At forty, the Duke of Bregoyne was nearly twice Lady Catherine's age, but most women of the court still counted him the most handsome member of the nobility. And, with the untimely demise of his sickly first wife, he was now one of the richest and most eligible bachelors in the kingdom. But now, his chiseled features by the frown he wore as he tapped his foot impatiently in the Count's audience chamber.
"Did your servants go to fetch your daughter by way of Timbuktu?" he asked. The Duke's position in court was sufficiently high that he could ignore the usual formalities of courtly manners. Catherine's father, Count Remy of Arcole, could only smile and fawn. He owned extensive estates, but he could never hope to match the influence of the man who now offered to take his daughter and her dowry.
"Patience, your grace," Remy said. "All women make men wait. It's in their nature. But the betrothal is done. Lady Catherine will be thrilled to know she is to wed you next month."
Bregoyne raised an eyebrow. "Indeed? She did not seem quite so eager when we last spoke at the Midsummer Ball. If I recall correctly, she promised to cut off my privates and feed them to her dog."
Remy tried to laugh it off. "A maid's jest, no doubt. She will do her duty, have no fear." The Count had hoped that the Duke of Bregoyne would invite him to call him by his Christian name, but the arrogant duke showed no sign of granting equality to his future father-in-law.
Fortunately, the awkward pause that followed was brief, being interrupted by the arrival of Lady Catherine and her maid, Cosette. The young noblewoman was fair and elegant, but she was overshadowed by the goddess who walked behind her. No demure posture could hide the exquisite features of the domestic servant. Lord Remy gaped. Surely this was not the mousy and timid serving girl who waited on his daughter.
"The answer is still no, Father," Catherine announced when she was in the room. "Your Grace, I'm sorry you traveled so far to our home, but I have made it clear to my father that I am not ready for marriage, not to you or to any man."
Her father stammered as he sought the proper words to break the news to Catherine. Bregoyne spared him the effort.
"Objection or no, you will be my wife. Your father and I have agreed to our betrothal. We shall be we early next month..."
"Unmake the arrangements. I shall not go."
Bregoyne softened his manner, engaging his well-honed manners. "Perhaps you hesitate to leave the household you know and love? You will find my palaces quite comfortable, I assure you, but if you desire some reminder of home, why not bring your maid with you? She could help you make the transition to your new role as wife and mistress."
Catherine and Cosette shared a glance. From the way the Duke had eyed the maid, it was clear that he hoped to win two bed-warmers with the marriage contract. Catherine decided it was time to show her hand.
"And I believe you shall find my maid Cosette a most beneficial addition to your household, your Grace. Cosette, would you please show the Duke how effectively you can clean under the most heavy furniture?"
Cosette's eyes remained down and demure. "Yes, m'lady," she said. Striding behind Count Remy, she grabbed his ornate throne with one hand. With a smooth motion, she lifted it off the ground and held it high overhead, as if it weighed no more than a loaf of bread.
"Trickery!" the Duke said. Remy just gaped. He knew that the throne weighed at least half a ton.
"M'lady, my apologies," Cosette said. "I fear I shall be unable to demonstrate my cleaning abilities, as I have left my broom in my quarters."
Catherine could not suppress a smile. "Think nothing of it, Cosette. You may set the throne down, now." Cosette brought the heavy object down gently, but it still made a distinct thud when it hit the floor. The Duke ran over to it, but despite using all of his strength, he could barely budge it.
"Are you making sport of me?" he asked, losing some of his composure.
Catherine smiled. "Nay, your Grace. I could not make you look any more a fool than you are." The Duke turned beet red. Catherine's father tried to save the situation.
"Catherine, apologize to the Duke this instant!" he demanded. "Our family has long sought a place in Court, and the Duke has offered us a chance to elevate our family's station."
"By selling me, you mean," Catherine said. "Father, I'm afraid that Cosette has grown quite fond of me, and she could not bear to see me marry one so unworthy of me."
"Your maid?" the Duke asked, quivering with rage. "This...monster? Has she so witched you with her sapphic wiles that you lost your wits?" He advanced on Catherine, only to find his way blocked by Cosette. Up close, she towered over the finely dressed courtier.
Catherine ignored him and turned to Remy. "Father, I simply could not marry a man with such a temper. Turn my dowry over to my direct control, and I shall show his grace a thing or two about just rulership."
"Perhaps this display was to my advantage," Burgoyne spat. "I might otherwise have found myself wed to a deviant man-ling, attended by her freakish maid." He drew his heavy sword, which rang in the large hall. Catherine and Cosette seemed unperturbed, but Remy nearly fainted at the sight of the blade in his home.
"Cosette, please escort the Duke to the gate. It is time for his departure," Catherine said calmly. Cosette advanced, but the Duke raised his blade.
"I strike not a woman but a hell-spawn," he cried. "God had abandoned this hall,. When the king hears of your monstrosity, he will humble your father and claim his lands, giving them to a more worthy lord. Like me."
Catherine yawned at the Duke's grandstanding, and a flick of her wrist urged Cosette forward. The maid now did not seem quite so servile. She looked down into the Duke's eyes, defiant and insolent. For just a second, the Duke hesitated. But then his rage took hold, and he swing.
The sword bit Cosette on the neck, just above the shoulder. It rand like it was hitting an iron gate, and the Duke of Burgoyne nearly dropped his weapon from the shock of impact. The blade of the sword bent at a severe angle where it hit Cosette, rendering it useless as a weapon. Cosette grabbed the blade with her bare hand and squeezed. Though the edge was still razor sharp, it drew no blood. Instead, the blade made a screeching squal as it deformed under Cosette's elegant fingers, compressing under her grip as if it were made of warm butter. The Duke dropped the blade, and Cosette let it fall to the floor with a clang. The Duke then threw himself at the maid, but the burly man could not even force her back a half a step. Instead, Cosette grabbed him by the arm with the same iron grip. A gruesome sound of snapping bone filled the hall.
"Catherine! Stop this at once!" her father commanded, but Catherine pretended not to hear over the Duke's screaming.
"Cosette, please throw his Grace out. He bores me," Catherien said.
Cosette smiled at the Duke. "This will hurt," she advised, drawing him back as if to throw him.
"Please," the injured noble whimpered, but the maid's heart was hardened. Cosette hurled him at the stone wall behind the throne. He punched through the solid fieldstone, then through eight feet of rubble, and then through the outer wall just above the moat, creating a new window in the Count's audience chamber. There was the sound of a sad little spash as the Duke's body landed in the moat, followed by sizeable chunks of the castle wall.
"He's right, you are a monster. Both of you," Count Remy said, shaking with both fear and anger.
Catherine shrugged. "No more a monster than a father who sells his daughter for a seat in the royal court," she said. Cosette came to her side. "Father, I have reconsidered my earlier offer. In addition to the lands of my dowry, I also demand your abdication, and naming me as your sole heir."
"Why, never in a million years..."
"Cosette, you know what would make this room more cheery? Another window behind the throne."
"Indeed, my lady."
"Call me Catherine."
Cosette beamed triumphantly. Remy thought about resisting further, but he scampered to his study, to gather the documents he would need to meet Catherine's demands.
"You did well, Cosette."
"Thank you, my...Catherine."
Catherine returned Cosette's smile. She stepped closer and gazed up at the maid. Despite herself, she found herself attracted to this living goddess. She reached up to touch Cosette's cheek. Cosette pressed her hand gently against Catherine's.
"We are indeed Sapphic monsters," Catherine said. "But since I have no soul to lose, I see no reason to stop. Cosette, I free you from your service. I want you to rule by my side, as my equal."
Cosette leaned down and kissed Catherine softly on the lips. "You are kind to offer, Catherine, but I ceased to be a maid once I received my gift from Abbadon. But I love you, Catherine. And I will protect your freedom and independence for as long as you will love me in return. You will be the most beautiful and powerful liege lady in my kingdom."
"Your kingdom..." repeated Catherine. There was a gleam in Cosette's eye. Catherine was not sure whether to be elated or frightened.
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