Borne In Blood Part 31

"You could be tempted," said Ragoczy. "Few men want to have their private transgressions, and the wickedness of their families, revealed."

"Do you accuse me of this?" von Ravensberg demanded, all signs of politesse gone. "You, who have eaten my food and accepted my hospitality now reward me with this calumny?"

"I am concerned about what I have read," said Ragoczy.

"You believe what you have read? How can you?"

"I do not disbelieve it," said Ragoczy. "This troubles me, which is why I have undertaken to discover the truth of her claims."

"What temerity!" Von Ravensberg was rigid with rage.

"I believe I owe a full report to the Magistrate," said Ragoczy.

"And you admit this to my face, yet remain on my estate? You insult me and my House, here, within my Schloss?" Von Ravensberg's face was flushing, and his mouth was square with anger. "What manner of man are you, that you would treat me with such disrespect?"

"If you insist, I can remove to the nearest posting inn, as I have proposed to do," Ragoczy suggested, "but that might draw more attention to you, Graf, at a time you say you want as little notoriety as possible."

"You are insolent." He turned on his heel. "No better than a peasant."

Ragoczy chuckled. "Dueling is against the law, even for men of our rank. I will not be provoked, nor will you; you will not put yourself at legal risk." He touched the journals again. "I only wish you could be held accountable for what you have done, but the law spares you that."

Von Ravensberg made a visible effort to bring his temper under control. "If your companion were not still in danger, I would have my servants expel you from the Schloss. As it is, I want nothing more to do with you. You exist for me as a tolerated thief, and only for two days more at most. Then whether your companion is ready to travel or not, you must depart." He strode to the door. "I will withdraw my book from Eclipse Press, of course, and you can pay me for those sales of which you have deprived me." Satisfied that he had preserved his dignity, von Ravensberg slammed out of the room, leaving Ragoczy alone.

Half-an-hour later, Rogier found Ragoczy still in the library, the stack of journals on the table next to his chair. "I am sorry to disturb you, my master, but Gutesohnes has asked me to inquire if it is true that the Magistrate is coming this afternoon." His unfailingly correct manner removed any hint of his opinion of the request.

"I have been informed that he is," said Ragoczy.

"Then Gutesohnes says he would like the opportunity to speak with the Magisrate. He wants to give his account of Medoc's death." Nothing in his demeanor revealed his opinion of this intent, but Ragoczy had known him since the reign of Vespasia.n.u.s, and could interpret Rogier's silences.

"Tell him to present himself to me in an hour and I will arrange it." He studied Rogier's face. "What is it, old friend?" he asked in Byzantine Greek.

Rogier answered in the same tongue. "Madame von Scharffensee is fretting. Serilde has told me that she has twice tried to remove the bandages on her face, and she doesn't want to have any more syrup of poppies rubbed on her mouth where her teeth are broken. She got the bandages off her hand."

"Ah." Ragoczy reached for the journals. "If you will carry these to the Rose Room, I will visit Hero and do what I can to rea.s.sure her."

Rogier gathered up the journals. "Where would you like me to put these?"

The shriek this time was long and ululating; neither man spoke until it had faded.

"So long as you keep them with you, within sight, you may put them where you choose," said Ragoczy. "I will present them to the Magistrate later today."

"They have bearing on the case?" Rogier asked, although he felt certain they did.

"I must hope they do," said Ragoczy as he left the library with Rogier, his thoughts already on Hero and what he would say to her, knowing the truth would provide her no comfort.

Text of a decision handed down by Magistrate Schmidt of Eichenbrucke, and entered into the records of the court there.

From the Magistrates' Court of Eichenbruke, under the seal of this office on the 9thday of April, 1818 Having reviewed the case of the violent death of Herr Constanz Medoc of Trier, killed at Ravensberg Schloss on the 4thof this month, I hereby give my findings: That Herr Medoc was killed by his fiancee, Fraulein Hyacinthie Theresa Katerina Sieffert von Ravensberg while of unsound mind, That Madame Hero Iocasta Ariadne Corvosaggio von Scharffensee was kidnapped and violently a.s.saulted by said Fraulein von Ravensberg, suffering many disfiguring wounds as a result, That Saint-Germain Ragoczy, Comte Franciscus, was also injured in the attempt to detain Fraulein von Ravensberg, That the groundsman h.e.l.ler Wegbruden suffered a sprained ankle and bruised arms from his efforts to detain Fraulein von Ravensberg.

Therefore I hold that Fraulein Hyacinthie Theresa Katerina Sieffert von Ravensberg is responsible for the death and the injuries stipulated above, and for which the most severe penalty possible is death.

In mitigation, I have received evidence and testimony that indicates: That Fraulein von Ravensberg, ward of Wallache Gerhard Winifrith Sieffert, Graf von Ravensberg, has been subjected to the lascivious attentions of her guardian and uncle, from the age eight until she was fourteen. These incidents are recorded in the journals of Fraulein Hyacinthie von Ravensberg, and are corroborated by testimony from Frau Jakobine Schale, who has served as governess and tutor to Fraulein Hyacinthie von Ravensberg since the Fraulein was first taken into care by her guardian, and Idune Ulme, the maid who has served Fraulein von Ravensberg for six years, and the girl Hedda for one.

That these repeated forced seductions worked upon Fraulein von Ravensberg's mind until she was incapable of discerning right behavior from wrong. This is supported by accounts given under oath by Comte Franciscus, his coachman, Otto Gutesohnes, who partic.i.p.ated in the capture of Fraulein von Ravensberg, and Arndt Lowengard, Graf von Ravensberg's man-of-business, who has observed Fraulein von Ravensberg for as long as Frau Schale has, and who has made notes in his diary of instances of unacceptable conduct by Fraulein von Ravensberg.

That due to this disruption of her moral development and distortion of her thought processes, Fraulein von Ravensberg is not culpable for the crimes she has committed to the degree an unimpaired adult would be, for which reason, I am declaring that she is not sufficiently responsible to be put to death, but shall instead be confined to the asylum at Adlerfirst for the rest of her natural life.

That although Graf von Ravensberg cannot be prosecuted for any act he committed with his ward and niece, for none of what he has done can be regarded as treasonous, nevertheless, his conduct is of so abhorrent a nature that I order his present ward, Hedda, aged eight years, be removed from his guardianship and placed with the Sisters of the Annunciation at the orphans' home here in Eichenbrucke until an acceptable and appropriate family be found to take her in. As difficult as such a separation may be, I am persuaded that it is preferable to leaving her in the care of Graf von Ravensberg. I am indebted to the Comte Franciscus, who has donated 200 German marks to her care, and who has pledged to provide her a dowry when she decides to wed.

In conclusion, I recommend that the personal records of Arndt Lowengard be copied and entered into this record along with the transcriptions of the accounts of those already stipulated.

As to Graf von Ravensberg's insistence that his ward be hanged for her crimes, I recommend that such ravings be disallowed, in recognition of the role his behavior has played in this most tragic event.

Submitted by.

Radbert Bonifac Schmidt.

Magistrate of Eichenbrucke.

Austria.

(seal of the court).

7.

Summer was waning, but the day was quite warm this first week in September, and the air was heavy with the scents of the first harvest. From the open windows of the Chateau Ragoczy it was easy to see the field-hands at their work, and to hear the activity in the kitchen yard and around the barn. The bake-house was cooling after its early morning use, and firewood was being loaded into the bath-house in preparation for the evening's bathing.

Walking a bit unsteadily, Hero had descended from her room, handsomely dressed in an elegant walking-ensemble of a dark-tealgreen more suited to Vienna or Paris than Chateau Ragoczy. She wore a dashing hat that held the heavy veil that covered her face and throat. "I am so excited," she said to Ragoczy as she entered the smaller of the two withdrawing rooms. "I must thank you again, Comte. I never thought you would actually be able to arrange this for me. I still don't quite believe it's happening. I am most deeply obligated to you."

Her formality saddened him, but he knew he could do nothing to change her withdrawal from him, that attempting to restore their intimacy would now lead only to greater alienation. "It is my honor, Hero." He came across the room and kissed her gloved hands, retaining them in his own for as long as she was willing to permit it.

"You have always been generous, and kind, always so kind, and I am aware of it, and I thank you ..." She was becoming fl.u.s.tered at her own effusion.

"Hero, Hero," he said gently. "There is no need for you to thank me; if you must, a single merci will suffice."

But Hero had to finish. "I know you have reservations about this, about my taking the child in, but there is no reason you should be worried. I have had several months to think it out, and I am satisfied that neither Hedda nor I will suffer because of this." She stared directly at his cravat. "I promise you, I do not expect this child to be a subst.i.tute for Annamaria. I do know they are not the same. But Hedda and I should be able to find some comfort in each other." She slipped her hands out of his and looked toward the window. "What time did the messenger say the coach should arrive?"

"He estimated it would be here before noon; Gutesohnes was planning for a departure after Ma.s.s," Ragoczy replied. "You have two hours at least."

"I wonder if I should have gone to Eichenbrucke and accompanied her back here?" She started to pace, trying her best to limp as little as possible. "We could have had leagues and leagues together, and several evenings in good posting inns. She and I would be friends by now. Will she think the less of me for not going to get her?"

"I believe it is better that she travel with Oberin Josepha; Hedda knows her, and it will ease her fears, and the fears of the nuns. Think how it must seem to her, to be thrust into a new household about which she knows nothing, in a place she has never been. Such changes frighten grown men, and she is a nine-year-old girl. Hedda has already been deprived of her family twice, and she will not embrace a third one too quickly; give her the opportunity to bridge the gap with a familiar companion," Ragoczy said, not wanting to remind Hero that she was not yet ready to make such a long journey; the move to the newly restored castle at Obenzemmer would be difficult enough.

"The poor child must be terrified." Hero sat down suddenly. "That's what worries me: that she will be too frightened to-" She would not let herself go on.

Ragoczy considered his words before he spoke. "She would be most unusual if she had no fear, or lacked optimism for this new direction her life has taken. Since her parents died, she has had much to endure."

Hero swallowed to stop her tears. "I want to make her happy, if I can. She ought to be happy."

Ragoczy went to her side and lightly touched her shoulder. "I know you would like to spare her any more misery, and to provide her with everything she has missed, but it will take time. All changes in her life for the last three years have been for the worse. Do not expect her to be too jubilant, Hero; she is likely to be reserved: you are kind-hearted enough to respect that. She has been through so much-"

"Something I can understand," Hero interposed. "She and I have had so many losses. It will give us a bond."

"I hope you will find that it is a satisfactory one."

"As soon as we can set up at Obenzemmer, I think we should be able to make our lives together, on our terms." She looked up at Ragoczy through her veil. "Do you think Hyacinthie really killed her sister Rosalie?"

"I think Hyacinthie believes she did," said Ragoczy carefully.

"But did she?" Hero persisted.

"It does seem possible," he said with great regret, remembering Csimenae again, and Srau.

"Do you suppose Hedda knows?" Before he could answer she went on, "Surely no one would tell her such a dreadful thing."

"She most certainly knows, whether she has been deliberately told or not. Servants gossip, children reveal secrets, nuns whisper: she will have heard several versions by now, I should a.s.sume, and she will have chosen one of the versions to believe. Whichever version that may be, it will be the one she expects to hear from you." He felt her move back from him; he removed his hand. "She will likely ask you what you know."

"But how can I tell her that Hyacinthie claims she killed Rosalie? It would be too cruel."

"She will have heard worse by now, Hero; if you make light of her knowledge, you will find she will feel slighted." He touched her shoulder again. "If you tell her what you know, she will respect you, dreadful though your information is."

"I couldn't tell her anything so heinous," said Hero. "Hyacinthie's demeanor alone would be too painful to describe. It is all too painful for any child." She stared at her hands as if she could see through the gloves. "I hope she will not ask to see my face, or not until she is used to me."

He dropped down on his knee beside her, speaking earnestly, "Let me advise you not to dissemble. Any modification of the truth may be held against you. Children have a sense about prevarication, no matter how well-intentioned. The child will not trust you if you offer her any mendacity."

"How will she know?" Hero asked. "I could soften what I have learned-make it less dreadful. I wouldn't have to lie."

Ragoczy waited several seconds, then said, "I know very little about children, except that they are often quite absolute. The few I have known have taken a strict view of the adults around them. If you fail this child now, she may well think that you are like all the others she has known, and she will not trust you." He held out his hand to her, but she did not take it.

"I will find a way to make that up to her," said Hero in a burst of purpose. "She and I will have a lot of time to help her put such misfortunes behind her."

"I hope you will succeed," he said, rising.

"Do you think I can't?" she challenged.

"If I thought that, I would never have arranged for you to adopt Hedda," he said matter-of-factly.

Emboldened, Hero asked, "About that: why do you do it, Comte?"

"Help you adopt Hedda?"

"All of it." She hesitated, then plunged on. "Why did you try to fix my face? Why did you bother to search for me at Ravensberg? Your shoulder still pained you, but you didn't hesitate, or so I was told by Serilde. Why did you plead for mercy for Hyacinthie, after all she has done?"

The ticking of the grandmother clock seemed suddenly loud as he composed his answer. "If you had the wealth, and the time-especially the time-that I have, would you not do the same? Time is the operative notion here: had I died the True Death when I was executed, I would be nothing more than a very minor Bronze Age prince, hardened by battle, conquered by invaders, forgotten to history, no more brutal than my kith and kin, and no less so. Time has changed that."

"How could you call yourself brutal? You are the most cultured, educated, capable man I have ever met," she protested.

"That is what I meant by time. Nearly four thousand years of undead living has taught me to value life in all its brevity, and all that comes with life." He knew this was insufficient, so he added, "Vampires are often loathed, when we are believed in at all, and for some of us, this brings a terrible bitterness, corrosive to their undying lives and destroying all chance at retaining humanity." He looked away from her, down his long memories. "I have some experience of bitterness, centuries ago, and I know how it venomous it is." His smile was swift and sad. "Compa.s.sion is preferable to vitriol. Both can be painful, but compa.s.sion builds bridges and bitterness destroys them. Even the loneliness is preferable to rancor. Where there is deprecation and contempt, there can be no intimacy, and for me intimacy is the heart of vitality, and the substance of life; without it my life would be utterly desolate; I could survive, but as a tiger survives, or a jackal. So if I love you-and I do love you; I love you and I know you-then it is my privilege to do what I can to offer you any fulfillment I can, to ease your burdens and lessen your pain." It was more than he intended to say, and he realized he may well have said too much.

She inhaled to speak, then let the air out slowly, not quite sighing, but measuring her response. "Then, if you are willing to ease my burden, I will do the same for Hedda, and do all I can to ensure she has a decent life from now on." Behind her veil, her eyes were very bright.

"I have no doubt of that," he said, and sensed that she was near weeping. "Let me ring for Balduin and have some chocolate brought in for you."

As if recalled to herself, Hero said, "Oh, yes, please. If Uchtred wouldn't mind. I know he is planning a special dinner."

"It is mid-morning and his meats will be turning on the dinner spits in an hour. He can make chocolate for you while he supervises his new a.s.sistant. You will not impose upon him." He tugged on the bell-pull by the mantle, and waited until Balduin knocked on the door. "Madame would like a cup of chocolate. And I hope the little pastries will be ready for the child's arrival?"

"So Uchtred tells me," said Balduin. "I should mention there is a coach approaching from the gate-not one of yours."

Ragoczy was a bit nonplussed. "Do you know whose it is?"

"I will in five minutes," said Balduin.

"Then you had best warn Uchtred that there will be guests-bread, cheese, apples, and beer should suffice to offer them." Ragoczy glanced over at Hero. "Do you want to greet the visitors?"

She shook her head and touched her veil. "No."

"Then if you will excuse me? I will be back with you before Hedda's coach arrives." He hoped this would be the case; he opened the door.

"Go on," she said, waving him away.

Balduin was filled with activity, all but bouncing on his toes. "This is a most important day, isn't it, Comte?"

"It is," said Ragoczy. "Go off to the kitchen to inform Uchtred of Madame's order, and mine for my guest. Tell him some dispatch is needed, for the girl is expected before mid-day, and with any luck, the visitors will be gone by then. I will go out to greet them." He walked quickly to the front door and went out onto the broad step; a light breeze fingered his fashionably trimmed hair and plucked at his star-burst cravat, but no slight disorder in his clothing could lessen his air of urbane elegance, or so he hoped, having no reflection with which to rea.s.sure himself. As he stared down the drive, he thought, How inconvenient it is to have Rogier in Obenzemmer, supervising the installation of the staff there, but this could not be changed. He heard the rumble of the coach and the steady hoof-beats from the pair pulling it, and tried to guess who was coming.

The panel of the coach bore the device of the Magistrates of Yvoire, and Charget was driving; as the pair were drawn up in front of the entrance to the chateau, Ragoczy saw that Magistrate Lindenblatt was its sole pa.s.senger. "Comte," he called out as he opened the door and let down the steps.

"Magistrate," said Ragoczy, stepping down to shake his hand and to offer a sketched salute to Charget on the box. "Welcome, Magistrate. To what do I owe the honor of your visit?"

"I have some news-good news," said Lindenblatt, his visage a mask of worry. "I trust it is good news."

"Thus your present delight?" Ragoczy asked, indicating the open door. "Well, whatever your errand, come in and take a little refreshment." As they entered the chateau, Ragoczy saw Dietbold hovering, and said, "The Magistrate and I will be in my study. Please bring a refreshment tray for him."

"Merci, grand merci," said Lindenblatt, a bit out of breath. "I have had a very busy morning, and it isn't over yet."

"What has happened?" Ragoczy asked as he ushered Lindenblatt into his study.