Frau Lena let out a deep breath, then whispered, “From Duchess Ermengard.”
Gabe sank back on his heels. Visiting merchants often told stories about the queenly duchess, claiming she never left her castle in Hohendorf, dabbled in black magic to the extent of placing curses on those who crossed her, and even poisoned people. But Gabe had never seen her. Rumors said she never left her castle.
If Duke Baldewin’s daughter were still alive, it made sense that she could be in danger from the shadowy Ermengard; Duke Baldewin’s daughter would be sixteen, maybe seventeen years old, making her a threat to the duchess’s rule. Though surely someone would have corrected the erroneous report of her demise by now. The truth would surely have leaked out and spread to Hagenheim. Or so one would think.
And if Duke Baldewin’s daughter were still alive, that would mean Valten was still betrothed. His brother was going to be awfully surprised to find out he had a bride.
A strangled croaking sound came from the bed. The old woman’s faded blue eyes opened and locked on Gabe’s face. She lifted an emaciated hand toward him, beckoning him closer with a crooked, skeletal finger.
“Come here.”
He looked back at his father, who nodded, so Gabe stepped forward and dropped to one knee by her bedside.
He was handsome, though he looked quite young. There was something so pleasing in his features. Such gentleness, an earnest look in his eyes. If only he were strong enough, clever enough … God, help him.
Pinnosa’s voice was weak, along with the rest of her, and she willed her words to reach the young man’s ears. He was Sophie’s only hope. “My lord, I am an old woman, soon to look my last on this earth.” She paused to breathe. She was here. The one she had journeyed to find knelt before her, and she would soon impart her secret to him. If she weren’t so feeble, she’d laugh with joy.
The man picked up her limp hand and pressed it gently. Such kindness to a poor, old woman on her deathbed.
“And you are Duke Wilhelm’s son?”
“I am.”
“The secret I have to tell you has cost the lives of more than one person.” Pinnosa spoke haltingly, stopping frequently to draw in another shallow breath. “You must be brave, strong, and highly favored by God to escape the same fate. Are you willing to hear my tale?”
“Aye, frau. Proceed.”
“I was a servant in Duke Baldewin’s castle when his daughter was born. The poor mother died, and His Grace was heartbroken. His wife had been exceedingly fair — her skin, pure and perfect as new-fallen snow; her eyes, the bluest blue; and her hair, black as ebony and silky as a waterfall. The baby girl was the very image of her.”
Pinnosa closed her eyes to rest for a moment. Her strength seemed to be ebbing away with every word she spoke. She must impart only the most pertinent information. After managing to take in a little air, she opened her eyes and continued.
“The duke remarried. His new wife was beautiful, but heartless and cold. I believe she killed the duke.”
Shock flickered over the young lord’s face. He was sheltered and seemed inexperienced, but at least the surprise was quickly replaced by anger. Stoke that fire inside him, that sense of outraged justice I see in his eyes.
“People would tell me I shouldn’t say such things. But I am old. It doesn’t matter what happens to me if I can save Sophie.”
“Did you walk all the way from Hohendorf?”
Pinnosa tried to laugh, but all she could manage was a wheeze. “You can look at my feet and legs if you don’t believe me.” They were swollen to twice their normal size. “I would walk much farther for Sophie.”
The only way she’d been able to get away without raising the duchess’s suspicions was by faking her own death. She’d taken a bit of one of the duchess’s sleeping potions, which slowed her heart and breathing until people thought she was dead. She had bribed the mute son of a farmer to dig her back up after dark. It had been risky and terrifying to be buried alive beneath the cold earth, but if Pinnosa had left the castle any other way, the duchess would have sent her men after her to kill her. Duchess Ermengard was too powerful, too clever. Pinnosa was one of only two people still alive who knew that Duchess Ermengard had faked the death of her stepdaughter. The duchess had long ago killed everyone else who could have revealed this secret.
“Who is Sophie?” the young lord asked.
“Sophie is a servant in Duchess Ermengard’s service. A scullery maid. But the truth is she is the duke’s daughter.” Pinnosa managed to squeeze his hand. “I saw in a dream that the duchess will kill her soon if someone doesn’t intercede. Please … save her. If you don’t hurry, Duchess Ermengard will destroy her. She delights in tormenting her. Sophie … so kind and gentle … may God … watch … over her.”
It was done. Now she could sleep.
Chapter
2