“That’s suicide,” Henrik scoffed.“Why ever would you return, now that you’re free?”
“Your sister,” Jonathan said succinctly.
Henrik, still pulling off his riding gloves, paused and frowned.“What of her?Where is she?Are my parents still away?”
“Yes.As for Miss von Ostenfeld, unfortunately, she is currently in Lübeck.”
Henrik’s face became a mask of shock.“Whatever for?”
“She rode there with only her maid Anna,” Jonathan said, the words tasting bitter.“By all accounts, she went to ask her intended for help in securing my release.He owns a home there, as it turns out.”
Henrik said a few words that, by his tone and vehemence, must have been extremely vulgar oaths in German.Then he ran a hand through his hair.“Two days ago?”
Jonathan could see him calculating.
“My sister must have gone directly after we last talked when I went back to my detachment.”
A cold knot formed in Jonathan’s stomach, picturing Lise creating a plan and riding away from the safety of her home.“I guess she took it upon herself, thinking she could do more.You filled her head with fear for my safety and then rode away?Didn’t you guess she might be impetuous after you left her here alone?”
Henrik’s eyes widened.“Of course not.Who could ever imagine my sister would do such a foolish, hare-brained, dangerous escapade?”
He paced the drawing room, his face red with anger.“I came to see if my father would send a letter vouching for you, only to find he wasn’t here.And my captain had forbidden me to do anything more for a lowly surveyor who’d gone and gotten himself captured.”
“So why are you here now?”Jonathan asked, knowing his anger toward Henrik was misplaced.
“Captain Albrecht received word late yesterday that the prisoner being held wasn’t merely a cartographer who might be a British spy, but a nobleman, the heir to an English earl.Namely you!”Henrik shook his head.
“Suddenly, gaining your release moved up to the top of our list of things we must accomplish.Holding a peer without proper diplomatic consideration would create anincident.The French should have known that.”
“The French didn’t know,” Jonathan told him.“When I escaped, they still thought me to be the humble Mr.Bowen, maybe a spy or maybe a surveyor working for Diederichs and Son in Hamburg.”
Henrik nodded.“I came this way because my detachment is quite close, north of here.I intended merely to inform Lise that there might be hope for your freedom after all.”He swore a blue oath.“My father will be furious when he finds out.”
“He’ll find out by nightfall or by morning.I sent him a message.I thought he ought to know what kind of danger his daughter is in.”
“Well, I don’t know about danger.It’s improper to be sure.Irresponsible, indecorous, inappropriate.Downright vulgar.Two women traveling alone, not even in a carriage.Moreover, Lise staying in Friedrich’s house, even with Anna as companion, will be considered indecent.But any wagging tongues will stop when they’re married.”
He seemed to be reassuring himself more than Jonathan.“Friedrich is a gentleman, but I can’t understand why he hasn’t escorted her back immediately.In any case, she’ll be safe enough under his roof until I can fetch her home.”
“Your sister isn’t safe with Friedrich Albrecht,” Jonathan said flatly.
Scowling, Henrik tilted his head.“What are you suggesting?”
“I’m not suggesting anything.I’m telling you a fact.”Jonathan met his gaze directly.“Friedrich is a collaborator.He’s been working with the French.”
The color drained completely from Henrik’s face.“That’s a serious accusation, Bowen.”
“I know what I saw.”Jonathan’s voice was hard.“He came to the manor where I was imprisoned.He conferred with the French officers.And during my interrogation, the captain revealed that Friedrich had provided information about suspicious activity in Eutin, including details about my horses and English saddles.”
Henrik stood frozen, his hand gripping the back of a chair until his knuckles went white.“You’re certain?”
“I saw him with my own eyes.And I heard what the French captain said.”Jonathan stepped closer.“Your sister went to that man asking for help.”He gestured toward the window.“God knows what he has told her, or what the French might do if they connect her to me.But Friedrich already told them I had hidden at an estate near Eutin.”
“Had you?”Henrik demanded.“Did you put my family at risk?”
Jonathan sighed.“With your father’s permission, I slept in the hay loft, and my horses were in the stalls.Friedrich showed up and saw them.”
“Christ.”Henrik said through gritted teeth.“We have to get her out of there.”
