Jonathan’s heart stopped.“Why would she be?”
“She rode to Lübeck two days ago,” Jacob said, the words tumbling out in a rush.“With only Anna.”
“My Anna,” Hans exclaimed.
Jacob ignored him.“Fräulein Lise went to find Herr Albrecht, to ask for his help in freeing you from the French.She hasn’t come back.”
The forecourt rocked beneath Jonathan’s feet.Lise had gone to Friedrich!To the man who had likely informed on Jonathan in the first place.She had walked straight into the lion’s den, trying to save him.
“Where are Herr and Frau von Ostenfeld?”Jonathan demanded.
It was Hans who answered.“They are in Grünbek at the home of Herr Albrecht’s parents.They aren’t due back for a few more days.”
Then the housekeeper found her voice.“Come inside, my lord.You look like you need a bath and a meal, no offense.”
“None taken.”And while he decided what his next best course of action was, he accompanied the von Ostenfelds’ servants indoors and let them set him right, with a bath, some of Henrik’s clothes, and a large meal.
Jacob sat at the table in the breakfast room, staring at Jonathan, his eyes wide.The stable boy had the look of someone in a strange place, and no doubt he was.It was probably his first — and last — time seated at the master’s own table.
“There are no horses,” Jonathan pointed out, as he considered turning around and riding back to Lübeck that day.
“No, my lord.The master and mistress have one, and Fräulein Lise and Anna have our others.”
“Where can I get one without too many questions?”
The boy grinned.“I can get you a horse, my lord.”Without further prompting, Jacob dashed from the room.
Jonathan could do little without transport and a plan.He thought about going into Eutin and speaking with officials, particularly the bailiff.Until he recalled that someone in that household had stolen his map.He didn’t know whom he could trust.
Finishing his meal, he wandered down the hall into the kitchen.A sad sight met his eyes.Two women and a scullery maid appeared defeated as they sat on stools, nursing cups of tea.
“Frau Kemper,” he said.“May I have a sheet of paper to write to Herr von Ostenfeld?”
“Certainly, my lord.”She left the room, and after a polite nod to the cook, Jonathan followed her, because standing with a morose and suspicious Frau Becker made him uneasy.Besides, he could think of nothing to say to her to make the situation any less bleak.
Soon, he was writing a brief explanation of what had already happened.Despite knowing the Albrechts were the von Ostenfelds’ dear friends, he even told them of his suspicions regarding Friedrich.
“While I doubt that Miss von Ostenfeld is in any immediate danger, I intend to return to Lübeck and extricate her from Herr Albrecht’s house.”Then he folded it and sealed it.
“Is there a courier who can get this to Grünbek today?”
“Yes, my lord.Hans will hurry with it to Eutin, where there are reliable couriers.”Sure enough, the footman was out the door in under five minutes, walking with much a livelier step than Jonathan had managed all day yesterday.
Having barely settled in the drawing room to await Jacob’s return, he heard the sound of hoofbeats on the gravel.Not the thunder of French cavalry, thus Jonathan assumed it was the stable boy.Jumping to his feet, he went to the front window, seeing a single rider approaching at a measured pace across the forecourt.But it wasn’t Jacob.
Relief washed through Jonathan at the sight of Henrik von Ostenfeld dismounting next to the stable.The young officer looked travel-worn but unharmed, his KGL uniform dusty from the road.
Jonathan met him at the door before the servants could reach it.
Henrik’s eyes widened, his hand freezing momentarily on his shako, which he now removed slowly.
“Bowen?How in God’s name!?”He stepped inside quickly, glancing behind him as though expecting French soldiers to materialize.“We thought you were imprisoned.That you’d been taken as a spy.”
“I was,” Jonathan said grimly.“Six days in a wine cellar outside Lübeck.I escaped yesterday morning.”
Henrik’s expression shifted from shock to something approaching admiration before settling on concern.“The French will be scouring the countryside for you.”
“I’m aware.”Jonathan said, as they both headed into the drawing room.“But now I have to go back to Lübeck.”
