“I believe these belong to your mother.”
Leonida slowly rose to her feet, her heart refusing to beat.
The letters. So, Josef had stolen them from her bag. How else could Dimitri have gotten his hands on them?
Now the question was, what did he intend to do with them?
She forced herself to meet his dark, steady gaze. “What do you demand for their return?”
His brows arched with an inbred arrogance. “I do not barter like a common merchant, Miss Karkoff. I offer you the letters with my compliments.”
Leonida would be the first to concede that she was innocent in the ways of criminals, but she was not stupid.
“You would not have brought me here if you did not want something.”
His soft chuckle brushed over her as he moved with the grace of a stalking panther to stand directly before her.
“Ah, such a clever little minx. I will admit that when I do someone a good deed, I expect the favor to be returned.”
“And what favor would you demand?”
He shrugged. “Who is to say?”
“I have little influence with Alexander Pavlovich.”
“Do not worry. It will be nothing that will be beyond your powers to provide.”
Leonida was not nearly so confident. Thus far, Dimitri had played the role of charming host, but she had not forgotten he had readily admitted to killing two men.
Did she truly wish to be in debt to such a man?
Even if it did mean getting her hands on the damnable letters?
“I…”
Her lips snapped shut as the door to the private chambers was thrust open to reveal Josef.
“There are men approaching,” the servant announced.
Dimitri was swiftly on alert, but his expression was more amused than terrified.
Clearly he assumed he was more than capable of dealing with whatever was approaching.
And Leonida suspected his confidence was hard-earned.
“Guards?” Dimitri demanded.
“A handful. Along with Gerhardt.” Josef’s gaze slid to Leonida, a taunting expression on his narrow face. “And the Duke of Huntley.”
“Stefan?” Leonida made a sound of staggered disbelief. The servant must be mistaken. Stefan was on a ship bound for England. And even if he were not, he had made it painfully clear that he had washed his hands of her.
Why would he put himself at risk to attempt to rescue her?
“Ah. It would seem your escorts have arrived. Be sure and give them my warm regards,” Dimitri said, shoving the letters into her hand before motioning his servant forward. “Josef, please accompany Miss Karkoff downstairs.”
Before Leonida could protest, the servant had moved to grasp her arm and began hauling her toward the door.
“Come with me, Miss Karkoff.”