Page 108 of A Tenuous Betrothal
They again studied the area all around them. Nothing looked promising. And, in truth, there wasn’t anywhere else for them to go.
Frederick, who had been alert the whole time, eyes searching the area around them at every step, leaned back against the nearest tree. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what to do next.”
Rhi searched in vain and was about to suggest that they turn back to where the boot was found to see if perhaps there was something else to find there, but then a glint of metal reflected moonlight. “Wait. What is that?” She pointed, and Kristoff picked up something at his feet.
“By Jove. It’s his watch fob.” Kristoff tried to rub the crumpling expression from his face. “Which means he’s in dire need indeed.” The pain in Kristoff’s face was obvious even in the dark.
Rhi’s eyes filled with tears. “What does it mean? Where is he?”
“He’s nowhere you are going to be able to go,” a strange voice said. The sound of a pistol cocking brought an icy fear to Rhi’s insides.
She dropped to the ground and lay as flat as possible, praying the darkness would conceal her.
“Don’t anybody else move.” The person spoke English but sounded very French. “Put your hands up.” He kicked around in her direction, but she scooted to the side. His hands shook while pointing his pistol at one brother and then the other.
“Don’t kick her, you imbecile! She fainted!” Frederick shouted at the man.
“Back away!” Their would-be captor waved his pistol around again.
Rhi shook and tried to catch her breath, which wanted to come in great, heaving gasps, but she tried to keep silent. From her angle at their feet, things were clearer with no vegetation to block her view. On the other side of Frederick and Kristoff, behind the trees at their back, was a clearing. And in that clearing was a man, with hands tied behind his back, feverishly working on something at his feet. Marc.
She moved along the ground.
Frederick’s eyes widened at her movement, but he glanced up quickly. “Who are you?”
“It doesn’t matter. No speaking.”
“It matters very much to me. Do you know who you are dealing with?” Frederick stepped closer to where the voice came from.
“Stay where you are.”
“I will not. I won’t do another thing you ask until you tell me who you are.” He kicked at the leaves at his feet as he took another step, and in the commotion he created, Rhi scooted faster and ducked behind the trees, entering the clearing.
Noise of others farther on reminded her to be as quiet as possible. No one seemed to be around except Marc. He hadn’t looked up yet. She skirted the edge of the clearing, making her way to a large tree. And then she saw that Marc was tied to it. She worked her fingers quickly and silently, untying the rope at the tree and whispered, “Marc.”
His head jerked up and he stared right into the darkness where she sat.
Noise from a group and a crackling fire did not cease. Perhaps they hadn’t noticed anything amiss. The Frenchman hadn’t yet alerted them to intruders. She and Marc had but a few seconds, she guessed.
He stood slowly and crept closer, but his legs gave out and he fell at her feet. He rolled over to see her. “You’re here,” he whispered as she crouched next to him. “Am I having a laudanum dream, or are you really here?” He reached for her face but then let his hand drop. He struggled to his knees, then grinned up into her face. “I belong right here. At your feet.”
“No, don’t be ridiculous. Please, let’s help you up.” She knelt and reached for his shoulders.
But he shook his head. “Rhi, I’m so sorry. I should have told you every day how much I love you.” He was close, hands tied behind his back, his eyes earnest.
“Yes, you should have.” Her voice caught, the emotion of the moment filling her, rushing into the farthest extremities of her soul. She wrapped her hands around his neck and pressed her lips to his with a desperate fierceness she’d never known she had. She clung to him, rejoicing in his declarations, then pulled away quickly. “We have to go.”
“I’m tied to this tree.”
“Not anymore.” She smiled and held up the end of the rope.
“Bless you, woman.” He shifted his body to keep his balance as she helped him stand and pulled him toward his brothers. “But how are you here? Where are we going?”
“This way. Your brothers need you.”
As they got closer, they could hear Frederick. “I still do not know who my captor is. You could be anyone. Why should I do as you say?” He shuffled his feet. There was a thump and a groan and then silence.
Rhi and Marc hurried forward, not caring much about the brush they had to push through.
