Love and Triumph: The Coltrane Saga, Book 8 (9 page)

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 sure he liked it. “She’s fine,” he said crisply, “and looking forward to seeing you, too.”

They reached the baggage claim area, and when Marilee and Jade pointed to only one wardrobe trunk apiece, Rudolf frowned. He knew how women traveled, and these two were not planning to stay very long if they had packed so lightly. Mustering a cheery tone, he said, “I can see I’m going to have to introduce you ladies to the wonderful shops of Zurich because it looks like you haven’t brought enough clothes for all I’ve planned for you.”

Jade said, “I can’t speak for Marilee, but I’ve brought enough clothes for my stay. I’ll be wanting to get back in case there’s word from Travis or Colt, and I don’t like leaving Valerie all alone, either.”

Rudolf was barely able to mask his annoyance as he lightly warned, “I’m just going to have to make sure you have such a wonderful time, Princess, that I can change your mind. The snows will come soon, and then you’ll see what a wonderland Switzerland really is.”

“She’s seen Switzerland in the winter, Rudolf,” Marilee interjected, noticing his irritation. “Besides, neither of us can stay very long, so let’s not ruin our trip by arguing about it, all right?”

Rudolf really did have to bite his tongue then to hold back an angry retort, because he did not like Marilee’s arrogance. Soon enough, she would learn who was in control.

“And please,” Jade said, gently touching his arm, “don’t call me princess where others might hear.” She smiled to let him know she was not angry.

He nodded to her, then signaled to Hanisch, who had been standing to one side and took care of the trunks.

“If you aren’t planning to be here very long, what do you propose to do with yourself when you leave?” Rudolf asked Marilee.

“I haven’t decided,” she replied absently, glancing about with interest as they left the station. Northwest was the beautifully flowing Sihl canal, a greenish-blue ribbon snaking its way through the city. She could also see the Platzpromenande, the public garden on the triangular spit of land between the Sihl and its tributary, the Limmat, and, beyond, the outline of the city’s large industrial zone.

Things were not going as Rudolf had hoped. Finding out from the first moment that their stay was not to be indefinite had taken the glow off the day. Dully, he handed Marilee her satin-wrapped gift of the gold bracelet. “This was to welcome you. It might as well be a goodbye gift given the duration of your stay.”

She sighed, exasperated. Jade probably regarded his behavior as that of a disappointed paramour, but Marilee had come to know it for what it was—pouting when something did not go his way.

“Rudolf, I appreciate all this,” Marilee said. “The flowers, the gift, but I didn’t promise to spend the entire winter with you. Can’t we just enjoy ourselves the time I am here, and not let the visit be ruined because we aren’t able to stay as long as you’d like us to?”

“Of course we can,” he said tightly, his smile forced. “Forgive a man who merely loves you, my dear.”

Rudolf checked the time. He wanted to postpone their meeting his mother. “We can take the scenic way if you aren’t tired,” he suggested.

“Actually, I am,” Jade admitted. “We can sightsee another time, if that’s all right.”

“Elenore told me all about the delicious teas your mother has,” Marilee said. “I’m looking forward to it this afternoon—and meeting her, too.”

Rudolf nodded to Hanisch and murmured they should take a direct route home.

Marilee knew that the concept of “castles” covered a wide range in Switzerland and France. The German
schloss
,
like the French château, could be either a medieval castle, a Renaissance palace, or even a large country house. When Rudolf’s home came into view, she termed it the latter. Regal, three stories tall, of neat, square-cut- stone, it was, she decided at once, delightful. A wrought-iron fence surrounded the property, which, being not too far from the city proper, probably consisted of an acre or so.

It was impressive, but not opulent, and Marilee thought how it could be made into a warm, cozy place. Now, however, it somehow appeared austere, cold…and neglected.

Hanisch turned into a side gate, drove on across a brick courtyard to stop at the back doors.

“Here we are!” Rudolf announced proudly, opening the car door and bounding out to help them alight.

Just then Elenore came out onto the portico and called a greeting. “So wonderful to see my future sister-in-law!”

Marilee winced.

Jade laughed.

Rudolf wanted to strangle her.

The two girls embraced, happy to be reunited; then Rudolf introduced Jade.

Elenore curtsied. “We are so honored to have a Russian princess grace our home.”

Rudolf shot her an angry look. It would take only one slip like that around their mother and all hell would break loose “I told you she doesn’t like to be called a princess.”

He spoke so sharply that both Jade and Marilee stared at him.

“You asked me at the station not to address you as a princess, remember?” Rudolf quickly said.

“But there’s no need to be upset with your sister,” Jade said, seeing Elenore’s discomfort. “How is she supposed to know that I don’t consider myself royalty anymore, since I’ve been away from court so long?”

“But the main reason,” she confided to Elenore, putting her arm around her shoulder in a gesture of friendship, “is that it’s necessary to be cautious these days about who knows I’m a Romanov. You never know who might be listening. I’m afraid my Russian family is not too popular with certain people right now.”

Maybe not popular, Rudolf thought wickedly, but certainly
valuable
!

They went on inside, and though the rear hallway was dark, Marilee could appreciate the architecture and asked how old the castle was.

“Maybe a couple of hundred years,” Rudolf told her nonchalantly. “I don’t know how long it’s belonged to my father’s side of the family.”

He motioned them to follow as he led the way. “As I told you earlier, we’re in the process of refurbishing. My grandmother had let the place run down, and it will take a while to get things as we want them, but eventually we will.”

Pausing to slip a possessive arm around Marilee’s waist, he whispered intimately, “I’ll be happy to have suggestions from the lady I hope will be mistress of my castle one day soon.”

Marilee stiffened, made no comment.

“Well?” Rudolf prodded anxiously, seeking some sign of enthusiasm…or affection.

She could only murmur, “You have a lovely home, Rudolf.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it.”

“And I’ve asked you,” she reminded him, “to give me time.”

He drew a ragged breath of exasperation and dropped his arm from around her.

Elenore took Jade to her quarters, and Rudolf led Marilee up to the second floor.

They walked in silence, and when Rudolf opened her door for her, he stepped back and said quietly, “If you don’t find everything you need, there’s a bell cord by the door, and a maid will assist you. When you’ve finished freshening up, I’ll be in the parlor on the main floor.”

He turned to go, but Marilee suddenly reached out to touch his arm. “Wait, please.” She felt compelled to explain. “I’m sorry if I disappoint you, Rudolf, but please understand that I won’t be rushed into anything. Maybe I was wrong to even come here.”

“No, you weren’t,” he quickly assured her, his gaze once more devouring as he reached out with firm fingers to clutch her shoulders and give her a gentle shake. She had brought up the subject, so he decided to take advantage of it, since he felt there was no time to waste. “Listen to me. You know I love you. And I swear I’m going to make you love me. If only you knew how I’ve counted the minutes till I could hold you in my arms…for this…”

His lips pressed down on hers hungrily, possessively, as he drew her almost roughly against him, his hands moving up and down her back.

She felt nothing but pretended to respond so as not to hurt his feelings—again.

And Rudolf could tell.

He tensed with anger. Dammit, he knew it was not his fault. He had enough experience to know women found him desirable. He had yet to bed a woman who had not seemed adequately satisfied afterward. He suspected Marilee was just one of those women he’d heard the famous Sigmund Freud lecture about—women who had mental problems that kept them from responding. Accordingly, seduction would be difficult, if not impossible, unless, of course, she were drugged, and he could certainly take care of that little detail.

He released her to save her further embarrassment. With a tender touch, he brushed back a wisp of hair that had fallen onto her cheek. Her “bob” was starting to grow out, and he was glad. He much preferred long, flowing tresses.

“I’ll see you downstairs, my love,” he said, and left. He was anxious to find Hanisch and discuss the possibility of moving faster than originally planned. Too many things could go wrong—Elenore’s nervousness might cause her to make a slip at the wrong time, his mother’s drinking could cause tense situations, but most of all, he was worried that Marilee and Jade would leave too soon for the Zealots to carry out their plan.

Marilee stared after him and knew that as long as she felt no emotion, she would never marry him, or any man. If it meant having to endure the humiliation of pretense when kissed or caressed, then, by God, she would live her life void of love.

And let the wine turn to vinegar!

Chapter Eleven

Rudolf hurried to the kitchen, where Gerda, Hanisch’s wife, was busy preparing, to serve tea. “Where’s Hanisch?” Rudolf asked.

She nodded to the door leading to the courtyard. “Getting ready to leave. He said to tell you he was taking the car—urgent business.”

“What kind of business?” he demanded.

“I’m not sure. There was a telephone call for him. A voice I didn’t recognize. When he rang off, he said to tell you he was leaving. I don’t know anything else.”

Rudolf dashed for the door, flung it open in time to see Hanisch turning the Fiat around. Waving frantically, he called out for him to wait as he ran toward him. Hanisch frowned but stopped the automobile. “I have no time to talk just now,” he said when Rudolf reached him. “I’ve been summoned to headquarters. Don’t ask me why. I wasn’t told anything except to get there as soon as possible. You go back to your guests. We’ll talk later.”

He started to ease away, but Rudolf slammed his hands down on the car door. “While you’re there, you better let it be known we may have to act sooner than we’d planned, with very little notice. They’re not staying as long as I thought.

“Another thing—a bodyguard came with them. And a maid. I’ve stalled bringing them here, saying due to refurbishing, accommodations weren’t available. I persuaded the princess to send them to a hotel for a few days.”

“Princess!” Hanisch sneered, then said, “I’m glad you caught up with me. We needed to know all this. I’ll talk with you as soon as I get back. But don’t worry about the bodyguard. He’ll come in handy to deliver the ransom note to the Coltrane family.”