The Accidental Prince. Michelle Willingham

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 gritted his teeth to hold back words he was going to regret. The freiherr was a dangerous man, especially when angered. And he didn’t know if the baron was aware that they had a son. If he mentioned the boy, he sensed that von Meinhardt would imprison him, as well. He couldn’t hide the fury and resentment on his face, his hands clenching into fists.

      ‘You’re dismissed, Captain,’ the freiherr said. ‘The sooner you find the princess, the sooner we’ll release your wife. And take you in her place.’