Page 41 of The Noble Servant

“Oh dear.” She grabbed him by the arm. “You should sit.”

He was already doing so, as the room continued to tilt and turn. He put his head in his hands and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, perhaps he’d have his balance back.

“I hope you will be well. I’m so sorry.”

“It is not your fault.”

“Thank you for attempting to save me. It was very chivalrous of you.”

He could hear her wiping up the floor. Most ladies in her position—wrongly forced to act as a servant after being served all her life—would not have taken it as well as she had. Most would have either dissolved in self-pity or become enraged and lashed out. The first behavior would have gotten her scorned by the evildoers, and the latter would have gotten her killed.

She moved away from him and seemed to be cleaning up the room, as he heard the swish of her skirts on the flagstone floor.

The door to the room suddenly opened. Steffan lifted his head.

“What has happened here?”

Magdalen’s usurper entered the chamber, her gaze coming to rest on Steffan.

Before he could speak, Magdalen hurried forward. “Forgive me, my lady.”

She was good at pretending to be the humble servant.

“What is this man doing in my chamber?”

“This is but a lowly shepherd who wandered into the castle in search of me.” She spoke quickly, as if expecting the woman to interrupt her at any moment. “He had attached himself to me when we were both in the fields tending our animals. He is verysimpleminded, but he is a hard worker. Perhaps you could allow him to work in the castle so he will not be so anxious for me.”

She made him sound like a lovesick imbecile. Again he felt a stab to his pride, but he could not afford pride, not until he had his identity back. Neither of them could.

She curled her lip as she stared at him. “Why should I? We don’t want a daft man in the castle.”

A man’s voice sounded just outside.“Liebling?”

Alexander’s face appeared in the doorway.

Steffan ducked his head, covered his face with his hand, and prayed,God, don’t let him recognize me.

“Oh, please, Your Grace.”

He peeked out from between his fingers. Magdalen had fallen at Alexander’s feet, onto her knees, in fact, and was pleading with clasped hands.

“Your Grace, please do not have this poor man beaten any more. He is a simple but good soul. He only wants to be near me, and if you allow him to work in the castle, I promise he will work hard and I can watch over him.”

“Liebling, what is this?” Alexander looked at his new bride. “I do not think it can hurt to allow the man to work in the castle. Do you know anything about him?”

“N-no,” Agnes stuttered.

“Is this your new maidservant?” He looked down at Magdalen.

“Yes, myliebchen.”

“I promise he will be no trouble to you,” Magdalen added.

“Is he your sweetheart? Is that why you want him working in the castle?”

“Oh no, Your Grace. He is but a poor, simpleminded shepherd who has formed an attachment to me because I look after himsometimes. Please have mercy on him. I fear for what will become of him if he is forced to work outside. Those servants are sometimes cruel to him. If you send him back outside, he may do harm to himself. In the name of all that is merciful and holy, please allow him to stay.”

She was better than the traveling mummers who put on miracle and passion plays at Easter.