Page 85 of The Piper's Pursuit

“Of course not.”

“I didn’t think so.” She smiled in a teasing way.

“Who knows Hamlin better, or loves it more, than you?”

Duke Wilhelm called to Steffan. He was forced to lean away from Kat.

“Yes, Father?”

“What about this plague of rats? Perhaps our beast slayers could come up with a plan to get rid of them.”

“We will, Father.” Steffan raised his brows at Kat.

“I do recall you promising to rid the town of its rats.” She was smiling now, a challenging glint in her eye, which was a very beguiling sight to behold.

“Did I? Well then, I had best get to it.”

“Do you know what you will do? How you will get rid of them?”

“I have an idea or two.”

They discussed a few ideas, talked and laughed and teased each other, but always he was aware that they were not alone, even though no one seemed to be paying attention to them. Apparently Father was interested in speaking with the men from the town council, the ones with whom Hennek had always been at odds, the duke having already dismissed the others.

When they’d all finished eating, one of the men said, “Duke Wilhelm, will you favor us with a song? We all know you play the lute, and I brought mine.”

Father’s face showed surprise, then he smiled. “I think I would enjoy playing a few songs. I thank you.” He took the musical instrument and began strumming the strings. Soon he was playing a familiar ballad, and the men all began singing the words.

***

“Your father is not as I imagined a duke would be.” Katerina smiled.

“Are you disappointed?”

“Not at all. He is humble and kind and wise, conscientious, determined to do what is right and fair. I had always heard great things about the Duke of Hagenheim, but to actually meet him...”

“You must be surprised I am his son.”

“Why? No, you are the kind of son I would expect Duke Wilhelm to have.”

“Me?”

“Yes. You are noble and kind, brave and protective. You do not shrink from rescuing a band of children from a dangerous man intent on killing them and you.”

“You think I am noble and brave... and those other things?”

“Perhaps I should not have told you, for I am sorry to say that you are a bit prone to arrogance and I do not wish to tempt you to indulge in that fault.”

He squinted at her. “Sometimes I cannot tell if you are in jest or in earnest.”

She smiled and leaned closer. “Someone has to tease you. A bit of your own medicine, yes?”

And speaking of temptations, his lips looked so inviting. Would she—should she—ever kiss them again? No. If he wanted to kiss her, he would. She would not throw herself at him. She leaned away from him just as his father ended the song.

The duke said, “Katerina, do you have a favorite song I could play for you and your mother?”

“Mother’s favorite song is ‘Stella Splendens.’” But she rarely heard it because even though Hennek liked to play his pipe in the town marketplace, he said music in the house was too loud and was the din of the devil.

Duke Wilhelm began to play the song, and Mother’s expression was so happy. But then her eyes got watery and her chin trembled.