The woman sent him a sudden look, as if she were wondering who he was. A moment later, she seemed to dismiss it. “Thank you, my lord. In the meantime, I should…get started on the gown. I will bring it to the manor house as soon as it’s finished.”
Before Serena could say another word, the Fürst guided her outside, leading her away from the village. “Bernard and Samuel have purchased supplies, and they will bring them to the house. We’re going back now.”
“But I thought you wanted to explore the village.” She was confused at his sudden decision. “Has something happened?” He nodded. “I’ll tell you more when we reach the manor.”
“I want her found.” Freiherr Albert von Meinhardt swept his fist across the desk, sending a brass candlestick flying. It struck the ground, but Captain Gerlach Feldmann didn’t flinch. He’d been prepared for the Freiherr’s outrage. As the king’s closest advisor and a distant cousin, Albert had secretly held a fascination with the princess. Had she not outranked him, Gerlach suspected the man might have offered himself as a potential bridegroom.
“Why did you let her leave?”
“She was traveling with the Fürst of Lohenberg and went willingly.”
“Against her father’s orders!” the Freiherr shot back. “You defied the king by letting her go.”
“And was I supposed to offend the prince?” Gerlach held up his hands, feigning ignorance. “Your loyalty is to His Majesty. Not to the Fürst of Lohenberg.”
“She’s only been gone one day,” Gerlach said. “She must have gone to one of her father’s estates.”
“Send two dozen men to each of the estates,” the Freiherr ordered. “Betrothed or not, if word of this reaches the people, the princess will be ruined. I don’t have to remind you what will happen when the king learns of this.”
“Or what will happen to Princess Serena,” Gerlach said beneath his breath. He’d seen the effects of the brutal beatings firsthand, and it sickened him to see her bruises.
“What His Majesty chooses to do with his disobedient daughter is his own affair.”
Gerlach didn’t answer, for he knew the Freiherr would do nothing to offend the king. The man was blind to the princess’s suffering, and he was glad Serena was far away from the palace.Thankfully, by obeying the Freiherr and sending men to each of the estates, it would grant the princess more time, for Gerlach knew she wasn’t there. Though he feared her escape could only be temporary, he hoped she would succeed.
“As my lord commands,” Gerlach said, lowering his head to acknowledge his orders.
“Captain Feldmann,” Von Meinhardt continued. “If she isn’t found, the king will hold someone to blame. It won’t be me.”
The implication wasn’t missed on Gerlach, and he bowed. He’d known the risk in aiding the princess, but he’d wanted to do what was right.
“I’ve ordered the arrest of your wife,” the Freiherr informed him. “She will be held prisoner in your place, while you find the princess.”
The ground seemed to disappear from beneath his feet. Was that man that heartless to arrest an innocent woman?
“My wife has done nothing wrong,” Gerlach protested. “You’ve no right—”
“No, you had no right to ignore the king’s orders. And perhaps this will motivate you to find her sooner.”
Gerlach gritted his teeth to hold back words he was going to regret. The Freiherr was a dangerous man, especially when angered. And he didn’t know if Von Meinhardt was aware that they had a son. If he mentioned the boy, he sensed that Von Meinhardt would imprison him as well. He couldn’t hide the fury and resentment on his face, his hands clenching into fists.
“You’re dismissed, Captain,” the Freiherr said. “The sooner you find the princess, the sooner we’ll release your wife. And take you in her place.”
Chapter Four
The Fürst quickened his pace, keeping his hand around her waist. Serena knew it was merely to ensure that she kept up with his stride, yet the warmth of his hand felt too familiar. She tried to move away from him, but his hand only curled around her in a protective grasp.
“Please,” she said softly, “don’t touch me.”
She expected him to ignore her request, but instead, his hand dropped away, his face sober. He waited for her to say more, but Serena felt her cheeks redden. What could she say? That any kind of touch bothered her, reminding her of the beatings she’d endured? His penetrating gaze pushed down her defenses, leaving her to feel desperately uncomfortable.
The prince took the edges of her fichu and parted them, revealing her bruised throat. “This was why you left the palace. Wasn’t it?”
He knew.
Serena couldn’t find the right words to answer so she remained silent.
“Who did this to you and why?” he demanded.
