Bound by Love (Russian Connection 2)
Page 79
“I was not the first to approach the stable boy with questions regarding a young widow with a maid and Russian groom.”
“Damn.” A chill crept down his spine. “Did you discover anything of who was asking the questions?”
“A fancy silver-haired Englishman who possessed several large guards who the stable boy claimed terrorized the village.”
Stefan frowned, caught by surprise. “Englishman?”
“He was quite certain of that, although the man never offered his name.”
“This affair grows more confusing by the day,” Stefan growled. “What Englishman could possibly be interested in Russian politics?”
“Any number, I should say.”
Stefan shook his head. What did it matter? Whoever this Englishman might be, he would not be allowed to harm Leonida. Not even if Stefan had to rip his damned heart out of his chest.
“When did he pass through here?”
“Early this morning.”
A sharp unease clawed at him. If he were too late…
“We travel too slowly,” he snapped. “We will never catch Leonida at this pace.”
“We know she is headed to St. Petersburg. It would be much quicker if we were not forced to halt at every village to inquire if Miss Karkoff has passed through.”
“No,” he swiftly dismissed the suggestion. “Her enemies are too close. We cannot risk losing her trail.”
Boris smiled. “You are concerned for a thief and a deceiver?”
Stefan made no effort to disguise his resolve. “She is mine and I will have her.”
A beat passed as Boris considered what his master, Lord Summerville, would desire him to do. Then, obviously deciding that nothing short of knocking Stefan unconscious and hauling him back to England would halt him, he heaved a resigned sigh.
“Not at this pace, you won’t.”
“True.” Stefan turned his head to regard the nearby stables.
“What are you scheming?”
“I want you to hire a mount. I prefer dependability to beauty.”
“And then?”
“Then I desire you to travel with my servants to St. Petersburg. I shall meet you there.”
“No.”
Stefan turned back to discover Boris scowling at him with his arms folded across his barrel chest.
“I beg your pardon?” he said silkily.
“Lord Summerville threatened to have me gelded if I allowed you out of my sight,” Boris muttered, refusing to back down. “I have already failed you once, it will not happen again.”
Stefan’s expression eased. “You failed no one, Boris,” he reassured the large servant. “I have long outgrown the need for a nanny, despite my brother’s lowly opinion of my skills.”
“You may send your servants and carriage to St. Petersburg if you wish, but I am remaining with you.”
“And you do not believe that Janet will do her own share of gelding if I allow anything to happen to you?”