A Noble Groom (Michigan Brides #2)(10)

Guilt pricked Carl again. In many principalities, the nobility still had the authority to permit or deny marriages among the farmhands and rural workers who resided on their lands. Serfdom might have been abolished, but the ancient laws were not so easily eliminated.

“Dirk will have a better life in America,” Matthias added, “but he can’t go until he finishes earning the rest of the money he needs for the ship fare.”

“How long will that take?”

Matthias shrugged. “Perhaps another month or two—if I’m able to help him.”

“Maybe I can help too.”

“What will you give him? Your dirty lice-ridden clothes?”

“I have a purse of money in my chambers—”

“Not anymore.” Matthias stopped abruptly, and Carl had to catch himself to keep from barreling into the servant. “The duke sent some of his servants to your rooms and sequestered all of your belongings.”

Carl could only shake his head at the injustice. How was he to survive without his overflowing purse?

The flickering light of the torch revealed a wooden door, barred from the inside and locked with a chain.

Matthias handed Carl the torch, then pulled out the same key he’d retrieved from the false compartment in the coffin. He wiggled it into the rusty lock on the chain and labored to free the door of its barriers. Finally he shoved his shoulder against the planks and opened it a crack.

He peered outside and then pinned Carl with his most serious look. “You’re to travel to America to my brother in Michigan. And you’ll offer to help my niece until Dirk arrives.”

Unease gurgled in Carl’s stomach. “But I’m a scientist—”

“Not anymore.” Matthias’s expression turned grave. “You’re no longer Gottfried Charles von Reichart. From the moment you step out of this tunnel, you’re Carl Richards, a poor schoolteacher unjustly accused of a crime against a duke, which you did not commit.”

Matthias pressed a letter into Carl’s hand. “Give this to my brother.”

Carl took the letter hesitantly. “I cannot live a lie.”

“It’s mostly true. Besides, it’s only a disguise to keep you safe.”

“For how long?”

“Forever.”

“I’m never to come back?” But even as Carl said the words, he knew that as long as the duke lived, he wouldn’t be safe in his homeland.

“In time, when the duke’s anger has subsided and he stops looking for you, maybe you’ll be able to go to a big American city and find work. I’ve heard there are many jobs. But until then, you’ll be safe with my brother.”

Carl fingered the letter. He didn’t like a single detail of the escape plan. But what could he do? Where else could he go?

Matthias shoved a small leather pouch against him.

The heaviness of the bag and the hard round lumps attested to money.

“Your father’s given you enough to pay for the cost of your travels. But that’s it. From now on, no more allowance.”

Carl shifted the pouch, jangling the coins, trying to get an idea of how much it contained. It was a mere pittance compared to what he was accustomed to having. “How heroic of him to be so generous.”

“If a large sum ended up missing from the baron’s coffers, the duke would hear of it, and it would raise his suspicion. And if your father sends you money in America, the duke will hear of that too. As it is, we’ll already incur a great deal of suspicion once he learns of your disappearance.”



“Heaven forbid my father should take a stand against the duke on my behalf.”

“He’s risking his life for your escape.” Matthias shoved at the door again, opening it further.

A tangle of weeds and vines covered the exit, concealing the door from the outside. But the opening was wide enough to let in a draft of the bitter winter air. It slithered up Carl’s legs and torso and then wrapped around his neck as it had earlier, as if to remind him that if not for Matthias’s bravery and faithfulness, he would have felt the stinging blade of the guillotine cutting through his flesh.

“Thank you, Matthias.” He pushed down the disappointment at his nonexistent relationship with his father. This was hardly the time and place to dwell on bygones. “You put your life at risk for me too. And I’m grateful.”

Matthias extinguished the torch, plunging them into darkness. “You must run now. And don’t stop until you’re far beyond the boundaries of Essen.”

Carl took a deep fortifying breath and moved to the door and into the tangle of lifeless shrubbery.

Matthias’s hand on his shoulder stopped him.

He turned and found himself enfolded in Matthias’s arms in a tight embrace. “Godspeed.”

Carl squeezed his faithful servant. “Good-bye.” And with that one word he knew he was also saying good-bye to his home and the way of life he’d always known.

His chest constricted.

“Now go! Make haste.” As suddenly as Matthias had hugged him, he just as abruptly shoved him away.

Carl stumbled forward.

“Oh, one more thing.” Matthias’s call followed him, and it contained an urgency that hadn’t been there before. “Don’t ever tell Peter—my brother—who you really are, that you’re the baron’s son. If he learns your true identity, he’ll kill you.”