“Then you know where he is?”
“Bless your soul, yes. My husband has been helping him round up men for the battle for Hagenheim Castle, to take place at dawn tomorrow. These fine men can join him, and you can stay here and rest yourself in a nice warm bed.”
It didn’t take long for the good woman to convince Margaretha that she should stay and get as much sleep as possible before being reunited with her father. She was almost too exhausted to climb the stairs to the bedchamber the lady had sent her servants to prepare for her. When she did lie down, the bed felt exquisite.
When she was alone and the candle had been extinguished, she pulled the heavy iron cross out of her sleeve and clutched it to her chest, feeling comforted, as it was not only a weapon but the representation of all her hope. “Thank you, Jesus,” she whispered, “for Claybrook becoming sick, and for Thomas and Thaddeus helping me escape.”
Her thoughts immediately turned to Colin. Where was he? Was he well and safe? Was he trying to come to her? And where was her father and Valten? Had Colin left Toby in Marienberg? Was he safe and happy?
When she had been with Colin, she missed her mother. Now that she had been with her mother, she missed Colin. Remembering how he had held her in his arms when she cried, she felt a strange, almost painful tug at her heart. How she wished to see him again, to talk to him, to tell him everything that had happened to her. She wanted him to hold her again. She wanted him to feel about her the way her brothers felt about their wives. She wanted him to get that look in his eyes that Gabe had for Sophie and Valten had for Gisela.
“Colin, Colin. I escaped. Again. Now I just want you to be safe and come back for me. Please come back.” She closed her eyes, her hand touching the cross beside her in the bed.
Chapter
31
It was twilight when Colin and the rest of his party arrived at Duke Wilhelm’s encampment. Now they were all gathered — a mighty force, including several men of high rank and all their knights and soldiers who were allied with Duke Wilhelm.
Colin had been surprised to find his father at Marienberg when he and Toby made their way there a few hours after Margaretha had been captured by Claybrook’s men. He soon learned Colin’s father had felt it his duty to come to Germany and try to bring Claybrook to justice for the heinous murder the man had committed. And he had also come looking for his son, worried that Colin would get himself killed, no doubt. He had stopped in Marienberg because he had heard that Claybrook was on a mission to woo Duke Wilhelm’s daughter. He also knew that the Duke of Marienberg was a near relation of Duke Wilhelm, and that Claybrook’s uncle lived in Keiterhafen, which was near Hagenheim.
When Colin arrived at Marienberg Castle, speaking only English, the castle servants had not understood him. He had been quite surprised when they went and fetched his father. Colin had been nearly overcome by his father’s joy at seeing his son unharmed. He would not admit it to anyone but himself, but there had been a few tears shed, by both men.
Now the plan was to attack Claybrook and his men at Hagenheim Castle an hour before dawn, as Duke Theodemar of Marienberg, Lord Glynval, and all their combined fighting men, had joined Duke Wilhelm and his knights and allies. As they waited for the appropriate time to attack, Colin realized he might finally be able to speak to Duke Wilhelm.
Colin compelled a new friend he had made, Sir Gerek, who was one of Duke Wilhelm’s knights, to translate his meeting with Duke Wilhelm. But first, the Duke of Marienberg would make the introductions for Colin and his father.
“Duke Wilhelm,” Duke Theodemar said, “allow me to present the Earl of Glynval and his son, Lord le Wyse, both of England. I have only recently made their acquaintance, but I can assure you, they are well worth having as allies. And now I will allow Lord le Wyse to explain why they are here to fight against Claybrook, while I see to my men.”
Sir Gerek quietly interpreted for Colin and his father.
The uncle and nephew exchanged a few more words of friendly greeting before Duke Theodemar excused himself.
“Your Grace,” Colin began, as he faced Margaretha’s father for the first time, trying to appear both humble and confident. “I came to the Holy Roman Empire with the intention of capturing Claybrook and taking him back to England to face the consequences of a murder that he had committed there. I was attacked and left for dead by his men and was brought to your healer at Hagenheim Castle.”