Her mind was churning.
“The last time I saw you, your eyes were closed, you … you were laid out as though dead. I couldn’t bear the thought of life without you and your mother, and so I went to the monastery and shut myself away. I never imagined Ermengard could have faked your death. Can you forgive me?”
“Of course.” Sophie could barely breathe. Her father crossed the room and put his arms around her. She buried her face in his shoulder and put her arms around him, too stunned to think. “I have a father.”
“I will never leave you again,” he said softly against her ear. “I will follow you around like a lost puppy if you let me. I love you, Sophie. God has given me back my little girl.”
Sophie became aware of Gabe and his parents talking in one corner while Valten stood by himself in another. She broke away from her father and looked into his face.
He wiped at a tear in the corner of his eye. “You are so beautiful, just like your mother.”
She half laughed while choking on her own tears. She had a father. Gabe must not have wanted to tell her about his mission because he’d been afraid that the man he sought wouldn’t be Duke Baldewin after all. But he was, if Duke Wilhelm and Lady Rose’s reaction was any proof.
Gabe stepped away from his parents toward the center of the room. “The real purpose of me bringing Duke Baldewin here, aside from introducing him to his daughter, is …” He glanced at Valten, who was scowling at him, his arms crossed.
Gabe cleared his throat. “I want to apologize to you now, Valten. I should have never gone off, alone, to rescue your betrothed. It was foolish of me — thoughtless, even. And when I arrived in Hohendorf, I never intended to fall in love with Sophie, but I did. I assure you, I tried not to, and I never wanted to grieve you or anyone else. Yes, I was irresponsible, and I wanted to get glory for myself, and for that I am sorry. I never wanted to hurt anyone, but I love Sophie. I want to marry her, and I’m asking you, Valten, and you, Father and Mother, to give your consent to breaking your betrothal to Sophie.”
Valten uncrossed his arms and balled his hands into fists as he stared at Gabe.
“I’m sorry too.” Sophie spoke before she had time to get nervous. “After he told me I was betrothed to you, I wanted to love and marry you, Valten, and even imagined what our life together could be, but … I fell in love with Gabe. I am so sorry as well.” Her face must have been glowing red, but she didn’t care. It was a relief to finally tell him the truth. Her father squeezed her shoulder encouragingly.
Valten stared at her, then at Gabe, then he turned and faced the window. He seemed to be breathing hard, his shoulders rising and falling rapidly.
Duke Wilhelm stepped forward. “What do you have to say about breaking the betrothal, Duke Baldewin?”
Sophie’s father pressed his hands to his chest. “Since the betrothal was made when Sophie was only a baby and Valten a child, they had no say in the matter. And circumstances being what they are, I don’t believe they should be bound to that agreement. I believe Gabe and Sophie are in love, and I, for one, will not prevent them from marrying. I am willing to write the king to explain the situation, if you are also willing, Duke Wilhelm.”
“What about Brittola?” Valten turned to face them, gesturing with his hand.
Duke Wilhelm took a deep breath before speaking to Duke Baldewin. “Gabe made an agreement with Brittola and her father, and he was no child when he made that alliance. Our family’s honor is at stake in the matter. Gabe, you must break the betrothal honorably.”
“I don’t yet know how, but I will,” Gabe said, looking more contrite than Sophie had ever seen him. “I am sorry to cause pain to anyone, but Brittola is young and I believe she will forget me. She will no doubt get a better offer.”
Valten snorted contemptuously. After crossing, then uncrossing his arms, he declared, “I release Sophie from the betrothal. I could never marry a woman who is in love with my brother.” He bowed curtly to them all, then stalked out of the room and was gone.
A pang of guilt sliced through her, and Gabe looked uncomfortable.
Duke Wilhelm stepped closer to Gabe. “Gabe, falling in love with your brother’s betrothed shows an irresponsibility and lack of self-control that is not pleasing, as does the fact that you decided to save her yourself after we had forbidden it.”