“But it was your win.The sweet belongs to you.”
“My win.My choice.”He held it out, and Hannah smiled before she slipped the confection inside her mouth.The pleasure on her face made the decision worthwhile.
“And what question would you have me answer?”Mrs.Turner prompted.She eyed the confection tray with a forlorn look.
He thought a moment.“Tell me the earliest memory you have of my mother.”
The Graf greeted them, pulling up a chair.“I hope you don’t mind if I join in your conversation.”
“Not at all.”Mrs.Turner beamed.
Michael tensed, unsure if he wanted the Graf to hear stories about his mother.
“Mary Thorpe was my closest friend, you know.”Mrs.Turner’s expression turned distant as she remembered.“She and Paul worked hard and always remembered those less fortunate than themselves.”She rubbed her chin, smiling wistfully.“They loved you very much.After so many years of being childless, you were their gift.”
In the fraction of a moment, her voice faded to a whisper.“You were only three years old.”
He saw the Graf’s face narrow.“Three years?”
The widow frowned at the Graf.“Until you have won a trick, you are not allowed to ask questions.”She sent the Graf a stern look.“I believe it’s your turn to deal, Lady Hannah.”
Michael chose another sweet off the tray and passed it to the widow, as a silent means of thanks.The elderly woman popped it into her mouth.
“Later tonight, we will arrive at the home of Lady Hannah’s cousins,” the Graf informed them.“They live inland, a few hours beyond Bremerhaven, near the Lohenberg border.”
Michael saw Mrs.Turner’s hands begin to shake.“Lohenberg?”she whispered.“You never said we were going to Lohenberg.You said Germany.”
He hadn’t spoken of it because he’d suspected she would react in this way.“We are passing through Germany,” he admitted.“But the trip to Lohenberg will only be for a few weeks.There’s nothing to worry about.”
“No.”She stood up, raising her voice.“No.You can’t go back.”
Go back?
Mrs.Turner had turned deathly white, wringing her hands.Turning on the Graf, she demanded, “You can’t force him to go.”Muttering to herself, she pushed the cards away, overturning the tray of confections.
Michael caught her before she could run off.Hysteria was etched in her face.“Why?”he asked softly.“Why can’t I go?”
“Because they’ll kill you if you do.”
Chapter Thirteen
Bremerhaven
The coach jostled across the rough roads, while outside, clouds obscured the landscape.The ship had docked at Bremerhaven, and now they were journeying towards her cousins’ home near the border.
Hannah had sent Estelle to travel with the Graf and his servants in another coach while she traveled with Michael and Mrs.Turner.She didn’t want to agitate the older woman after her outburst earlier.It had taken most of the day and a dose of laudanum to calm her down.Now, the slight noise of Mrs.Turner snoring was the only sound to disturb the interior of the coach.
In the meantime, Hannah’s head was starting to ache, but she pushed away the pain.Only a few more hours, and she could sleep in a real bed.She imagined soft pillows and warm covers before sinking into oblivion.
Michael looked as though he were on the way to his execution.There was a grim cast to his face while he stared out the window.
“Are you all right?”Hannah asked.“Is there something I can get for you?”There was a basket of food and drink at her feet, which neither of them had touched.Mrs.Turner hadn’t yet awakened to take her share of the meal.
“I don’t need anything,” he said.But his hands were curled into fists at his sides, his gaze staring out the window.
“You’re hoping that this turns out to be nothing,” she predicted.“That you have no ties to Lohenberg.”
He nodded, his face dark with tension.Though he might deny it, she wasn’t so certain his past was that simple.Someone had tried to strangle him after dinner.Not only that, but the widow seemed to know something about Michael’s past.Something ominous.
