Page 24 of Heart of Snow
“They needn’t know I’m a countess. I could go in servants’ clothes.”
He shook his head. “They work into the evenings, and I haven’t a horse to ride anyway.”
“I can arrange for a horse.”
“What about your father? What excuses would you make to him?”
“Father is gone.” I touched the back of my hand to my nose, preempting any spring of emotion. “And will be for the next fortnight, at least. Now is the time to make our visit.”
He still seemed uncertain. “I don’t think it’s wise—”
“Friedrich, let me help your friend.”
His eyes studied mine, the scrutiny slowly softening into something else as the moment stretched on. His gentle gaze released another swell of fluttering in my stomach.
“Very well.” He sighed. “On Saturday eve I’ll wait for you in the clearing. Meet me an hour before sunset, and we may get to the mines before dark.”
I blinked. “I’ll be there.”
Chapter 11
Margaretha
I tugged again at theneckline of my chemise, trying to pull it higher.
“Quit fussing,” Belinda said, clasping shut the line of hook fastenings at my bosom. “This shabby maid’s dress flatters you better than most of your gowns. I think it just the thing to elicit Friedrich’s admiration.”
Shifting my feet, I turned my attention to our saddled horses munching fresh grass. I hadn’t yet confessed Friedrich’s admission of my beauty, nor his obvious attraction to me during our French lesson. Though I should have informed Belinda of my progress, I couldn’t put down the nagging sense that confiding in her was somehow a betrayal to Friedrich.
Yet wasn’t this entire entrapment a betrayal to Friedrich?
I wouldn’t think on that. Samuel needed me, so it must be done.
“Are you nearly finished?” I asked. “If someone discovers us changing clothes in the forest—”
“Patience,” she sang. “And there.” She stood back, taking in my appearance with a smile before picking up our discarded gowns and tucking them into her saddlebag.
Our horses’ hooves padded over the soft forest floor as they carried us to the clearing where Friedrich stood, one leg crossed in front of the other and a shoulder propped against his favorite tree. He almost smiled at our arrival, but his mouth turned down when he looked back and forth between the horses.
“You’re both riding aside.”
I was prepared for his reluctance. “We couldn’t very well ask the groomsman for a pillion saddle without drawing unwanted attention. You and I can share.” I gave him an encouraging nod.
“What do you think of the countess’s disguise?” Belinda called to him from her horse, forestalling his protest. “Is it convincing?”
Friedrich looked me over with a critical eye. “Your headdress is too fine. It will arouse suspicion.”
“Oh, I forgot.” I let myself down from Lange and started plucking out pins and unweaving braids, using my fingers to shake my hair loose before reaching into Belinda’s saddlebag to retrieve the last piece of my disguise. Sliding the thin, black headband over my hair, I turned to face Friedrich.
“Better?” I asked.
He studied my appearance again, but this time his eyes lingered on the length of my neck, his Adam’s apple dipping in his throat before he set his gaze on the horse.
“Very nice. We should be going.” He took Lange’s reins, leading him to a fallen tree.
My cheeks warmed with the excitement of Friedrich’s attraction as I followed behind, stepping onto the tree and lifting a foot into the shortened stirrup to settle myself in the saddle.
“You can sit behind me.” I patted the horse’s rump.
