His face burned with shame even now as he remembered his reaction—he who was already betrothed, experiencing such pain at knowing someone else would marry Rose and love her. He was ashamed for envying his brother, and even more shameful was the resentment he felt toward his betrothed. He had thought himself above petty feelings like envy and resentment, but he saw now that he was a common sinner after all.
He shoved such thoughts away. God will absolve my heart of these feelings. He refused to let them gain a foothold. As long as he pushed any tender thoughts of Rose away each time they foisted themselves on him, as long as he tried to “take every thought captive,” God would help him overcome. Besides, he had an important task to accomplish. He must keep his mind clear to find Moncore and free his betrothed. It would be a balm to his soul when he finally was able to capture the evil conjurer.
Wilhelm studied the house. A faint light shone out from the cracks around the windows, but there was no indication of what was happening inside. O God, give Christoff success. Let us find the man this time.
At that moment Christoff emerged from the door. Wilhelm’s pulse quickened. He continued whittling but watched his knight make his way slowly along the street and pass by him. Georg left his place and started down the road behind Christoff. Wilhelm waited. Finally he sheathed his dagger and pocketed the stick of wood that had grown considerably smaller.
By the time Wilhelm reached the inn, he found his two knights already there, tugging off their muddy boots.
“Well?” Wilhelm stood waiting to hear what happened.
“He said Moncore left this region a month ago.”
“Where did he go?”
“Hagenheim.”
Wilhelm stared then rubbed his jaw. “We’re leaving in five minutes.”
“Five minutes!” Christoff and Georg set up a loud complaint, but Wilhelm wasn’t listening as he gathered his things and stuffed them into his bag. He was frustrated and angry, as well as uneasy, about what Moncore might be doing in Hagenheim. And he was several days’ ride away.
Rose made her way through the castle corridors and stopped the first servant she saw. She asked him if he knew Lord Rupert’s whereabouts. He didn’t. “Will you please go find him?”
Surprise flickered over the man’s face, but he nodded and set off.
Rose leaned against the cold stone wall and closed her eyes. She covered her face with her hands and prayed.
The sound of footsteps broke her concentration. She looked up as Rupert came striding toward her.
“Rose! What’s wrong?” He placed his hands on her shoulders.
“I need your help, my lord.” Rose was surprised at how steady her voice sounded. “My friend, Gunther Schoff, has been sentenced to die for killing a man. I need you to convince your father that he didn’t do it. You have to stop them from hanging him.”
Rupert looked at her with a confused expression. “You say he has been sentenced?”
“Yes.”
“Then there’s nothing I can do, mein Liebling.” He shook his head and pulled her against his chest. “I’m so sorry about your friend.”
“Please,” she whispered. She pushed away enough to look into his face. “Please do something.” Please, God, let him see how urgent this is.
Lord Rupert shook his head again. “I can’t, Rose. There’s nothing I can do. Once the duke has set the punishment, no one can change it, not even the duke himself.”
“There has to be something. We can’t let him die. It was an accident. Gunther’s in love with my dearest friend, and if he dies it will tear her heart out.” She looked into Lord Rupert’s face again, searching, hoping to see some speck of compassion, of interest in saving Gunther.
He shook his head. “Nothing can be done, my pet.”
Rose’s throat and chest grew tight. She couldn’t breathe, as though a thick blanket had been thrown over her head, suffocating her. Going to Lord Rupert for help had been her only plan. She had to think of something else.
But what if he was right?
Rupert pulled her close again and she didn’t resist. She lay her head against his velvet doublet. He stroked her back with his hands, but she didn’t feel comforted. He simply seemed to be taking advantage of the situation.
“I have to go check on Hildy.” She pushed away and ran from him.
Rose passed the well in the courtyard and stopped. How could she go into Frau Geruscha’s chambers and face Hildy with only bad news? She had to find some hope.
There has to be a way!
Lord Hamlin. He was coming home, wasn’t he? He would know what to do. He was always so competent, ready to take charge of any situation. And besides that, he was the future leader. Surely he would be able to do something, even if he couldn’t exactly reverse the sentence.
When was Lord Hamlin supposed to come back? In a few days. How many days ago was that? She wished she had asked Rupert when his brother was due back before she ran off. O God, let him come back today! If he isn’t back in three days, it’ll be too late. Gunther will be hanged.
Lady Osanna. She would know when Lord Hamlin would be home.
But Rose didn’t know the whereabouts of Lady Osanna’s chamber. She only knew it was on the opposite side of the castle from the men’s bedchambers.