Rose’s eyes widened, then she looked down again. He couldn’t see her face, as a thick strand of hair fell across her cheek. She shook her head. “Why are you telling me this?”
Yes, why am I? He wasn’t doing it to help his brother, even though he’d come to Wilhelm and asked for his help. He was doing it for Rose, to turn her heart toward Rupert. Rupert could protect her, love her. “I thought you would want to know. Rupert spoke to me yesterday and said he didn’t think you trusted him.” He closed his eyes, feeling like a fool. “But you must judge him yourself, of course. I simply wanted to let you know that I now believe his intentions to be honorable.”
“Now?” Rose looked up at him, lifting her eyebrows.
He shrugged. “I know my brother well, and he hasn’t always behaved as honorably as…I didn’t intend to let him trifle with you.” He looked down at his boots, scuffing a tuft of grass with his toe. In character Rose was far above his brother, but what did that matter when Rupert was her best hope for a husband who could take care of her and provide a better life for her?
He looked up and let his eyes meet hers.
He had come searching for her, and when he had found her sitting beside the waterfall with her eyes closed and looking so beautiful, he’d nearly decided to forget his plan. Her lips were parted and her hair fell in a golden brown cascade behind her, shimmering in the sunlight that filtered through the leaves. He’d had to remind himself of his prayer from the night before. He’d vowed to help Rupert win her over, and so perhaps God had led him here now so that he could speak these things to her.
“You said you were going to search for Moncore. How long will you be gone?” Her voice sounded muffled.
“A few weeks at least.”
“I hope you find him. I’ll pray for your success.”
His breath caught in his throat. After he had hurt her with his callous, insensitive words, making her cry, she was still willing to pray for him. He had to swallow before he could speak. “I would appreciate your prayers very much.” He was a louse.
Rose moved to a tree and sat, keeping her eyes down.
A memory flashed before him, the look on her face when she saw his gashed-up leg, the determination in her voice and actions. Her look of compassion and her heartfelt prayer. Another memory—the way his heart stopped beating and his knees went weak after he watched her fall out of that tree. And another—the touch of her hand as they danced together. Gazing at her now, he couldn’t imagine her married to Rupert.
It was a good thing he was leaving. Perhaps he could contrive to stay away for quite some time.
Feeling the need to talk about Lady Salomea and his betrothal—that had been part of his plan, after all—he thought of the note that came an hour earlier. Mentioning that would at least turn his mind away from dangerous memories.
“Even if I don’t find Moncore, it looks as though my betrothed, Lady Salomea, will be coming here in a few months.”
“Oh?”
“I got a letter today from her father, Duke Godehard of Marienberg. He still intends to bring his daughter out of hiding on her nineteenth birthday, two weeks before Christmas. He’s tired of waiting for Moncore to be caught.” He cringed at his own words, that old feeling of failure rising inside him.
“I see. Will you be getting married soon after?”
“Yes. One week after.” He wondered if Rose was thinking about the fact that he would only know his bride for one week before marrying her. He hoped she wouldn’t ask him how he felt about that.
She frowned as she seemed to remember something. “It seems strange, but Frau Geruscha also got a letter today from Duke Godehard.”
Wilhelm stared at her. “Frau Geruscha? Are you certain?”
“Yes. I saw the seal.”
Wilhelm rubbed his jaw. Why would the Duke of Marienberg be sending missives to Frau Geruscha?
Wolfie crashed through the brush. He splashed across the stream and sat on his haunches in front of Wilhelm, who rubbed the dog’s head.
“I should be going,” Rose said, “before it gets dark.”
“Let me walk with you, to make sure you get back safely.”
“No, that’s not necessary. I walk here a lot. You go and enjoy your last ride. Farewell.” She turned and headed through the trees, not waiting for Wolfie.
He watched her go. The next time he saw her she could be married to Rupert. The pain in his chest grew so intense it took his breath away. So this is what a broken heart feels like.
Chapter 11
Rose burst out of the trees and into the meadow near town. Wolfie came running by, finally catching up to her. Rose walked faster, anxious to get home.
She clenched her fists. Lord Hamlin was no different from other nobles. She should have known.