Her face flushed at the thought, for she suspected it was true. Every time he’d kissed her, she’d fallen beneath the spell of temptation. But it bothered her that Karl seemed so detached, almost as if he didn’t want to love her.
“I need him to be safe,” she said.
“I’ll make sure of it.” Hannah set down the lace and regarded her. “Although he is no longer heir to the throne of Lohenberg, he and Michael are still half-brothers. And I owe Karl a favor, after what he did for me.”
The shopkeeper cleared her throat. “Meine Damen, is there anything I can help you with? Anything you would like topurchase…?“ Her voice trailed off hopefully, and Serena glanced at Hannah.
Hannah intervened with excuses to leave, and thanked the dressmaker. She took Serena’s hand and let her outside. The footman Bernard was waiting, and he escorted them toward the waiting curricle. But before Serena could climb inside, she saw Captain Feldmann standing at the end of the street. He was waiting to speak with her.
“Bernard, I—need a moment,” she finished. “Please take Lady Hannah back to the manor house.”
“My orders are to remain with you at all times, Your Highness,” the footman protested. “Then wait for me here. I’ll only be a moment.”
She walked along the side of the street until she reached Captain Feldmann. Her driver Samuel drew the curricle close, though he allowed her a little space for a private conversation. Bernard sat with Lady Hannah, a revolver in his hand.
“You know why I have come,” the captain said.
Serena’s heartbeat quickened, and she glanced behind at Hannah and her footman. “Is my father here?”
“They’re a few hours behind me.” His expression turned grim. “You’ve no choice but to return, Princess.”
She shook her head. “I’m not going back to Badenstein. You know what it was like for me.”
The captain stared at her. “Freiherr Albert von Meinhardt imprisoned my wife and son after I let you go. If you don’t return of your own free will, they’ll suffer for it. And I won’t let that happen.” His hand moved beneath his coat, revealing a concealed revolver.
A sinking feeling settled into her stomach. She could hardly believe that the Freiherr would make such a vicious move, to capture an innocent woman and child. But it was clear that Captain Feldmann would do anything on their behalf.
“If you take me against my will, the Freiherr still might keep them captive,” she warned.
“If you go back willingly, you might help them.” The desperation upon his face reminded her that it was her fault they’d been taken. She was torn on what to do, but the Captain wasn’t thinking clearly right now. He was thinking only of his family.
“Come with me,” he ordered, reaching for the weapon.
No. Although she sympathized with the man’s plight, she wasn’t going to go with him without a fight.
“Bernard!” she called out, as she gripped her skirts and fled toward the carriage.
The footman drew his weapon, aiming it at the captain. A second later, Karl emerged from the street, closing in behind Feldmann until he was surrounded on both sides.
“Leave the princess alone,” Karl demanded.
Captain Feldmann retreated. “I came to warn her, not to harm her. Her father’s men will be here soon.”
Serena moved to stand behind Karl. “I’m not going back to the palace, Captain Feldmann. But if you help us, I’ll do everything I can to free your wife and son.”
The man didn’t move, but his posture tensed. “They’re all I have.”
Serena touched Karl’s shoulders, and murmured, “Let him go.”
“He tried to take you against your will.” Karl’s voice revealed his reluctance.
“He asked me to go with him,” Serena corrected. “But he never laid a hand upon me.”
She needed an ally against her father’s men. If the worst happened, Captain Feldmann was her best hope. “Please,” she whispered, leaning in to his shoulder.
“Bernard, take his weapon,” Karl ordered. The captain stood still while the footman removed it from his coat.
Karl stepped back, keeping his arm across her as protection. Without another word, the guard disappeared into the streets. For a while, Serena worried that he might pursue the captain, but he remained in place.
