Page 73 of The Piper's Pursuit

Adela came around and grinned as she took Kat’s hand. “Come. I want you to meet Mother.”

They walked out into the corridor just as a woman was emerging from another room down the hall.

“Mother! You must meet Katerina. Have you seen Steffan yet?”

“Yes, we were just talking, Father and Steffan and I.”

The woman had a softness about her that reminded Kat of her own mother. She smiled at Katerina and came toward them. “Katerina, I am Rose, Steffan’s mother.”

Kat dropped a curtsy. “Your Grace, it is my pleasure.”

“I’ve been talking too much,” Adela said with an apologetic smile. “But I’m sure Mother and I would love to hear, Katerina, how you came to be riding all the way from Hamlin with my mischievous brother.”

“Oh, well, it is a rather lengthy tale. Lady Rose will want to spend time with Lord Steffan.”

“He is changing his clothes now,” Steffan’s mother said. “He will be downstairs soon. But come into the solar where we can sit and be comfortable. I would very much enjoy hearing this tale.”

They all walked up the stone staircase to a large room with rugs on the floor and chairs with cushions. When Adela and Lady Rose were seated and looking expectantly at her, Kat considered for a moment how she might shorten the tale.

She told them briefly how Steffan had come to town offering to help kill the Beast of Hamlin, explaining how they had killed not one but two beasts, then said, “Lord Steffan and I were captured by a dangerous and wicked man—my stepfather. Lord Steffan was very brave and helped us escape—he and I and fifty-two children whom the mayor of Hamlin was holding as slaves.”

Lady Rose shook her head, her eyes wide. “You have been through quite an ordeal, my dear. Are you all right?”

“Yes. But you would be very proud of Lord Steffan. He stayed awake for two days and nights to make sure we all made it to safety. And now the children are with some families in Keiterhafen who are guarding them until we can get back there and take them home. But we must hurry, because my stepfather is looking for them.”

“Do you mean Steffan did all that?” Adela’s eyes were big and her mouth hung open. “I can hardly imagine. You are both so brave.”

“Yes, you certainly were,” Lady Rose said, taking Katerina’s hand. “My dear, thank you for coming here so that the duke can help you save those children. I am sure I have much to thank you for.” Her eyes were watery as she spoke, then she hugged Kat. Kat returned Steffan’s mother’s embrace, imagining that the gentle woman somehow knew that Katerina had kissed her son. But of course she couldn’t know. It was not as if it were written across her face. But did she know Kat had fallen in love with him?

When Lady Rose pulled away, she held on to Kat’s shoulders and gazed intently into her eyes. “You are very brave and very beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Kat had to blink back the tears, suddenly missing her own mother.

“And now the servants are preparing a feast, and I believe the Minnesingers will be playing downstairs soon. Katerina, wouldn’t you like to rest for an hour or so?”

She was perhaps more tired than she’d realized. “That sounds lovely, actually.”

Adela tugged on her arm again. “Let me take you to my room. You can sleep on my bed and then you will feel like dancing!”

Katerina laughed. She couldn’t imagine dancing in front of Steffan’s parents, but she didn’t want to contradict Steffan’s sweet and lovely sister.

***

The evening was enjoyable, though she did not dance. Instead, she sat at the table with Steffan and his mother and father, Adela, and Steffan’s brother Valten and his beautiful wife, Gisela. The Minnesingers did play and sing, and when it was getting late, Steffan reached for her hand under the table. She let him enfold her fingers in his, enjoying the thought that he wanted to hold her hand as much as the actual holding.

He looked sad when Adela motioned to Kat and said, “Time for bed,” and Kat let go of his hand before anyone could see.

The next morning at dawn they were all saddling up—Katerina, Steffan, Duke Wilhelm, and twenty of his soldiers. The duke had decided that Valten would stay and help protect Hagenheim.

Lady Rose embraced first Katerina, then Steffan. She let go of her son as the duke wrapped an arm around her. “We must go.” Then he bent to kiss her lips.

What would it be like to be loved as Lady Rose was by the duke? Katerina wished she knew, and she wished her mother knew. But instead, her mother had married Hennek and suffered through his accusatory, bragging, hypocritical abuse. Life seemed so unfair sometimes.

But she didn’t have time to dwell on that.

Steffan helped her mount the horse Duke Wilhelm had provided for her, boosting her into the saddle, his hand clasping hers for a moment as he stared up into her eyes. Then he went and mounted his own horse.

She was glad no one asked her if she was uncomfortable riding with so many men. She took it as a compliment that they didn’t try to talk her into staying in Hagenheim. Truthfully, it did make her uncomfortable to be the only woman riding with these strange men. But Duke Wilhelm was a good man and would not allow anyone to harm her. Still, she was thankful Steffan stayed close to her, even though they were not able to talk freely.