Chapter Thirty-Two
Niki had just returned to the inn, having satisfied himself that their luggage was being unloaded properly and that Arrow had not taken any harm during the rough weather.
He intended to spend time with Roberta—he had been worried when she was so ill onboard, but she had seemed more herself once she was on dry land.
Every moment he was apart from her felt like a waste of time, but he suspected their separations would only get worse.
His councillors were used to him being available to them at all hours of the day and night.
He would have to teach them they needed to leave him time with his wife, but there would be protests, and it would not happen immediately.
Right now, with his enemies circling, he needed to have his wits about him, and being with Roberta tended to fully engage those wits.
Yes, he had lustful thoughts about her, but it was more than that. He just wanted to be with her.
In these circumstances, he was glad Antonia was here to keep her company, and Ernest. He had wondered if his younger brother might develop an infatuation for Antonia and was determined to keep an eye on things, just in case.
Then again, he was not sure he needed to worry—Antonia seemed extremely sensible.
He was about to head up the stairs to his wife when one of the servants presented him with a letter from Chamberlain Francis.
He frowned. That Francis was writing to him so soon must surely mean he had news about Count Leo Becker.
Niki found his way to the private parlor he had appropriated, tore open the letter, and began to read.
His frown grew the further down the page he went. Francis did not bother with pointless civilities. He stated the damning facts succinctly and then drew some conclusions that caused Niki’s heart to sink.
Firstly, Becker had gone missing. Whether he had fled the country or was in hiding, Francis had yet to ascertain, and the questioning of his family and friends had failed to lead to any answers.
Secondly, Karl had not arrived at his own wedding.
When it happened, it was assumed he had been delayed for some reason, but when nothing was heard and he could not be located along the road from the capital, suspicions were raised.
Perhaps he had been injured? Perhaps Niki’s assassin had turned his attentions to Karl?
And then it was discovered that Karl had remained in France and was now residing in Paris. When quizzed by Francis via special messenger, his brother had declared he had no intention of marrying Lady Henrietta or anyone else, and he was not coming home.
Niki groaned and dropped his head, the letter crinkling in his fist. Of course Karl would refuse to do as he was told!
When hadn’t he? He was selfish and hedonistic and rarely thought a day ahead.
Now he had insulted Henrietta and her people along their southern border, and that was sure to have consequences.
With an effort, he turned again to the chamberlain’s writing.
Francis seemed to draw a different conclusion than Niki did from Karl’s actions.
He suspected both Karl and Becker were in Paris and that both of them might be behind the attempts on Niki’s life.
That far from being a stubborn bridegroom, Karl was in Paris to await his brother’s death, and then he would return and take the throne.
He was popular with the people, and although there might be some rumblings, he would probably persuade everyone he was the best choice of leader.
For a while, anyway, before his bad habits became more widely known.
But then, who else was there? Ernest was too young, and Matilda’s son, Tomas, the next in line to the throne, as well as also being too young, was surely too English to win any support.
Times have changed, Francis wrote ominously. Holtswig no longer seeks England’s approval. There are those who look to the old days and the old ways and want a return of them, and their voices are getting louder.
Niki knew there had been hints that was the case in some quarters, but they were far from the majority.
And yes, Karl had been in London with him when the attempts were made, and he was usually close by.
But no. He shook his head. He didn’t believe it.
Karl might be selfish, and his behavior with Roberta’s friend had been reprehensible, but he was not a devious assassin.
He had never shown any desire to harm Niki or take his place.
In fact, he had stated often enough that he was glad he did not have to carry Niki’s burdens and could just enjoy himself.
When it came to Karl, Francis was wrong. But what about Becker?
It almost felt as if someone was trying to confuse matters. Tossing the names of the possible antagonists into a big pile and stirring them up.
He threw the letter aside. He was in a very dangerous situation. All he wanted to do was enjoy his time with Roberta, to make the most of having her as his wife, but at every turn, there was something more that needed his attention. When would it stop?
“Sir?”
Startled out of his dark thoughts, Niki looked up. It was Freddie Hart. Irritably, he realized he had not even heard the man enter the room. He must be more careful, as no doubt Freddie would tell him in a moment.
But there was the letter, and that was a good distraction.
He handed it to Freddie, before remembering Francis’s habit of writing in the language of his grandfathers.
Holtswig was an English-speaking nation, but there were those who wanted them to return to the past, and although Francis would not admit to such radical views, he did express a wish for them to speak again in their own language.
Niki took the letter back and instead read it aloud, translating as he went.
“Disappointing that Becker has slipped through our fingers, but do you believe he and your brother are in this together?” Freddie asked when Niki had finished.
“Not for a moment. Karl would never do such a thing. All the planning it would require to kill me and take over the country? He would be bored before he even got half of it done. Or something more interesting would come along to distract him. And it is all very well being popular, but he could not rely on that alone to win the day. My people would soon grow tired of a ruler who did not listen to their concerns and pleased himself instead.”
Freddie nodded in agreement. “You know him best. But all the same, we can’t ignore it. Do you intend to send someone to bring him back to Holtswig? And we need to find Becker. I don’t like him disappearing after he was named in this matter. It feels…contrived.”
“I was just thinking it was odd that Becker has gone missing, although if he really is behind the attempts on my life, it would make sense that he go into hiding. As for Karl, he has plenty of friends who will hide him, for a while at least. I think he will come home when he is ready. He will beg my forgiveness, and I will probably pardon him. Because that would have been my father’s wish. ”
Freddie looked sympathetic. “I have never had any blood relations to worry about, but I call my two friends brothers. I do not always agree with their opinions or their actions, but I would still forgive them almost anything.” He tapped his finger on the letter.
“In the meantime, we will take precautions in case your chamberlain is right, and you are wrong.”
Niki wasn’t insulted. He had come to trust Freddie, and anyway, it was what he would have done himself.
“One thing I am certain of—this was not a plot developed in England,” Freddie went on. “It is Holtswigger born.”
In other words, whoever wanted to harm him was one of his own countrymen, and perhaps it was even someone well known to him. He could pretend all he liked, but in his heart, Niki knew it to be true.
To his relief, Freddie changed the subject. “How is Roberta?”
“Much better now we are on dry land,” he said with a smile. The thought of Roberta always made him smile.
“Good. I am glad the fake engagement brought you together. She is a sensible girl, despite her tendency to sometimes create chaos. I am sure you know that?”
Niki wondered what the man was trying to tell him. Was he worried he might try to change Roberta? “My people will love her when they come to know her.”
“Yes, I think so too,” Freddie said. “The Ashton girls are all charming, but Roberta especially so.”
The two men exchanged a look that was in perfect harmony before Freddie turned back to business. “I have made arrangements for the next stage of your journey. You will be well looked after, sir.”
“Thank you,” Niki said, and meant it.
Their journey to Holtswig was made under close guard.
Freddie hired some trustworthy men who looked suitably dangerous and were recommended by the ship’s captain—they were familiar with the countryside and would travel with them.
When Niki rode alongside the coach, they were always close by, to his chagrin.
Roberta told him she would rather he be safe than sorry, and at least he was allowed to ride in the fresh air.
She spent her time in a coach with her sister and Ernest, because Freddie refused to countenance her riding Arrow with the men.
“It isn’t fair,” she complained. “When we get to Holtswig, I will ride when and where I like.”
Niki said nothing. He already knew that was not going to happen, but he didn’t want Roberta to think she would be a prisoner in her new home.