Free The Royal Assassin by Kate Parker Page A

deeper among the trees.
    I followed behind, translating articles of clothing, the sky, clouds, shade, and sunshine. The Duke of Blackford caught up to us and walked alongside me in silence.
    â€œIsn’t she the most clever lady?” Sussex finally asked.
    â€œI’m sure,” Blackford replied without a trace of irony in his voice. As the other two were ahead of us, they didn’t see Blackford scowl thoughtfully.
    The trail swung around and led us to a more public part of the park with a five-arched bridge over the Serpentine. On the far bank stood a small restaurant. After asking the English words for bridge and lake, the princess said, “I’d like an ice.”
    â€œOf course,” Sussex said and started toward the refreshment area with the princess.
    â€œNo. You go on and take your friend with you. I wish to continue my lesson with Miss Peabody here,” the princess told him.
    â€œCome on, then, Blackford. You can help carry the ices,” Sussex said and strode off down the path.
    Blackford gave us a deep bow and ambled off on his longer legs to overtake Sussex.
    I eyed the princess. “Well?”
    â€œI am meeting the cook from our household in Russia. Don’t tell anyone. Especially not Lady Raminoff.”
    â€œWon’t the men notice when they come back?”
    â€œThat is where you need to help me.”
    That sounded backward to me. “Don’t you mean you need me to help you?”
    She made a breathy sound like a “pahf,” then said, “If you say so.” She turned on her heel and marched behind the closest tree. I followed her and found the same woman we’d seen the previous day in the art gallery.
    Except that yesterday, she’d been a maid.
    They hugged quickly and spoke in low-voiced Russian. The other woman’s dress was dark green, making her hard to see among the trees and bushes.
    I glanced around, pretending to be on guard when in truth I was looking for Jacob, Sir Broderick’s assistant. I hoped he would follow the Russian to wherever she lived and find out her name. Twice Princess Kira had gotten rid of all her minders except me to speak to this young woman.
    Jacob walked toward us carrying a newspaper-wrapped packet of fish and chips and sat down on a bench where he could see me, but not the princess or the girl. We exchanged nods as he began to eat in neat, efficient bites.
    I waited until the dukes were fairly close before I whispered in French, “They’re coming.” Jacob had already seen Blackford and had appeared to leisurely wrap up the rest of his dinner before he melted into the trees beyond the princess and the other woman. More murmured words and a handclasp between the two women. Then the unknown blonde hurried away, past where Jacob, half-hidden by a bush, tied his shoe.
    Princess Kira stepped next to me and said, “What is that smell?” as she delicately sniffed.
    â€œFried fish. Didn’t you see the old man on the bench eatinghis lunch?” Jacob had by now disappeared as he followed his quarry.
    She shook her head. “Fish,” she said in French as the men arrived.
    I answered and she said, “Ices.”
    We continued with the lesson as we retraced our steps, Sussex next to the princess and Blackford and I following behind. Just before we were in sight of the bench where we’d left Lady Raminoff, the princess managed to switch partners without seeming to do so. I walked next to her again as we came into view around the thick bushes, now working on phrases like “How are you?” and “Thank you for a lovely time.”
    Lady Raminoff, staring in our direction, hopped up from the bench when she saw us. With frantic gestures, she spoke in rapid Russian.
    What now?
I wished once again that I understood Russian.
    Princess Kira replied in French, “And we shall return there soon.” She glanced at me. “The duchess and her household have already