“Where is she?” Jorgen demanded.
“Where is whom, dear boy?”
“You know who. I will not stand here arguing with you. I will find her myself.”
He started toward the stairs, but the guard stepped in front of him and blocked his way. Jorgen tried to walk around him, but the man grabbed Jorgen’s arm. Jorgen slipped out of his grasp and turned to face the room. The guard caught hold of his arm again, his fingers biting into Jorgen’s flesh.
“I am the margrave’s forester! You are holding two young maidens here against their will, and the margrave will not allow this to go unpunished.”
“Two maidens?” Agnes feigned surprise as she placed her hand over her heart. “I was not aware of that. I assure you I would never do such a thing. Can you tell me the names of these two captive maidens?”
“Kathryn and Odette.”
“Are you certain they are here against their will? Perhaps they choose to be here.”
A couple of chuckles followed her words. Every person in the room was staring at him.
“If you can prove that they did not come here of their own freedom and choice, then I am sure the margrave will have reason to throw me in the dungeon. But as they both came here freely . . .” She clicked her tongue against her teeth. “I believe the margrave might ask you what you are doing here.”
Jorgen growled deep in his throat as he struggled to loose himself from the grip of the guard. “If they came here freely, then allow them to leave freely.”
Agnes stepped closer to him and smiled. She touched a finger to his temple, then drew a line down his face to his chin. “You are too handsome to incite my ire . . . far too handsome. And far too passionate in your determination for me not to believe that you are in love with one of those young maidens you speak of freeing.” Her smile widened, showing two missing front teeth on the top. “Which one is it? Kathryn? Or Odette?”
“Let me go. I am the margrave’s forester.”
“You are the margrave’s forester. So why are you here? No, do not answer that again. I would never mistreat a man who is so close to the margrave.” Her words dripped with insincerity. “I shall allow you to go upstairs and free the maidens you speak of. I am tired of this game. Kathryn is no longer welcome to come back, and you may tell her I said so.” She snapped her fingers. The massive oaf holding on to his arms released him.
Jorgen ran up the stairs. When he reached the top, he called, “Odette!”
From somewhere on the other side of the door, someone was calling her name. “Odette!”
“It’s Jorgen!” How had he found them? How did he know she was there? “Here!” she yelled at the door. “We are here!”
“Where? Where are you?” His voice sounded strong and calm, but urgent.
Odette kept calling to him so he could follow her voice. Her heart beat fast and hard. Were they allowing him to release her and Kathryn? Or would the guards try to stop him?
His footsteps grew close. “Here! We are in here!” She heard the bar scraping, wood on wood, and then the door swung open. Jorgen’s face was tense, his brows drawn together and his fists raised, as if ready to punch someone.
He stepped one foot over the threshold and she threw her arms around him. She buried her face in his shoulder, but only for a moment. He held on to her arms as he stared down at her face. “Are you unhurt?”
“Ja, ja, we are well. But we should go.” She turned to fetch Kathryn, who stood behind her.
“Go on and leave me here.” Her face crumpled. “Go on.”
“We are not leaving without you.” Odette grabbed Kathryn’s arm.
“My things.” Kathryn pulled away and sank to her knees beside the bed. She pulled out a bundle, which she tucked under her arm.
“Come.” Jorgen motioned for them to follow him out the door.
Odette held her breath, waiting to see if Kathryn would go with them. She stepped forward, and Odette let her go out the door behind Jorgen.
Jorgen turned to the right, heading toward the front stairs.
“Are we not going out the back way through the kitchen?” Kathryn asked.
“No. They are going to let us go through the front door.” Jorgen’s voice was resolute.
Odette’s stomach sank. Would they have to fight their way out?
“They will never let me leave.” Kathryn’s shrill voice threatened tears. “Leave me here.”
“No. They will allow you to leave.”
Kathryn held on to his sleeve and Odette held on to Kathryn’s arm as they made their way to the other end of the corridor and the top of the stairs. Without hesitating, Jorgen started down.