“After that I will be busy in the fields with my men, probably until dark,” the baron went on. “I’m afraid that’s not exactly the role of the host as I would like to play it, but when a field is ready to harvest, one mustn’t wait, and rain is forecast before week’s end. So we are trying to get as much of the grain under our storage roofs as possible before then.”

“Think nothing of it, Baron,” returned Thaddeus. “We would enjoy observing, if we’re not in the way.”

“Not at all. Please do! In the meantime, I have just checked on my men and they are doing fine, so I have about three hours before my presence will be required again—Matthew,” he said, “you look battle-weary this morning.”

The sheepish look on Matthew’s face was almost as visible as the black eye and bandaged gash between left ear and cheek. His nose was red too, though the bleeding had not been serious and the baron was certain it was not broken. He wished he could have summoned Aaron to the estate to examine it but knew he would not have come unless it had been a matter of life and death.

“I don’t know what it is with this place,” he said. “I’m actually not so accident-prone as it must seem to you. But whenever I come for a visit—wham! Disaster strikes!”

They all laughed, Sabina not as lightheartedly as the rest.

“Just be happy you have such a willing and competent team of doctors, nurses, and friends standing by to help you, Matthew,” said Marion.

“Well, at least I can still walk,” said Matthew, sitting down and helping himself to a slice of bread as Marion offered him the tray, “though after your neighbor Schmundt plastered me, I wondered if I would ever walk or see again! My head was ringing with so many bells I thought I was in the middle of a church tower! He is really strong.”

“Gustav is a powerful young man,” said Heinrich, a cloud passing over his face.

“It saddens me to see what the count and Ingrid have allowed him to become,” added Marion.

“A commentary on our nation,” mused the baron. “We have allowed a bully to seize control, and now it seems there is nothing that can stop him. The effect seems to be contagious among many of our people.”

“We in the diplomatic corps are still doing all we can to keep the peace,” said Thaddeus, “though it is growing more and more difficult almost daily,” he added with a sigh.

“Well, I certainly did nothing, diplomatically speaking, to keep the peace yesterday. I can’t believe what got into me, going on the attack like that! Some diplomat I am!”