Sir Gisborne made no reply.
He and his men surrounded her as they walked her through the courtyard. But instead of being taken directly to her family, she was taken to Lord Claybrook, who was sitting like a king on a throne in the Great Hall.
“Lady Margaretha,” he said with a smile. “I am pleased my men were able to bring you back safely to me.”
Margaretha said nothing. Once again he was wearing one of his elaborate hats, along with a cape of royal blue silk, embroidered with an Oriental design in gold thread. She tried not to feel anything so that her anger toward this man would not overwhelm her. She had to keep a clear head.
“I see you are not inclined to speak today.” He smiled that feline smile of his.
“I wish to see my family, if you have not murdered them all yet.”
“My dear, you know me to be a ruthless man, but I see no need to dispose of your mother and sisters or the little ones.” His lip curled. “Not if you agree to marry me.”
So, he would hold her family’s lives over her to force her to marry him. She should have guessed.
When she didn’t speak, he said, “The wedding shall be . . .” He looked up at the ceiling, as though contemplating a date. “Tomorrow, at vespers.”
Margaretha stared past him at a spot on the wall, refusing to look directly at him. “I want to see my family now.”
After several moments of silence, he said, “I shall send your wedding dress to you. You shall be quite lovely in the gown I have picked out for you.”
After a few more moments, he waved his hand and ordered some guards to take her to the solar.
Margaretha climbed the stairs extra slowly and began speaking to the three guards who accompanied her in their native English. “A vast army is on its way here. If you wish to save your lives and fight on the side of the righteous, on God’s side, you had best change your loyalties when you hear the battle begin.”
The soldiers’ eyes shifted as they glanced at each other.
“I speak the truth. Duke Wilhelm and his allies will not punish you if you refuse to kill on Claybrook’s behalf. Duke Wilhelm rewards good deeds, and you will not be sorry if you offer your loyalty to him, I can promise you.”
None of the guards spoke, but she knew they were at least listening. If she could turn a few of his own guards against him, Claybrook would have even less chance against her father and her cousin Theodemar, the Duke of Marienberg. And Colin.
They reached the solar before she could say much else. Inside, her mother and Gisela were sewing, Kirstyn was playing backgammon with Adela, and her brothers, Wolfgang and Steffan, were playing some sort of game on the floor.
“Mama!” Tears sprang to her eyes at seeing her dear mother.
Everyone looked up at her. They all seemed to exclaim at once. Her mother dropped her sewing and ran to Margaretha, embracing her. “Thank heaven you are all safe and well.” Margaretha squeezed her eyes shut. “Thank you, God.”
Her mother cried softly against Margaretha’s shoulder.
“Don’t cry, Mama. All will be well.”
Kirstyn and Adela added their arms as they also embraced her. Even her brothers came and patted her arm.
“Where have you been?” her mother finally asked, wiping her eyes. “What have you been about? We did not know what had become of you.”
Margaretha glanced over her shoulder to make sure the guards were listening. “I cannot tell you exactly, but I believe help is on the way to Hagenheim. Father and Valten shall have all the fighting men they will need to easily defeat the evil Lord Claybrook.” She only hoped some of the guards at the door of the solar understood German. But Claybrook would have been clever enough to ensure that.
Her mother looked nervously at the guards and then turned to her daughter and placed her finger over her lips.
“Don’t worry, Mother,” Margaretha whispered. “I am trying to convert the guards to our side.”
Next, she inquired after Gisela and her health.
“I believe she is very near her time,” Lady Rose said, smiling at her daughter-in-law.
“I am ready when that time comes,” Gisela said. She laid her hand over her stomach and smiled, but her eyes were sad. No doubt she was worried about Valten. Would he return and be able to defeat Claybrook in time to see his first child born? How terrible to be facing the birth of your first child while being held against your will.
Would Margaretha be forced to wed Claybrook before help arrived? She would almost rather die than spend one hour wed to that villain. But she also couldn’t allow Claybrook to harm her family members. Tomorrow at vespers, if no one came to rescue her, how could she avoid marrying Claybrook? If Colin was not able to get here with an army in twenty-four hours, she might soon be the bride of a monster.
Chapter
29