Richard Tuttle - Sapphire of the Fairies

Fredrik listened lazily and suddenlystiffened as the butler’s meaning sunk in. He reached for hisdagger that he was not wearing in his new outfit. Orthan indicatedthat he should relax and sit back down. “I say that so we both knowwhere we each stand,” Orthan said calmly. “I think with yourcooperation, my Lord, we shall all get what we want out of thischarade.”

Fredrik smiled cautiously as herealized all was not lost already. “And what is it that my butlerwants out of this?” he asked.

Orthan pulled up a chair and sat down.“Our Lord, that is to say, Lord Alrecht, had no living kin. I canprove that and you two would be hung for the impersonation.Unfortunately, that would gain me nothing and I rather likeyou.”

Fredrik snorted at the last statement,but still managed to sound sincere when he asked, “And you have aplan, no doubt. What is your plan, Orthan?”

“The maids and myself have nodesire to find permanence on the streets as beggars,” Orthanstated. “What I propose is a partnership. I will help you establishyour right to remain as our Lord. You will execute documents givingme complete authority in financial matters. I know enough aboutLord Alrecht’s holdings that I will make us all wealthy. We willcontinue to serve you as servants and you will promise that we willnot be mistreated. We will wish for you to remain here as our Lordand protector and you will wish for us to remain safe as yourhumble servants. Everybody wins.”

Fredrik sat studying the elderlyswindler. He had to admit the plan had great merit and he hadnothing to lose. The servants needed him or some other person witha claim to inheritance if they ever hoped to stay employed.Obviously, the servants were not about to just hand over everythingwithout some safeguards for themselves. That is why Orthan insistedon holding the purse strings. That was purely a minor matteranyway. Whatever document he signed would be void if Orthan shouldsuddenly die. Orthan could not do the same towards him or theestate would be empty again and the servants would be back in theposition of being tossed out into the street. All in all, theagreement was fair and slightly in Fredrik’s favor.

“Well, partner,” Fredriksmiled, “it looks like we will have a mutually beneficialrelationship for some time to come. If you will fetch some brandy,perhaps we can toast our new relationship.”

“Certainly, My Lord,” Orthansmiled. “It will be my pleasure.”

Orthan retrieved the brandy decanterand two glasses. Expertly pouring the liquid into the two glasses,he picked one up and offered a toast. “To the new Lord of AlrechtManor, Lord Wason, may he live in splendor ‘til a ripe old age.”Orthan sat back in the chair as they sipped their brandy. “Will thenew Lord be available for company around the noon hourtoday?”

Fredrik squinted at the old man. “Thatcan be arranged, Orthan. What do you have up yoursleeve?”

“A painter friend of mine willbe calling to ask for a sitting,” Orthan chuckled. “He will bepainting a portrait of Lord Alrecht with his favorite and onlynephew. He will be most discrete for as long as I wish.”

Fredrik laughed. “You certainly havethought this out well, Orthan. Why have you figured to leave theLady out of the portrait?”

“No one will believe youbrother and sister, Sir,” Orthan stated. “People will accept her asthe Lady of the Manor believing that she is your kept woman, butnot as your sister. I hope that is acceptable.”

“It will have to be, Orthan,”Fredrik replied. Niki could get to be a problem in this wholeaffair if he didn’t handle her well. It was obvious that she hadset off on the wrong foot with the servants, but she was sobull-headed that she would never back down if confronted with theirknowledge. Best if he tried to head off her objections with somepositive news. “Orthan, have my things moved to the Master’s Suite.I need to have a talk with my Lady.”

Orthan nodded as Fredrik rose and leftthe room. He walked to Niki’s room and knocked. Niki answereddressed in a beautiful, red satin gown and a red bow in her hair.“What do you think?” she asked.

Fredrik closed the door and sat in oneof the chairs. “It is perfect,” he replied. “You look absolutelygorgeous, turn around.”

Niki twirled with a broad, beamingsmile on her face. She strode over and gave Fredrik a kiss. “I amso happy,” she declared. “This is going to work outperfectly.”

“There is a problem that Iwanted to talk to you about,” admitted Fredrik. “It seems that theservants know that Lord Alrecht did not have a niece. They arewilling to accept me as his nephew and you as my . . . woman. If wego along with this, we will be accepted by the whole community andhave great wealth. Orthan knows a great deal about Lord Alrecht’sfinances and I have asked him to handle them for us.”

Niki looked stunned. “Why don’t we justget rid of the servants?” she asked.

“No,” Fredrik quickly said.“No, we can not do that. Without their acceptance, we will have noclaim to the inheritance. It is only because of the servants thatwe have any chance at all of holding on to this mansion. Niki, wemust take care not to upset them.”

“Upset them?” Niki shouted.“You expect me to care about upsetting the servants? They were bornto serve us and we to rule them. You can’t be serious?”

Fredrik needed a way to keep Niki quietand docile long enough to get the inheritance taken care of.“Niki,” he lectured, “if you want to rule somebody, we will beruling from Beggars’ Corner. If you want to live in splendor andwealth, you will treat the servants civilly. I don’t know how to bemore clear about this, Niki, but if you get the servants mad, wewill be running for our lives. If you keep them happy, we will bevery happy. Do you understand?”

“I will try,” Niki pouted. “Atleast for a while, but I expect you to find a way around thisproblem. I cannot be a proper Lady when I have to go aroundworrying about whether or not the servants are thrilled to beservants. When are we going out to see the town?”

“Tomorrow at the earliest,”Fredrik answered. “I need time to make sure that we are on solidfooting before we chance answering the inevitable questions aboutour late uncle. I need to learn all about him and the servants knowa great deal. I will uncover some more about him in his study andlibrary. I also ordered Orthan to move my belongings into theMaster’s Suite to get them used to the idea of a new Lord. You mayjoin me there or keep your present suite whatever pleases you.Either way, you are to give the appearance of being my lover. Wehave a great chance here, Niki, but it will require constantattention to details if we are to pull it off.”

“I will put on a greatappearance,” nodded Niki. “Don’t you worry about me, but rememberyour promise to discover a way to replace the servantseventually.”

Fredrik shook his head as he leftNiki’s suite. The best way to clear his head would be toconcentrate on learning more about Lord Alrecht. Orthan came intothe study with a paper for Lord Wason to sign and to announce thatthe artist had arrived. Fredrik looked at the paper, which gaveOrthan the powers that he was looking for and he signed it. Theartist proved to be quite capable and quick, as well. Within threehours he had completed a portrait of Lord Alrecht and his youngnephew, Fredrik Wason. He had painted Fredrik a year or two youngerthan he was now, but everyone would believe now that Fredrik wasthe nephew of Lord Alrecht. Orthan showed the artist out andreturned with Fredrik to hang the painting in the Lord’sstudy.

“Your artist appears quitecompetent,” Fredrik remarked.

“He is that, My Lord,” smiledOrthan. “I think it is best to bring you up to date on the life ofLord Alrecht this evening. I have arranged for a barrister to cometomorrow at noon to secure your rights to the inheritance. The manknew Lord Alrecht well, so he will not be easy to fool, but Ihappen to know that he was gone from the town for three months twoyears ago. That is why I had the painting made with you beingslightly younger. The story will be that you visited during thattime frame and that is the only time you and your uncle ever met.The barrister will, of course, state that your uncle nevermentioned you. You will laugh and explain that he was probably veryembarrassed about your existence because of the way his sister shuthim out of her life.”