The Prince's Bride (26 page)

When and if her husband ever arrived, any problems they might need to resolve would simply have to wait. There was the future of a country to consider. The prevention of bloodshed. The stakes involved were far greater than the relationship between a man and a woman.

There was no choice and Rand would have to understand that. He would have to help Alexei save his country, because it was the right thing to do. And because, regardless of his attitude, it was, in a tiny way at least, his country too.

She just hoped she could convince her husband.

It had been nearly three weeks, in truth closer to a lifetime, since Jocelyn had said good-bye to her husband.

She paced the long length of the opulent suite given her at the palace of the ruling House of Pruzinsky in the capital of the Kingdom of Greater Avalonia. Her rooms were decorated with the finest fabrics and the most elegant furnishings. Plush carpets lay beneath her feet and magnificent paintings hung on the walls. Alexei had even provided her with a wardrobe worthy of, well, a princess. She had, in truth, everything she’d ever dreamed of.

Except her prince.

Where was Rand? Shouldn’t he have been there by now?

If indeed he was coming at all?

She’d expected him to appear every day of their more than two-week journey, and thought certainly he would arrive any minute in the three days since they’d reached the palace. It was becoming harder to ignore the terrifying thought that he might have decided she was not worth following. Or worse, that something had happened to him along the way. She would never forgive herself in either case.

She stepped to the window that overlooked the stunning vista of the mountains and valleys of Avalonia. She scarcely ever took her spectacles off now, and relished the ability to see. Under other circumstances she could quite enjoy her stay. For one thing, everyone here called her
princess,
which was ever so much fun. She’d even become friends with Countess Lenosky, who wasn’t as timid as Jocelyn had thought once she got to know her.

Among those she didn’t particularly warm to was Alexei’s chief adviser, the Count Borloff. He’d accompanied Alexei to England and had returned with them, although Jocelyn hadn’t actually been introduced until their arrival in Avalonia. His manner was polite enough, and he was certainly attractive, but time and again she’d caught him studying her when he’d thought she wasn’t looking. They’d scarcely exchanged more than a few words, yet she took an instant dislike to him and suspected the feeling was mutual.

And she didn’t trust the Princess Valentina one bit. Alexei’s cousin was beautiful, but the look in her eye was cold and calculating. Jocelyn could well believe this was a woman who would not hesitate to do whatever necessary to achieve her ends—including murder. And Jocelyn was certain the princess would indeed enjoy it.

Jocelyn learned Alexei’s younger brother and sister had been sent out of the country for their own safety but she did have a brief audience with the king, who was still confined to bed. His physicians said he would fully recover his health and the knowledge seemed to ease Alexei’s burden, although he was essentially running the country, and Jocelyn knew it was not easy.

She and Alexei had spent a great deal of time in conversation while on the journey there. Jocelyn was right: Alexei did need a friend and a confidant. Exactly what he’d found in her. He confided his ambitions for his country, his hopes, his dreams. He confessed his fears as well. About Avalonia’s survival as an independent nation, the need to modernize, and his own ability to rule. They talked about politics and the world and the future. The more time she spent with Alexei, the more she thought he would one day make an excellent king. A leader his country could depend on. A man his cousin could be proud of.

She leaned against the window frame and gazed into the distance. She would give her husband until the end of the week, and if he had still not arrived, she’d return to England herself and drag him back here. Whether he wanted to come or not. Whether he wanted her or not.

A knock sounded at the door.

“Come in.”

The door opened and Countess Lenosky stepped inside without so much as a moment of hesitation. “Your Highness—”

Jocelyn bit back a grin at the title.

“—we have had word from the border. Your husband—”

Jocelyn’s heart leapt.
Rand
!

“—will be here any moment.” The countess smiled. “I would suggest—”

Jocelyn was out the door before the other woman could finish her sentence. She headed toward the grand chamber where Alexei met with visitors and members of the court, raced through the long corridor, flew down the nearest stairway and straight into Count Borloff.

“His Highness wishes to inform you of the imminent arrival of your husband.” Borloff’s voice was cool but his gaze was intense. Dislike and an odd touch of apprehension washed through her. “But I see you are already aware of that.”

“Yes, thank you.” Jocelyn forced a pleasant smile and tried to step around him. “Now, if you don’t mind—”

“His Highness also suggests you might prefer a more private meeting place in which to greet your husband.” He directed her from the main corridor into a smaller hall. “I am to escort you.”

“How thoughtful.” Alexei had proven to be most thoughtful even if she would have preferred he send someone other than Borloff to accompany her. “Where are we going?”

“A parlor in the prince’s private apartments.‘ He took another turn and another, then went down a flight of steps, the hallways they passed through progressively less crowded, older in appearance, and obviously far less used.

“He certainly does like his privacy,” she murmured.

“Indeed he does,” Borloff said curtly.

She’d never been in this part of the palace and would be hard pressed to find her way back. Of course she’d have Rand to help her. Still, the secluded nature of the hall, the fact that they hadn’t seen another person for several minutes, and Borloff at her side all combined to send a shiver of unease up her spine.

Her step slowed. “Perhaps it would be best if—”

“Here we are.” Borloff pushed open a door and stepped aside, allowing Jocelyn to enter first. She walked into a fair-sized room, sparsely appointed with a pair of loveseats and a handful of chairs and tables against pale silk-paneled walls, bordered with carved moldings. It was elegant enough but there was an odd, unoccupied feel to it. It was not the sort of room she’d imagined Alexei would prefer. She stepped farther in and heard the door close behind her, followed by the faint but distinct click of a key turning in a lock.

Her heart lodged in her throat with the certain knowledge that her instincts about Borloff were right. She had no idea what he was up to but it was obviously no good. She turned toward him with a calm she didn’t feel and an imperious tone any princess would envy. “What are you doing? Unlock that door at once.”

“I am ensuring privacy, precisely as His Highness commanded.” Borloff stood before the door, blocking any possibility of escape.

“I don’t believe this is what Alexei had in mind.”

“Nonetheless, the door will remain secured. We will not be here for long.” A cold, speculative look glittered in Borloff’s eye. “I should have taken care of you myself when I had the chance. Now, however, you will prove useful.”

I should have taken care of you
. The comment caught in her mind.

“Will I?” she said with a calm she didn’t feel.

“I find it prudent to leave Avalonia at once, and with you by my side I should have safe conduct to the border.” He dropped the key into his waistcoat pocket. “I had hoped your husband would not arrive until after sunset. It would be much easier to slip away from the palace under cover of darkness, but even the best plans can go awry.”

“Yes, well, these things happen.” She tried to ignore the fear rising within her. Surely she misunderstood what he was saying.

“Valentina has already fled the country, leaving me to face the consequences of our little venture alone.” He heaved an overly dramatic sigh. “I should have expected it of her, I suppose. Yet I did so hope she would have a modicum of loyalty within her. It is never wise to place your trust in a woman who is both ambitious and clever. One never knows precisely what game is being played. As for you ...” He stepped toward her. “What game are you playing, Princess?”

Princess
didn’t sound so very nice the way he said it. “Game? I have no idea what you mean.”

“You know perfectly well what I mean,” he snapped.

What was he talking about? She stepped back, stifled her rising panic, and smiled. “No, in truth, I don’t.”

Borloff laughed. “Come now, His Highness has mentioned to me how much more clever you are than your initial appearance would indicate. You cannot play the pretty, empty-headed ninny with me.”

“No?” It was probably best not to confess she wasn’t playing. She laughed lightly. “I must have lost my head for a moment. I should have known I couldn’t fool you.”

“Yet you have.” He shook his head slowly. “I have not been able to determine your purpose in not revealing all to the prince.”

She’s seen us. Take care of it.

Realization slammed into Jocelyn with the force of a physical blow and it took all the control she had not to react. She should have known it sooner. Should have recognized Borloff’s voice the moment they met.

This was the unknown man plotting against Alexei. The one in the music room on that fateful first night.
The one who’d wanted her dead!

“I confess waiting for your denunciation has been most irritating, and it is my own curiosity on that score that has brought me to the precarious spot I now find myself in.”

“I do apologize.” She shrugged in a casual manner, as if her heart weren’t thudding in terror. “I simply did not think it was advantageous to reveal what I knew.”

“Advantageous?” Suspicion sounded in his voice. “For whom?”

“Myself, of course, and ...” Frantically she groped for an answer. “My husband.” Surely Rand had arrived at the palace by now? “I thought perhaps my information about Alexei’s most trusted adviser could be used to further my husband’s position here.”

He stared for a moment, then laughed. The wicked sound echoed in the room and chilled her blood. “Excellent, Princess. Not that I believe you.”

“You should,” she said in her haughtiest tone. The longer she could engage Borloff in conversation, the better the chances were of someone discovering she was missing. “I find I quite enjoy being a princess. My husband is, in truth, a prince, and would make an excellent ruler.”

Borloff raised a brow. “I thought he had no interest in the throne.”

“He doesn’t at the moment but...” She lifted her shoulders dismissively. “It’s impossible to predict how his attitude might change once he’s here and sees for himself the possibilities. And with your help ...”

“With my help?” He studied her thoughtfully, then chuckled. “I think not. I have already been duped by one clever, ambitious woman, and I shall not fall into that trap again.” He started toward her and she backed away. Terror clogged her throat and she wanted to run, but there was no place to go.

He stalked past her and stopped before the wall panel to the right of the fireplace. Jocelyn quickly surveyed the room in hopes of finding something to use as a weapon against him, but the room was too minimally furnished to provide anything of use.

Borloff studied the molding carved with vines and flowers but directed his comments to her. “Word has reached me that your husband has uncovered my involvement in Valentina’s schemes, and I suspect he will not hesitate to inform Prince Alexei the moment he arrives. Therefore it is in my best interest to follow in the princess’s footsteps.” He turned a carved blossom and the panel swung open into a dimly lit corridor. “This leads to a tunnel beneath the palace and ends in a secret exit in the forest. Only the royal family and a few trusted advisers know of its existence.” He turned toward her. “I placed a torch in here before I realized I would never be able to escape without a guarantee of safe passage. You.”

“How convenient for you.” She stared at him, and abruptly anger overwhelmed her fear. “What kind of a man are you? Alexei is your prince and, I suspect, your friend. He trusts you and yet you betray him. How could you?”

 
“The usual reasons, Princess. Money. Power. Desire for the wrong woman.” His expression hardened. “They are powerful inducements, yet not nearly as strong as my desire at the moment for my life and my freedom. Now.” He nodded toward the passageway. “After you.”

“No.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to stay right here and scream my head off until someone finds me.”

“Oh dear, I must have failed to mention a rather pertinent detail.” He smacked his palm against his forehead. “What was I thinking? You will accompany me, and you will do so at once”—he pulled a nasty-looking pistol from his waistcoat—“because if you don’t I shall be forced to kill you.”

“That would be pointless.” She raised her chin in defiance. “If you kill me, what happens to your safe passage?”

“Precisely why I would prefer not to. However”— his eyes narrowed—“you have been a great irritant to me, and the pleasure I would derive from your death would provide a certain measure of satisfaction.”

She had no doubt he wouldn’t hesitate to shoot. There was no choice. “My husband will come after me.”

“I don’t think so. I have taken steps to ensure he and Prince Alexei know why I am taking you with me and what will happen to you should I become aware of pursuit.”

Her stomach clenched. Borloff had planned his escape well.

“Nonetheless,” she said staunchly, “he will follow.”

“Perhaps.” His voice was thoughtful. “Although your disappearance might be ultimately convenient.”