Page 93 of The Piper's Pursuit

“No.” His eyes went wide, then he smiled. “No, all is well. I’m very pleased you are the new Bürgermeister. I cannot imagine a better one.”

“That is kind of you to say.”

“You are educated and clever. You will do well. And I’m very pleased you trust me enough to be your interim captain. I will always do my best for you.”

“Thank you, Hans. I am grateful to have someone I can trust in such a position.”

Hans bowed his head. “I shall go, if you do not need me. I was at the gate all day, and I interviewed boys for several hours who want to train as soldiers.”

“Very good. Yes, go home and get some rest. Thank you.”

As he left, she couldn’t help thinking of Steffan. He would be wonderful at training Hamlin’s new guards. But would he want to remain in the little town of Hamlin training soldiers? Steffan had been to places she’d never heard of, seen things she’d never imagined. And no doubt he had seen beautiful women who were good at dancing and wore beautiful gowns and whose fathers knew the king—or were even related to the king!

She groaned inwardly as she remembered kissing him. She might never see him again, but she would never forget him, never stop thinking about him—the look in his eyes the first time she flinched when he touched her, as if she’d kicked him in the stomach; the way he’d stepped in front of a wolf to protect her; the way his rock-hard arms felt around her. And she hoped she never forgot how it felt to kiss him, or the way he brushed her cheek with his knuckles, or the way he whispered her name that day in the town square, her forehead resting on his shoulder.

She let out a long sigh. She might be the Bürgermeister, but she was still a woman with a heart that couldn’t help falling in love.

***

Katerina sat at her desk signing off on the receipt for the treasurer to pay all the town’s soldiers.

It had been three weeks and one day since Steffan had left. He’d told her he’d be gone no more than three weeks. Was he well? She hoped no harm had befallen him. Or had he forgotten about her?

When she wondered whether he would keep his word, a sharp little pang stabbed her chest.

But she was so busy, she hardly had time to fret over that, even though things were going well most days. Other days ended with her collapsing on her bed and wondering if she’d ever learn all she needed to know about taking care of a town.

It was early. Katerina hadn’t been able to sleep and had risen to work on the receipts when it was peaceful and quiet. But now the sun was coming up. Why weren’t the servants making breakfast? They were noisy every other morning, but the house was eerily quiet today.

And where was Hans? He usually came around at this time to let her know of any problems that happened during the night.

Katerina’s fingertips were tingling as she stood up and went to the office doorway, listening. She stepped toward the kitchen and opened the door. No one was there, and it didn’t look as if anyone had been there. Everything was tidy and in its place.

She turned toward the stairs. As she put her foot on the bottom step, a loud thud came from the upper floor.

Katerina loosened the knife she always kept in a sheath hanging from her belt, then ran to grab her sword, the first thing she bought after her appointment as mayor. She’d laughed at herself, but she’d always wanted one, and now she had the money Duke Wilhelm had given her as her first year’s payment to buy one.

Katerina picked up the sword and hurried to the steps. She climbed them two at a time, but stopped abruptly when a man appeared at the top. No, two people, but it was too dark to see who it was.

“Who is there?” Kat demanded.

“It is only your stepfather and mother.”

Katerina’s heart stopped and a cold sensation went through her.

Hennek. She made out his aggressive, smirky smile. He was holding Mother around her neck, a knife point at her ear.

How could he have escaped? Where were the servants? How could this be happening? She had been so sure she and Mother were finally safe.

Katerina stared hard at the man holding Mother at knifepoint. She had to think. She could not let anger and fear muddy her thoughts. She gripped her sword tightly, the point resting on the step she was standing on.

“Come on down, Hennek,” she said, “and tell me what it is you want.”

“It is simple.” He started down the first step, forcing Mother to come with him. “I want my silver.”

“Your silver?” Katerina matched him step for step as she went back down, holding tightly to her sword handle.

“The silver from my mine.” Hennek’s hair seemed whiter than she remembered and was all askew and sticking straight up in places. “It belongs to me and you’ve taken it.”