“What is it you want?”Karl demanded, continuing to speak English to the couple.“Money?”The idea of paying a single pfennig to this man, to keep him away from Lohenberg, was repulsive.
“I came here for answers.”
The lieutenant stared back, as though making a comparison between them.Karl tensed, for this man looked more like his father than he did.It unnerved him.
“How old are you?”Karl asked.
“Twenty-six.”
The same age, then.Karl bit back a curse, furious with his father.How could Sweyn have done such a thing?He might have understood it, if the lieutenant were a younger man.Astri’s madness had cast an unforgivable shadow over the Schloss.It would have been understandable, if his father had sought comfort in another woman’s arms.
But the presence of this man suggested something else.Perhaps Astri had known of her husband’s infidelity.Perhaps that had pushed her past the brink of reason.
It made him sick to think of it.Karl leaned forward slightly, staring harder at the lieutenant.There was no doubting the resemblance between them.It only fueled his anger toward the king.
“We share the same father, obviously,” the lieutenant said, “but I wonder about our mothers.Which of us was truly born of the Queen?Should we ask her?”
Never.The idea of forcing Astri to endure this man’s presence was unthinkable.
“The queen will not see you.”Prince Karl stood and went to stand by the window.“She sees no one.”Not even him.His mother had barely acknowledged him during his entire childhood.That wasn’t about to change.
“What if I spoke to her?”the woman spoke up suddenly.“Surely Her Majesty would not feel uneasy about my presence.I am no threat.”
Karl hadn’t given the lieutenant’s wife much thought.She’d remained quiet throughout their discussion, but from the confident way she held herself, he suspected there was more to her than he’d first suspected.She was beautiful, certainly.But there was something uncommon about her, too.An air of quality, as though she belonged here.
Even so, he could not let anyone see the queen.
“No one,” he repeated.Right now, he wanted to be rid of both of them.Though Karl loathed the idea of bribery, he didn’t see that he had much of a choice.“Return to London, and do not set foot in Lohenberg again.I’ll see to it that you receive compensation.”
“We’re not leaving,” the lieutenant argued.“Not until I’ve spoken with the king and queen.”
Karl raised his hand in a silent signal to one of his guards.“Show the lieutenant and his wife out.Be sure they reach the borders safely.”
He wanted them gone from the Schloss.Out of Vermisten, out of his life.The sooner they were back in England, the better.If he had to use force, he wouldn’t hesitate.This was about protecting his family.
The couple didn’t argue, but the lieutenant stood, facing him.His gaze held the promise of a threat.In Lohenisch, he said calmly, “I didn’t ask for this.But I swear to you, I’ll have my answers.And so will you, whether you want to hear them or not.”
Michael couldn’t seem to catch hold of the thousand-and-one thoughts racing through his mind.Confronting the Crown Prince had been like having his face smashed against a mirror.He’d seen traces of himself in the man’s features.His half-brother.But which of them was illegitimate?
His thoughts returned to his parents.They had lied to him, letting him believe that he was their flesh-and-blood son.Had it been out of love, to protect him from harm?Or had they stolen him away?
His earliest memories of Mary Thorpe were of a woman who had soothed him, rocking him to sleep.Ever patient and loving, he’d never had any reason to doubt her.He still didn’t want to.
He held fast to Hannah’s hand, for she was his only constant presence in this ever-changing chaos.She grounded him, keeping him from losing his mind.
God in heaven, he didn’t know what to do.It was clear that his life was a missing piece in this strange puzzle.But did he possess a birthright?Could he make the transition from pauper to prince, if it were true?
The soldiers escorted them to the front of the Schloss just as Graf von Reischor arrived with his servants.The ambassador’s face was nearly gray with exertion, and his footmen carried him toward them.
“Coming here alone was a mistake,” the Graf said without prelude.“You have no idea the threats you could face.”
“Twice, men have tried to kill me,” Michael responded.“I know precisely what we face.”With a hint of satisfaction, he added, “And yet there hasn’t been an attempt on my life since we left your side.Why do you suppose that is?”
“You should have waited for me,” the Graf insisted.His footmen eased the ambassador to a standing position.A moment later, Von Reischor motioned the servants away and lowered his voice.“What happened?”
Was I right?he seemed to be asking.
“The prince ordered us to leave,” Michael answered.“His guards are escorting us to the borders.”
