Page 59 of Second Chance Prince
“There was a servant with him who was trying to hush him, but the man was very drunk.”
“Did you question this man?”
“I would have, but he was gone by the time my men and I arrived.”
Niki believed him. Even before he had made his inquiries, he had been inclined to trust Freddie. Tomas’s story had caused that trust to waver, but Niki thought himself a good judge of character, and looking into Hart’s straight gaze, he could no longer doubthim.
“And no one knew who he was?”
“He was wearing the distinctive robes of one of your advisers, but I do not have a name and only a vague description of a face.”
“Old…young?”
“Middle-aged.”
Most of his advisers were either old or middle-aged. “Your friend could not pick him out?”
“Unfortunately, all but Francis Ruess had returned to Holtswig to prepare for your wedding to Roberta. Butfortunately, I had arranged for a sketch to be made of the man my friend saw that night.”
“Did you show it to Francis?”
“I did.” Freddie smiled. “He said it was Count Leo Becker.”
Niki felt the beginnings of hope, mixed with surprise. Francis had taken on quite a few new men in the council, with Niki’s agreement, of course—he understood that some of them were getting too old to perform their duties competently. But these days, when he looked about, he felt as if half of them were strangers. Count Leo Becker was not a stranger.
“I am confused. You should have told me this before. Becker is not a man I would consider likely to be involved in any plot. Some of the others…perhaps. I do not know them well.”
“Nevertheless, that is what Mr. Ruess told me.”
“And then…?” Despite his doubts, Niki sat forward, eager to hear that more progress had been made.
“I did not tell you because Mr. Ruess instructed me not to bother you with the matter,” Freddie said apologetically. “He did not want to spoil your wedding day. As the count had already left the country, he said he would have him arrested when hereturned to Holtswig, and I could speak to him when I arrived.”
That sounded promising. While Niki trusted Francis to do what was necessary, he was annoyed that the information had not been shared with him. But that was a matter between him and Francis. “If it was just one man,” he said aloud, “and not a group of them…Could it be that simple?”
Freddie shrugged.
Niki finished his wine. “Although Leo…He is not someone I could have imagined plotting my death. I have stayed at his lodge many times when hunting in the forest. I always thought him a loyal supporter.”
“I will speak to him when we reach Holtswig.”
“Keep me informed this time,” Niki said sharply.
Freddie nodded. “And I hope that answers your question as to my loyalty to you.”
“It does, thank you. I know you have a close relationship with Roberta’s family, and for her sake too I needed to clear the air.”
Freddie seemed to relax. “Then let’s put it to bed. And speaking of that…” He looked up at the ceiling. “I think Roberta will be wondering why you are still lingering here with me, and she has never been a very patient girl…”
Roberta opened her eyes to the sound of lowered voices. For a moment, she drifted, almost falling back to sleep, and then Niki said, “I won’t require your help tonight,” and the door closed. Roberta was completely awake now. There was silence, as though Niki was trying to see in the night-dark room, and then she heard clothing being shed. There were footsteps, and she felt theedge of the mattress sink down and the covers be pushed back as he climbed in beside her.
Roberta held her breath, and she wouldn’t have been surprised if Niki did too. Should she say something? Suddenly, she felt shy, and besides, what would she say?Hello, will we consummate our marriage?She almost laughed at the thought and only just stopped herself in time.
But he must have heard the hitch in her breathing. He turned toward her, and she noticed again how dark it was. No light from the window—and everything was so still. If they had been in London, there would have been noise and movement, but here in the country there was only quiet.
“Roberta?” he whispered. “Are you awake?”
“Yes, I am awake.”
