“No, but it describes his devoted servant.”
Realization hit Stefan like a blow. “Josef.”
“Yes.”
Turning, Stefan slammed his fist into a nearby brick wall, indifferent to the shock of pain that raced up his arm. His thoughts were consumed with the horror of Leonida being in the clutches of the lethal madman.
Boris grabbed his arm, as if afraid that Stefan might do himself more damage.
“We will find her, Huntley.”
“How?” Stefan whirled back, a violent fear shuddering through his body. “We do not even know where to begin the search. Sir Charles could have taken her anywhere.”
“I will return and question the neighbors,” Pyotr abruptly decided. “Perhaps one of them noticed something that will be of assistance.”
Stefan gave an absent nod. Knowing the curiosity of most neighbors, it was worth the attempt.
“Very well.”
Leaping back into his saddle, Pyotr glanced down at Stefan.
“What do you intend to do?”
Stefan grimaced. Did he truly have a choice? He was not about to race around blindly, simply hoping to stumble across Leonida. No. He needed assistance, and there was only one man in the position to help.
“I am going to find Gerhardt.”
The groom allowed a whisper of hope to ease his grim expression. “You believe he knows where Sir Charles is hidden?”
“If he does not, he at least has the ability to gather enough soldiers to search the city. House by house, if necessary.”
PERCHED ON THE EDGE of the settee, Leonida sipped her tea from a cup made of Wedgewood china and allowed her gaze to roam over the elegant parlor.
She could sense Dimitri Tipova regarding her with an unwavering interest, but she was still attempting to reconcile the sophisticated decor that currently surrounded her with the shabby exterior of the warehouse. Who could ever suspect that such a place would hide priceless Rembrandts and a collection of jade figurines that would make her mother swoon with pleasure? And the books…even from a distance she could tell they were well-worn with use rather than simply put on display.
Dimitri Tipova was proving to be an astonishingly complex man.
And a dangerous one, a voice whispered in the back of her mind. She would be a fool to allow his smooth charm to lull her into a sense of complacency. She sensed he could be as ruthless and cold-blooded as Sir Charles in his own way.
“More tea?”
Setting aside the cup, Leonida warily returned her attention to the gentleman negligently sprawled on a chair directly opposite her.
“Thank you, no.” She ran her damp hands down her skirt. There was no means to hide her fear. “Please, will you tell me why you have brought me here?”
“Of course, ma belle,” he murmured, glancing toward the door leading to the private chambers. “That will be all, Josef.”
The scarred servant lifted a brow. “You are certain? She is a tiny thing, but she is cunning.”
Dimitri chuckled, seemingly content to have his commands questioned. A rare quality for most leaders.
Indeed, the only other gentleman she had encountered who treated his servants with such respect was Stefan.
Leonida crushed the thought of the Duke the moment it flared painfully through her mind. She dare not be distracted. Not now.
On this occasion, she could depend upon no one but herself to survive this encounter. Stefan would not be riding to the rescue.
“I have hopes that we shall soon come to an understanding,” Dimitri drawled, interrupting her futile thoughts. “Keep a close guard on the road. I prefer not to be surrounded by the Emperor’s Guard without warning.”