“I’m going upstairs to make sure Henrik is all right,” Herr von Ostenfeld said, and his heavier footfalls left the room.
“This is intolerable,” Lise’s mother said.“I wish I could cover my ears against these barbarians as they make such a mess.”
Jonathan could only imagine how difficult it was to stay put while listening to the sounds of one’s home being ransacked.Perhaps as hard as being imprisoned underground listening to those whom he cared about in distress.
The search seemed to take hours, but time was impossible to gauge.Finally, two sets of footsteps approached the drawing room again.By the voices, Jonathan understood it was the French captain with Lise’s father.
“Fräulein von Ostenfeld,” the captain said.“I understand you were recently a guest of Herr Albrecht in Lübeck.”
“I was,” Lise said, her voice steady.
“And that you fled his house in the middle of the night, with the assistance of an English spy.”
“I fled Herr Albrecht’s house because he was holding me against my will.”Lise spoke clearly.“I was assisted by my brother and by my brother alone.”
“Your brother, who is conveniently shot and lying dead to the world, unable to speak to the matter?”
Jonathan was impressed.Having Henrik feign unconsciousness was a brilliant way to keep him from saying anything to gainsay his sister.
“My brother was shot by Herr Albrecht’s servant as we were leaving,” Lise declared, sounding annoyed.“I would hardly call thatconvenient.”
“Our son might have died rescuing his sister,” Lise’s mother spoke up for the first time.“Are the French going to look into that matter as well?”
“That is not our concern,” the captain said.“We care only about the spy.He is mapping the area, giving information to the British Army.He is surveying for accessible trade routes to move goods and men in and out of —”
“Out ofourhomeland, Captain,” Herr von Ostenfeld said.“Recall you are not in France any longer.”
“Recall, sir, that the Emperor Bonaparte is also the Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine, of which you are a part.”
“Whether we wish it or not,” Lise’s voice carried to Jonathan.He hoped she hadn’t gone too far by talking back.
“Indeed, mademoiselle.That is the point.So please tell me why we have found your horses and your brother, but we have not found an English spy despite Herr Albrecht assuring me the man was present when you fled.Where is Lord Bowen now?”
At hearing his name and title on the lips of this French officer, Jonathan shook his head.If he made it home to Britain, it would be a miracle.And it was unlikely he would ever be able to return to the Continent.Not until Bonaparte was no longer in power.
Would that ever be the case?It seemed a distant dream at that moment.
“I have no idea,” Lise lied.“I haven’t seen any English spy.”
Silence from above had Jonathan listening only to the ridiculously loud thumping of his own heart.It was unnerving, not knowing what was occurring.
And then the captain spoke again.“If we discover you are harboring an enemy of France, Herr von Ostenfeld, the consequences will be severe.Confiscation of property.Arrest.Possibly execution.”
Jonathan might have merely imagined he heard Lise gasp.Yet he knew he hadn’t imagined Frau von Ostenfeld’s cry of outrage.
“How dare you come into our home?”she sputtered.“We are an established family.A good family.My husband has served in the Danish administration.He is a leader in this community.My husband’s parents —”
“Hush,meine Frau,” Herr von Ostenfeld said calmly.“Captain, I understand what you are saying, but I cannot produce a man out of thin air.As you have seen for yourself, there is no English spy in my house.”
Jonathan doubted that would satisfy the captain, but he couldn’t remain indefinitely.
“My soldiers and I will go now.Thank you for your cooperation, Herr von Ostenfeld, Frau von Ostenfeld.”His boots started toward the door, then halted.
“Fräulein, when next you speak to your English spy, tell him I will never let him leave Europe alive.”
His curt order to his men was echoed throughout the house as all the soldiers prepared to vacate the estate, then the captain withdrew.
Lise’s voice came first.“Have they gone?”
