He smiled. “It is good to hear you speak reasonably. Now examine your dress. I have brought it all the way from London for you, and I want you to see how exquisite it is.”
Margaretha looked at the garment. It was not at all to her taste, very gaudy, and the bodice was cut too low. “Truly, I have never been interested in fashions and clothing.” She couldn’t resist disappointing him.
“Once you put it on, you will see how magnificent it is.” He snapped his fingers again and a slim young man entered the room. “My tailor, Gabriel, will make sure it fits properly. Put it on and he will make the appropriate adjustments.”
“I have a seamstress who can adequately adjust it for me.” Margaretha met his eye, prepared to defy him in this.
He seemed to think about it, then motioned dismissively with his hand. “Very well. I shall call your seamstress — what is her name?”
“Gertie.”
“And I will have her come and do the proper alterations.” He waved the tailor out of the room, then turned to Margaretha. “I shall see you tomorrow, my dear, on this auspicious occasion of our wedding.”
He stepped toward her, as if he intended to kiss her hand. She turned away from him, pretending not to realize his intention. “Very well.”
He paused. Would he force the issue? Finally, he turned, but before he left the room, he said, “Tomorrow night, my dear, there will be feasting and dancing after the wedding.” Lowering his voice to an icy murmur, he said, “We shall drink and be merry.” He walked away, and his laugh floated down the corridor after he was gone.
The next day, Lord Claybrook sent for Margaretha for the midday meal. He even told her which dress he wished her to wear — her dark blue cotehardie with the silver embroidered hem.
She wore her pink silk with the colorful birds embroidered on the bodice.
He frowned when he saw her walking toward the dais where he was sitting in her father’s place at the head of the table. He had installed her mother opposite her usual place, at his left hand instead of on the right, and Margaretha he placed to his right.
She said a quick prayer, entreating God to look down and see this boastful peacock in her father’s place and to see the injustice of it. “Give me justice against my adversary,” she whispered, imitating the persistent widow from the Bible.
The meal was delicious. Margaretha surprised herself by eating heartily. She was aware of the guards stationed all around the Great Hall, and Lord Claybrook smirking and drinking more than he was eating. But in her heart, she felt peace. Colin was on his way to save her, and God would not allow Claybrook to marry her. He would provide a way of escape.
Margaretha had managed to ignore him for most of the meal and talk with Gisela and Kirstyn and her mother, but then he tapped her on the arm and asked, “My dear, what would you like me to give you for a wedding gift?”
A question had been nagging at her all day, so instead of answering his question, she asked, “What have you done with my father’s guards?”
At first he didn’t answer, only took his time lifting his goblet to his lips and taking a drink, then slowly setting it back down.
“I don’t think you should worry about such a thing. But if you must know, the ones who are still alive are in the dungeon beneath the castle.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “And if they refuse to transfer their loyalty from your father to me, then they shall all be hanged.”
She tried not to let it show that his words made her feel sick.
“But do not worry, my dear. Once they find out that you, Duke Wilhelm’s oldest daughter, are my wife, I think most of them will be more than willing to bow the knee to me.”
He had thought of everything. The swine would use her as a pawn in his power game, just as he was using his men to do all his fighting for him. He was nothing without those men, nothing but a cowardly bully and an evil schemer.
No, she would not let him steal her peace. He would still be defeated. After all, her father had many friends all over the Holy Roman Empire. Even now he was probably gathering his forces to attack. Along with Colin and Duke Theodemar of Marienberg, it was only a matter of time before they would come and save Hagenheim from the clutches of this evil man.
Margaretha simply smiled.
The guards escorted her mother, siblings, and Gisela back to the solar, but he ordered two other guards to take Margaretha back to her chamber. She gave Claybrook a cold stare. “Cannot my mother come with me?”
He shrugged. “I suppose.” Then he doubled the number of guards he sent with Margaretha and Lady Rose.
“He must think you’re dangerous,” she said to her mother.
Once they were in Margaretha’s chamber and the guards were outside the door — the only way in or out of the room — Lady Rose whispered, “I have an idea. It may only help us gain a little time — ”
“Maybe all I need is a little time. I know help is on the way, Mother. Help is coming soon; I can feel it.”