Page 106 of A Tenuous Betrothal
But he’d failed.
In one last effort to possibly help those who might be trying to track him, he kissed the watch fob he’d been clutching and let it slip through his fingers until the chain at last left his palm and fell to the earth. Gifted from his great-grandfather, it meant everything to him, but being found meant even more. Leaving it on the forest floor was his last hope. His brothers would know its meaning.
He closed his eyes, his head feeling large and swollen as it hung, bouncing against the side of the horse.
Ordinarily, Rhi would have loved her time in the library. She made note that if she were ever not panicking in concern for the life of the man she loved, she would spend weeks there, months. As it was, she ran her fingers over the stack she had borrowed for her room and drew comfort from their presence. So many stories, so many lives, so much history had all come before her mere existence. Surely, her situation would work out in the grand scheme of the universe.
But she couldn’t feel at ease. Marc was in danger. And Frederick must know something more by now. She left her room. It was getting late, and dinner had come and gone. She knew she would not rest, could not sleep until she’d at least sought out an update about Marc.
She made her way through the family quarters of the palace but heard nothing, saw no movement, and was about to head down the stairs when a conversation reached her ears. She turned a corner and heard Frederick and two others conversing. She peeked around the corner. Their backs were to her.
Frederick’s voice was low but audible. “We lost the trail, then?”
“It appears so, Your Highness. Of course, they are not giving up, but the trail grows colder.”
“But the cravat. That was an obvious sign, a signal to his team. Can you not think of anything else, guess at anything he might have meant by it?”
“He would have left others.” Rhi’s words came out with the certainty she felt.
They turned around at once, the shock on all three faces almost humorous, but then Frederick gestured for her to come forward. “Miss Davies, please. What did you say?”
“If he left a cravat, he would have left other things, anything he could think of—a button, a slip of clothing, a thread.” She tried to calm her wavering tone of voice. “Perhaps.”
“Yes, excellent. We will include that note with this rider.”
The man nodded. If he was curious about her presence there, he gave no indication.
“I’m going as well,” she said.
Frederick closed his eyes but then lifted his chin. “If you could wait a moment, I will assist in preparing the horses.”
Her mouth dropped open. Was he going to assist? She nodded and stepped away while the men finished their conversation. The rider then left at a brisk walk, the other man joining him.
When Frederick turned to her, it was not with expected lectures but with respect. “I’ve been thinking of going myself. Marc would do the same.”
“I know he would.” Guilt aggravated her thoughts. “But he wouldn’t want us to go.”
Frederick lowered his head to acknowledge her statement. “While that is true, when did he ever listen to us not wanting him to do something?”
“Never since I’ve known him, but I’ve not known him long, and never in situations like this one.”
“My experience has involved situations similar to this one, although I will admit this is the most dire.”
Rhi tried to steady her breathing. “We will be the best to track him, to search out his items, his clothing. Perhaps we can find a clue.”
“Yes, precisely. We must discover him quickly.” Frederick’s face looked pained. “But there is always hope.”
“Yes.” Those had been her father’s words. She reached for the ring around her neck. There was always hope on the horizon.
“Please, wear the most sensible thing you own, boots certainly, and meet me in the stables as quickly as you can,” Frederick said.
“I will be there directly.” She turned and ran down the corridor.
She was ready in almost no time. Catrin had woken easily and still had the clothing prepared as Rhi requested after the intruder had attacked Marc. When Rhi rushed from the room, she felt the exhilaration of doing something, anything, that could be useful to Marc.
Frederick was already in the barn, and to her surprise, Kristoff had joined them as well. “I couldn’t sleep. And this is what Marc would do.”
“I am glad you are coming too. I keep thinking that those who know him best will best be able to help track him down,” Rhi said.
