Doom of the Darksword - Margaret Weis [103]
Leaning down, Lord Samuels whispered something in milady’s ear.
“How frightful!” Lady Rosamund drew back from him in disgust.
“Yes.” Milord appeared grave. “A child was conceived in this unholy fashion. The father was sentenced to the Turning. The Church took the young woman in, gave her shelter and a place to stay while she was with child. There is every reason to believe that had she returned to her family, all would have been forgiven. She was, after all, an only child, and they were wealthy enough to hush matters up. But the terrible experience drove the young woman mad. She took her baby and fled the city, living as a Field Magus. Her family searched for her, but without success. Both parents of this unfortunate woman are now dead — as she is herself, according to the young man. The lands and property reverted to the Church with the stipulation that if the child lived, he should have his inheritance. If this young man can prove his claim …”
Lady Rosamund turned to face her husband, her gaze fixed searchingly upon his face. “You know the name of this family, don’t you?”
“I do, my dear,” he said gravely, taking her hand in his. “And so do you. At least, you will recognize it when you hear it. The young man says his mother’s name was Anja.”
“Anja,” milady repeated, frowning. “Anja….” Her eyes widened, her lips parted, and she placed her hand over her mouth. “Merciful Almin!” she murmured.
“Anja, only daughter of the late Baron Fitzgerald —”
“— cousin to the Emperor —”
“— related in one way or another to half the Noble Houses, my dear —”
“— and one of the wealthiest men in Merilon,” both said together.
“Are you certain?” Lady Rosamund asked. Her face was pale, she laid her hand upon her bosom to calm her beating heart. “This Joram could be an imposter.”
“He could be,” Lord Samuels conceded, “but the matter is so easily checked, an imposter would know he couldn’t hope to succeed. The young man’s story has the ring of truth. He knows enough, but not too much. There are gaps, for example, that he doesn’t attempt to fill, whereas an imposter would, I believe, try to have all the answers. He was completely confounded when I told him who his mother really was and what the estate might be worth. He had no idea. The young man was genuinely dazed. What’s more, he said Father Dunstable could verify his story.”
“You spoke to the catalyst?” Lady Rosamund asked eagerly.
“Yes, my dear. Just this afternoon. The man was reluctant to talk of it — you know how these catalysts hang together. Ashamed, no doubt, to admit that one of his Order could fail so low. But he admitted to me that Bishop Vanya himself had sent him to search for the young man. What could be the reason except that they want someone to take over the estate?” Lord Samuels was triumphant.
“Bishop Vanya! Himself!” Lady Rosamund breathed.
“You see? And” — Lord Samuels leaned closer to speak to milady confidentially once more “— the young man has asked my permission to pay court to Gwendolyn!”
“Ah!” Lady Rosamund gave a little gasp. “And what did you say?”
“I said — sternly, mind you — that I would consider it,” Lord Samuels replied, clasping the collar of his robes in a highly dignified manner. “The young man’s identity will have to be verified, naturally. Joram is reluctant to go to the Church with what little evidence he has now, and I don’t blame him. Might weaken his case further down the road. I promised I would make a few more inquiries, see what additional proof we can uncover. He’ll need a record of his birth, for example. Shouldn’t be too difficult to obtain.”
“What about Gwen?” Lady Rosamund persisted, brushing aside such masculine issues.
Lord Samuels smiled indulgently. “Well, you should talk to her at once, my dear. Discover her feelings in the matter —”
“I think those are obvious!” Lady Rosamund said, somewhat bitterly. It was a bitterness that soon passed, however, having its roots only in the very natural sorrow at the prospect of losing her beloved daughter.
“But, in the meantime,” Lord Samuels