Bound by Love (Russian Connection 2)

“Miss Karkoff is my problem and I intend to deal with her personally.”

“So you admit it is personal,” Edmond growled.

“This is not your concern, Edmond.”

“Damn.” Swallowing the urge to continue the argument, Edmond heaved an aggravated sigh. “At least promise me that you will take your servants.”

“I am capable of organizing my journey.”

Edmond tossed his hands up in defeat. “You do know that you have taken complete leave of your senses?”

Stefan smiled wryly. That was the one thing he was absolutely certain of.

“Go tend to your wife,” he murmured, heading to his waiting carriage.

Paris

LEONIDA HAD RASHLY PRESUMED that escaping from Meadowland without alerting Stefan to her flight or having her throat slit by the dangerous Russian lurking near the estate would be the most difficult part of her journey.

Stupid, of course.

Her choice to return to St. Petersburg over land rather than by sea had been the only sensible decision. Not only would anyone searching for her be bound to look toward the north, but she could not bear the thought of being trapped on a boat with nowhere to escape.

Unfortunately, she was obliged to travel in disguise and without being able to draw on her mother’s accounts she was forced to depend on what money she had in her purse. It also meant being stuck in Dover while her groom Pyotr haggled to sell their carriage, locate fraudulent passports and purchase tickets for the ferry, while Sophy searched the shops for a handful of black crepe dresses and veiled bonnets that would hide her from prying eyes. There was another delay in Calais as Pyotr found a suitable carriage that could carry them along the muddy roads that led to Paris.

It was little wonder her patience was stretched thin by the time they reached the outskirts of the city and a particularly nasty rut snapped the back wheel off the carriage. And that her nerves shattered completely when Pyotr informed her after the second day of waiting for the carriage to be repaired that it still was not finished.

She, Sophy and Pyotr stood just outside the limestone-coated hotel with wrought-iron railings and carved garlands above the narrow windows. The hotel could claim little more than reasonable rates and a proximity to Saint-Honor, but it was a

ll she could currently afford.

Besides, it was the last place anyone would search for Miss Leonida Karkoff.

“The wheelwright claims he should have the repairs done tomorrow,” Pyotr growled.

Aggravated beyond bearing, Leonida snapped open her black lace fan. The narrow streets stifled any breeze, allowing the summer heat to gather among the buildings squashed closely together. The unpleasant warmth made even her feel like wilting. Mon Dieu. She was barely able to breathe behind the thick veil on her bonnet and the heavy black crepe gown was beginning to scratch against her damp skin.

“But he promised to be finished today.”

Pyotr shrugged. A tall, solid man with a thatch of brown hair and matching eyes, he possessed a stoic calm that Leonida depended upon. It was, in fact, the reason she had insisted he travel with her from St. Petersburg.

“It seems he was called from his shop by the Marquis DeSavois who was in the middle of a race from Paris to Boulogne. The wheelwright only returned this morning.”

Leonida heaved a disgusted sigh. “I suppose a mere widow cannot compete with a marquis, no matter how idiotic he might be.”

“That does appear to be the case.”

“Very well.” Leonida wrestled back the frustration that coiled through her. What was the purpose in stomping her feet and screaming like a lunatic? Without the funds to purchase a new carriage, she was stuck waiting for the old one to be repaired. “It seems I shall have to tell the hotel manager we will not be departing after all.”

Pyotr twisted his cap in his callused hands. “I am sorry.”

“This is not your fault, Pyotr. It was nothing more than an unfortunate accident.” Leonida reached to pat her groom on the arm. “Go enjoy your luncheon.”

Still perturbed by the delay, Leonida watched as the groom disappeared among the clusters of passing pedestrians, headed for the nearby coffee shop.

“Now what will we do?” Sophy demanded at her side.

Snapping shut her fan, Leonida glanced back at the hotel. The mere thought of returning to her cramped chamber made her shudder. She was angry and frightened and so restless she could barely stand still.