AN: Just a silly little idea that begged to be written. But I think that could've definitelly happened.. :)
As this is my first story written exclusively in English (previous ones were translations) I'm not sure I got everything right (definitelly not). So bear with me.
Chapter two coming soon, I hope.
"Have you heard the most excellent news? Lady Stephanie seems to be in the family way. Sir Divish might be finally getting his heir," said Radzig Kobyla and waved a letter he was reading.
"You don't say! I didn't think the old chap had it in him anymore. But good for him! Convey my congratulations, will you?" As usual, the voice of Sir Hanush boomed in the banquet hall of Pirkstein.
"Of course. But it may be a girl. You never know, until the baby arrives."
"Naturally. But that man has suffered enough hardships as it is, Radzig. Lets pray for him and hope for the best. To Sir Divish and may he soon enter the company of fathers whose sons drive them mad." And Hanush raised a goblet and threw a significant look towards the other end of the table. There sat Sir Capon and Henry.
Capon laughed, "You would have soon grown bored without us. Am I right, Henry?"
But Henry didn't answer. He was getting paler by the minute and it seemed like he was trying to count something using his fingers.
When he finally spoke, it was in a strangled voice. "Does the letter say when the baby is due?"
Radzig raised his eyebrows but studied the letter further. "At the end of January, or maybe early in February," he said after a moment. "Not the most auspicious time to deliver a child. But Henry, are you all right? You are awfully pale."
"If you will excuse me, I've just remembered something important. It cannot wait."
And Henry got up and ran out of the hall, leaving only stunned silence in his wake.
As Henry ran, he cursed himself, the world in general and even the God almighty. He was such an ass. How could he have been so irresponsible? He never should have let Lady Stephanie seduce him. And it had definitely been her who had been trying to get into his unmentionables from the moment they met, not the other way around. He had had only one moment of weakness and the Lady had seized the opportunity with both hands. And he hadn't tried to resist, because…well…How often does it happen to a guy that a rich, beautiful, young lady throws herself at him. But he should have tried. If he had thought with his brain and not his… he wouldn't have ended in this mess. And did Sir Divish suspect the child might not be his?
He reached the Pirkstein stables and had to stop for a moment. He felt like throwing up. What was he going to do? Then a wild thought possessed him - he had to run away and never return! What a bleak notion... He had just recently found his real father, and to leave and never again see the only family he had left was almost unbearable. But staying here meant death sentence. Of that he was certain. Henry made up his mind. He was going to run. But before he could make a move, a voice froze him in his place.
"Henry! Stop right there!" His father was running down the wooden stairs.
For a moment, Henry thought about disobeying, but Radzig was already too close. So he hung his head and slumped his shoulders and awaited his doom.
"Henry, care to explain what is this about?" asked Radzig as he reached him.
"Not really. But do I have a choice?" mumbled Henry.
"You have, but only one seems wise. Come on. Let's go for a ride. Then we can talk more privately."
Once they were well on their way and with nobody in sight, Henry told his father all about his ill-advised romp with Lady Stephanie, blushing furiously all the while.
"Father, I swear, I didn't mean for this to happen. But she was so insistent, practically threw herself at me and I just…" And he hung his head in shame, unable to look at his father. Afraid of what he might see in his eyes.
Sir Radzig stayed silent, letting Henry say his piece. Then, he sighed mightily.
"Oh Henry…what a mess this is. You really should have known better. And I know I sound like a hypocrite. I am the last person who should lecture someone about such things, having done the same. But I at least had enough presence of mind to find myself a commoner. And make no mistake, I truly loved your mother. And she and I were lucky that Martin was there to save us from ourselves. To save you." Radzig sighed again. "The consequences for you and Lady Stephanie could be much more dire, as you surely know."
Henry felt his cheeks and ears burn. "I know. I've realized that quite soon. I've been avoiding her ever since that day. But the possibility of her being with child hasn't really crossed my mind."
They rode in silence for a while, each of them lost in thought. Henry still felt absolutely terrible, but talking to his father quelled the worst of his nausea. And since his father was there, he could say his goodbyes before disappearing for good.
"I was going to run away, you know. If you haven't shown up, I would've been long gone. At least now I can say goodbye. I don't expect to see you again. I'm so sorry, father." At the end, Henry barely held back tears.
Radzig's head snapped up. "Look at me, Henry," he ordered in a slightly alarmed voice. "No one is going anywhere. Not yet." He waited until Henry nodded and then continued, "What makes you so certain the child is yours, anyway? Sir Divish could be the father just as well. Even more so, I dare say."
Henry perked up a bit. In his panicked state he didn't think about that. He finally looked up and saw his father looking at him sternly, yet there was hope in his eyes, too. But then Henry remembered something and a new wave of despondency swept over him.
"I'm afraid not. Lady Stephanie said he… well…that they didn't…that is, not any more…you know what I mean." And he blushed again and looked away.
"Ah. I see. That explains it then."
New silence fell upon them. After some time, Radzig spoke first.
"You know, in his letter, Sir Divish expressed his joy. And a surprise, yes, but I think he would not feel so proud and joyous, if he suspected his wife of infidelity."
"That might be true, but how can he think the child is his? I mean…"
"Yes, I know. But it is possible Lady Stephanie told you that in order to induce pity and thus seduce you more easily, don't you think?"
Now Henry felt like an idiot all over again. Could this be true? Was he really so gullible? And Lady Stephanie so sly?
"She seemed genuine enough. But I just don't know."
"Well, there is only one way to be sure. We will go to Talmberg and ask them."
"Father, have you gone mad?! I can't go to Talmberk right now!"
"Why ever not? If Sir Divish knew for certain you visited his wife, he would have had your hide a long time ago. And even if he suspected something, you would not be his first choice of suspect, I think. Now, pull yourself together! I admit you had me worried for a while and the situation is certainly not good, but until we know all the facts there is no use to fret unduly."
Henry breathed more easily. His father had a point. But there was also the other thing he said.
"What do you mean by asking them? I don't think that would go well…"
"Naturally. But I have a plan." And with that, Radzig spurred his horse towards Talmberg. Bewildered, Henry followed him.