Over the next hour, Serena inspected the fabric pieces that the dressmaker had begun stitching. It was a cream-coloured taffeta gown, trimmed with a cranberry ribbon. Although it would need to be taken in at the waist, Frau Bauherzen believed she could make it fit. There was also a matching cloak in the same shade of deep red.
It was strange, ordering a gown without jewels or lace, one that would never be worn to greet ambassadors. The simple design had a vee waist and box pleats that fell to the floor. A lady might wear this gown to pay calls, but it was entirely too plain for a princess.
Serena rather liked it.
‘Do … all the island women purchase clothing this way?’ she asked, feeling foolish at the question. Everything she’d ever worn had been created only for her. She’d never been inside a shop before, and she had to resist the urge to touch everything.
Frau Bauherzen sent her a curious look. ‘I’m sorry, madam, but I don’t understand.’
‘Nothing.’ She shook her hand, realising that she would only give away her identity if she asked more questions.
‘May I take your measurements now?’ Frau Bauherzen enquired.
Serena followed her behind a curtain, and the woman offered to help her remove her outer gown. ‘I’d rather remain dressed,’ she murmured, afraid that the dressmaker would discover her bruises, ‘if you don’t mind.’
Though the matron respected her wishes, Serena had to fight against her embarrassment at being touched. Her ladies in the palace already knew her measurements, and whenever she needed a new gown, it was simply delivered the day before the event. She had multiple wardrobes filled with day dresses, riding habits, ceremonial ballgowns, hats, gloves and stockings.
‘Your husband is a generous man,’ the woman offered, measuring the distance from Serena’s waist to the floor.
Serena didn’t know how to answer. Generous with coins, certainly. But how would he react when she informed him that she would not be marrying him? Already Karl had proved to be strong-willed and dominant. She suspected he wouldn’t accept her refusal well at all.
‘Forgive me,’ Frau Bauherzen apologised, ‘but I did wonder how you managed to go inside the governor’s house. It’s been locked up for several weeks now.’
Though the woman’s tone was unassuming, Serena wasn’t about to reveal their identities. She gave the only truth she could. ‘My husband has connections with the Royal House of Lohenberg. But we were surprised to learn that the staff had gone.’
‘They fled a few months after the famine,’ the matron admitted. Her face coloured, and she added, ‘Were I you, I’d go back to Lohenberg. There’s nothing here any more.’ She folded her hands, busying herself with writing more measurements.
‘What about the rest of the islanders?’ Serena asked. ‘How are they surviving?’
Frau Bauherzen set down her pencil and shrugged. ‘The rest of us have no choice but to stay. We can’t afford to leave.’ She lifted the taffeta gown and began pinning the waistline. ‘I don’t know what brought you here, but Vertraumen has no future any more. Not for any of us.’
Serena didn’t like hearing the resignation in the woman’s voice. ‘I’ll ask my husband to speak with the king of Lohenberg. It may be that he can get help for you.’
‘I wish it could be so,’ Frau Bauherzen responded, ‘but it’s been two years now. And … nothing.’
Though she knew it was none of her business, Serena couldn’t stand back idle when people were suffering. Surely they could bring in more food and workers to help restore the island. ‘We’ll see what can be done,’ she offered.
‘About what?’ came the voice of the fürst. He entered the shop, taking Serena’s gloved hand in his.
The matron cleared her throat, her face bright with embarrassment. ‘I was only explaining to your wife about the troubles that have been going on in Vertraumen.’
‘So I’ve heard.’ The fürst guided Serena to stand behind him. ‘I will send word to the king on your behalf.’
The woman sent him a sudden look, as if she were wondering who he was. A moment later, she seemed to dismiss it. ‘Thank you, my lord. In the meantime, I should … get started on the gown. I will bring it to the manor house as soon as it’s finished.’
Before Serena could say another word, the fürst guided her outside, leading her away from the village. ‘Bernard and Samuel have purchased supplies, and they will bring them to the house. We’re going back now.’
‘But I thought you wanted to explore the village?’ She was confused at his sudden decision. ‘Has something happened?’
He nodded. ‘I’ll tell you more when we reach the manor.’
‘I want her found.’ Freiherr Albert von Meinhardt swept his fist across the desk, sending a brass candlestick flying. It struck the ground, but Captain Gerlach Feldmann didn’t flinch. He’d been prepared for the freiherr’s outrage. As the king’s closest advisor and a distant cousin, Albert had secretly held a fascination with the princess. Had she not outranked him, Gerlach suspected the man might have offered himself as a potential bridegroom.
‘Why did you let her leave?’
‘She was travelling with the fürst of Lohenberg and went willingly.’
‘Against her father’s orders!’ the freiherr shot back. ‘You defied the king by letting her go.’
‘And was I supposed to offend the prince?’ Gerlach held up his hands, feigning ignorance.
‘Your loyalty is to His Majesty. Not to the fürst of Lohenberg.’
‘She’s only been gone one day,’ Gerlach said. ‘She must have gone to one of her father’s estates.’
‘Send two dozen men to each of the estates,’ the freiherr ordered. ‘Betrothed or not, if word of this reaches the people, the princess will be ruined. I don’t have to remind you what will happen when the king learns of this.’
‘Or what will happen to Princess Serena,’ Gerlach said beneath his breath. He’d seen the effects of the brutal beatings first hand, and it sickened him to see her bruises.
‘What His Majesty chooses to do with his disobedient daughter is his own affair.’
Gerlach didn’t answer, for he knew the freiherr would do nothing to offend the king. The man was blind to the princess’s suffering, and he was glad Serena was far away from the palace. Thankfully, by obeying the freiherr and sending men to each of the estates, it would grant the princess more time, for Gerlach knew she wasn’t there. Though he feared her escape could only be temporary, he hoped she would succeed.
‘As my lord commands,’ Gerlach said, lowering his head to acknowledge his orders.
‘Captain Feldmann,’ von Meinhardt continued. ‘If she isn’t found, the king will hold someone to blame. It won’t be me.’
The implication wasn’t missed on Gerlach, and he bowed. He’d known the risk in aiding the princess, but he’d wanted to do what was right.
‘I’ve ordered the arrest of your wife,’ the freiherr informed him. ‘She will be held prisoner in your place, while you find the princess.’
The ground seemed to disappear from beneath his feet. Was that man that heartless to arrest an innocent woman?
‘My wife has done nothing wrong,’ Gerlach protested. ‘You’ve no right—’
‘No, you had no right to ignore the king’s orders. And perhaps this will motivate you to find her sooner.’
Gerlach