The Legacy Read Free Page A

of vellum over to Wolf. “The marriage settlement, our agreement on the exchange and the properties.”
    Wolf perused them, making certain everything was as they had agreed. After a moment, the baron cleared his throat.
    “I am not unreasonable, you know. I will wait until the end of the week for the receipt,” he said. “Until then, your secret is safe with me. However, if I do not have the funds by then, my representatives will be at the doors of your properties the next day. With a lock and the magistrate. And there will be whispers. A man in your position would not want that.”
    Wolf raised his gaze from the papers. He had the satisfaction of seeing von Ziegler take a step back. The noble nervously clenched his hands behind him, barely managing to stand his ground.
    “I will sign these papers,” Wolf said, bristling with menace. “You will get your coin. But, if you hint at what you know, to anyone, you won’t live long enough to spend it. Do you understand?”
    “Take care how you speak to your betters, Master Behaim,” von Ziegler said, his brave words belied by the quaver in his voice. “I would say you should consider this an investment. A man’s good name is a precious commodity. Worth its weight in gold, I would say. Would you not agree?”
    Wolf said nothing. He turned from von Ziegler and motioned for Franz, who glided over to him. “Watch me,” he instructed.
    Franz wouldn’t be allowed to read the settlement, but he could still witness his signature, which he did with serious intent. Wolf dipped a quill in the inkwell extended by a minion who seemingly materialized at the baron’s elbow, and he signed both proffered copies.
    He handed the quill to Franz. “Your turn.”
    Franz signed and handed the quill back. “If I may go now, Master Wolfgang?”
    Wolf nodded in assent. The baron’s minion sanded the signatures and handed each man his copy. Franz took his leave with a bow, and it was finished. Or at least it would be when the arrangements were made for the transfer of the gold.
    The baron lifted a hand, motioning toward the lane beside the church. “There is a horse for Sabina. A bonus to the agreement. You will see how generous I can be to my friends.”
    Again, Wolf said nothing, and the baron turned to go. He hesitated, turned back. “Remember, do not reveal the transaction to my daughter for a time. You know how young brides can be.” He waved a bejeweled hand in the air, smiling a feral smile. “I am afraid her tender heart would be cleft in twain if she knew she was no more than a means to an end.”
    “She’ll find out soon enough,” Wolf said. “Besides, she’s no child. It must be obvious to her by now she’s more valuable for her gold than for her goodness.”
    The baron shrugged. “You must be the judge as to when, if at all. But speaking as a man who has been married four times, what the wife does not know will not hurt the husband.”
    He had the temerity to laugh. The odd cackling sound sent a chill through Wolf that had nothing to do with the weather. The wind ruffled the dwindling strands of hair clinging to von Ziegler’s temples, and he reached up to adjust his red velvet cap.
    “Daughter. Come here at once,” he called.
    She came slowly, feet dragging.
    “Daughter, I have done my best by you. You are lucky I am a generous father and did not send you back where you belong. I give you my blessings, if only for the sake of the man you married.” He pointed a finger at her. “But never let your shadow cross my doorstep again. You would not like the consequences.”
    She shrank from the implied threat.
    Wolf could stand it no more. He stepped between the two and took the girl’s arm. She flinched. Was she afraid of him?
    He turned to von Ziegler. “This woman is my wife. As such, she’s no longer any concern of yours. Don’t threaten her again.”
    The girl’s gaze flew to Wolf’s. Von Ziegler creased his forehead for a moment, but then shrugged. With