Love Me Again (39 page)

“I would walk through hell itself to go home,” he assured her with another ghost of a smile.

Her own smile was so forced, she thought her face would crack. A strained silence settled between them, and as she frantically thought of something to say, she heard his voice feather over lips that barely moved.

“As you can imagine, I've had nothing but time to think, and I have decided I am not proud of what I have done.”

Leaning forward, she admonished him gently, “What foolishness are you talking about, my dear?”

He opened his eyes and stared at her with feverish intensity. “I was neither a good husband to you nor a good father to Eddie.” When she tried to say something he interrupted her, his voice stronger, more insistent. “When was I there, Christina? I wasn't there when he was born, Edward and Massallon were. I wasn't there for his first steps, nor when he first spoke. I didn't buy his first toy soldiers; Massallon did. Edward was there to teach him his first letters. Both of them have been more a father to him than his own ever tried to be.

“And you? When was I there for you? I expected everything from you and gave you nothing in return. What kind of man does that make me, Christina?”

Staring at him wide-eyed, she could hardly refute any of what he was saying. In truth, she had never noticed that he was never around and therefore had never faulted him for it. Edward and Sergei had filled in for the loss of a husband, and her son unselfishly gave his adoration to all the men in his life, never having time to feel the lack of his father.

“Who will miss me when I am gone, Christina?”

Shocked at his question, she stared down at him, wondering at this self-condemnation. “Your son will. I will. Perhaps we have not been the best of lovers, Robert, but we have certainly been the best of friends.”

Bitterly, he castigated himself. “I have treated casual acquaintances better than I have treated my own family.”

“You are being too harsh on yourself.”

“No, and you have never been harsh enough. I look back now and too late realize what a fool I have been.” He was getting more agitated by the minute, and she became concerned at the haunted look in his eyes.

“Robert, please,”

“I'm tired now and wish to sleep.” He dismissed her abruptly, turning his face away from her.

“All right, my dear. Sleep, for tomorrow will be a long day.” She kissed his averted cheek, feeling the hot skin with dread. The fever was flaring again.
Please God,
she prayed as she let herself quietly out of the room,
let us just get him back to Kerkmoor. Give us at least that much time.

After close to two weeks on the road, Varek was surprised that he was still alive. He began to wonder if by some miracle Bröchre had been killed at Waterloo. The thought was sweet indeed, but he had to doubt it. More likely the assassin was dogging his steps this very moment, patiently waiting for the most likely opportunity to fulfill his devil's pact.

In Würzburg Varek was met by a regiment of Hussars under the command of a veteran soldier, Baron Wilhelm Kinsky, on orders from the emperor to accompany the archduke to Austenburg to deliver the Proclamation of Consolidation with the Austrian Empire, as agreed upon by the Allied Powers at the Congress of Vienna, and to assist in the quelling of any potential uprisings. And so when he and Sergei finally entered the square of the royal palace of Austenburg, the force at their backs was three hundred strong, between his own loyal guard, Emperor Francis's Imperial Guard and the Hussar regiment. The emperor himself was expected shortly to rest in Austenburg on his journey back to Vienna, and with him were the regiments that had fought at Waterloo. It was a show of force to make even the most rabid of rebels think twice about their treason.

However, the show of force also alerted Roget, who slipped away, disappearing before he could be arrested. No doubt he was busy at that very moment, rallying the resistance to make their own show of force.

Immediately upon entering the palace, the archduke convened a general assembly in the plaza for the reading of the proclamation. He hoped that the rebels would see the senselessness of armed rebellion against the Emperor of Austria, therefore sparing his people yet another war. After all, with the horror of the past years, when Napoleon swept thought their lands, Austenburg was tired of giving its young men's lives for the greed of others.

In the meantime, Varek called in his bankers and made arrangements for his personal funds to be transferred to the emperor's court banker, Leopold Elder Von Herz, knowing his fortune would be in trustworthy hands while he decided where he wished to settle. He was secretly leaning toward England.

Then Varek made dispositions of several of his outlying estates, deeding them to Christina, Sergei and his daughter, respectively, and made arrangements for the Duke of Kerkston to be Tina Marie's guardian should something, God forbid, happen to him. He had discussed this with Francis, making it explicitly clear that he wanted Christina to raise his daughter. Naming the Duke of Kerkston as Tina's guardian was the only way to guarantee this as women were not allowed to hold guardianships.

Sergei watched Varek's frantic settling of his estates with anger, knowing that somewhere there were two men plotting his friend's death. Roget they would find, but the assassin Bröchre was another matter altogether.

When Sergei noticed one of Kinsky's Hussars enter the chamber, he strolled over to him, and the soldier quickly reported, “The nest has already been flushed, sir. Several citizens came forward to expose the rebels. Roget is under guard and being transported here.”

Thanking him, Sergei turned to tell Varek the reassuring news.

One down, one to go.

The afternoon was waning when Varek walked out to the plaza with Sergei at his side, his personal guard close around them. Glancing about, Varek was pleased at the optimistic air of his people. Earlier that day they had been informed of the duchy's consolidation with the Habsburg Empire. At first concerned about their new status in the huge empire, they were quickly assured that though there would be a removal of the ruling family, there would be little change in their lives or their economy as all taxes would remain status quo and the guilds would continue with their businesses undisturbed. They were told they would soon participate in the new parliament being formed by Metternich, and his people, or rather the citizens of the new city of Austenburg, seemed to be pleased with the concessions he had secured for them.

Varek had to admit feeling pride in knowing that his last act as their ruler had been a step forward into a prosperous future for them. He could now walk away and not be ashamed of never looking back.

The square was abnormally quiet as he walked over to where the rebels were being held. Varek was surprised how many of his highest ranking nobles were among them. Their greatest fears were now realized, they had lost everything: titles, land and their wealth. After only a few hours of questioning, justice had been passed and sentences handed down, overseen by Baron Kinsky, who now held jurisdiction over the duchy with martial law until the appointment of the officials who would then oversee a new order of Austrian law.

In the middle of the immaculate plaza, standing at attention, was the intimidating line of an execution squad. In honor of this great day, clemency was shown to most of the rebels, who would serve time in prison for their transgressions. However, the leaders were not so fortunate, and Roget was one of the few sentenced to death for high treason.

Varek walked slowly up to the little man and asked curiously, “What were you hoping to gain from this foolishness?”

“That which was rightfully mine.” Roget's enigmatic answer was delivered with no emotion, the look in his eyes cold and already dead. It was obvious to all who watched him that he felt no regret for his crimes.

Varek frowned in puzzlement. “And you believe Austenburg was rightfully yours?”

“Indeed,” came the galling rejoinder.

Not wishing to deal with the irritating man any further, Varek simply shrugged his shoulders and turned away.

“Did you never guess that I am your elder brother?”

Stunned, both Varek and Sergei paused before turning around and staring at the madman. “What the hell are you talking about?” Varek demanded, incredulous.

“You cannot tell me that you did not hear of the affair our father had with my mother?”

Varek and Sergei cast each other confused looks. Of course they knew of the scandalous affair of the late archduke Joseph with his chancellor's wife, Katerina Janecke. The two were not circumspect in their liaison, and it had gone on for years.

“I was the product of that unholy pact, and born before our father ever made his political union with the archduchess that produced you. I was first born and should have been ruler of Austenburg.”

Varek had no clear memories of Katerina Janecke, but she had made his mother's position at the court of Austenburg pure hell. It seemed her son had inherited her spite. Coldly, Varek looked down at him and responded with equal coldness. “If this is true, you were born a bastard and should count yourself fortunate that you were able to continue as chancellor after your mother's husband died.”

Roget's eyes narrowed, the only sign of emotion he had shown since being led under guard onto the square.

“Did you truly think this puny insurrection of yours would win you anything?”

“Of course not.” He shrugged dismissively.

That gave Varek pause. The man sounded too smug by half.

Roget explained with a sullen sideways glare at Varek. “If you hadn't gone behind my back and dissolved the duchy, it would have all been mine. I have to admit that surprised me, for I didn't think you would want to deprive your beloved daughter her birthright.”

Through stiff lips, Varek demanded, “Oh, do go on. You have us enthralled.”

“It started many, many years ago, my plan. Actually, the day I became chancellor I set my plan in motion.”

Roget had stepped into his father's shoes as chancellor the year before Varek married Christina. Not long after that, his father had died of a mysterious ailment. Because of that very mystery, there had been speculation of poisoning. Varek felt a chill run down his spine. “My father?”

“Our father,” Roget reminded him gently, with a cold smile. “He was old anyway, and was not as appreciative of my work as he should have been.”

Varek and Sergei stared at the reptile in astonishment. “This started all those years ago?”

“I am known for my patience. You have mocked me for it more often than not. In truth, you should be thankful for my forbearance, for it kept your beautiful wife alive.”

If Varek had felt a chill before, the icy shock that swept through his veins now almost stopped his heart. “What are you talking about?”

“My whole plan hinged on your love for her, you see. I knew that with enough time you would set her aside to protect her. Then I would slip in another woman that you had no affection for to produce the required heir. I was praying it would be a girl, and you obliged me again. When she was old enough and I had gotten rid of you, I would have married my son to her, and the line would have reverted exactly as it should have, to my blood. I had made arrangements with the Count Wurstein years ago that upon his daughter producing the Austenburg heir he would have more wealth than he could dream of.” Roget shrugged. “It was a rather simple plan, really; it just required time.”

Varek and Sergei stared at the man in revulsion. Roget returned their regard with such nonchalance that he was repulsive to watch. The man reveled in his machinations, appearing only slightly sullen that it had all blown up in his face. Hell, even the knowledge of his eminent death seemed not to bother him in the least.

“But how did you know Varek would set Christina aside?” Sergei was too stunned to even think of the amenities of titles.

“He was stubborn on that, unfortunately. It took six miscarriages to finally convince him to set her aside, and that was only after I had spread the rumor that the rebels were going to assassinate her in order to rid the duchy of the unproductive marriage.”

Varek's head started pounding, his tongue so numb that he could barely get out the words. “You caused the miscarriages?”

Again, the monster shrugged. “Certain herbs mixed together and added to her food or drink. It was not difficult.”

“Why not just kill her?” Sergei wondered aloud as he stared at the reptile with sick curiosity.

“I actually like the archduchess, and I knew with her dead, Varek would likely be unwilling to marry again, especially not to a woman of my recommendation, no matter how politically advantageous the match would be. You see I needed the heir to be of a family I could control. I would have had no power over any child Christina bore.” He glanced at Varek. “And with you gone, there would be nothing to stop me.”

“You killed my children for your warped ambition?” Varek demanded in a frigid whisper of despair. “You threatened the life of my wife so you could manipulate me?”

Roget's smile was Machiavellian as he gloated, “You have to admit it went splendidly till Bröchre failed at Waterloo.” Shaking his head, he commented sadly, “I had expected so much better of him, considering his reputation.”

Varek stared at him in stunned silence for so long that Sergei looked over at him with a worried frown. The archduke's profile was stark, bare of all emotion, as he stood staring at his nemesis with an unblinking intensity that had the men about him fidgeting. Varek's face was as unreadable as a death mask.

When he abruptly turned to Baron Kinsky, who had been standing close by, listening to the ghastly confession, the men about him snapped to attention. “The execution will commence now,” he ordered curtly.

The baron nodded at his Hussars, who grabbed hold of Roget's arms and led him onto the thickly sanded field of execution. Turning smartly on his heel, Varek strode over to where the firing squad stood at attention, and curious, Sergei followed close behind him.