by Frank David
Greg had selected two of his fastest horses to pull the wagon. The trip to Augustus was long. Taking the wagon would slow them, but they should arrive within several hours.
****
As the wagon entered the gates of Augustus, Mary started to fidget in her seat. She worried about seeing Frederick again after all these years. She also worried about his wife. She did not believe Lady Elizabeth had any knowledge of their affair until Frederick claimed Harris, though she could not be sure.
The streets of the city were busy with activity. The shops were bustling with customers. The excitement of the big city was in the air. Brett had only ever experienced the city as a merchant, coming weekly to sell some of their produce. Today, he would get to visit the stores and make actual purchases.
“There it is,” Greg called back to Brett. “Dunmere.”
The boy turned to see the castle sitting atop a small hill at the top of the city. He had seen the castle many times on his journeys into the city but today he would get to see the inside, or at least he hoped. What if the guards made them wait outside the gates?
Greg slowed the horses as they approached the gates to the castle. His nerves were getting the better of him as his hands shook on the reigns. He could see the Imperial guards standing watch. What if Harris had not gotten them an invitation? His mind raced.
“Halt!” the guard shouted as Greg’s wagon approached. “What business have you?”
“I am Greg Morrison. This is my wife, Mary, and our youngest son, Brett. I believe the Imperial Grand Archduke is expecting us,” his voice vibrated as he said the words.
“Mr. and Mrs. Morrison, yes. The family is expecting you. Please proceed to the courtyard.” The guard motioned for the gates to be opened as Greg maneuvered his wagon beyond the guards.
“Father, they could fit ten of our houses in this courtyard!” Brett’s voice was alive with excitement.
“I think you are right,” his father laughed. Greg saw the men stationed just below the entrance to the palace. He gave the command for his horses to yield.
“Mr. and Mrs. Morrison, welcome to Dunmere. The family is waiting for you in the drawing room. Please follow us,” the footman said as he helped Mary down from the wagon. “We will have the stable staff see to your wagon and horses.”
Brett jumped off the back of the wagon. He suddenly felt horribly underdressed. His heart raced with the excitement of meeting the Imperials who called the palace home.
The family followed the men as they led them up the stairs to the large wooden doors of the palace, a guard stationed at either side. As they approached, the guards opened the doors for them.
Brett’s eyes took in all the colors and textures of the main hall. He was fascinated with the art that covered the walls. He had never seen such wonders. The vibrant colors made the subjects in the paintings appear to be jumping off the canvas. He looked up at the great vaulted ceiling.
“Mother, is that gold on the ceiling?” he whispered.
“Sort of,” she replied. She was too nervous to say much. “It is gold-leafing.”
“How rich are the Duke and Duchess?” Brett asked, a bit louder than he had planned. The footman looked at him and smiled.
“Brett, you do not ask such things.” Mary was quick to scold him.
“Please wait here,” the footman opened the door to the drawing room and went inside. “Mr. and Mrs. Greg Morrison, and Master Brett Morrison of Moffat, Your Grace,” the footman announced.
The three entered the large room to find Harris sitting with the members of the Imperial family.
“Greg, welcome to Dunmere,” Frederick said as he greeted the man.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Greg responded, visibly shaking.
“Mary!” Frederick called out as he approached. “It has been far too long. The years have been good to you.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Mary curtsied.
“Brett, what a fine looking young man you are.” Frederick embraced the boy, which caught Brett off guard.
“Your Grace,” Brett said through the hug.
“There is no need for such formalities. We are all practically family. You can call me Frederick,” he smiled as he turned to face his family. “This is my wife, Elizabeth, and my daughter, Samantha.”
“Welcome,” Elizabeth nodded to the three.
Samantha sat silently, as her father gushed over the visitors. She could not help but notice that her father was correct. Brett was a fine looking young man. She noticed he had caught her staring.
“Samantha, it is a pleasure to meet you,” Brett said, his face turning slightly red. She simply nodded in response.
“Father, mother, I am so glad you finally arrived. I was beginning to worry about you,” Harris said as he hugged his parents.
“Your mother took forever to prepare. You know women,” his father laughed.
“You should see how long it takes these two to prepare,” Frederick said, motioning towards Elizabeth and Samantha. “We are rarely on time for anything,” he laughed.
“Women need to always look their best, am I not correct, Mary?” Elizabeth addressed the woman.
“You are quite correct, Your Grace,” Mary curtsied as she responded.
“Mary, please, as Frederick said, it is Elizabeth.” She reached for Mary’s arm. “May I show you around?” She led Mary out of the room. “Samantha, you should entertain young Brett. Allow the men to talk,” she said as she left the room.
“May I show you the gardens, Master Morrison?” Samantha asked. Her eyes flirted with the young boy.
“I would be honored, Lady Samantha,” Brett responded, offering her his arm.
The three men were left alone in the drawing room. Frederick took a seat, gesturing for Harris and Greg to join him.
“I was worried there might be some tension between us, Greg,” Frederick said. He gestured to the waiting footman to fill their glasses. “I want you to know I am not proud of what your wife and I did, so many years ago. I do not think either of us intended things to go as far as they did. I also want you to understand, I am not trying to replace you. Harris is fortunate, he has two fathers that love him very much.”
“Thank you, Frederick.” Calling the man by his name made Greg nervous. “My wife confessed her actions after they occurred, and I forgave her. I knew all along that Harris was not my son, but I loved him as much as if he were.”
“Good, we are agreed, no hard feelings,” Frederick laughed and lifted the glass to his lips. The two men joined him. “Elizabeth and I have prepared a grand banquet in your honor. We have invited all the Royals and Imperials of County Keith, including King Maximillian.”
“Frederick, there was no need to go to such expense on our account.” Greg looked at Harris. His son’s face let him know he had tried to stop the banquet.
“Nonsense. It allows me a chance to introduce my son to his people before he becomes Emperor Consort. It also allows me to be the first to introduce the newest members of the Imperial Court.” Frederick smiled, taking another sip.
“Father, I believe it is wise to have this banquet. It will prepare you for the life that lies ahead for you, mother, and Brett. When Stela bestows the title on you, parties such as this will become common for you all,” Harris said, trying to ease his father’s nerves.
“You will stay at Dunmere, as my guests, until after the banquet. I will give you use of my personal carriage to carry you to Easterfeld for the journey across the bay to Jascaessau. I think you should start to live as an Imperial,” Frederick said, smiling at Greg and Harris.
“Thank you,” Greg said as he finished his glass.
“I hope the women are getting along well.” Frederick worried about his wife being alone with Mary.
****
Elizabeth held Mary’s arm tightly as she led her through the halls of Dunmere. Mary was uneasy about being alone with the woman. She was sure she held some level of animosity toward her.
“Was your
trip to Augustus pleasant?” Elizabeth asked.
“It was, thank you, Lady Elizabeth,” Mary answered nervously.
“Call me, Elizabeth,” she corrected. “Harris is an exceptional young man.”
“Thank you, I am very proud of him,” Mary smiled.
“Do you know he told Frederick he did not wish to be his heir? He suggested Frederick make Samantha his heir,” Elizabeth smiled. “When I first discovered Frederick had another child, I was furious. I had groomed Samantha to be his heir since she was small. I was sure Felicia would convince him she did not want his title, cementing it for her sister. Then Harris came into the picture. Frederick was quick to offer him the title. I thought all hope was lost for Samantha, but Harris surprised me.”
“I am sorry,” Mary apologized. “It was never my intention to hurt you or your family. I am not sorry that I had Harris. I am just sorry that recent events occurred.”
“Do not be silly. I am not upset. You gave Frederick what I could not, a son.” Elizabeth stopped. “I thought we would start the tour in the kitchen. It is a part of the palace you are very familiar with.” She opened the door and the two entered the lower part of the palace where the wait staff worked.
Mary looked around. She had forgotten what it was like working in the kitchen. She watched as the workers hurried to prepare for the daily meals.
“Your Grace,” the woman greeted Elizabeth. “Is this the new scullery maid?”
“No, Mrs. Copps. This is Mrs. Morrison. She is a guest of the Archduke and me. She is one of the guests of honor for tomorrow night’s banquet.” Elizabeth tried to make it sound as if she was scolding the woman for the mistake.
Mrs. Copps looked at Mary. Her brow raised as she looked her up and down. “My apologies, My Lady,” Mrs. Copps said, curtsying.
“Banquet?” Mary asked, taking note of Mrs. Copps’s disapproval.
“Yes, I have orchestrated a grand banquet in your honor tomorrow. All the Imperials and Royals of Keith will be in attendance,” Elizabeth said with a fake smile.
“Oh, I wish you had not gone to such trouble.” Mary tried to hide her nerves but was sure Elizabeth could feel her tremble.
“It is no trouble for the Archduchess, missus,” Mrs. Copps said with a snide tone.
“Mrs. Morrison used to work in the kitchen here at Dunmere,” Elizabeth added. “Her son, the Archduke’s bastard, is to marry Empress Stelaphina.”
“Is that right?” Mrs. Copps again raised her brow. “I guess there is hope for us all, then.”
Mary broke free from Elizabeth’s grip and ran back up the stairs. She would no longer subject herself to Elizabeth’s subtle insults. Elizabeth followed slowly behind her. Mary did her best to hold back the tears, but it was useless.
Elizabeth stopped Mary before she entered the drawing room. “Mary, you really must thicken your skin. Imperials are petty and rude. If you are to be one of them, you must learn to act as they do. You cannot let them see their words upset you.” Elizabeth eyed the woman. “If you cannot handle my comments, I fear the members of court will eat you alive,” she laughed as she entered the drawing room.
Mary paused a moment, drying her eyes, before entering the drawing room. She entered to find the men and Elizabeth standing talking.
“That was a short tour,” Frederick commented.
“Mary knows the layout of the palace,” Elizabeth answered. “She used to walk these halls daily. I doubt there is anything I could show her that she has not already seen.”
“Mother, are you alright?” Harris could see her eyes were red.
“Yes, it was just the memories of my time at Dunmere rushing back,” Mary said, forcing a smile.
“We should leave if we are to have time to get you all new clothes,” Harris announced. “I will go get Brett.”
“No Harris, I will send our men to get them,” Frederick said. “Go fetch Lady Samantha and Master Morrison. Then prepare the carriage for my son and his family,” Frederick ordered the footman who stood waiting.
“We cannot take your carriage, Frederick,” Mary said, her voice quiet.
“You can, and you will,” Frederick insisted. “I want you to become accustomed to Imperial life, Mary.” He smiled at her, easing her fears. At least he seemed to be kind. “Mary, you and your family are now part of our family. What is ours is yours.”
Mary curtsied. She could see the look of hate in Elizabeth’s eyes at Frederick’s words. “Thank you, Frederick, you are too kind.” She returned the glance toward his wife.
Harris noticed the silent exchange between the women. He worried the two were not getting on well. He would need to discuss this with his mother when they were alone. He would not allow his stepmother to disrespect his mother. If she had, he may change his mind about his father’s title.
Samantha and Brett entered the room, laughing. It would seem the two were getting along well. It made Harris happy to see them happy, but it worried Mary.
“I think we should take our leave. There is much shopping to be completed,” Harris laughed.
“Let us walk you out,” Frederick said as he led the group toward the palace doors.
Harris took the opportunity to steal a word with his stepmother. “If you have done anything to upset my mother, I will tell Frederick I am still interested in being his heir. Where will that leave Samantha? I was offering you an olive branch, but you decided to spit upon my offer,” Harris whispered to Elizabeth as they crossed the hall. He broke away from her, not allowing her a chance to respond.
“Thank you, Frederick,” Harris said as he helped his mother into the waiting carriage. “We will return in time for dinner.” He waved as he closed the door and the carriage began to move.
“Mother, did Elizabeth say or do something to upset you?” Harris asked once the carriage was beyond the palace walls.
“Son, it is nothing for you to worry about. Anything that she says or does, is deserved. I am the woman who gave her husband an illegitimate child. I cannot blame her for any anger she has towards me,” Mary responded, her nerves calming as they moved further from the palace.
“I will not allow it,” Harris said through clenched teeth. “She will not disrespect my mother.”
“You will allow it,” Mary said, placing her hand upon his. “She has every right to be upset. She is being forced to host her husband’s former mistress and his bastard son. You will not make an issue of this. Is that understood?” Mary’s voice was stern, something to which Harris was not accustomed.
“Very well,” Harris surrendered. “I will allow you to deal with Lady Elizabeth.”
Chapter Eight – Victoria
The screams coming from behind the door were driving him mad. He worried about what was happening. Lena had gone into labor only hours after Roderick and his family arrived. Now he was stuck out here as her screams filled the palace. His wife was in there helping Lena, as were Luna and the midwife.
Luna sat at the head of the bed supporting her daughter. She wiped her brow with the wet cloth, trying to comfort her. The labor had been longer than was normal and she worried about Lena and the unborn child. Her daughter’s screams ripped at her soul. She did not like knowing her child was in so much pain. This was a woman’s plight in childbirth, but it made it no easier on Luna.
Juliana stood by the midwife, awaiting instruction. She could see the exhaustion in Lena’s face. It seemed the delivery was harder than she remembered when having her own children.
“Lena, try to relax,” Juliana offered words of encouragement.
Lena let out another scream.
“Your Grace, Lady Luna,” the midwife called out. “May I speak with you a moment?”
“Juliana, please come sit with Lena,” Luna said, standing to allow Juliana to take her place. “I will be right back, my love,” she said as she kissed her daughter.
“What is wrong?” Luna knew there was a problem.
“The child is not turned,” the midwife admitted.
“I can try to turn the child. It will very painful for the Empress Consort,” the midwife said, a fearful look in her eye. “We could send for the doctor. He could cut the child out of her. It would probably be less painful than what I would need to do.”
“Which is safer for my daughter and her child?” Luna demanded.
“Both have risks to the mother and child.” The midwife lowered her eyes.
“Try to turn the child. I will have Roderick fetch the doctor, just in case,” Luna said as she left the room.
“Roderick, I need you to go retrieve the doctor. My daughter is having problems delivering the child. Do not hesitate,” Luna commanded, tears growing in her eyes.
“Of course, Luna. I will be right back,” Roderick said as he rushed down the hall.
Luna returned to the room. “I will sit with her, Juliana. Thank you,” she said as Juliana moved so she could resume her position.
“What is the matter, mother?” Lena asked, her voice weak.
“Nothing for you to be worried about. A small complication but everything is under control,” she said, wiping Lena’s brow.
“Is my baby okay?” Lena’s voice was frantic. “Is my child, okay?” she yelled again.
“Majesty, the child is fine. I just need to turn the head down. It will be painful, but I will be as gentle as I can,” the midwife said, trying to reassure Lena.
“You have to make sure my baby is fine,” Lena said through her tears. “My baby has to live. Victor has to live.”
“Calm down, my love,” the voice came from beyond the midwife.
They all looked to see him. His face showed the pain he was feeling. He moved across the room. The three women stared in amazement as he approached the bed.
“Victor!” Lena screamed. “Save our child!”
“There is nothing I can do,” he knelt beside her. “It is in the hands of God. Whatever the outcome, it is God’s will.”
Luna slowly moved away from the apparition kneeling beside her. She was not frightened but she did not wish to be near whatever it was that had appeared.