Deadly Peril (43 page)

She was then helped into a sedan chair and two burly chairmen took her up and carried her to rooms within the turret, Emily following along beside the chairmen.

Alec was not permitted to go with her. Bride and groom must remain apart until the ceremony. Assurances from the court physician Selina was unharmed and would make a full recovery, and from Selina herself, and he allowed himself to be led away by Prince Viktor and General Müller and several of the male courtiers. The Prince said he had matters to discuss with Alec regarding the storming of his half-brother’s stronghold, and General Müller added his voice, saying he wanted Alec to tell them all about how he had managed to escape the dungeons of Castle Herzfeld all those years ago.

I
N
THE
TURRET
apartment, Selina was attended on by half a dozen of the Countess’s maids, and Evans, who flitted about the rooms humming to herself, overjoyed her mistress was to finally marry Lord Halsey; Selina suspected had she nothing to wear but a flour sack to the ceremony, her lady’s maid would have been just as content. As it was, all she did have to wear was a day gown of velvet with quilted petticoats, both crushed almost beyond repair, having been stuffed into the one portmanteau allowed them for the journey by sledge. Not the most lavish or the prettiest ensemble to be married in. But Selina did not care. She was finally marrying Alec, and Emily was unharmed.

She was still dazed thinking about it as she sat on a chaise longue by the warmth of the fireplace, fresh from her bath with a silk banyan over her underpinnings and a wool blanket across her knees, and listening to Emily chattering away about her time at
Schloss
Rosine. Her cousin was safe and well, and seemingly untouched. Most surprisingly of all, she seemed oblivious to the danger, death and deprivation that existed, caused by the civil war beyond the well-guarded walls of this sanctuary.

Selina could think of a few words to describe their situation and the wintery landscape, not to mention the harrowing last couple of weeks, but Emily’s choice of the words
magical
and
enchanting
were not amongst the ones that sprang to her mind. But she would not disabuse her young cousin. Nor open her eyes to what was going on beyond this peaceful haven protected by the presence of hundreds of soldiers. They all needed their spirits lifted, and what better way to do so than with a wedding celebration. She had always imagined her wedding to Alec would be a joyous occasion, but never dreamed it would take place on foreign soil in the midst of a war. But she was determined today and tonight would be a celebration of everything that was good in their lives. Emily’s happy state of mind would go a long way to helping them achieve this.

Yet, Selina could not quell her curiosity. She just had to know how Emily came to be at
Schloss
Rosine and not at Herzfeld Castle with Cosmo. She was sure Alec would ask at the earliest opportunity, wedding breakfast not withstanding.

“Oh, that’s simple, but complicated to explain,” Emily said matter-of-factly, not at all perturbed. “And I will try my best not to make a muddle of it all.” She settled herself against the tapestry cushions on the window seat. “When we arrived at Herzfeld’s port, Cosmo went off to the castle with Herr Luy—Luytens? Yes, Herr Luytens, the British Consul. Mrs. Carlisle and I were left aboard ship. Cosmo wouldn’t hear of us accompanying him. He said he would be absent for only a few hours. He and Herr Luytens needed to deliver a piece of officious diplomatic correspondence. And it did look officious, too, in its red leather folio with gold lettering. I think it was from the King… And while he was away, Mrs. Carlisle and I were to prepare ourselves for the onward journey across the strait to Denmark.

“Cosmo said the passage was all arranged. And the ship was in the harbor. He even pointed it out to us. So we waited, and waited, and
waited
. But it was the morning of the next day when we decided to disembark with our luggage, and Cosmo’s bags, and take them and ourselves to the dock in readiness for the short trip by barge out to our new ship. And it was while we were on the dock waiting with our portmanteaux that we were witness to the most extraordinary sight.”

Emily leaned in, eyes wide.

“Soldiers! Too many soldiers to count! They swarmed over the docks like ants, and were just as quiet as ants, too. And just like ants, they disappeared into cracks and crannies before our eyes, because one minute they were there, and the next—gone! They hid themselves below deck on board the ships, and in the darkness of the warehouses. It was seeing these soldiers that decided Mrs. Carlisle that we, too, should hide. She said that if she was not very much mistaken, we were about to be caught up in a skirmish between two opposing forces. And never a truer word was spoken! It truly was the most exciting fun, Selina!”

She giggled behind her fan at a remembrance; Selina transfixed that her young cousin could be so cavalier about the obvious danger she and her companion had faced at that moment. But she remained mute and let her cousin continue.

“So we hid behind some fat bales. They were full of textiles, or cotton, or was it wool? No matter, they were large but we could still see what was occurring along the docks through the space between the bales. More soldiers arrived, but these men marched in formation, with muskets over their shoulders, and a captain barking out orders. Of course we had no idea what was said because it was all in German. These soldiers boarded only one ship, the ship we had sailed in on with Cosmo. While the soldiers who had swarmed over the docks like ants and were in hiding—and who I later discovered were in fact Prince Viktor’s men—remained in their hiding places.

“It was only when the soldiers searching the ship started marching up and down the docks, questioning the men going about their work, overturning crates and pushing bales aside, that Mrs. Carlisle was certain they were looking, not for the soldiers in hiding, but for us. For why else would they search just one ship, the one we had sailed in on, and not any of the others? She had a feeling
in her waters
—those were her exact words—something was very wrong. Especially when Cosmo had still not returned. Now, thinking back on it,” she mused with wonderment, the first time it had occurred to her, “I fear Mrs. Carlisle sacrificed herself so that I could escape…” She looked across at Selina and smiled hesitantly. “Those men in the castle will treat her, a lady’s companion, with the respect due her, won’t they, Selina? They will treat her just as well as they have treated me here, at
Schloss
Rosine, won’t they? They ought to… I’m sure they will… And if she were to get into any difficulty, I know Cosmo would come to her rescue and make certain they accorded her every respect. Is that not so?”

Selina returned her smile, and tried to sound reassuring. Though she did not believe a word of what she said. She was amazed at how effortlessly she could give such a hollow response that did indeed offer her cousin reassurance, because she did not have the heart to tell her what she truly feared may have happened to Cosmo and Mrs. Carlisle.

“I know—we both know—if Cosmo is in a position to do so, he will do everything in his power to protect Mrs. Carlisle. He will see to it she is provided with every comfort and consideration… So, as I am to understand it, Mrs. Carlisle gave herself up to these soldiers, and they remained none the wiser they had left you behind?”

Emily nodded eagerly.

“Yes! That is precisely the case. She identified herself to these soldiers as me, and why would they have reason not to believe she was speaking the truth? And so they left the port with her almost immediately. That’s when the other soldiers came out of hiding, and, to my very great surprise, with the Countess. It was she they had been protecting all along. We had completely overlooked seeing her amongst their number when they had first come onto the dock because she was wearing a hooded cloak and was surrounded by a group of soldiers. It was spying her that decided me to show myself.”

“To show yourself to these other soldiers, the ones who had swarmed over the dock like ants and gone into hiding, and who had the Countess in custody?” Selina repeated, trying to keep clear in her mind Emily’s convoluted story.

“Yes. But she wasn’t in custody. Those soldiers had helped her flee the castle where she was being held prisoner. And when I saw an officer—who turned out to be General Müller—stride up to her, take her in his arms and kiss her, he so pleased to see her, and she him, I knew I could seek their assistance.” She gave a deep sigh of contentment and stared out across the opulent interior, reliving the moment in her mind’s eye. “Seeing them reunited is possibly the most romantic scene I have ever witnessed! Better than any theater performance.”

“How very romantic,” Selina conceded. “But why did you believe they would provide you with assistance?”

Again Emily laughed behind her fan.

“Oh, Selina, don’t be a silly! You of all people must know why. Because couples who are in love cannot be evil, can they? Being in love makes people happy, and they want everyone around them to share in their happiness, and be just as happy. I could see General Müller and the Countess Rosine were very much in love, and so happy to see each other that they would look upon my plight favorably. And they have cared for me, very well. Shall I make you a dish of tea?”

“Yes. Yes, you are right,” Selina acknowledged quietly, in awe of Emily’s naïve insight. “And yes, a dish of tea would be welcome. Thank you, dearest.”

She watched Emily hop off the window seat and shake out her quilted petticoats as two maids wheeled the tea trolley to the chaise, curtsied and departed, leaving Emily in charge of the tea things. She tried to keep her voice neutral when asking lightly,

“And so you came here to
Schloss
Rosine in company with General Müller and the Countess Rosine, and it was here you were introduced to His Highness the Prince…?”

“Oh, no. We—Viktor—His Highness—we were introduced on the outskirts of Herzfeld. He was waiting to escort his mother here, to their home,” Emily explained, fiddling with the tea things. She had a sudden thought and looked up from the silver teapot, blue eyes wide. “Do you know your wedding ceremony will be the second one I have attended in as many months, and in the very chapel you and Alec will exchange vows. General Müller and the Countess Rosine were married almost immediately we arrived here from Herzfeld. And just like you and Alec, they spent their wedding night here, in the Turret apartments. It was a hurried and rather secretive affair because the General was due to journey to Emden at the head of his regiment as part of the Margrave’s army, the very next day. And because…” Emily dropped her lashes as her cheeks ripened with the heat of embarrassment and spoke quietly as she continued on with arranging the cups and plates. “Because the Countess was some five months with child, and they were unsure when or if the General would return.”

“Then it was important they married when they did, so he could go off to fight knowing he had a wife and child to come home to. It is ironic, but it is in times of conflict that life—what is most important to us—is brought into sharp relief.”

Emily handed Selina a cup of tea and set the sugar bowl and milk jug before her on the low table.

“I’m so very happy you and Alec are finally to marry, and this afternoon. It is what you have both wanted for such a long time, and now, it is to be! I just hope… I hope that with this war, with everything that is happening around us, we all manage to survive… Oh! Selina! Oh! I am so very glad you and Alec found me!”

Selina set aside her tea cup on its saucer and opened wide her arms, to gather up Emily, who for the first time allowed her carefree façade to drop and could not stop her tears. Emily fell into her embrace, and there stayed curled up beside her cousin on the chaise, Selina’s cool hand to her fair hair. Until Emily finally sat up and asked fearfully,

“Do you think—Do you
believe
Cosmo and Mrs. Carlisle are still—
alive
?”

“Yes! Of course I do!” Selina replied instantly, for she believed it. “Just as Alec and I always knew we would find you alive and well. So, too, we will find Cosmo. I am certain of it.” She smiled and tried to sound cheerful. “And I am very sure he will be looking after Mrs. Carlisle, too.”

“But if they are still inside that castle…” Emily swallowed. “I have heard a little about that place, enough for me to be very glad I am here, and not there, even though His Highness and the Countess have been at pains not to mention it. I know Alec was captive there for a time, and that he managed to escape the dungeons, which I am told is a miracle in itself. And anyone who speaks of Herzfeld does so with the greatest unease.”

Selina faced Emily and took hold of her hand. “I have every faith that Alec and the Prince and whatever forces they take with them to Herzfeld will rescue Cosmo and Mrs. Carlisle, and bring them to safety. I must believe that, and so must you. Now let us not dwell in a sad place anymore today,” she added, forcing a bright smile. “I am finally marrying the man I love this afternoon, much to Evans’ delight—and who cannot stop humming her excitement at the prospect of seeing me Lady Halsey—and you, my dearest, will be there beside me as my attendant. Not to mention there is to be a wonderful wedding breakfast. So we have everything to be happy about and we can at least give our men riding into danger tomorrow an afternoon and evening they will never forget, agreed?”

Emily nodded eagerly.

“No doubt they are at this very minute thinking of little else but enjoying an afternoon of fine food and drink, though I am very sure Alec is so nervous at the prospect of going up before the Reverend Shirley in front of an entire foreign court of nobles, that he is thinking of nothing at all. Now, we must drink our tea and make ourselves ready. But first, why don’t you show me the gown you have chosen to wear.”

Despite Selina’s confident pronouncement, which instantly lifted Emily’s spirits, she did not believe her own words. The men would not be thinking of weddings and celebrations at all, but would be rightly preoccupied with the campaign to infiltrate and take Herzfeld Castle. And she was right.