The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest (A Medieval Fairy Tale #1)(5)

The Minnesingers and their accompanying musicians were set up at the head of the Marktplatz and were already singing an old familiar love ballad. One tenor voice rang out above the others as he sang:





You are mine, I am yours,

Of that you may be sure.

You’re safely locked away

Deep within my heart,

But lost is the key

And there you’ll ever stay.





The words made Odette wrinkle her nose. She did not like to admit it, but she did hope someday she might want to “lock someone away in her heart” and lose the key. But unless he was wealthy and willing to help the poor, she feared she might be destined to go on poaching deer until she grew too old to stretch a bowstring.

Straight ahead she caught sight of Anna’s husband, Peter, waiting for them at the fountain in the middle of the cobblestone city center. The fountain was a popular meeting place, so the crowd grew even thicker as they drew closer.

Peter lifted his hand to wave at them just as a young man, dressed in the garb of a wealthy burgher, was pressing through the people toward them. Mathis Papendorp, the Burgomeister’s son, was always smiling and bowing and kissing her hand. Rutger had long been speaking to her of his suitability as a husband.

The young man reached them and bowed. “Beautiful maidens, would you do me the honor of dancing with me this Midsummer’s Eve?”

“I’m afraid we cannot both dance with you.” Odette arched her brows at him. “At the same time, leastways. And although my friend is quite beautiful, she is also married.”

Anna nodded. “It is true. And my husband is coming this way.”

“I would dance with you anyway,” he said, “but I would not want to offend your husband or expose a gentle lady to gossip.”

Prettily spoken. His speech and manners were as smooth as she might have expected from the son of the mayor.

Mathis was somewhat handsome, she had to admit, with pale hair and blue-gray eyes. “But I should be glad of the chance to dance with this beautiful maiden.” He bowed again to Odette.

She extended her hand toward him. “It is my pleasure to dance with you.”

As Mathis took Odette’s hand and whisked her into the crowd, she caught a glimpse of her uncle approaching Anna and Peter. All three were eyeing Mathis.

During the dance, he was polite, talking of the weather and asking her about herself. When the song was over, he escorted her to where Anna, Peter, and Rutger were standing but excused himself, saying, “I shall return in a moment.”

Uncle Rutger leaned over and said, “I believe Mathis Papendorp is as taken with you as ever, Odette.” He gave Odette a stealthy wink. “You could do much worse than the Burgomeister’s oldest son.”

“Ah yes. He is very wealthy.” Peter nodded and raised his brows at Odette.

Soon Mathis returned. His eyes brightened as he turned to her. “Would you honor me with another dance?”

Odette placed her hand on his arm and allowed him to lead her to the area of the Marktplatz where the Minnesingers and musicians were playing and singing. Rutger would consider the mayor’s son a worthy suitor. He was somewhat handsome, wealthy, and socially well placed. But as she glanced at Mathis’s profile, Odette couldn’t help wondering what sort of man he was.

As he lined up with her for the dance, she noticed a very handsome man coming toward them.



Jorgen made his way to the center of the Marktplatz when a beautiful maiden—the same young woman from the cathedral—caught his eye. She had the same golden hair hanging in ringlets down her back, unfettered by even a veil, and the same graceful profile and generous facial features. He was certain it was she—but she was dancing with Mathis Papendorp.

The good thing was that she wore the simple white dress and circlet of white wildflowers on her head that indicated she was a maiden and unmarried. How could such a beautiful woman, obviously older than sixteen or seventeen years, still be unmarried? Whatever the reason, his heart lightened.

Her face still glowed, even though it was now lit by the early-evening summer sun instead of the altar candlelight.

Mathis was obviously taken with her, with the way his gaze never left her. Would she dance all night with Mathis? Seeing her again in such a large crowd seemed like fate, and he could not let the opportunity escape him. But . . . the way she had been dressed at the cathedral earlier, she must be a wealthy burgher’s daughter. She might not wish to dance with him, as he wasn’t exactly part of the wealthy burgher class.

As the song ended, the dancers stopped. Mathis said something next to her ear. Whatever he said would be charming since Mathis was as good at making flattering little speeches as his father was.

Jorgen hung back as they walked past, wanting to approach her without Mathis around. Mathis bowed to the same man who had accompanied her in the cathedral and stood talking with him and the beautiful young woman.

Someone called his name, and Jorgen turned to see two maidens with flower circlets in their hair.

“Won’t you dance with us?” the red-haired one said, smiling flirtatiously. “Someone told us that you are the margrave’s forester. Is that true?”

He would have been pleased to dance with them—if not for the hope of meeting the blond maiden with the bright-blue eyes.

“I am the margrave’s forester.”