Page 1 of The Noble Servant

Chapter One

The year 1365, Barony of Mallin, the Holy Roman Empire

Where do you think you are going looking like a beggar?” Mother asked.

Magdalen’s hand was on the door. “Just walking.”

“I’d think you would be ashamed to be seen in such clothing.” Mother narrowed her eyes at Magdalen.

Magdalen wanted to say, “Even Hegatha allowed me to go for a walk in my oldest dress,” but Mother did not like it when she spoke of the dead.

“Just don’t let anyone see you, and if you are not home before dark, I will send Hans with his dogs.”

Magdalen hurried out the door before her mother changed her mind.

The path led away from Mallin Park House across a gentle green hill. The village of Mallin was visible in the valley over her left shoulder. The farther she went, moving away from both her home and the village, the more grass grew on the once well-worn path.

Vegetable plots lay on either side. A middle-aged man stooped over a row of cabbages with his hoe. He looked up as Magdalen approached.

“Guten Morgen,”Magdalen greeted.

“Guten Morgen, Lady Magdalen.” He smiled and nodded. His frightfully skinny legs in baggy, thigh-length hose showed below his tattered woolen shirt that hung over his bony frame.

A pang of guilt twisted inside her, as it did every time she thought about her people being in need. If only the mines had not run out of copper. “God, please provide for them,” she whispered.

She kept her gaze on the path that led down one grass-covered hill and up another, looking for interesting rocks to add to her collection, such as the rock that hung around her neck on a gold chain. It was the last gift her father had given her—a necklace made from a red jasper stone found in the copper mines.

As she neared the first of the three abandoned mines, the trees became thicker and the hills rockier. She stepped up to the narrow entrance, barely wide enough to admit a broad-shouldered man but plenty wide enough for Magdalen. Two large tree limbs lay across the opening. Magdalen lifted her skirts to step over them.

“Magdalen!” Jonatha called out.

Magdalen stopped, dropping her skirts back over her ankles. “I am here,” she called out, catching sight of her sister’s bright-blonde hair and Lenhart’s tall, lanky frame through the trees.

“Mother wants you home right away. She sent Lenhart and me to fetch you back.”

Lenhart’s brown eyes widened as they did when he was excited or confused.

“Is something wrong?”

“A missive arrived just after you left.” Jonatha’s normally loudvoice was slightly hushed. “Mother started screaming for you as soon as she read it.”

What could this mean?

Magdalen started back down the narrow path toward home with Jonatha skipping in front of her and Lenhart striding behind.

While Jonatha sang a song, Magdalen’s thoughts raced to that letter. She couldn’t help but wonder if it was from the Duke of Wolfberg.

She had danced with the duke at Thornbeck Castle two years ago. Her mother had hoped he might seek to marry her, but that was unlikely. She was only a baron’s daughter from a poor region.

She entered the house and could hear Mother’s strident voice giving orders to one of the servants.

“Magdalen, you must make haste and pack your trunk.” Her cheeks flushed, Mother motioned her forward. “The Duke of Wolfberg has sent for you. He wishes to marry you.”

Her stomach fluttered and sank at the same time. It took a moment before she could speak. “He does? But why?”

Mother shook her head. “He probably heard about your brother and knows you will be the heir to Mallin now. What does it matter? He is rich, he can do as he pleases, and he has chosen you.” Mother’s eyes lit as she clasped her hands in front of her.

Jonatha danced around in a circle, squealing. “Let me come for a visit!” Jonatha threw her arms around her. Her other sisters ran into the room and joined the commotion.