Page 66 of Second Chance Prince
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 createchaos. 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.
The weather had cooled considerably, and he was glad that in just over a week—all being well—he would be safely home inHoltswig. The castle would be well prepared for their arrival—he could rely on Matilda for that. Roberta still looked pale, and although she smiled and joked with the others—apart from complaining about sitting in the coach—he could tell she was anxious about this next step. All her doubts were roiling inside her, he knew it, and he didn’t know how to make it better.
He had to wait until the end of the day to speak privately to her, when it was time to stop to eat and sleep, but by then, she was tired and so was he. He had explained to her that until they had their wedding ceremony in Holtswig, his people would not consider them legally married. To sleep in the same bed would be seen as scandalous, and he could not afford to be viewed in such a light. Since Karl had run off, Niki’s reputation must be even more spotless.
“But how can we practice if we are in separate beds?” she had cried, but he saw the laughter in her eyes.
“There will be plenty of time to practice in the days and weeks and years ahead,” he had said. “You will probably grow tired of me.”
“Never!” she’d declared.
