own bed. I could feel nothing from the waist down. At the time, the doctor told me it could be temporary, or it could be permanent. I had good reason to believe that I would never walk again.”

“And now,” she said, “you must believe in miracles.”

Erich turned to look at her, his eyes glowing. “Oh, yes,” he said, touching her face, “I believe in miracles. I am alive. I am whole. And I have you.”

“Erich,” Kathe asked, hating the knot that formed deep inside at the thought, “why would someone try to kill you?”

“Because I am the heir to Horstberg and somebody else wanted it at the time.”

Kathe leaned forward, her heart quickening. “You’re still the heir to Horstberg,” she stated as if he didn’t know.

“Yes, I am.”

“Did they ever find out who did it?”

“No,” Erich said. He hated the way talking about this made him feel, almost as much as he hated the overt fear in Kathe’s eyes. “Although we have a good idea who was behind it, we couldn’t prove it. And we suspect this someone didn’t actually do the dirty work.”

“Does that frighten you—to know that this someone is still out there?”

“Yes,” he admitted. “But I’m not going to stop living for fear of someone taking my life.”

Kathe didn’t like the reality of what he was telling her, nor the way it made her feel.

“But . . . I don’t understand. Who would have done such a thing?”

Erich blew out a long breath. As long as it was open, he figured he’d better get it all out. “Probably the same person who had me shot.”

Kathe pressed a hand over her mouth to keep from crying out. She had been blessed to have found love with a man more wonderful than she’d ever imagined. Now she was beginning to perceive that this man lived a precarious life.

“I was out riding,” Erich said, knowing she wanted an explanation by the look in her eyes. “It was where I always ride. Obviously somebody had taken notice of my habits and hobbies. I was aware of some movement in the trees, but I saw nothing. I was shot. It hurt like the devil and I lost a lot of blood. But I survived it. There’s nothing more to tell. I go riding in that very place all the time. There have been no incidents for several years. I’m certain it’s in the past.”

When Kathe just stared at him, shock and horror etched into her expression, Erich unbuttoned his shirt.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

He smiled slightly. At least he’d snapped her out of it. “Would you believe that I’m going to compromise you?”

“No.”

“Well,” he smirked, hoping to lighten the mood, “it was a nice thought.”

He pushed the shirt over his shoulder to show her the scar.

“Good heavens,” she gasped. The mark was not big, but it was deep and ugly. Erich took her fingers into his hand and pressed them there. “Does it still hurt?” she asked.

“It aches some when the weather is cold. Nothing serious.”

He guided her hand over his shoulder to the back, and she gasped again as she felt a similar scar there. He turned slightly so she could see it. “The bullet went straight through, so I didn’t get to keep it.”

“Too bad,” she said with sarcasm.

Erich pulled his shirt up over his shoulder and pressed her hand to the center of his chest. She caught her breath at the intimate implication in his eyes combined with the feel of his skin beneath her fingers.

“My heart is still beating, Kathe. And as long as it is, we will live life to its fullest—together. I will give everything I have to give—for you, and for Horstberg—as long as there is breath in me. I will not waste away the life I have in fear. And neither will you.” He put his mouth over hers as if to seal the promise, and Kathe clung to him. He let go of her hand to pull her into his arms, but she kept it against his chest. She could feel the quickening of his heart, and forced any fear out of her mind. As his kiss deepened, she became distracted by the feel of his hand on her ankle.

“I’d wager that you have beautiful legs,” he said.

“One of these days, I’ll show you, and you can decide for yourself.”

“I’ll look forward to it.” He kissed her again and eased her closer. “When that happens, I’ll know you’re trying to compromise me.”

“You can count on it, Your Highness. But then, if I am your wife, you wouldn’t be compromising me, now would you.”

“What a pleasant thought,” Erich said and kissed her again.

A knock at the door startled them both. In a split second they withdrew from each other and sat up straight.

“What?” Erich called, buttoning his shirt quickly.

Han peeked his head in the door and grinned mischievously. “Hi,” he said. “What are you doing?”

“A little serious necking, if you must know,” Erich said.

Kathe pressed a hand over her eyes to hide her embarrassment, and at the same time bit her lip to keep from laughing.

“I was hoping,” Han said. “I’ve been wanting to catch you the way you caught me for . . . oh, about fourteen years now.”

“So, I’m a late bloomer,” he said. “What’s your point?”

Han chuckled. “I just came to tell you that your father needs to see you. It should only take a few minutes.”

“Tell him I’m necking,” Erich said, and Kathe nudged him with her elbow.

“Actually, Stefan already did . . . more or less.”

“Oh, that’s great,” Erich said with light sarcasm. “In a place this size, you’d think we could avoid being found.”

“Perhaps we’ll do better next time,” Kathe suggested.

“There are a couple of great spots in the garden,” Han said. Erich raised an eyebrow, and Kathe shook her head. They all laughed.

Kathe waited in the hall while Erich went into his father’s office.

“What do you need?” Erich asked, closing the door behind him.

Georg answered him. “There’s a layout of the castle missing. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

“No,” he stated, feeling an uneasy prickle from the way his father and Georg exchanged a concerned glance. All of his own fearful feelings that he’d been fighting to suppress rushed forward, and it took great discipline to keep his expression steady.

“We believe it’s been stolen,” Georg said. “And we have no idea how long it’s been gone.”

“Who would want a layout of the castle?” Erich asked. No one answered, and he sat down as he began to perceive the implication. “Someone who wants to move in. Someone like Nik Koenig.”

“It’s only a guess,” Cameron said.

“But a logical one,” Georg added.

“Georg,” Cameron turned to him, “do those layouts have the concealed passageways and—”

“No,” he interrupted.

Cameron sighed in relief. “Well, that’s good. At least we have a few secrets.”

“I thought this room was guarded twenty-four hours a day,” Erich said.

“It is,” Cameron answered.

“And when it’s cleaned?” Georg asked.

“Well, if we know who cleans the office, that narrows it down, doesn’t it?” Erich asked.

“Except that with the rotations in housekeeping,” Cameron said, “there’s still more than half a dozen maids who could be responsible.” He repeated to Erich Captain Dukerk’s plan to investigate these very issues, and added, “From now on I want two officers actually in the room while it’s being cleaned as well, rather than just posted outside the door.”

“But the layout is still missing,” Erich said. “What do we do?”

Cameron said with severity, “We wait for the captain to complete his investigation, and we just stay alert. What else can we do?”

Erich felt chilled as this conversation mingled with the one he’d been having with Kathe prior to their interruption. But he knew Kathe was waiting for him in the hall, and he doubted there was anything else to be said now, anyway.

As Erich stood to leave, his father asked, “Also, are you still keeping the door that goes down to the dungeon locked? The captain asked about it.”

“Yes, of course,” Erich said and resisted shouting some kind of profanity over the implication. Instead he left the office and closed the door behind him, trying to leave his worries there. He found Kathe admiring a painting done by his mother. But then, the castle was full of those.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

“No.” Erich forced a smile. “Just business. Listen,” he took her hand, “I need to go upstairs and get something, and then I’ll take you home.”

As soon as they arrived at Kathe’s house, they sat down together on the garden bench. “I have something for you,” Erich said. “It’s not much to look at, but it has great sentimental value.”

Kathe watched as Erich pulled a finely-etched gold bracelet from the pocket of his waistcoat. He slid it onto her arm, and she could see that it was old and a little tarnished but beautiful nevertheless.

“It’s not so much for you to wear as it is a keepsake,” he said. “But first I must tell you the story behind it.”

“I’m listening,” she said eagerly.

“My mother’s mother was English. Her name was LeeAnna Eddington, and when Gerhard Albrecht asked her to marry him, he gave her this bracelet. When my mother was very young, LeeAnna was killed, and Gerhard left my mother in his father’s care. Gerhard had a bit of a gambling problem. Well, he ended up working at the castle, and eventually became the duke’s valet; the duke being my father, who was married to a woman named Gwendolyn at the time. Gerhard gave the bracelet to my father for safekeeping, not wanting to be tempted to gamble it away when he knew he had a weakness for such things.

“As I understand it,” Erich went on, “one morning Gerhard was in the duke’s bedroom when Gwendolyn came in. He knew the duke had been suspicious of her actions for quite some time, so he hid in the draperies to see what she was up to. My father’s brother came into the room. They argued. He killed her.”

“You mean murder?”

“Yes,” Erich said. “Anyway, Gerhard saw everything and was prepared to testify, but things went awry. The rest is rather complicated, but my father was wrongly accused of the crime. He escaped from prison and spent a number of years hiding in a secluded mountain lodge. And while Gerhard could prove his innocence, he believed that my father was dead. And then my mother became lost on the mountain, and—”

“Oh, I know this part,” she said eagerly. “Your mother told me how he found her in the snow and she stayed there until spring.”

“That’s right.” Erich smiled. “When my father realized this was Gerhard’s daughter, he gave her the bracelet, insisting that she never take it off. When she came down from the mountain, Gerhard saw the bracelet and knew that Cameron du Woernig was still alive. It took some careful maneuvering, but eventually Gerhard was able to testify on my father’s behalf, and the duchy was reclaimed.”

Kathe looked at the gold band around her arm in awe. “And you’re giving it to me?”

“You my dear, are the next Duchess of Horstberg.” He took her hand and leaned closer to her. “When I was sitting in that bed, believing I would never walk again, my mother gave this bracelet to me. She told me to give it to the woman I married. She gave me the hope that such a thing might still be possible. To me, it represents just that—hope. One day you can give it to one of our children, and who knows? Perhaps it will be the means once again of bringing a miracle to pass.”

Kathe looked at the bracelet again, then pushed her arms around him tightly. “Thank you. It’s beautiful. I will treasure it always.”

Erich stayed to help pull weeds in the garden, and afterwards he helped her prepare a light supper which he shared with Kathe and her father. Little Karl was absent since his father had come to get him earlier to play with Stefan and spend the night at the castle.

Erich insisted on helping clean the dishes, although they played in the water so long that it was nearly bedtime before they were finished. Kathe walked him to the stable, and they reluctantly parted.

That night as Kathe tried to sleep, images of Erich’s life-threatening incidents assaulted her relentlessly. She reminded herself that it was in the past and there was no reason for her to be concerned. But even in her dreams, she could see the bullet hitting him, and the laboratory door slamming closed, over and over.