CHAPTER TWO

COUSIN FREDERIK

It was late afternoon before Dorian was finally able to get Klaus released from the hospital—against medical advice. The doctors were insisting, yet again, that the General undergo chemotherapy. To which the officer refused, yet again. Everyone agreed that his condition was terminal, so why bother?

Dorian scowled as they pulled up to the front entrance of the Schloss. There was a car parked that he did not recognize. It didn't look like any of the official government ones he was used to seeing, and he turned a puzzled glance in Klaus's direction. "Were you expecting someone today?"

Klaus gave him an unfocused look, and then followed his gaze. "No."

Dorian cursed under his breath. The last thing he needed was to be turning away visitors. He just wanted to get Klaus inside, which would be difficult enough as it was. The stubborn Prussian would insist on walking on his own.

Which he did.

When they finally made it to the front door, they were met by the butler. Even after six months, Dorian could not get used to the man. The butler he had known for so many years had passed away ages ago. As had the General's father, leaving Klaus the undisputed head of the von dem Eberbach family.

"Who's here?" Klaus demanded the instant the butler appeared. "Why did you let them in while I was away?"

"Don't blame your butler, Klaus. I insisted," a voice said from further down the main hall.

Klaus looked up and stiffened visibly. Dorian frowned. The man was a stranger to him, but was undeniably one of the General's relatives. They both had the same angry lines around the eyes as they stood glaring at one another for several seconds.

"Frederik," Klaus growled. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Before the man could answer, Dorian broke in. "Klaus, wouldn't you be more comfortable having this conversation in the study rather standing in the entryway?"

Klaus shot him a quick sideways glance. "Fine." He gave a low growl when he saw the look his cousin gave him as he was assisted into the study. Bloody vulture. You can't even wait until I'm dead before you come looking over the Schloss. Why don't you just bring your Goddamn decorator with you?

Dorian helped the General into a chair and then remained protectively at his side. He suspected who this individual was, and was not about to allow Klaus to further wear himself out with a confrontation. Or so he hoped.

"You can't even wait until I'm dead, can you?" Klaus said bitterly as he sank into the chair.

Frederik smiled thinly. "My dear Klaus, I had no idea you were in the hospital until I arrived," he said placatingly.

Fucking liar. You're paying someone to keep tabs on me. "Why're you here?"

"Oh, just making a social call."

"I'm sure my butler told you I wasn't here."

"Yes, he did."

"So why didn't you clear off?"

Again, Frederik smiled with effort. "I wanted a look at the Eberbach collection," he said calmly, holding out a hand to take in all the artworks in the room. "They do fill up the place, don't they?"

Klaus heard Dorian give a small growl and shot him a quick sideways glance. "I don't bother with them, myself. But they are our cultural heritage."

"Cultural heritage?" Frederik snorted, waving a hand in the air. "They're relics of a bygone age. They should be in some musty museum, not cluttering up a fine room like this one."

Klaus heard another growl rising in Dorian's throat and knew his cousin's remarks would set him off. He was not disappointed.

"Relics of a bygone age!" the Earl snapped angrily. "These are masterpieces. Works of the most exquisite beauty."

"What are you, an art critic?" came the sarcastic reply.

"Lord Gloria is an art expert," Klaus informed calmly. "He has a very extensive art collection of his own."

Frederik's eyes narrowed. "Lord Gloria?" He looked from Dorian to Klaus and back, his bewilderment clear. He had assumed the Earl to be a servant. A male nurse assigned by Klaus's doctor.

"I'm a friend," Dorian said calmly.

"A friend?" Frederik said suspiciously.

"Lord Gloria…assisted in some of my missions when I was with NATO."

Dorian gave Klaus a knowing look but could not prevent a small smile from coming to his face. I'll bet that hurt. Assisted, did I?

"You'll probably have one of your ex-wives redecorate the whole Schloss, won't you?" Klaus was saying. "I think one was a decorator, wasn't she?"

Frederik snorted. "At least I took the time to get married," he said derisively. "I have an heir. Unlike you."

Ouch, Dorian thought. And I thought my relatives were bad.

"You made up for it for me. Which wife are you on now? Fifth? Sixth?"

"Fourth."

Klaus gave a small nod, turning to Dorian. "She doesn't appreciate art, either."

"Does anyone in your family?" Dorian wanted to know. "Or am I the only one who appreciates how exquisite these works are?"

Frederik caught his breath. "Klaus, you're not selling him the collection, are you?"

Klaus saw a panicked look come to his cousin's face. Obviously, Frederik wrongly assumed the reason Dorian was there was to purchase some artwork. An evil smile crept onto Klaus's face. "Why? Better for him to have them than for you sell them to pay your ex-wives?"

"What!" this was Dorian, who was beginning to wonder what else this Philistine was planning.

"Now, Klaus, I really don't think this is the time…" Frederik said slowly.

Klaus closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, drawing a deep breath. "You're right, it isn't. I'm tired." He waved a hand. "I'm sure you can see yourself out."

Dorian gave the General a worried look before turning an angry glare at the man across the room. He strode to the door and practically shoved him out into the hallway before slamming the door behind him. "Swine!" He turned when he heard Klaus chuckling. My God, twice in one day! "Now what's so funny?"

"You're getting very good at being forceful," Klaus observed. "I forgot how well you can imitate me."

Dorian gave him a bright smile. "A compliment, Klaus?"

"Yes."

"I think you're having a relapse."

Klaus gave an amused snort. "No. But I have changed my mind. I will take that cane you've been nagging me to start using."

Dorian's eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"So I can brain that fucking asshole the next time he shows his face."

Several days later, Klaus announced that he had to go into town. Since this wasn't an uncommon occurrence, Dorian thought nothing about it. It wasn't until Klaus told him that he would not be able to accompany him that the Earl became suspicious.

"Klaus, I'm not letting you go anywhere alone," Dorian said firmly, barring the front door. "Not after what happened the other day."

"One of the staff is coming with me," Klaus replied calmly.

"Why don't you want me along this time?"

Klaus met the Earl's challenging gaze steadily. "Because I have to finalize all the papers pertaining to the estate." And my funeral arrangements, but I'm sure as hell not telling you that! He paused. "And sign my new will."

A hand went to Dorian's mouth, his eyes growing wide. "Oh, Klaus," he whispered and found he had to fight back tears.

"Despite our agreement, I didn't think you could handle it."

Dorian closed his eyes and nodded. This was true enough.

Klaus started for the door, giving a small smile when Dorian pulled it open for him. He had started using the cane the Earl had been fighting with him about, and found it was much easier to maintain his balance, although he never would have admitted it. "I'll be back this afternoon."

When Klaus returned to the Schloss, he found Dorian in the study staring at The Man In Purple. The painting that had captivated the Earl's imagination from the day they first met. The painting that had been his heart's desire to possess no matter what. The painting that had caused no end of headaches for Klaus. The painting the Earl had agreed to leave right where it was as long as Klaus was still alive.

"I still don't see what you find so fascinating in that…pumpkin," Klaus remarked as he slowly entered the room.

"No more than I see what you find so fascinating in a mass of polished steel," Dorian replied, not even turning to face him.

An odd look passed over the General's face. He leaned on his cane and stood watching the Earl a moment. Then he was himself again and continued to his chair.

"You look exhausted," Dorian observed.

"Good. Because I am exhausted."

Dorian gave him a disapproving look. "I knew I should've come with you. You've overdone it."

A small smile came to Klaus's face. "You're turning into an old woman, Eroica."

Dorian blinked. He hadn't heard that name in months. "What've you been up to?" he asked suspiciously. He was all the more suspicious when Klaus smiled. It was the same smile he had seen on the officer's face just before he threatened to kill someone.

Klaus held up a manila envelope. "I finalized all the paperwork on the estate."

"I know. You told me."

"There's a paper in here that will help you avoid another incident like the one in the hospital."

"I thought were signing your will?"

Klaus gave the Earl a sly grin. "I did."

Dorian's eyes narrowed. "What have you done?" he asked, taking a seat and studying the face of the man across from him. "You're giving off conspiracy in waves."

Klaus held out the envelope and waited until Dorian had taken it before announcing startlingly, "I'm leaving you everything."

Dorian dropped the envelope. "What?"

"You heard me."

"And they let you sign this as being of sound mind?"

Klaus could not help but laugh at this. "Yes. And I made sure witnesses signed documents attesting to the fact that you weren't with me at the time."

"Klaus…"

"I'm not letting that idiot Frederik turn the Schloss into a Bed and Breakfast Getaway for the Rich and Moronic."

"Now you are joking. I know I poke fun at your 'mountain location,' Klaus, but you're only on a hillside. Hardly an exotic location."

Klaus shook his head. "I have my spies in the family, too," he said coolly. "They've been telling me for years what that dolt plans for the Schloss once it's properly his." He gave a disgusted snort. "My father would turn over in his grave if I allowed that to happen."

Dorian sat staring, his eyes wide, not quite able to take it in. "You know he'll fight this."

Klaus nodded. "Of course. I've taken the precaution of setting up a trust for you to use for the legal fees. The family attorney was more than happy to agree to my terms when he saw how much was in it." Again, the evil smile came to his face. "The will is iron clad, but Frederik will go bankrupt trying to fight it in probate."

Dorian sat back, a hand going to his head. "You are a very evil man, Klaus Heinz von dem Eberbach."

Klaus gave him a knowing look. "I just pretend I'm you."

Dorian could not help but laugh at this mental image. "Touché."

"There's an escape clause, should you decide not to go through with all this," Klaus informed calmly.

"Escape clause?" Dorian's eyes narrowed. "I'm almost afraid to ask…"

"Should you decide you don't want to be the new Master of Schloss Eberbach, I've made a provision that you can sign it over to Frederik's eldest son, Leopold. I'm designating him to succeed me as head of the family."

"Leopold…? Jesus, he saddled his son with a horrible name like that? The man really is a Philistine."

A small smile curled the edges of Klaus's mouth as he said, "Leo owns a portion of a rather lucrative art gallery in Berlin. If I know you, you're probably already familiar with it."

Dorian could not help but laugh at this irony.

"You'll be relieved of the Schloss, retain the trust, and—" Klaus drew a deep breath. "—have ownership of The Man In Purple." He didn't think it was possible, but he saw Dorian's already enormous eyes grow even wider. He was clearly speechless, a hand going to his mouth.

After a long pause, Klaus said, "Don't you have anything to say?"

"You're giving me The Man In Purple?" Dorian gasped, his eyes going to the painting.

"I might as well. You'll just steal it as soon as I'm dead anyway."

"Don't say things like that."

"It's true, isn't it?"

"I'm not going to discuss it."

Klaus's eyes flickered. "Fine." He paused, adding evilly, "Of course, you could always bankrupt Frederik and then sign the Schloss over to Leo."

Dorian turned to look at him, and evil smile coming to his face, too. "If that's an order, General, I think I'll be more than happy to carry it out."