Chapter Five

THE PREMONITION

Only a few days later, Erich was in the office with his father, Han, and Georg when Captain Dukerk came in to report the results of his investigation. As always, Erich was amazed at the captain’s efficiency and dedication. He reported that officers guarding the door had been aware of maids going in and out of the room to clean it thoroughly once a week, always late in the evenings when no business was taking place. Their cleaning supplies were searched before going in and after coming out. All of the officers had wondered how something so conspicuous as several large sheets of paper rolled up could have been removed from the room.

“All of them were baffled except one,” the captain said. “He said that he hadn’t given it a second thought at the time, but he did remember one night when one of the carpets had been carried out by two maids in order to clean it. The carpet had been rolled up, so it wasn’t searched. The duties are rotated among several maids, and the officer can’t recall the specific date the carpet was removed.” All the men sighed at the sensible explanation, and the captain continued. “This officer feels horrible, but I’m not holding him accountable. He did his job as he was ordered to. If it’s anyone’s fault that something was overlooked in his orders, it’s mine.”

“No one could have predicted this,” Cameron said. “And what about the maids?”

“Not one of them will admit to anything,” the captain said. “I confess that most of them were so nervous by the interviews that it’s difficult to tell whether or not they’re lying. I’m afraid I have nothing more than that to tell you.”

They discussed how to proceed, with no choice but to accept that someone unsavory knew the layout of the castle—someone most likely associated with Nik Koenig. And there was nothing to be done about it. Captain Dukerk said that he was increasing shifts for his officers at certain places in the castle. They would also increase their efforts in undercover operations with the hope of discovering something helpful by mingling among certain types of people.

When there was nothing more to report, the captain nearly left, but Cameron suggested they all go to the pub instead. “I think we could use a drink,” he said, promptly changing the subject of conversation as they headed out. Erich was glad not to be talking about the insidious hints of a threat hanging over them, but he had trouble not thinking about it.

The following day the duke had to attend a conference for border negotiations in Kohenswald. He asked Han to remain behind and go over some financial statements in regard to a certain economic concern. Han was relieved to not have to go. Not one of them ever enjoyed visiting that particular neighboring country, and Han felt like he’d been given an award by being asked to stay at home.

He was sitting alone in the office with the assigned paperwork when the duchess came in.

“Good morning, Mother.” He smiled toward her as he stood.

“Good morning,” she replied, leaning momentarily against the door.

“The others aren’t back yet from Kohenswald. I’m afraid I’m the only one here.”

“I know,” she said. “That’s why I came.”

Han tried to ignore her severity and motioned toward a chair, saying lightly, “Then you’re in luck. Please, sit down.”

The duchess sat across the desk from him as he sat back down and crossed an ankle over his knee. “Is something wrong?”

She smiled, but her eyes remained intent. “I just wanted to talk to you.” She folded her hands gracefully in her lap. “You seem to enjoy your work.”

“I do, yes.”

“Cameron tells me you’re well suited for it. He’s been pleased, so far as he tells me.”

“Well, that’s good.”

“Yes,” she said, and he felt certain she had a point she wanted to get to that had nothing to do with his job.

“You and Maggie are happy,” she said. It wasn’t a question.

“Well, I haven’t come right out and asked her lately, but she certainly seems to be. I know I’m happy.”

“I’ve told you this before, but I was so pleased when everything worked out for you and Maggie. I’ve loved you nearly like one of my own since the day you were born.”

Han was momentarily too touched to speak. His thoughts strayed to his own mother and he had to admit, “You’ve made losing my mother almost bearable, you know. But long before that, I was always amazed at how kind you were to me. Even when Maggie hated me, you seemed to always say the right thing to let me know it didn’t matter to you.”

Abbi blinked repeatedly as if she were fighting emotion. “You’re a good man, Han,” she said. “And you have a beautiful family.”

“Yes, I do.” He watched her through a minute of silence while she was apparently lost in deep thought. “Is that what you came here to tell me?”

“In essence, yes,” she said. “Although . . . there is something I wanted to share with you.”

“Please . . . go on,” he urged gently when she seemed hesitant.

“You’re aware that I’m sometimes prone to strange . . . dreams.”

Han unwillingly straightened his back and inhaled. This was not what he’d expected. “Yes” was all he said.

“And that they have in the past seemed . . . premonitory.”

“Yes,” he said again.

“Over the years, I have learned to recognize a certain . . . quality about these dreams. The memory of them does not fade with time, and there is a . . . feeling about them that I can’t quite put into words.”

Han was wondering why she would want to discuss this with him—alone—when she looked him in the eye and said, “I had a dream about you, Han.”

Attempting to lighten the mood, he chuckled and said, “What awful thing am I going to do? Perhaps you should denounce me now and get it over with.”

Abbi smiled. “Always a tease,” she said, and then her expression became more severe than before. “I wanted to talk to you about it alone because . . . if it has significance, the implications are . . . disturbing.”

There was no humor in Han’s tone as he said, “Am I going to die?”

A chill raced down Han’s back when she pressed a hand quickly over her mouth as if to hold back emotion. She shook her head adamantly while she gained her composure, and he began to feel frustrated when she didn’t go on. Impatiently he asked, “Is someone else going to die?”

She set her eyes on him firmly. “It would seem that’s the only possible explanation.”

“Explanation of what?”

“In my dream, Han . . . you were wearing the crown.”

Han held his breath. He felt momentarily frozen as he gazed into her eyes, attempting to comprehend the implication. His breath finally escaped with a noise of disbelief.

“That’s not even funny,” he said.

“I didn’t say it was.”

“It’s absurd!” Han chuckled dubiously and pushed a hand through his hair. He leaned over the desk, saying intently, “I’m the stableboy, Your Grace.”

Abbi’s expression remained intent. “You’re sitting behind the duke’s desk, in the duke’s chair.”

“Only because he’s not here!” Han retorted. A moment later, huge tears fell over Abbi du Woernig’s solemn face. “Dear God, no,” Han whispered as he began to perceive the reason for them. He stood abruptly as if the chair had suddenly burned him. Turning to face the window, he tried to think of a rational explanation that wouldn’t discredit the respect she had for her dreams. “Maybe it’s . . . symbolic,” he said. “Perhaps I’ll . . . I don’t know . . . I’ll do something to benefit the country, and that’s all.”

“I’m certain you will do many things to benefit the country, Han,” she said quietly. “You already have. And I suppose it could be symbolic, but . . .”

“But?” he pressed, turning to look at her as she dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

“That thought occurred to me, but it just doesn’t feel right. It feels . . . literal.”

Han chuckled again and shook his head. “Forgive me, Mother, but how could it possibly be literal? I don’t have a drop of du Woernig blood in me.”

“Your sons do.”

“So, there you have it.” Han spread his hands for emphasis, then planted them on his hips. “My son will wear the crown. Erich will have seven daughters. It’s symbolic.”

“Hear me out, Han,” she said gently.

He nodded and sat back down, wondering why he was letting this get to him.

“Cameron is not a young man.”

“He’s not that old either,” Han retorted. “He’s healthy and strong.”

“Yes, he is. But no one can predict when a man’s life will end, or—”

“And when he’s gone, Erich will—”

“Han, listen to me. There is a point to this.”

“I’m listening,” he said, forcing himself to lean back and relax—or at least appear to be relaxed.

“Let’s just say, for instance, that something happened to Erich, and he died without progeny. What would happen at Cameron’s death?”

Han swallowed the knot in his throat. “Stefan would be the duke, but . . .”

“But Stefan is a child. Is that what you were going to say?”

Han nodded.

“And until he comes of age?”

Han said nothing. He didn’t want to admit that this was making sense, and it scared him.“There would have to be a regent. You’re his father, Han. And you know the business.”

“Are you implying then, that something is going to happen to both Cameron and Erich before Stefan comes of age?”

Abbi sighed and resettled her hands on her lap. “It’s only a dream, Han. Maybe it’s just nonsense.”

“And maybe it isn’t. Why did you come here to talk to me about it if it’s nonsense?” She didn’t answer, and he added, “Do you believe it’s nonsense?”

She hesitated before answering firmly, “No.”

Silence hovered for several moments. “Was that all? Just me . . . wearing the crown?”

Abbi straightened in her seat. “No.” She took a deep breath. “I could see the name du Woernig carved in a piece of granite, as if it were a gravestone. I was standing, looking down at it. You knelt on the granite and I placed the crown on your head. When you looked up at me, there were tears in your eyes. You stood and the granite crumbled into dust. The wind blew it away. I woke up cold.”

Han wondered if the intense chill that rushed over him was anything similar to what Abbi had described as a feeling she couldn’t quite put into words.

Abbi sighed and said, “The du Woernig name has ruled Horstberg for many, many generations. But Erich is the last . . . unless he has a son.”

“There’s Nik Koenig,” Han stated. “He’s technically a du Woernig.”

Abbi took a sharp breath. “Well,” she said after a moment’s thought, “if you’re wearing the crown, we know he won’t be wearing it.”

“I’m not entitled to that crown—and I don’t want it; not under any circumstances.” He chuckled sardonically. “This is not what I bargained for when I married Maggie.”

“Oh, but it is, Han. When you gave her your name, you took upon your shoulders the legacy bequeathed in her blood.”

Han leaned forward. “I am nobody! I am the son of servants! People like me do not wear crowns! Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Abbi du Woernig shot out of her chair and set her palms flat on the desk. She leaned toward him and looked into his eyes as if she could see into his soul. “Now, you listen to me, young man,” she spoke in a voice seething of power, yet so quiet he could barely hear her. “You have no less royal blood in you than I do. I committed my life, heart, and soul to Cameron du Woernig, having no idea he was the Duke of Horstberg. I am here because I love him—no more than you love Maggie. Do you think I got what I bargained for? It’s not been an easy life, Han. The responsibilities are heavy at times. The heartaches have been many. But I have much to be thankful for. And for Cameron, I would give my life to Horstberg.

“Now,” she continued less intensely, “I am certainly not going to take a dream and let it put me into a panic. I consider it a gift, and I must treat it as such. There is only one reason for this particular gift, as far as I can see. It is to prepare for something that may likely happen, even if it doesn’t happen according to my perception. The way I see it, the du Woernig name will end with Erich. And that means your name, Han, will take its place. For generations to come, Horstberg will be governed by Heinrichs. Do you understand what I’m saying? Royal blood alone does not make a man a ruler. It takes knowledge, and integrity, and courage. You have those things, Han. You are a husband to the Princess MagdaLena du Woernig, and a father to Stefan Cameron Han du Woernig Heinrich. And you are the son of two of the finest people I have ever known. Don’t let there be any question—your father has more knowledge, integrity, and courage than most men would ever dream of. That is who you are, Han Heinrich. And don’t forget it for a moment.”

Han sat in stunned silence. When she said nothing more, he cleared his throat tensely. “You must forgive me, Your Grace. I have much to learn.”

Abbi straightened her back, then turned and quietly walked around the desk to look out the window toward the valley below. “We all have much to learn, Han. My intention was not to upset you—or myself. Maybe its meaning is something entirely different. Maybe it means nothing. I had a dream more than thirty years ago that still hasn’t come to pass—though my memory of it has not faded. Perhaps this one will be equally slow.”

“Either it will be before Stefan comes of age, or in the absence of Stefan and Gerhard.”

“There is only one reason I’ve shared this with you, Han. You must be prepared. You must learn to treat yourself as one of us—completely—just as your father has. You must absorb the knowledge carefully. That is all I have to say. We will not speak of it again. And it will remain between you and me.”

Han rose from his chair and stood beside her. “You won’t tell Cameron . . . or Erich?”

“No. I believe that good men—and women of course—will leave this life when their time is done. We as mortals cannot change that. They must live as they always have—as if they could live forever. I won’t take that away from them.”

“You’re a wise woman, Abbi du Woernig. I dare say that God would only give such gifts as visionary dreams to people like you.”

She looked up at him with fresh tears brimming in her eyes. Han put his arm around her, and she pressed her face to his shoulder.

“You’re a good man, Han,” she said, wrapping her arms around him in a way that made him miss his mother—or perhaps feel closer to her. “Did you know,” she looked up into his face, smiling slightly, “the day Maggie was born, I told your mother that I would like to see her grow up and marry you? We laughed over it and speculated about sharing our grandchildren, but at the time I don’t think either of us really believed it would happen.” She touched his face gently. “You are the best thing that ever happened to Maggie. I thank God for your persistence on her behalf.”

“She was worth waiting for.” He smiled and pressed a kiss to her brow.

Abbi’s expression sobered as she said, “Stefan is a unique child, Han.”

“Yes, he is. Sometimes I feel we have little in common.” He chuckled. “I think he’s smarter than I am already.”

“You have much wisdom to guide him, though he seems quite drawn to both Cameron and Erich. He always has. Perhaps he knows instinctively that they are his mentors.”

“Perhaps,” Han said, unable to help the crack in his voice. The very thought struck something in him he didn’t want to put into words.

They both turned toward the door at the sound of laughter coming from the other side. A moment later, Erich burst into the room with Cameron and Georg trailing behind him.

“Hello, Mother,” Erich boomed, crossing the room to kiss her. Han observed the way she smiled as if nothing in the world was wrong, and then she laughed when Erich hugged her tight and briefly lifted her feet off the floor.

“Did everything go well?” she asked as Georg pressed a quick kiss to her cheek in greeting and sat in his usual chair.

“Quite well, actually,” Cameron answered. He kissed her on the mouth and looked briefly into her eyes and smiled, as if they shared some secret. Abbi quickly touched his face before he sat down at the desk.

Han met Abbi’s eyes. She discreetly put a finger to her lips, as if to seal their conversation forever.

“Did you miss us, Han, my boy?” Cameron asked, motioning Han toward his usual chair with an indication that they had business to attend to.

“Immensely,” Han said in his usual light manner. Abbi slipped unnoticed from the room. As the duke’s report of their brief visit to Kohenswald commenced, Han watched him closely, trying to comprehend life without him. Then he put his attention to Erich, who seemed completely absorbed in his father’s every word, in spite of the way he toyed idly with a pen. The thought of losing them both was too incredible to believe. While the hole it would leave in his life was something he couldn’t fathom, he tried to comprehend what the loss would do to Abbi. The thought was almost physically sickening.

“Are you all right, son?” Georg asked gently.

Han looked up at him, startled. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I was just . . . distracted.”

“Something on your mind?” Erich asked with genuine concern.

Han managed a smile. “Nothing worth repeating, I can assure you. Go on.” He motioned toward Cameron, who looked equally concerned. Did they know him so well? Yes, he thought as Cameron continued. They were family. And by heaven and earth, he would do everything in his power to live worthy of all they worked so hard to uphold.

A short while later, Stefan slipped quietly into the room and sidled up next to Han’s chair. Han put his arm around the boy and gave him a quick hug.

“Did you need something, son?” he asked quietly. “We’re having a meeting.”

“Oh, he’s all right.” Cameron grinned toward Stefan. “Rusty never causes any trouble.”

“Come here, Stef,” Georg said, sliding his chair back a little. Stefan hurried to occupy a familiar spot on Georg’s lap.

“What were you talking about?” Stefan asked.

“Ah, it was getting boring anyway,” Cameron said. “What have you been up to?”

“Just practicing the piano,” he reported.

“Good boy.” Cameron chuckled.

“I have a question, Cameron,” Stefan asked.

Han smiled. With the time Stefan spent around the office, he couldn’t just say “Grandpapa” without having both Cameron and Georg answer. He’d started putting their names along with it, until gradually the Grandpapa was dropped. Now Stefan spoke to his grandfathers as if they were business associates. Han recalled Abbi’s dream. Perhaps they were.

Han missed Stefan’s question, but he noticed the careful way Cameron answered it. He wondered how many sovereigns interrupted their meetings to humor a seven-year-old boy. They shared something special was evident.

Stefan kept his seat on Georg’s lap as the meeting continued. He listened and quietly drew a picture that Georg was admiring over his shoulder while absently scribbling notes. Nearly an hour after Stefan had appeared, Han noticed him look up sharply toward Erich, who was grinning slyly at the boy. Han shook his head in amusement as Erich flipped a tiny rolled piece of paper at Stefan. A minute later, Stefan flipped one back. It hit Erich square in the chest, and Georg’s present comment was interrupted by a histrionic wail.

“Oh,” Erich groaned and fell off of his chair, holding his chest as if he were in agony. “He got me. The wretch got me.” He performed a remarkable death scene while Stefan and Han tried not to laugh. Georg shook his head with a little chuckle. And Cameron laughed so hard he nearly cried.

The meeting fell apart after that, but Erich hadn’t begun playing until it was nearly time for supper anyway. When everyone was seated at the dining table and the usual conversation regarding the day’s events had commenced, Han caught Abbi’s eye. For a brief moment he could nearly feel the irony and emotion she had touched on earlier. She truly believed that she would lose her husband and son to untimely deaths, and there was nothing anyone could do about it. He discreetly put a finger to his lips, returning her promise of secrecy. Then they exchanged a smile. Whatever the future held, he knew they were in it together.

A week after Erich had asked Kathe to marry him, Theodor declared to Kathe that she had already practically moved into Castle Horstberg. She had quickly established a habit of spending more time there than she did at home, and they often saw each other in passing. Abbi and Maggie took her shopping again, and many of her new things were left in the room she’d been given that adjoined Erich’s, with a sitting room between. As more days passed, she often used the room to rest or freshen up, and it was becoming easier every day to feel at home there.

When Kathe was with the women, Erich was either in his laboratory or seeing to his obligations. Erich and Han spent a great deal of time together, and little Stefan followed them almost continually. Kathe noted that Stefan seemed quite drawn to his Uncle Erich, and the two of them would often go coursing together without Stefan’s father.

Kathe also became well acquainted with Lance and Nadine Dukerk. Erich stated when he first introduced them to her that they were Dulsie’s parents, that Lance was also the Captain of the Guard, and that he had been a lifelong friend of both Cameron and Georg. Kathe was told they also had sons, but they were scattered with lives of their own, and she never met any of them. However, she quickly came to admire Lance and Nadine and to feel, as Erich did, that they were like family. It was typical that when Erich and the other men were busy with their work, Nadine would sometimes visit with Abbi and Maggie, which gave Kathe the opportunity to get to know her better. Kathe knew that Dulsie must surely be a remarkable young woman, simply because of the people who were her parents. She considered the secret that Erich had told her about Dulsie, and it made her feel nothing but compassion and admiration that these people were so good in spite of facing such challenges. And she was glad to hear continued reports that Dulsie was doing well in her new home. Kathe looked forward to meeting her and said as much to Nadine, who suggested that Dulsie would likely come to Horstberg for the wedding.

“Erich and Dulsie have been such good friends for most of their lives,” Nadine said. “I can’t imagine that Dulsie wouldn’t be here to see him married.” Dulsie’s mother smiled warmly at Kathe and added, “We’re all so happy that Erich has finally found such a wonderful woman.”

“You’re very kind,” Kathe said and once again soaked in the pleasure she found in being surrounded by so many wonderful people. Erich had given her a family and many new friends, and she loved the time she spent with all of them.

Of course, Kathe most enjoyed the time when Erich was not working and they could spend time together. Cameron only required him to be present for the very important things, since he was understanding of what he lightly referred to as Erich finally finding a woman. The only difficult thing for Erich and Kathe was finding an opportunity to be alone together. It almost became a game to steal moments alone, but eventually they were always found.

Erich’s kiss became familiar to Kathe, and she sensed a carefully guarded passion that made the prospect of marrying him all the more exciting. She marveled as Erich talked about the cathedral ceremony they would have, with a grand procession from the castle. And he often speculated over their honeymoon, starting in the Black Forest where Han had a cottage he would let them use.

Kathe became nearly as comfortable with the du Woernigs and the Heinrichs as Erich was. She’d been accepted so thoroughly that there was little choice. Even little Stefan, who of all Han and Maggie’s children was the quietest, gradually took to Kathe. And he was thrilled with the prospect of being ring bearer at the ceremony, though he wouldn’t admit it. He seemed more preoccupied with being able to spend time with Little Karl as much as possible.

Kathe’s father had even come to feel at ease in the castle. He’d shared a number of meals with the du Woernigs, and he’d taken to bringing Karl and Stefan back and forth to play quite regularly.

As the social to celebrate their betrothal approached, Kathe began to feel nervous at being able to handle all that was expected of her. Talking it over with Abbi and Maggie helped, but she panicked when it became evident that there would be dancing. Maggie solved the problem when she and Erich took Kathe to the east winter parlor one afternoon. Erich moved back the furniture and Maggie sat at the piano to play. It didn’t take long for Kathe to feel comfortable following Erich’s lead, although she feared that doing it publicly would not be so easy.

On the day of the social, Kathe went to the castle early in order to get ready for the event. Just a while after lunch was finished, Erich took Kathe to the north summer parlor where he stood her in front of a beautiful mirror. Seeing their reflection together momentarily took her breath away.

“I have something for you,” he said.

“Again?” she questioned.

He chuckled. “It’s not nearly as precious as that bracelet, but I wanted you to have it nevertheless.” He slipped a flat box out of his jacket pocket and held it in front of her. “Are you ready?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” she said. “You’re making me nervous.”

“No need for that.” He opened the box, and Kathe drew in a sharp breath. She’d perhaps expected some piece of jewelry, but she had never even imagined that something so beautiful existed.

“It must be worth a fortune,” she gasped.

“A small one.” He laughed. “Maggie told me you would be wearing red tonight, so I chose rubies to go with the diamonds. There are fifty-two stones all together; our ages combined.” He paused. “The jeweler suggested that.”

“Erich,” she shook her head, “you can’t give that to me.”

“I just did.”

“But it’s so . . . expensive . . . and . . . when would I ever wear it?”

“Tonight,” he said. “And about twice a month for the rest of your life. We could get another one for variety, if you like. Although there is a collection of family jewels that you are welcome to use.”

Kathe looked at him dubiously, and he laughed. “Go ahead. Try it on.” Kathe couldn’t even bring herself to touch it. “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” he laughed and pulled the necklace out of the box. She realized then that there were also earrings to match. “Hold this,” he insisted, and she took the box while he fastened the necklace around her throat. He turned her to face the mirror, and she gasped. She met Erich’s eyes in the reflection, wishing she knew what to say.

“Here, give me your hand,” he said and pressed her fingers over the jewels hanging below her throat. “See, they don’t bite.”

Kathe put her other hand over the top of his and moved it downward. She felt him catch his breath as she held it against her. “Do you feel my heart beating, Erich? It beats harder and faster because of you. And I ask myself, day after day, why you would choose me, of all the women in Horstberg.”

“Because I loved you the minute I saw you, and I love you more every hour of every day. And because you love me—for who I am, not what I am.”

Kathe turned to look at him, but he kept his hand firmly over her heart. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you seems so trite.”

Erich smiled. “If you can endure this dreadful social this evening for my sake, it will be more than thanks enough.”

His eyes turned serious as he pressed her hand over his heart as well. “My heart beats for you, Katherine. Yours beats for me. Life can be no better than that.”

He bent to kiss her, and she moved instinctively closer, as if nothing existed beyond the nucleus of their love.

The moment was shattered when the door flew open. “Oh, there you are,” Maggie said, apparently oblivious to what she had interrupted. “We’ve got work to do, sister.” She took Kathe’s hand to pull her from the room. Erich couldn’t help but chuckle as Maggie pointed a finger at him on her way out the door, saying sternly, “Now you just stay away. You can’t see her until the social begins.”

Erich gave a mocking bow, and the door closed, leaving him alone. He stood for a moment in the empty room and put a hand over his heart. Even in Kathe’s absence, it still beat quickly. He thought of the words to the song that his mother had reminded him of. “A fire burns in my heart,” he said aloud, and he could almost feel the warmth.

Maggie began by having her lady’s maid, Klara, prepare a bath. While Kathe soaked in the steaming water, clouded with rose-scented bath salts, Maggie meticulously worked on Kathe’s fingernails. She rounded the tips carefully with an emery board, then buffed them to perfection while they talked on and on, as if they’d known each other forever.

Kathe knew that her gown for this evening had been delivered to the castle, but Maggie hadn’t let her see it until she was dressed in all new silk underclothing and silk stockings. It felt different from the soft cotton she was accustomed to, but she declared to Maggie with a smile, “I think I could get used to this.”

Maggie claimed that Klara was gifted with styling hair, and while Maggie was getting herself ready, Klara twisted, curled, and pinned Kathe’s hair until it was swept into a perfect, elegant twist. “Oh, it’s lovely,” Kathe told her. “You are gifted. I can never do anything more than a braid and a few pins.”

Maggie, too, raved about Klara’s accomplishment, and then Kathe was presented with the new gown. Maggie and Klara gasped with approval as Kathe slipped into the red satin that almost appeared to be wrapped around her bodice and draped over the rest of her body, as if it had no stitching at all. Klara fastened the hooks beneath Kathe’s arms while Maggie adjusted it off her shoulders. Kathe looked in the mirror and hardly recognized herself. She’d never seen so much of her throat and shoulders exposed, but she had to admit, “You do have good taste, Maggie.”

“The color’s perfect for you,” Maggie replied. “And red does have other advantages, as you will see. Oh,” she clasped her hands together triumphantly as she stood back to admire Kathe, “you look incredible. He won’t be able to keep his eyes off you for a second. And all those poor souls who didn’t win his heart will be crying in the corners.”

“What poor souls?” Kathe asked.

“Oh, mercy. It seems that every ruler of every country we have any contact with has one daughter at least who would kill for Erich du Woernig of Horstberg. Not only do they want the man, they want the country and the title. Kohenswald especially would love to get their fingers in our pie. But it’s not to be; at least not in this generation. Before Stefan grows up, I’ll have to be sure and warn him.”

“You’ve got some time left,” Kathe chuckled.

Klara provided red-dyed slippers that felt almost as comfortable as the silk stockings. Then Maggie fastened the new necklace around her throat, and Kathe clipped on the earrings.

“How do you feel?” Maggie asked as they admired the final effect.

Kathe sighed and pressed a hand over her middle in an attempt to ease her nerves. “Like a queen,” she said.

“As you should. You’ll be very nearly that in a matter of time.”

Kathe waited a few minutes while Klara put some finishing touches on Maggie’s hair, and then they went together to wait just outside of Cameron and Abbi’s room, where they were to meet Erich and Han before descending into the ballroom at the other end of the same hall. Kathe could hear the music of an orchestra in the distance. The reality heightened her nerves.

They had only been there a few minutes when Kathe heard the click of more than one pair of boots on the stairs, and Erich’s voice saying, “Theodor practically abandoned me; said he had himself to get ready. Who invited him to this party, anyway?”

Erich and Han stopped at the top of the stairs, and for a long moment the world seemed to freeze. Kathe understood now why Maggie had said the red gown would be appropriate. She had forgotten that the ducal uniforms were red and black. But what Erich wore now was far more elegant than anything she’d ever seen on officers of the Guard. He looked so majestic, so regal—like some mythical god capable of conquering the world. But his eyes were sparkling and full of love as he overtly absorbed her appearance. She’d never felt so beautiful in all her life.

“I did,” she finally said after his eyes had traveled slowly down the length of her and back up again.

“You did what?” he asked with a husky quality to his voice.

“I’m the one who invited Theodor.”

“Oh, well.” He smiled. “In that case, I’ll excuse it.”

Kathe looked him over again. “You seem to have done rather well without him.”

“You seem to have done rather well yourself,” he said.

“I had Maggie’s help.”

“I just picked out the gown,” Maggie insisted.

“Let’s get out of here, Maggie,” Han said, taking his wife’s arm. “They could probably stand there and look at each other for an hour.”

Maggie winked at Kathe as she turned away on Han’s arm and they walked toward the ballroom.

“Can I touch you?” Erich asked when they were alone.

“I was hoping you would,” she said, holding out a hand toward him.

Erich took her hand reverently into his and brought it to his lips. Then Kathe caught her breath as he went down on one knee before her, pressing his forehead to her hand in a gesture of pure devotion. Before he came to his feet, Kathe realized his parents were standing nearby. There were tears in Abbi’s eyes. Erich cleared his throat and glanced down, seeming briefly embarrassed.

“You look lovely, my dear,” Abbi said, stepping forward to share a careful embrace.

“And you, Your Grace,” Kathe replied, noting she also wore elaborate jewels with the deep green taffeta gown that brought out the green of her eyes.

Cameron pressed a kiss to Kathe’s cheek, then touched it momentarily. “We are truly blessed to have you with us, my dear,” he said.

“It is I who am blessed, Your Grace,” she replied, kissing him in return. She took note of his uniform, much like Erich’s but with more elaborate adornment. The duke and duchess walked past them, and Kathe was intrigued by the crown he wore and the red robe attached to the duke’s shoulders that billowed out behind him. She could well imagine Erich wearing them one day.

“You are incredible,” Erich said. “It seems to me that you were born to be the next Duchess of Horstberg.”

“I’m not so sure about that. But for you, I believe I could do anything.”

“Shall we?” he asked, offering his arm.

“Oh,” Kathe pressed a hand over the sudden swarm of butterflies in her middle. “I’m nervous. What if I embarrass you, or—”

“That is impossible,” he insisted. “If you handle everyone else the way you just handled my parents, there is nothing to be concerned about.”

Kathe took a deep breath and put her hand over his arm. They walked together down the hall which curved and widened, opening onto a huge staircase that descended into the ballroom. Kathe held her breath when they hesitated at the top. She had seen this room before, but she never could have imagined a picture so grand as what lay before her now. In a glance, she absorbed the brightly lit room with the orchestra playing at one end. There were many people surrounding the perimeter of the room, drinking champagne, talking and laughing. And several couples were waltzing in the center, as smoothly as if they were floating on clouds. Kathe was amazed at the variety of elegant gowns and the jewels that caught the light, twinkling from every part of the room like stars. Some of the men were dressed in fine suits, but most were wearing elaborate uniforms in many different colors and styles representing the different countries Horstberg associated with for the sake of international relations.

When they stood at the top of the stairs for more than a minute, Kathe whispered discreetly, “What are we waiting for?”

“For the music to end,” he said.

“Then what?”

“Just stay with me and look beautiful. That shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“When a woman is this nervous, everything is difficult.” Erich chuckled, and she added, “Couldn’t we just sneak off and find someplace to do a little serious necking?”

Erich smiled at her with blatant desire showing in his eyes. “With that gown you’re wearing, it will take great self-discipline to not do a lot more than that.”

Kathe was seized with an entirely different breed of butterflies as they shared a heart-stopping gaze. She nearly forgot where they were standing as her mind wandered into paths it had never gone before. And by the deepening intensity in his eyes, she felt certain his mind was in the same place. She was startled back to the moment when the waltz came to an end. Erich straightened his back and cleared his throat. She followed his example and willed her insides to stay calm.

From the direction of the orchestra, an elaborate fanfare sounded. Kathe felt all eyes in the room turn toward them, and there was a moment of hushed silence before Erich called in a voice of authority, “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present my fiancée, Miss Katherine Lokberg.”

Erich turned to her and smiled. The crowd broke into cheers and applause, and the music resumed as they descended the staircase together. The duke and duchess met them at the bottom, and they exchanged embraces all over again. Her father approached as well, and Kathe laughed at the sparkle of joy in his eyes.

“You look like a princess, my dear,” Karl said. “But then,” he kissed her cheek, “to me you always did.”

They fell into some semblance of a receiving line where she stood between Erich and his mother, and they introduced her to each guest individually. Kathe wondered how they remembered so many names and titles. Her head was nearly spinning, but Abbi seemed to sense this and occasionally whispered reassuring words in her ear. Erich kept his arm possessively around her while he told everyone how she’d been more than worth waiting for, and how there was not a more beautiful woman in all the world.

The duke kept her father next to him, handling introductions graciously. Kathe felt pride in her father for his efforts to fit in for her sake. She knew he would prefer not to be involved in such things, but he appeared to be enjoying himself. No one would ever guess he was a common craftsman, although Erich didn’t hesitate to admit it whenever anyone asked about him. He spoke of her father with the same pride that he spoke of his own.

Kathe was grateful when they finally had that portion of the event behind them. The supper hour was announced, and they all went together into a dining room she’d not seen before. It was so long she could hardly see the other end. She noticed the children were present now, and Little Karl nearly beamed in his new suit as he was seated between his father and Stefan. Theodor winked at Kathe across the table and she felt warmed by all the love and support surrounding her.

Gradually Kathe began to relax as she realized this wasn’t really so difficult. She felt confident that she could survive the evening without embarrassing herself. And it only took a glance at any one of Erich’s family to feel completely secure and accepted.

When supper was finished, the adults returned to the ballroom, where Erich led her directly to the center of the floor.

“Why are we the only ones out here?” she asked, alarmed by the fact.

“Because this is our dance, my love. This party is in our honor, remember?”

“How could I forget?” She managed a smile and took a deep breath as he put one hand to her back, holding her tightly against him. She put one hand into his and placed the other against his shoulder, wondering if she could remember what he’d taught her.

“Just follow my lead,” he whispered. As soon as the music began, it was easy to fall into step with him.

“That’s what I’ve been doing all evening,” she said.

“You don’t need me in order to shine,” he insisted. “You have more than enough light all by yourself, my love.”

He watched her eyes as they danced, and she felt as if they were floating. “I think I could get used to living this way,” she said. “As long as you’re with me, I believe I could tolerate it.”

“Good.” He laughed. “It gets tedious after a while, but I must admit, I’ve never enjoyed one of these socials so much as I am right now. With you to look at, I could enjoy just about anything.”

“Tell me I’m not dreaming,” she said, feeling delightfully dizzy as he waltzed her around the full circumference of the room.

“You’re not dreaming.”

“Even if I were, it would be all right.”

“Why is that?”

“What you have given me already could last me a lifetime.”

“Heaven forbid,” he muttered. “We have a lifetime yet to live together, my love. And live it, we will.”

The music ended and Erich brought her to a graceful halt. They were applauded, but he seemed oblivious to his surroundings as he bent to kiss her.

“Break it up,” Cameron said, taking Kathe’s hand. He kissed it regally and added, “Now it’s my turn.”

“Your Grace.” Kathe curtsied slightly. The music began and Kathe quickly learned that it was just as easy to dance with Erich’s father. She noticed Erich dancing with his mother, and gradually the floor filled up with other couples. The duke spoke lightly to her, saying things to make her laugh, then he said quite seriously, “I trust my son is treating you well.”

“He treats me like a queen, Your Grace.”

“As he should,” Cameron replied. “Let me put it this way. I’m told by many that Erich is very much like me. In a way, that pleases me. He’s a good man and I’m proud of him. But there are things about myself that I’m not certain I would want my son to exemplify, yet I often see signs that he does.”

“Such as?” she asked with mischief.

“Well,” he chuckled, “I have a nasty temper, and Abbi tells me I can tend to be a little arrogant and overbearing. Georg says some of that is necessary to be a good ruler, and I’m certain he’s right. He always is. But sometimes it’s difficult to tell if those things are carrying over into my personal life.”

The dance ended, but Cameron pressed her hand over his arm and moved deliberately off the dance floor to finish their conversation.

“You’ve not been beating your wife, or anything, have you?” she asked, then immediately wondered if he would consider it an inappropriate question under any circumstance.

Cameron laughed heartily and said, “No, my dear, I can assure you I try very hard to treat my wife well. But it’s difficult to be everything such a woman deserves.”

“She loves you very much.”

“Did she tell you that?”

“Yes, but she didn’t have to. It was evident to me the first time I saw the two of you look at each other.”

Cameron smiled. “She is everything to me, Kathe. She’s saved me . . . more than once. But there was a time when I didn’t treat her well at all. She made me look at things about myself that I didn’t want to see, and it was difficult to separate my anger toward my circumstances from my feelings for her. I’ve tried over the years to make up for that, but my work is often consuming, and I know it’s difficult for her—even though she’ll rarely admit it.”

Cameron sat down at the edge of the room and urged her beside him, keeping her hand over his arm. “You be patient with him, Kathe, just as Abbi was with me. And while you need to allow him to fill his position, don’t let him neglect you for the sake of it. Things have a way of balancing out when a man stops to listen to what a good woman has to say.”

Kathe placed a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For raising him to be such a fine man, and for accepting me into your family. I never dreamed I could be so happy.”

“The pleasure is ours, young lady, I can assure you.”

“You’re monopolizing her,” Erich said, and they both looked up to see his expression of mock anger.

“I’m warning her,” Cameron said in the same tone.

“What? Are you afraid I might be something of the scoundrel you once were?”

Cameron chuckled. “You’re smarter than I thought you were.” He pointed a finger at Erich and added, “You treat her well, young man, or you’ll have to answer to me.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Erich said, bowing ridiculously low.

“Get out of here,” Cameron said. “I only wish I could live to say that to you.”

“That is impossible,” Erich said.

Kathe caught a look that passed between them: brief but unmistakably tinged with poignancy. She wondered how Erich must feel to know that everything he was raised to be could not take place until his father’s death. And Cameron had to know that he would not be around to see his son achieve his life’s purpose. But Erich had often said that he hoped his father lived a good, long time, and she appreciated the way they worked together as a team.

Kathe danced with several other gentlemen while Erich was kept busy elsewhere. She tried to enjoy it, but she wanted only to be close to Erich. Occasionally she caught his eye across the room, and he would wink or smile. She recalled what Abbi had said about that and just smiled back.

She was finally able to dance with Erich again, but when it ended, Han took her away from him. “It’s my turn,” he said. “Go talk to your sister. She’s too pregnant to dance.”

Erich joined Maggie at the edge of the room as Han swept Kathe across the floor. He looked back to see her laughing so hard at something Han had said that it was amazing she didn’t trip. Grinning, Erich sat beside Maggie and took her hand.

“How are you feeling?” he asked Maggie as he sat beside her and took her hand.

“Fat!” she said scornfully, then she chuckled. “But it won’t last forever.”

“Yes, I know.”

“You’re happy,” she said. It was not a question.

“Incredibly so,” he replied, watching again as Kathe tried to laugh and dance at the same time. “He’s telling her some of his bad jokes, you know.”

Maggie laughed. “He’ll probably scare her away.”

“No chance of that,” Erich insisted. “Did you—”

He was interrupted by a syrupy, “Why, hello there.”

They looked up to see the Princesses Von Bindorf. Maggie scowled at them. Erich sighed. No one residing at Castle Horstberg liked these pretentious and arrogant women, or their father.

“Hello,” Erich said, knowing he should stand, but he didn’t.

“So you finally got snagged,” Esmerelda said to him.

“How disappointing that must be for you,” Maggie retorted.

They both gave her a phony smile, and Anastasia added, “The valet’s sister, I hear. It amazes me the way you people intermarry with your servants.” She glanced obviously to where Kathe and Han were dancing. “Don’t you fear that eventually the royal blood will get a little too . . . thin?”

“On the contrary,” Erich said, barely maintaining a civil tone, “too much royal blood eventually turns to water. Interbreeding makes for good, strong stock.”

The princesses both looked briefly appalled by his choice of analogies. Maggie bit her lip to keep from laughing. Erich just stared at them, silently daring them to push this any further.

“So, Maggie,” Esmerelda said, “I see you’re expecting again. Is this four now?”

“Yes,” Maggie said.

“And tell me, do your children ever get confused about—”

“It amazes me,” Erich interrupted, “how the context of your conversations hasn’t changed in twenty years. Do you have nothing better to do? Perhaps you should spend some time examining your marriage requirements. Obviously your efforts to marry power and wealth have not brought about the desired results. Perhaps mingling a little with the stablehands would thicken up that blood of yours.”

Maggie had to press a hand over her mouth to keep from erupting with laughter to see the shocked expressions of these girls she had hated since she was fifteen.

“I’ve never heard anything so rude and impertinent,” Anastasia said.

“I have,” Erich stated, glaring at her.

“If Horstberg survives the likes of you for another generation, it will be a miracle. I hope I live to see the day it falls. You don’t even have the sense to be civil to a lady when you see one. How could you—”

“I can assure you,” Erich said as he came to his feet with Maggie’s hand in his, “that when I do see a lady, I will be civil. Good evening.”

Maggie could hear their gasps of astonishment as he whisked her to the other side of the room and got her a glass of champagne.

“It’s a wonder we’re not at war with those people,” Erich snarled. “Those girls are every bit as bad as their father. I pray to God that Horstberg never sees the day when it has to come against them.”

“Amen,” Maggie said, then she giggled. “You were great. I wish you’d have been around me more when I was fourteen.” He grinned in response.

Han and Kathe approached. “If you will excuse us,” Erich said, taking Kathe’s arm. “I think we’re in need of some fresh air.”

“Excellent idea,” Kathe agreed, desperately wanting a break from all of this grandeur to which she was so unaccustomed.

A minute later they were walking through the castle gardens, admiring the stars. They said little, but Kathe felt content and secure with his arm around her.

“Cold?” he asked when she nuzzled closer to him. She shrugged her shoulders, not wanting to go back inside. “You should be,” he said, “half naked as you are.”

“Not exactly,” she laughed.

Erich stopped and turned to face her. He glanced over her shoulder to be certain they were well out of view from the open doors to the ballroom. With purpose, he took her shoulders into his hands, then moved his fingers across her upper back. “I’ve been wanting to do that all evening,” he admitted.

Kathe pushed a hand into his hair and lifted her mouth to his. “I’ve been wanting to do that all evening,” she said.

“How scandalous you are, my lady,” he smirked and kissed her again. She succumbed without protest as he eased her completely into his arms, nearly crushing her against him.

“Oh, Erich,” she breathed as he slowly opened his eyes. “I wish that we had been married today.”

“All in good time,” he smiled and kissed her again.

Erich wondered how he had reached the age of thirty-one without ever experiencing such pleasure. Knowing they had much yet to share together, he blessed the day she had come into his life. He felt her soften in his embrace and he too wished they were already married. Still, the anticipation was sweet, he thought as he bent to kiss her throat.

“Oh, there you are,” he heard Han say behind him. Erich straightened abruptly, and Kathe pressed her face to his shoulder with an exasperated sigh.

“If we weren’t related,” Erich turned and snarled, albeit lightly, “I’d have your hide. Can’t a man kiss a woman in peace around here?”

Han chuckled. “Apparently not.”

“Did you need something, or did you just come out here to annoy me?”

Han cleared his throat and spoke like some kind of royal messenger. “Your father wishes to make a formal toast before the guests begin dispersing for the evening.”

“Tell him we’ll be there in a few minutes,” Erich insisted.

“Of course, Your Highness.” Han bowed as he backed away, disappearing around the corner of the shrubbery.

Kathe looked up at Erich and they both laughed. “Tomorrow,” he said, pointing a finger at her, “you and I are going where no one will interrupt us.”

“Really?” Intrigue showed in her eyes.

“A picnic might be in order,” he said, lifting one brow elaborately.

“Ooh, how nice. You come up with the place. I’ll bring the food.”

“Ooh, that does sound nice.”

Erich noticed Kathe shiver involuntarily. “You are cold,” he said and immediately began to unhook the jacket of his uniform.

“Oh, no, you don’t have to do—”

“I’m too hot in this thing. It would seem we’re in a position to help each other.”

He removed the jacket, revealing a fitted white shirt with a unique collar, and black braces. She felt warmed by the gesture alone as he wrapped the fine coat around her shoulders and straightened it. “There.” He smiled. “A ducal uniform has never looked better.”

They walked slowly back toward the ballroom, where the orchestra’s music emitted through the open doors. As they moved inside, Kathe felt eyes turning their way. But she concentrated on Erich at her side and managed to avoid a fresh onslaught of nerves.

Kathe wore his jacket the remainder of the evening and as he rode home with her in one of the ducal coaches. He kissed her at the front door of her home and only then did she give it back to him. Once the door closed, she hurried up the stairs to the landing, where she watched him discreetly from the window. He slipped the jacket on but left it unhooked as he climbed up on the box seat with the driver, and the coach rolled away.

“Did you have a good time?” her father asked from the bottom of the stairs.

“Oh, the most wonderful time,” she replied as he came to stand beside her.

“Your mother would be so proud of you.” He put his arms around her.

Kathe wondered if life could get any better, but the next day when Erich came to get her for their picnic, she began to believe it would just improve each day. He came through the back door and immediately pulled her into his arms, growling like some kind of beast. She laughed as he pressed her against the wall and kissed her as if they’d been separated for weeks.

“Mercy, woman,” he said in a husky voice, “you’ve turned a prince into a beggar.” Kathe laughed as he kissed her again.

“Good morning, Erich,” Karl said lightly.

Erich took a step back, and Kathe actually saw him blush before he glanced down and chuckled. “Good morning,” he replied.

“It’s a good thing these royal betrothals don’t last too long,” Karl said before he walked outside. He added over his shoulder, “Have a good time, and be careful.”

“We will,” Kathe promised.

“I’m really going to get myself into trouble one of these days,” Erich said.

“Just promise it will be me you’ll get into trouble with.”

“No question about that.” He stepped back to absorb her appearance in a new burgundy-colored riding habit. “You look splendid, my love.”

Kathe turned around at his insistence, and he made a noise of approval. She smiled as she put on her wide-brimmed hat with a burgundy silk scarf tied around it that hung down her back.

“I’m ready,” she announced, and he took her hand.