***
The night was almost spent, and so was he. Amelie was asleep, a winsome smile playing about her lips. He stroked her hair gently, and she stirred and murmured in her sleep. He hoped he had given her what she needed so badly, an heir to the barony. No matter what the baron’s sister might do or say, and she was likely to do and say plenty, the Emperor would uphold the rights of that heir and give the widowed baroness full right and title to act as that heir’s guardian. There was still much that could go wrong with the plan, but as a soldier he understood that. You did your duty, nonetheless.
The bed was in wild disarray. To leave it in that state would arouse more than suspicions. He rose and donned his clothes, then went to the secret door and opened it. Two trusted chambermaids enter
