Bound by Love (Russian Connection 2)

“We cannot be certain that this man is not keeping a watch upon you and your household.” Herrick’s jaw tightened. Sir Charles Richards would suffer for his effrontery. “He did, after all, manage to have a note delivered into your bedchamber.”

“Mon Dieu, do not remind me,” Nadia rasped.

Herrick regarded her sternly, needing her to understand the importance of his request.

“We want the villain to believe you are panicked and attempting to gather the money to pay the ransom. The longer you can keep up the charade the better.”

“And what will you be doing?” she demanded.

“I am going to seek assistance in the most unlikely of places.”

LEONIDA PACED THE CRAMPED attic with a sense of burning frustration.

The past three days had been a lesson in utter misery, beginning with the bone-jarring flight from the inn and ending with her and her servants being shoved into the attic of this derelict cottage. And just as disheartening was the knowledge it had all been for nothing. The letters she had sacrificed everything to acquire were now left miles behind, hidden among her scattered belongings that could be in the hands of anyone by now.

It could always be worse, of course, she grimly reminded herself.

At least she had not been forced to endure the company of Sir Charles since arriving at the cottage, and while there were always one or two guards to be seen prowling the grounds, only Josef had entered the attic to bring them cold bowls of porridge or lead them to the foul outhouse near the stables.

Still, she could almost feel time slipping away from her.

Shortly after their arrival at the cottage yesterday, she had watched from the window as three of the guards had charged down the road toward St. Petersburg, clearly in a hurry to deliver the ransom note to her mother. Once they had arranged the details with the Countess Karkoff…

Shaking off the morbid thought, Leonida turned on her heel to glare at Sophy and Pyotr. The two were huddled on the floor, refusing to sit on the narrow cot that was the only furniture in the dank space. They were adamant that Leonida be given the one attempt at comfort.

It would have been amusing to fret over the proper protocol when they were being held by a raving lunatic if she were not terrified out of her mind.

“Sophy…” she began, only to snap her lips together as Sophy gave a shake of her head.

“No, I will not do it.”

“Neither will I,” Pyotr added for good measure.

“Must you two be so stubborn? Nothing can be served by your absurd nobility.” Realizing the two would not be intimidated, Leonida sucked in a deep breath and softened her tone. “Indeed, if you managed to escape you could ensure that I am rescued. What could make more sense?”

Sophy sniffed at the perfectly reasonable request. “There is no point in arguing. Neither Pyotr nor I will leave you, and that is all there is to be said.”

Leonida pointed a hand toward the window that overlooked the side of the house and the surrounding forest. There was another window that overlooked the front of the house and the overgrown courtyard. Beyond the courtyard was a narrow path, but Leonida had yet to observe any travelers passing by.

“Well, we cannot continue to sit here and hope someone might discover us. This is the first time that the guards are out of sight. We might not have such an opportunity again.”

“We must wait.” Rising to her feet, Sophy futilely brushed at the dust clinging to her skirt. “Your mother is bound to find the money to pay the ransom and then we will be released.”

Leonida pressed a hand to her queasy stomach. “I wish I could be so confident.”

“But surely…” Sophy began, her words stumbling to a halt as Pyotr straightened beside her and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulder. His somber expression warned her that he agreed with Leonida’s suspicions. “Oh.”

“Sir Charles would never have allowed us to know his identity if he intended to release us,” Leonida said softly. “He would be ruined.”

Sophy pressed a hand to her mouth. “Blessed saints.”

“Now you comprehend why you must attempt to escape,” Leonida pressed.

“I will not leave you.”

Considering the notion of bundling her stubborn maid out the window whether she wanted to go or not, Leonida stiffened as Pyotr held up a hand in warning.

“Someone comes.”