Loyal Heart (The Von Wolfenberg Dynasty #1) (21 page)

She stammered her way through, buoyed by the strength in Brandt’s firm hand and the smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth.
 

She may have heard her father chuckle behind her.

When Father Gebbert pronounced them man and wife she closed her eyes and sent a fervent prayer heavenward for his safe return from Italy.

Then Brandt kissed her, gently, respectfully. “I love you,” she whispered into his mouth.

He put his arm around her waist and escorted her into the church for the mass. The familiar heady perfume of incense stole up her nostrils.

“It’s incredible,” Brandt whispered. “You still smell of honeysuckle.”

She smiled inwardly. One day she’d have to let him in on the secret of Wendelin’s concoction of distilled honeysuckle oil.

~~~

The ring of booted feet on stone, the clouds of incense, the chanted Latin rite of the mass, the canopy under which he and Sophia stood, all reminded Brandt of weddings in the village church in Rödermark. He wasn’t sure the villagers at home would have turned out in such happy numbers for his wedding, but Sophia would change those fortunes once she became
gräfin
.

He turned to look at his new bride through half closed eyes, remembering his vision of the red angel. Sophia had indeed turned out to be a gift from God. The laurel wreath had replaced the golden crown. Instead of an angelic apparition she looked like Aphrodite, but he was confident that, unlike the Greek goddess, Sophia would be faithful to her Hephaestus.
 

To most people Brandt probably looked like a handsome fellow garbed in the blue of purity, but Sophia knew the depth of the ugly hurts inside and loved him anyway. Wendelin may have healed his body, but Sophia had brought him back to life, redeemed his soul.

Management of the Rödermark lands had loomed like a giant rock on which his ship might founder, but now he looked forward to restoring its prosperity with his wife’s help.

However, first he had to survive the Italian campaign. As the priest placed the wafer on his tongue he prayed for a safe return of all those Sophia loved and swore to do his utmost to protect her brothers. They were his brothers now.

Later, as Father Gebbert settled into the second quarter hour of his homily, his mind drifted to the night that lay ahead. His arousal stirred as he wondered what delights Sophia had in store for him. Then he chided himself for his inappropriate thoughts and sent another prayer heavenwards that Hephaestus would prove equal to Aphrodite’s appetites.

BEDDING

The church was too small to accommodate all the villagers. Those crowding around the entryway raised a hearty cheer when Brandt and Sophia emerged. A smiling peasant woman thrust a wailing baby into Sophia’s arms. Brandt frowned, but she reassured him. “It’s a local custom. They are making sure I’ll be fertile,” she told him, relieved nevertheless when the baby fixed his gaze on Brandt and quieted. “You evidently have a way with infants,” she said, handing the child back to his mother.

Her husband preened, filling her heart with joy.

Johann, Lute and Kon welcomed him to the family, slapping him on the back, rather too heartily she feared, but he took their teasing in good part.

Her mother chided their over exuberance then gave her new son-by-marriage a kiss on each cheek. “I trust you’ll take care of my little girl,” she warned menacingly.

Brandt returned her embrace. “Thanks to you,” he said, “I look forward to many happy years with my beautiful bride.”

She eyed her daughter curiously, but Sophia didn’t want to reveal she’d told Brandt of their “secret” discussions.

Her father shook Brandt’s hand then embraced her. “Be a good wife to your new husband,” he quipped.

“I intend to,” she replied with a naughty wink.

Following Lute’s direction, some of the local folk struck up shawms and tambours and the procession back to the house began.

The servants greeted them with bows and curtseys and gleefully showered them with coriander seeds.

For Sophia it was bittersweet reminder that she would eventually have to leave this beloved place to start a new life with Brandt in Rödermark, but she resolved not to dwell on the notion. Today was the happiest day of her life and she would allow no dark thoughts to intrude.

“You’ll miss this house,” he whispered as they made their way inside.

“I will,” she agreed, thankful for his understanding.

“Now,” her father declared, “your mother has arranged for us to to partake of a tumbler of your uncle Aidan’s mead in my solar.”

“It’s a special treat,” she explained to Brandt. “My uncle lives in Northumbria in the house where mother grew up and he produces the finest mead from his own hives.”

“We toast newlyweds with mead in Franconia,” he replied, “but not a vintage that’s come all the way from the north of England.”

Servants waited with trays full of tumblers. Brandt took two and gave one to her, then everyone else claimed theirs as they entered.

Her father raised his tumbler. “To my beautiful daughter, Sophia Agneta Rödermark, future
gräfin
, and her husband, our new son-by-marriage, Brandt. Welcome to the family.
Prost!
”

The toast echoed around the room and tumblers were quickly drained.

“
Köstlich
,” Brandt crooned, licking his lips. “
Very smooth
indeed.”

Lute grabbed another tumbler. “Replenish, everyone,” he urged. “I want to toast my sister.”

She elbowed Brandt. “Oh, oh.”

Her brother winked at her. “Before I do that, I must warn your husband. Sophia has grown up with three older brothers whom she has taunted mercilessly.”

“
Nein
!” she replied. “The other way around. Except for Johann, who never teased me.”

Everyone laughed.

Lute feigned seriousness. “Truth be told, we have spoiled her.”

Brandt laughed out loud. “Then I look forward to continuing the spoiling, and to being the recipient of her teasing.”

“Well said,” her father exclaimed, but she was lost in the depths of her husband’s seductive blue eyes.

Johann cleared his throat, looking askance at Lute who’d already drunk his mead. “As the eldest brother, it is my pleasant duty to wish health, wealth and happiness to Sophia and Brandt, and that they be blessed with many healthy children.”

“Thank you,” Sophia replied. “I am fortunate to have three wonderful brothers, and I admit they’ve spoiled me.”

“Right,” her father said, replacing his tumbler on the tray. “Your Mama indicates all is ready in the dining room if the bride and groom will lead the way.”

As they processed out, Sophia was relieved to see her mother dissuade Lute from helping himself to another tumbler of mead.

Kon sidled up beside her and kissed her cheek. “I didn’t make a toast, but you know I wish you happiness, dear sister. I’m determined not to over imbibe this evening.”

She smiled. At least one of her siblings had learned his lesson when it came to consuming intoxicating liquids.
 

~~~

“I fear our priest is falling asleep,” Sophia’s mother told Brandt several hours later. “He wishes to bless your marriage bed before he leaves.”

It was the perfect excuse to whisk his bride off to their chamber, but he realized to his regret it was too early to leave the gathering. The sweet had yet to be served and he didn’t want to appear over anxious.

“Here’s an idea,” Lute offered. “You get under the coverlet. Father blesses the bed then leaves and you rejoin the party. He’ll never know you’re still clothed.”

Sophia grasped Brandt’s arm. “It’s a surprisingly good idea. Let’s do it.”
 

The glint in her eyes added fuel to the fire already raging in his loins. He rose. Conversation ceased as faces turned to him. “Father Gebbert, can I ask you to accompany my bride and me to our chamber so you can bless our marriage bed?”

The old priest nodded and
Graf
Dieter helped him to his feet. Lute and Kon each took an arm and had to almost carry the cleric.

He and Sophia hurried ahead, climbed into bed fully clothed and quickly covered themselves. “I might not be able to refrain from laughing,” she admitted, her face flushed in the soft candlelight.

It was the first time Brandt had entered the chamber where his bride had slept since childhood. The subterfuge had rendered him somewhat giddy as well, but it was the chamber that wrapped him in a cocoon of welcome. Everything about it sang Sophia: the tapestries depicting happy scenes, the simple furnishings, the hint of honeysuckle in the air.

She laughed out loud. “This bed is much too small for you,” she exclaimed.

The door creaked open. He squeezed her hand as she swallowed another giggle. The doddering priest entered with the entire family, all feigning seriousness. Father Gebbert, still supported by Lute and Kon, swayed at the foot of the bed, chanted a prayer of blessing over them, accepted the aspergillum from Johann and sprinkled holy water onto the coverlet.

Sophia’s father thanked him profusely, removed the implement from his hand, passed it back to Johann, took his arm and offered to escort him out.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Brandt and Sophia threw off the coverlet. Her laughter warmed his heart, but his gut clenched when she suddenly screamed. Lute had launched himself at her before she could slide off the bed and was lifting her skirts.

His anger subsided quickly when Lute brandished his sister’s garter. “Got it!” he cried triumphantly.

“Luther!” his mother chided. “What are you thinking?”

“For my bride,” he said sheepishly. “A man who gives his beloved the garter of a bride is assured
 
of her faithfulness.”

“Bride?” Sophia exclaimed, removing her stocking now she’d no garter to keep it up. “Who is this elusive woman?”

Lute shoved the garter up his arm as far as his bicep. He mumbled something about the future, but Brandt was too preoccupied with Sophia’s bare leg to pay attention.

~~~

Over the years Sophia and Kristina had often laughed about their ability to know what was in the mind of the other.

She looked across the chamber at her smiling friend and hoped what she was thinking was evident.

Kristina risked a glance at Sophia’s mother. “When Johann and I got married, we couldn’t wait to be alone together,” she murmured to her mother-by-marriage. “If I were Sophia I wouldn’t want to return to the dining room.”

I love you, Kristina!

Her mother hesitated, but it was Lute who took the bull by the horns. “Of course, Mama! His new brothers are here to assist Brandt, and you and Kristina are the ones who will prepare Sophia. I say let’s do it now and let these newlyweds enjoy their wedding night.”

There was a little too much enthusiasm in his voice. Brandt frowned and met her gaze. He’d obviously heard it too, but after they stared at each other for a few moments, he nodded. “Do you mind,
Gräfin
Blythe?” he asked.

Laughing, she held out her hand to Sophia. “Not at all. There’s only the sweet left to serve, and I am sure…” She glanced at Brandt and blushed. “Come.”

She led Sophia to the garderobe.
 

Johann gestured for Brandt to allow him to remove his doublet.

While her mother and Kristina were helping her disrobe and don the silk nightgown the seamstresses had fashioned, Sophia grew concerned at the laughter coming from the chamber. “I don’t trust them,” she said. “What are they doing?”

“It’s just male horseplay,” her mother replied. “Don’t worry. Johann won’t allow pranks.”

Kristina nodded. “He was grateful your father made sure your brothers didn’t play tricks on us.”

It seemed to Sophia that her half-brother’s laughter was just as loud as the others, but she didn’t hear Brandt laughing. “Perhaps I am being too nervous.”

“Brides are supposed to be nervous,” her mother said, with a reassuring kiss. “But I’ve done my best to prepare you.”

“
Ja
,” Kristina echoed. “If it hadn’t been for…”

They startled when the chamber door slammed and the laughter ceased abruptly.

Brandt swore loudly, then, “I must forewarn you, ladies, my
new brothers
have stolen my clothes.”

A vision of her Hercules standing naked just a few feet away played havoc with Sophia’s heart and another more intimate place. She was indignant for him, yet thrilled.

Kristina clasped her hands to her mouth. “So much for my sensible husband,” she murmured.

“I should have know not to trust them,” her mother complained, though her comment seemed half-hearted. “Close your eyes, Kristina and I will lead you to safety.” She grinned at Sophia. “Don’t be concerned. I won’t peek.”
 

~~~

Brandt was no stranger to ribaldry in military barracks. However, being stripped of his clothing by three other men was a new experience. He accepted the ribbing and the comments about his physical endowments with good humor; after all it was his wedding night and he’d often bemoaned the lack of siblings.