Free Love and Triumph: The Coltrane Saga, Book 8 by Patricia Hagan Page B

haupt-bahnhof —the Central Station. Dressed in a red-and-gold chauffeur’s uniform, he looked quite professional. “I’ll wait at the baggage area for you to bring them to claim their trunks.”
    Rudolf spotted a conductor helping Jade down to the platform. Marilee was behind her. He waved, called to them, hurriedly pushed his way through the crowd.
    Marilee, stunning in a gold velvet traveling suit trimmed in mink, greeted him with a cordial smile. She lifted her cheek for his kiss, reached to accept his offered bouquet.
    He caressed her fingertips, his gaze adoring, devouring, as he fervently murmured in recitation, “‘If love where what the rose is…and I were like the leaf.…our lives would grow together…in sad or singing weather…’”
    Marilee’s smile remained fixed. “You’ve been reading Swinburne, Rudolf. That was lovely, thank you.”
    Jade looked on approvingly, reaffirming her opinion that Rudolf was the epitome of good breeding, background, class. Her eyes met Marilee’s, and she could not help giving a nod of consent.
    Rudolf presented the white roses to Jade, then began to lead the way back toward the terminal building.
    Jade held up a hand. “We have to wait for Carasia and Manuel. They were traveling in a coach car.”
    Rudolf felt a sudden stab of foreboding. “Carasia and Manuel?” he echoed. “Who—”
    “Oh, I’m sorry. Didn’t Marilee tell you? Carasia is my maid. She goes everywhere with me. And Colt insisted a bodyguard come along.”
    Rudolf felt the nerves in his jaw tighten. No, Marilee had not told him, he thought angrily. A maid and a bodyguard were the last things he needed around.
    Jade noticed the strange way he was reacting and gently asked, “Is there a problem?”
    Trying not to let his frustration show, he replied, “Yes, I’m afraid there is. You see, the castle is being refurbished, and while I’ve managed to have rooms ready for the two of you, I just don’t have anywhere comfortable for your servants. Can they stay at a hotel for a few days?”
    “I suppose,” she said uncertainly, quick to add, “I’m sorry, really. We should have made it understood we weren’t traveling alone.”
    Just then Carasia and Manuel approached.
    “I’m really embarrassed by this.” Rudolf displayed his most innocent expression. “But if we bring in two more people, I’m afraid my mother will be upset, and she hasn’t been feeling too well.”
    “Oh, it’s all right, really,” Jade assured him, then turned to Manuel and Carasia to explain the situation. She took money from her bag, gave it to them for their hotel and meals, and said she would be in touch.
    Rudolf was thinking that he could put them in the old servants’ quarters above the garage, where they would be out of the way, but the truth was, he needed a few days to make arrangements. Also, he would need to let the Zealots know of unexpected strangers being present.
    Anxious to be on the way, he steered the women toward the luggage claim area, asking how they enjoyed their trip.
    “It was wonderful, just wonderful,” Marilee exulted.
    “We had time in Zug to get off the train and take a taxi to the Fischmarkt for dinner last night, and the Bernese Alps seemed to be glowing in the moonlight.”
    Rudolf laughed. “You are glowing, my darling, as always. I’ve never seen you look so happy.” He leaned to give her an intimate wink. “I hope it’s because you’re so glad to see me.”
    “Well, of course I’m glad to see you, Rudolf,” she assured him. Then, not to falsely encourage him, was quick to add, “And I’m glad to see Switzerland again and looking forward to seeing Elenore. How is she, by the way?”
    He was momentarily taken aback by how she’d steered the conversation away from a personal note. It was not like Marilee to be so talkative, anyway. Usually, she nodded, shook her head, or murmured, seldom taking the initiative, but he’d first noticed the change at the wedding. He was not