“You should remain in your bed until you’ve healed,” Michael chided.
“Nonsense.This is a dinner, and I’ll be seated most of the time.A man has to eat.”
And a man had to manipulate, Michael thought.As he walked alongside the Graf, he couldn’t suppress the sense of foreboding.This dinner was going to go very badly; of that, he had no doubt.
They arrived just before the seating of the guests.Michael remained behind the others, despite the Graf’s insistence that he stand near the front.
Michael watched the guests, nodding politely to Viscount Brentford and his daughter.He sensed their gazes upon him, and the light murmur of gossip.
Although he waited to catch a glimpse of Hannah, there was no sign of her.He was about to enter the banquet hall, when all of a sudden, murmurs of surprise came from behind him.
The throng parted, with a sea of curtsies and bows as Queen Astri made her entrance.She wore a champagne-colored silk gown trimmed with silver and gold embroidery, and two ladies-in-waiting helped manage her train.A moment later, the queen approached him.
Michael remained standing while the women around him fell into curtsies.He gave an awkward bow to his mother.
“Will you join us, Fürst Michael?”she asked.
A hundred sets of eyes stared at him, agog at the queen’s announcement.Michael moved forward, unsure of where to stand, and not knowing whether to offer his arm or not.The Graf discreetly motioned for him to walk behind her.
Michael continued in the royal procession, still hoping to see Hannah.But once he had joined the queen at the head of the table, he had to turn his attention to her.His mother’s face was alight with happiness, as though her joy could not be contained.Throughout the meal, she peppered him with questions while he did his best to answer.
“Was the king all right after I left?”he asked her at last.
“I wouldn’t know.”Astri’s expression turned shadowed.“He locked me in that tower for over twenty years.Tonight was the first time I was allowed to come and go as I pleased.I have the both of you to thank for it.”She cast a gaze at the Graf, and her face softened.Michael detected a faint blush behind the ambassador’s countenance.
“The king has accepted you as his son,” the queen said.“And I am grateful that you have been returned to me at last.”
Throughout the remainder of the dinner, Michael waited for Hannah’s arrival.When the hours dragged on, his concern sharpened.It was considered unforgivable to leave a monarch’s side without prior permission, but he was beginning to see no alternative.
After the dishes had been cleared away, he stood and made his apologies, excusing himself.The queen’s expression faltered, but she gave him a wave of dismissal.
The people in the banquet hall stared at him, but he didn’t care about being rude.Right now, he needed to find Hannah and learn what was going on.
He hurried down the corridor, down another hallway, and up a flight of stairs.When at last he reached her room, he threw open the door without knocking.Hannah’s room was empty, with no trunks or belongings.The bed was made, and there was no sign that she’d even stayed in the room.
Something was wrong.
Michael strode down the hallway and when he caught sight of a maid, he cornered her.In Lohenisch, he demanded, “Did you see Lady Hannah leave?”
“Y-yes, sir,” the maid stammered.“Her cousins arrived, and she went to Germany with them an hour ago.”
He stepped backwards, cursing.He had never thought Hannah would actually leave him, but it appeared she’d already done so.He had believed she would give him a chance, that a marquess’s daughter might let herself love a soldier.
It seemed he’d been wrong.
“Lieutenant Thorpe,” a matron’s voice interrupted.“Might I have a word with you?”
Michael turned and saw Lady Brentford waving at him.He had no desire to speak with the viscountess, but perhaps he could excuse himself.
“Lady Brentford, I’m sorry, but this isn’t a good time.”
Her gaze turned knowing, and she smiled.“No, I suppose it isn’t.You were rather close to Lady Hannah, weren’t you?I know more about why she left.If you’d care to hear her reasons, why don’t you join me for a few moments?”She began walking toward one of the sitting rooms.
He didn’t at all believe Hannah would have confided in the viscountess.However, he had so little information, perhaps she might have something to offer.
Once they were inside, she closed the door.Michael’s gut warned him that Lady Brentford’s intentions were not altruistic.Particularly since she had a stepdaughter of marriageable age.
“What is it you want, Lady Brentford?”
