came under siege â¦
âHow long will we be billeted here?â Petr asked, freeing her from her dreary memories.
âUntil the state visit is over, if I know the general. He is preoccupied with other matters.â
âA blonde or a brunette?â
âA redhead.â
âThat is something new for him to sample.â Petrâs chuckle rumbled along the silent hallway. âAll the generalâs appetites are well-renowned.â
Natalyaâs answer went unspoken when a door opened to spill light across the dark carpet. âSay nothing, Petr.â
âThey will understand nothing I say, even if I do.â His dark brows lowered in a fierce scowl. âKapitán, what trouble are we in now?â
âWe are in no trouble.â That much was the truth, although she had few doubts how Petr would react when he discovered she had been challenged to a duel. During their campaigns, he had been insistent that she should fight only when necessaryâand only against the enemy. The expediences of war had demanded that Grazhdánka Natalya change to become Kapitán Dmitrieff, but she knew, even though he had not spoken of it, how Petr longed to return to their home and the life they once had known.
Natalya swept all emotion from her face as Lord Ashcroft motioned for her to enter. He was not as successful in concealing his thoughts, for she saw his eyes narrow when Petr followed her into the cozy room. Did he think Petr was accompanying her as her second so she could face his loudmouthed friend over bare swords right here in his house?
âGentlemen,â she said cautiously.
Mr. Lawson stared at her, glanced at Lord Ashcroft, and then swallowed roughly. âCreighton has persuaded me to wait before issuing my challenge to you.â His tone was as strained as hers.
âWait? Why?â She looked at Lord Ashcroft who was smiling coldly.
âThat is something,â the viscount said, âwe shall discuss at length later.â
She nodded, although she was not sure what outlandish English custom this might be. In Russia, an insult was dealt with swiftly. âVery well. However, my offer to replace your coat remains, Mr. Lawson.â
âMrs. Winchell has been known to work miracles,â Lord Ashcroft said as he held out a glass of wine to her. âI think both you and Barclay shall discover she can clean the coat until it looks as good as new.â
âIf even a hint of grjazâ remainsââ
âWhat?â Mr. Lawson asked, frowning.
âMud.â She smiled as she heard Petrâs chuckle. âForgive me, for my tongue yearns for the words of my birth. If even a hint of mud remains, I shall gladly replace your coat.â
Mr. Lawson tilted his head as he stared at her. âMayhap that is not such a bad idea. Then I can introduce you to Mr. Hardy, who is my knight of the thimble.â
âTailor,â Lord Ashcroft supplied before Natalya could ask. âBarclay, you shall discover the count is unfamiliar with the cant we use daily.â
âA tailor is not necessary,â she said quietly.
âYou cannot plan to wear that heavy uniform during the rest of your stay in London. Mayhap it is comfortable enough for a Russian winter, but you will swelter in such thick wool here.â Mr. Lawson came around the chair and flicked a disdainful finger at the fur on her stiff collar. He jumped back as Petr growled under his breath.
âPetr, please do not make things more tense,â she said in Russian.
âKapitán â¦â
âServe yourself some of the lordâs wine and sit. If I need you, you shall be nearby.â
He smiled, his expression growing frigid as he stared at the two Englishmen.
Natalya was unsure what Lord Ashcroft might do when Petr poured a generous serving of the red wine and raised it to his lips. Although Mr. Lawson grumbled something, Lord Ashcroft leaned one shoulder against the mantel
Pati Nagle, editors Deborah J. Ross