Of one thing, Jonathan was certain, she didn’t know the extent of Friedrich’s connections, and neither did her father.Herr von Ostenfeld wouldn’t want a French collaborator for a son-in-law, especially while Henrik was in the KGL.
The dining room door opened again.The soldier returned carrying a glass of water.He set it on the table directly in front of Jonathan, close enough that the moisture beading on the outside of the glass caught the light.
Jonathan stared at it.His throat ached with wanting.Every fiber of his body screamed at him to reach for it, to drink deeply, and damn the consequences.But he forced himself to remain still, hands resting on his thighs.
“We received some interesting information today,” the captain said, pacing slowly around the table.
“Have you indeed?”Jonathan asked politely.“From your visitor?”
“He is a man of property and standing who only wishes to keep his region safe from those who would bring danger to innocent families.”
The phrasing was deliberate.Innocent families.Was the captain threatening the von Ostenfelds?This might be a calculated attempt to unsettle Jonathan into a slip of the tongue.Still, he had to believe Friedrich hadn’t said precisely where in Eutin he’d seen Jonathan’s horses.
“This gentleman has been most helpful,” the captain continued.“Providing us with details about unusual activity.Horses appearing where they shouldn’t, with expensive saddles.Your saddles, in fact.”
“All land surveyors have good horses and expensive saddles.Otherwise, the job would be not only uncomfortable, but nearly impossible.”
The water sat there, tantalizingly close.Jonathan would swear he could smell it, pure and refreshing.His lips were cracked, his tongue thick in his mouth.
“Our visitor is concerned, you understand, for the safety of his neighbors.There are families in the region, good Holstein families, who might be imposed upon by unscrupulous persons.These families might offer shelter without understanding the danger such generosity could bring upon them.”
Jonathan’s jaw tightened.Friedrich had told them more than enough.Perhaps not leading them directly to the von Ostenfeld estate, but certainly putting everyone of a certain class in the area in danger.
“You have nothing to say?”the captain asked.
“I’ve already told you everything,” Jonathan said, his voice hoarse.“I’m a surveyor, working for a reputable company.I don’t know any families in Eutin.”
The captain studied him for a long moment, then nodded to the other officer, who had remained silent at the end of the table.
“Perhaps you are thirsty enough now to reconsider,” the captain said.“Perhaps you would like to tell us whether you ever sneaked into a stable and stayed somewhere you weren’t invited or welcome.Maybe only a stable boy knew you were there.”
He was being offered a way to confess to taking shelter while not implicating the von Ostenfelds, only those who served them.But if he went along with it, and Friedrich did give their name, then there would be no saving them.And then there was young Jacob.
“I have slept in a hay loft without permission, once or twice.Never did I talk to a stable boy, nor anyone, for that matter.If it was late, I wouldn’t wish to disturb whoever was home.I have fallen asleep and then left as soon as I awakened so as not to bother anyone.You cannot blame me for such.At times, I’m in the middle of nowhere, exhausted in an unfamiliar place where I don’t know anyone, nor even the location of the closest inn.”
His waterfall of words stunned the captain, who stared at him.He frowned, considering.It was a completely believable tale and made perfect sense.
Eventually, the captain nodded.To Jonathan’s amazement and relief, the soldier pushed the glass of water closer to him.
“Drink,” the captain said.“You have earned at least this much.”
Jonathan tried not to react too quickly, but his body overruled his mind.Reaching for the glass, he nearly knocked it over.When he raised it to his lips, he was annoyed to see his hand tremble.Then he drank.The water was cool and clean tasting.His first swallow became a second gulp and a third, before he could force himself to slow down.
While taking measured swallows with his eyes closed, he enjoyed every drop.It was gone too quickly, leaving him wanting more.
Then he opened his eyes and released a sigh, setting the glass on the table.Captivity was tedious, to be sure.If he got out of it, he was determined never to be detained again.It wasn’t at all a pleasant experience.Hopefully, he had said enough in a convincing fashion to earn his freedom.
But the officer wasn’t finished with him.“If you were surveying the area around Eutin, from the coast, as you said, to Kiel, which is quite a lot of work ...”
As the captain formed his question, Jonathan knew what it would be and he also knew that he had no answer for it.
“Then where, Mr.Bowen, are the rest of your maps?”
Chapter Thirteen
Lise was in the garden, cutting the last of the late roses and gathering seeds from the hollyhocks before the first frost could ruin them.The September afternoon was mild, and she had been working among the beds, always trying to rein in her futile, wistful thoughts, when rapid footsteps on the gravel path snagged her attention.
Henrik was striding toward her from the house, still in his uniform, his face flushed from hard riding.He had already removed his shako and carried it under his arm as he called out to her.
