Often, after Anne whined about something, Margaretha would try to placate her. “Anne, if you walk behind Colin and me, you won’t catch your dress on so many thorns.”
Or, “Anne, don’t worry about your hair. I will re-pin it for you before we arrive at the horse breeder’s.”
Or, “Do you need a bandage for that scratch? I can make one for you from my chemise.”
After less than an hour of walking, Anne spoke, then Margaretha translated, “Are we almost there? My feet are hurting and my shoes are getting ruined.”
Margaretha replied in the German language, then translated for him into English, “We are almost there. Only five more minutes, I think.”
As they walked, Colin asked, “Did you say this house we are going to was once owned by your sister’s family?”
“Gisela, who is married to my brother, Lord Hamlin, lived here before she and Valten were married. And perhaps while we’re here, Anne and I should try to get some sturdier clothing for traveling. It’s a long way to Marienberg. Gisela probably left some clothes here after she and Valten married.”
Anne interrupted Margaretha in her unintelligible foreign tongue. Then Margaretha told him that Anne had said, “I will be traveling straight home as soon as I get a horse. I do not intend to spend any more time trying to fight some war. I am a lady, the granddaughter of a duke! I am not accustomed to such treatment.”
Colin glanced back at Anne. He was not the least threatened by her being the granddaughter of a duke. “One of the first places Claybrook’s guards will look for Lady Margaretha is your home. It is nearby, is it not?”
After Margaretha translated, Anne made a choking sound, then coughed. “He won’t be looking for me, and surely he wouldn’t hurt my family.”
“How many guards does your father keep? He is the second son, is he not?” Before Margaretha could translate his words to Anne, he said, “Claybrook has more. A lot more. But I do not believe they will harm you or Margaretha. Claybrook still probably intends to marry her, and he has no reason to harm you, Lady Anne. I believe you will both be safe at your father’s home.”
After she translated for Anne, Margaretha stopped him with a hand on his arm. “I will not stay with Anne at her father’s home. I am going to Marienberg to get help. I will not be left behind. Besides, I would rather die than marry Lord Claybrook.”
“You won’t have to marry him if I bring the Duke of Marienberg here to help your father save Hagenheim and capture Claybrook.” Why couldn’t she simply do as he asked? “You don’t have to be brave and courageous, Margaretha. You should be like your cousin, Anne. She’s thinking about keeping herself safe, and you should be too.”
He instantly saw that he’d said the wrong thing. Never tell someone they should be like their sister, cousin, brother, or anyone else. Margaretha’s face turned red, and she opened her mouth, but Anne hurried to get in front of Colin.
Anne faced him and stomped her foot. She looked a lot like his little sister did when she was three and couldn’t have her way. Her nostrils flared and her eyes flashed.
He liked his sister much more now that she didn’t throw these little fits.
He started to walk around Anne but she moved in front of him again. She spoke, her eyes still flashing, then Margaretha translated, “How dare you insinuate that I am a coward!”
Margaretha had not translated his words. “You understood what I said?”
“I know a little English,” Anne said in English, then, still speaking in English, she asked, “Who do you think you are, insulting me?”
“I know quite well who I am.” Colin crossed his arms, looking back at her calmly. “I am the oldest son and heir of one of the wealthiest landowners in all of England. My father was given an earldom by the king of England, which shall pass to me. Therefore, you may call me Lord le Wyse of Glynval.” He executed his most elegant bow to Anne.
She glared at him for a few more moments before unclenching her fists and smoothing the skirt of her gown with her hands. “Very well,” she said. “Lord le Wyse, I shall do as you say — for now.” She spoke the entire response in English.
So she had studied the language. Obviously she had understood much more than she had pretended. Did she speak English as well as Margaretha and only feigned ignorance for pure annoyance?
Margaretha stopped Anne and forced her to look at her. She asked in English, “Anne, do you speak English?”
“Of course.” Anne grinned smugly. “I studied under the same tutor you did. Don’t you remember? He spent half his year with you and the other half with me.”
Not the most forthright girl. He’d have to remember that.
The two of them spoke quietly behind him. They started out in English, with Margaretha saying, “Anne, you should have told us you understood. Why would you make me translate for you and keep such a thing a secret?”