“Yet you believe he would make life difficult for Henrik should you break the betrothal.Why assume such a thing?”
She visibly squirmed, hesitating to speak.
“You slapped me last time,” he reminded her, “when we discussed the matter, so I assume you have a good reason to think harm might come to your brother.”
After another pause, she said, “Indeed, I do.Because Friedrich insinuated as much.More than an insinuation.He explained how these things work.It would be a terrible dishonor to him and to his family should our marriage not happen.And Captain Albrecht would take it personally.”
Lisa sighed.“I tried to give him an opportunity to back out of marrying me.I reminded him of an assembly we attended in the early spring, before I went away.Friedrich danced with a young lady, and he had an expression on his face when he looked at her.”
“An expression?”Jonathan echoed, his voice raspy.
Her gaze lifted to his.“Yes.He looked at her the way you looked at me in London.And in my garden.And now,” she said, ending on a whisper.
Jonathan knew he ought to school his features into something resembling disinterest.But as he took a deep breath and straightened his back, he also leaned forward, not wanting to miss a word she said.Her story was far more interesting than any rumor about a tree’s power as a match-maker.
“Recently, I asked Friedrich if he really thought we were suited.‘Don’t you think of me almost as a sister?’I asked him.He grew angry and said I was jealous.Which I wasn’t.Then he reminded me that our families desire our union.When I said that wasn’t the best reason to marry, he told me it was too late to back out.I fear if I ever suggest it again, then Henrik will find life as a lieutenant quite difficult.”
“That’s absurd,” Jonathan snapped.“And it’s called blackmail where I come from.”
“Not really.Friedrich is a little overbearing, that’s all.He always was.”She trailed off.
“How will you bear it?Being married to someone who dismissed your concerns and threatened your brother.”Jonathan knew it was beneath him to drive the knife in, but perhaps she hadn’t really thought about her day-to-day life as that man’s wife.
No longer looking relaxed, Lise pushed herself up to a seated position.Then she stood, causing Jonathan to spring to his feet.
“I’ve said too much of a personal nature,” she said stiffly, not looking at him.“The most important thing is that Henrik not be put in peril for my sake.What if he were given the most dangerous assignments?He could die because of me.I won’t risk that.”
Jonathan understood duty.He’d built his adult life around it — duty to the Crown, duty to Britain, duty to his family’s earldom.But standing here in the midst of the giant’s goddamned berries, listening to Lise explain how her own sense of duty was leading her toward a loveless marriage, he wanted to rail against it just the same.
“If there were a way,” he began, taking a step toward her.“If there were some way to protect your brother and still break the betrothal, would you consider it?”
Lise turned to look at him fully, and the expression on her face nearly undid him.It was hope and fear and longing all at once.And then everything soft was shuttered behind an expression of bitterness.
“No,” she said harshly.“I don’t see how that would be possible.In any case, beyond my selfish reasons and even apart from Henrik’s safety, there are my parents’ and our family home.”
Jonathan took a beat to understand what she was saying.Then it hit him.“Did that scoundrel threaten you with loss of your estate?”
“Please,” she hissed.“Lower your voice.”
“That’s outrageous,” he exclaimed, more quietly.“If I ever see Herr Albrecht, I shall demand pistols at dawn.”
“Stop, my lord.This is not about you.Nor do you have any right to call anyone out.”
He couldn’t contain the growl of sheer frustration.Both the horses whinnied in response.
“I ask again, Lise.If I could find a way, if you could be under my protection, if caring for you were, in fact, my right, would you be amenable?”He had no idea what he was saying.Clearly, this was all out of his hands, but he needed to know.
Looking exasperated, she answered him.“Jonathan, you can’t —”
A sharp crack of a branch stopped her mid-sentence.They both froze, scarcely daring to breathe.Footsteps crunched on the other side of the boulder.
Moving swiftly, Jonathan swept her behind him, drawing his pistol again at the same time.
“I told the captain this was a waste of time,” said a French voice.
“One more sweep,” another soldier said.“That’s all he wanted.”
“Nothing here!”the closer soldier shouted back.“Just some large rocks.We can head back to Eutin now.”
