A Noble Groom (Michigan Brides #2)(83)

He halted in front of Dirk and waited as the man hunched over and struggled through his coughing fit. When he finally lifted his head, his lips were blue and his face drawn.

“I’m ready for a break,” Carl said. “What do you say? Shall we go rest in the shade for a spell?” He nodded toward the edge of the field to one of the old oaks whose leaves were already brown.

Dirk straightened and wiped his brow. “Maybe I should rest for a few minutes.”

They stumbled through the clods of soil that were as solid as stones. When they reached the shade, they tossed their sweat-ringed hats into the long, yellowed grass and flopped onto their backs.

For a short while neither of them said anything, letting the wind do all the talking. It whistled in the grass and rustled among the dry leaves and branches. It had already rattled loose all the acorns, and Gretchen had gathered whatever the squirrels had left behind.

“I have a letter for you from Matthias.” Dirk pushed up to his elbows and gave him a shrewd, narrowed gaze that sent Carl’s stomach into a nervous tumble.

Slowly he sat up. Did Dirk know his true identity?

“He included money for your return voyage.”

“Why would he do that?” Carl asked.

“Your name has been cleared.”

Carl searched Dirk’s face, trying to make sense of what the man was saying. How much did Dirk know about who he was and what had happened?



“Matthias didn’t tell me much.” Dirk reached into his pocket and tugged out a dirty, tattered letter that was folded into a small wad. “But last night when I first saw you, I thought you looked familiar.”

Carl’s mouth went dry.

“I thought about it all night and finally figured it out this morning when I saw you again.”

“Figured out what?”

“Who you really are.” The glint in Dirk’s eyes was sharp, and he made no effort to give Carl Matthias’s letter.

Carl tried to swallow but couldn’t.

“It all makes sense now.” Dirk struggled to sit up. “The news that the duke’s assassin had been captured. The acquittal of Baron von Reichart’s missing son. And then Matthais’s letter and the money for the return voyage.”

“They found the real assassin?” Hope sprang to life in Carl, and he sat forward with a new excitement. “How? What happened?”

Dirk’s mouth curved into a satisfied smile. “Then you are Gottfried Charles von Reichart?”

Carl met Dirk’s gaze head on. How could he possibly hide his identity any longer? “Yes, I am he.”

Dirk’s smile edged higher. Yet there was something about the look in his eyes that chased away the thrill of Carl’s acquittal.

“I also know why Matthias asked me to give you the letter privately.”

Carl turned and looked at Annalisa, who had started walking back to them, her empty basket in one hand, a jug of water in the other, and Sophie in the sling. Gretchen and Snowdrop trailed behind her.

“They don’t know who you are, do they?”



Carl didn’t answer. He couldn’t. He was too ashamed of his deception to speak the words aloud.

“And as far as I’m concerned, they won’t ever need to know.” Dirk’s gaze swung to Annalisa, and he stared at her as if she were already his.

But she wasn’t his. Not yet.

“I know how much Peter hates your father. So there’s no need to hurt them.” Dirk pinned him with a hard look. “As long as you leave town first thing Monday morning.”

Annalisa drew nearer.

Carl couldn’t imagine the pain she would feel to know he’d lied to her over the past months about who he really was.

Dirk held out the wadded letter.

Carl reached for it.

Then Dirk pulled it back. “Monday morning.”

Of course, Carl had known since the moment Dirk walked into the barn and brought the dancing to a halt that he needed to leave. He had no claim on Annalisa, not when he was really her enemy.

On the other hand, could he really walk away, especially on Monday morning knowing Annalisa would end up marrying Dirk, that even if she didn’t want to, she’d do it because she wanted to try to save her farm, which she would likely lose anyway?

Carl ran his fingers through his sweaty hair. “You do know that with the drought and the poor harvest, she probably won’t be able to pay off the loan on the farm.”

Dirk shrugged. “Peter told me as much.”

“Then why marry Annalisa?”

“I’ll sell whatever of value is left, and we’ll move to the West. During the crossing, everyone on the ship talked about the land that’s available in the West practically for free.”



“What if Annalisa doesn’t want to move?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll do my best to take care of her wherever we go.”

Carl wanted to continue arguing with Dirk, but Annalisa and Gretchen were almost upon them.

“I don’t want to know what’s gone on between the two of you this summer,” Dirk said, lowering his voice. “I’m willing to overlook anything she did with you. But I want you to leave now and let me have the chance to gain her affection.”

“And what if she wants me?”