Lise didn’t think she could feel more helpless.“I know.”
“Then perhaps it’s best if I make these inquiries myself.”He nodded confidently.“For my future wife, I shall see what influence I have in the matter, if any.”
With this first sliver of hope, she spoke foolishly.“You have connections here, as I thought.You know people in the French administration.”
“How do you know that?”He released her hand like it was a hot coal.
Lise froze.She’d guessed it, and now she was certain.“You bought this home, and you’re engaging in business in Lübeck.Surely, no one does either without Bonaparte’s forces allowing it.”
“In your hurry to help yourfriend,” Friedrich spat out the word as if it were distasteful, “you’ve forgotten my brother commands a regiment that happens to be opposed to French interests at present.Yet you seem to think I have some special influence with the occupying forces beyond keeping out of their way and trying to build a life.For us, I may add!”
She was stunned into silence by his vehemence.For a long moment, he studied her.“It seems you believe me to be a collaborator,” he finished coldly.
“No.You misunderstand.I am simply tired, and you have at last given me a little hope that Lord Bowen won’t be treated so dreadfully, after all he did for us in his country.Papa thought him to be a good man.”
Friedrich’s gaze widened, then narrowed.“Your father met him?How did I miss this honored guest of the von Ostenfeld household?”
“Last month,” Lise said.“He came to pay his respects to Henrik and stayed to dinner.”
Friedrich took that in and seemed satisfied.“The French don’t like British spies poking their noses into European matters.”He held up his hand when she started to protest.“Lise, don’t be so naive.Of course he is a spy.Regardless, I will do as I said and look into the matter first thing tomorrow.”
Rising to his feet, he suddenly apologized.“My state of undress is unforgivable.I must return to my study and finish some notes before dinner.I’ll have someone take you upstairs and give you a room.I assume you don’t mind if your maid sleeps with you.”
“Not at all.I completely forgot about our horses,” Lise said.Jacob would be most upset.
“My man, Clausen, will have already seen to your horses.They have been taken to the stable behind the house.Any belongings you had with you will already be in your room.”
“Thank you, Friedrich.”Wearily she rose to her feet.His expression came over soft and caring, reminding her of the man she’d always known.
“You look pale, Lise.I’ll have a bath sent up to your room.It will make you feel like yourself again.”
“I would be very appreciative,” she said, and meant it.
He offered her his boyish smile, and her heart lightened.She might not feel a great passion for him, but she would do her best to be a good wife.And right then, she was glad she’d made the daring journey to his door.
Chapter Fourteen
Where were his maps?
The captain’s question hung in the air like a blade poised to fall.Jonathan’s mind raced through possible answers, each one more implausible than the last.He could claim the maps had been stolen, lost, destroyed, but none of it would ring true.Not when they already suspected him of espionage.
“I sent them by courier to Diederichs in Hamburg,” he said finally, meeting the captain’s eyes with as much steadiness as he could muster.“As my employer requested.That is the nature of my work.I survey, I map, I deliver my findings, and I move to the next assignment.”
The captain’s expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his eyes.Doubt?Unlikely.
“Hamburg,” he repeated slowly.“Diederichs and Son?Correct?”
Jonathan nodded.As far as he knew, unless Colonel Ashworth had thrown him to the wolves, the company existed and would vouch for him.
The captain exchanged a glance with his silent colleague at the end of the table.Then he smiled, an expression that held no warmth whatsoever.
“You will remain our guest while we verify these details,” he said.“I trust you understand.”
The soldier stepped forward, musket at the ready.Jonathan rose slowly, his legs unsteady beneath him.The single glass of water had done little to restore his strength, and the stairs back down to the cellar seemed impossibly steep.
As the door to his prison closed once more, he stood in the gathering darkness and assessed his situation with brutal honesty.He was certain they’d already sent someone to Hamburg to investigate and verify his story.Yet he had not won his freedom.And Friedrich’s presence changed everything.The man knew Jonathan had been at the von Ostenfeld estate.He could lead the French directly to Lise’s door.
Unless Jonathan could escape first and warn them.Given that he would get weaker by the day, escaping sooner rather than later was most desirable.
