A Scandalous Adventure (8 page)

Max made a strangled noise.

Lady Augusta ignored him and continued, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Or one might say that the fault lies with whoever made the decisions that led to the unrest in the country, which in turn made an alliance with Hechingen so necessary. That, I gather, would be Hugo's father, Count Herzlos.”

“Or Prince Conrad,” put in Lady Olivia regretfully, “for failing to take charge of the country himself.”

“At this point it no longer matters who is to blame,” said Susannah. “But if we run away, we leave the field to Horrible Hugo and Helga the Hag. It may sound petty, but I cannot bear the thought of letting them win.”

“Neither can I,” said Olivia. “Imagine her setting herself up to give orders to the princess. I know I'm not, really, but she didn't know that.”

“Stop that!” Max was outraged. “You cannot turn this into a joke by giving them silly names. These people are dangerous. You must not forget that at least one man has already been killed.”

“True enough,” said Susannah, “but silly names remind us that they are not infallible. If they were, we would not be here and they would not be so confused. And I refuse to let them drive me away as if I were some timid little mouse.”

“Bravo!” said Lady Augusta, beaming a smile at Susannah. “I knew you had it in you. No child of your parents could be a coward.”

“You don't understand.” Max rubbed the back of his neck as he shook his head. “During the riots in '48, when Prince Conrad's parents were killed… If Conrad had died as well, Count Herzlos would be the prince now and Hugo would be his heir.”

“Ah,” said Susannah. “Hugo looks at Conrad and thinks, ‘There but for the grace of God go I.'”

Max glared at her. “It is not funny. And then there is Helga.” He paused.

“Can women rule here?” asked Olivia. “Could she be the princess?”

“She thought at one point that she might be. There was talk of a marriage between her and Conrad.” A corner of Max's mouth twitched up. “I'm not sure where the talk started.”

“So there is personal animosity here as well as ambition.” Lady Augusta frowned. “A dangerous combination, but one I have encountered before. We need only keep our wits about us.”

Olivia was frowning. “It does all seem a bit unfair.”

“Unfair?” Susannah looked confused.

“Yes. I mean, the way their father kept ignoring them or dismissing them as unimportant, when the baroness would probably have made a very good princess. She's so beautiful and regal. I'm sure she looks more like a princess than I do.” Olivia lifted an apologetic shoulder.

Max snorted. “She would have eaten Conrad alive.”

Susannah swung around on him in annoyance. “That is a criticism of Conrad, not of Helga. Or do you think a woman must never have any ambition?”

“No, of course not,” Max said quickly, though he was inclined to think so. But he didn't want to argue with Susannah about that.

Olivia was continuing on her own line of thought. “In fact, the count seemed to deliberately humiliate both his children. That isn't right. You can hardly blame them for resenting it. I feel rather sorry for them.”

That won Susannah's attention. “Olivia, stop that right now. They do not deserve your sympathy. Your own parents were far worse—the best that can be said of them is that they generally neglected you—but you don't go around kidnapping people or getting them killed.”

“Well, of course not.” Olivia looked horrified at the suggestion.

“Quite right,” said Lady Augusta. “You can feel sorry for them after we have stopped them.”

And that was that as far as the ladies were concerned. Struggle as he might, argue as he could, Max could not budge them from their purpose. It was a battle he could not win. He had expected Susannah to see that it would be far more sensible for them to leave immediately. Although he admired her courage, the thought of her in danger tied knots in his gut.

There was nothing he could do except try to see to their protection. He would bring some of his own people to the castle to serve them and to stand guard at the door. They agreed to keep together and to be cautious about allowing anyone into their rooms. A promise to be on their guard was the most he could get from them.

There was to be a grand ball in four days' time to celebrate the princess's arrival, and three weeks after that, the betrothal would be solemnized in the cathedral. Prince Gottfried was expected to be present for that occasion, and they could hardly expect their masquerade to fool the princess's father. That gave them twenty days in which to find the princess, get her into her proper place in the palace, and somehow explain all of this to the prince.

The ladies seemed convinced it could be done.
Ha.
The more Max thought about it, the more impossible it seemed.

But that plan would keep Susannah here.

She should not be here. It was insanity to keep her here where she would be in danger. How could he be so selfish? He should insist that she leave.

But how could he let her go?

Susannah escorted him to the door. Before he left, he seized her by the shoulders and pulled her to him, holding her in a fierce embrace. “Ah, Suse, if you come to any harm in this, I will never forgive you.”

If she had been asked, Susannah would have been hard pressed to say just what she had expected after the dramatic events of the previous day. However, she was reasonably certain that a lengthy, interminable tour of the Nymburg castle would not have been high on the list.

She trailed listlessly behind the others. Aunt Augusta would probably tell her to stop behaving like a ninny, but Aunt Augusta was too busy flirting with the general to notice Susannah's behavior. Olivia would normally have asked what was wrong and fussed over her, but Olivia was hanging on Prince Conrad's arm, too engrossed in whatever he was saying to notice anything else. As for what her mother would say—Susannah did not want to think about that. Fortunately, her mother was back in England, busy spoiling her grandchildren, and had no idea what her youngest daughter was doing.

Susannah was not feeling neglected and ignored. Well, perhaps a bit. But not neglected by Olivia and Aunt Augusta. She was delighted that they were able to enjoy themselves under the circumstances. Really.

What bothered her was that after the tumult of the revelations last night, after that parting embrace, Maximillian von Staufer had simply vanished.
Poof.
He was nowhere to be seen. He had left no word of explanation. No letter, no message. Nothing.

Had she completely mistaken his feelings? Perhaps the embrace had just been a kindly gesture, designed to encourage her. That seemed unlikely since he had been trying to
dis
courage her. She did not think she had misunderstood, but it was possible that she had.

And how to explain her own reaction? It was not as if she had never been held by a man before. She was almost twenty-two years old, after all, and she had been out in society for ages. London was hardly a nunnery, and she had her share of curiosity. But never before had she experienced an embrace that dissolved her bones and set off fireworks inside her. Last night, however, when Max had held her in his arms, she'd felt as if she had finally come home, as if she was at last where she belonged.

This was nonsense. She had to stop thinking this way. She should not start thinking that it meant anything special to him or to her.

She should not think there was anything more than attraction in her feelings for Max. Not really. Just because he was so big and strong and handsome and dashing and laughed as if he would defy the world. Just because he made
her
laugh too. Just because his arms around her made her feel safe and protected. She gave herself a shake and straightened her back. This was infatuation, nothing more. And his determination to protect her? Lady Susannah Tremaine did not need to be protected. Her parents had raised their children to be independent and self-reliant.

She stiffened her back and tried to feel self-reliant. It would be easier if that melting warmth deep inside her would go away.

Given the heated direction her thoughts were taking, it was obvious that she had been reading too many novels of late. Tonight she would have to take up something dry and boring. Thucydides, perhaps. Greek history always put her to sleep.

Meanwhile, she needed to pay some attention to her surroundings. The prince may have thought he was showing his bride-to-be her new home—and from the soft glances that Olivia was resting on him, she was playing her part as the princess a bit too well—but Susannah wanted to study the geography of the castle. They had determined to stay and play their parts until Max and the general found out what had happened to the princess and where she was now. However, it would be wise to find an escape route or two, just in case.

Insisting on carrying on with this masquerade when Max wanted them to leave was not, perhaps, the most sensible thing she had ever done. She did not intend to examine her motives too closely. Even so, she was not so foolish that she did not realize there was danger in this enterprise. “Secure your line of retreat” was a piece of advice that she intended to follow.

As they ascended still another staircase—more marble and more statuary—to turn down still another corridor—more tapestries and more windows overlooking a courtyard—she was learning this could be more difficult than she had expected. Over the past five centuries, princes had been altering the castle and adding what seemed to be an endless array of halls.

The tour had taken them through the medieval great hall with its cavernous fireplace, stone floor, and vaulted ceiling. That was where the first ruler, a Hohenstaufen count, had held court. Then they had traversed a Renaissance throne room with its coffered ceiling and checkerboard floor. That was the work of the first prince, Rudolf. Now they had reached the seventeenth century and were admiring the intricately carved paneling with its acanthus leaves and grotesque animals. Above the fireplace was a huge carving of the royal coat of arms. The lions rampant on either side were as large as the real beasts would be. The fourth Prince Rudolf had presided here.

What she had yet to see was a way out that did not require marching through the public corridors, all of which were lined with footmen awaiting the orders of the residents of this complex. There must be discreet passages for the servants who kept the rooms gleaming, but the doorways for those were too well disguised in the paneling for a mere visitor like herself to find.

Eventually she realized that the basic design of the castle was not all that complicated. When they had arrived, they had gone through the iron gates of the castle walls into the first courtyard. The medieval wings surrounding it housed the offices of the castle staff in small, dim rooms with slits for windows. The only part of the medieval castle still in use by the court was the great hall.

The Renaissance rooms, serving various official functions, surrounded the second courtyard, culminating in an enormous ballroom dividing the second courtyard from the third.

Around the third courtyard were the private rooms, in what was almost a separate palace built in the eighteenth century. Their suite of rooms was in the south wing, while Prince Conrad resided in the north wing. Susannah asked and was told, reluctantly, that the Herzlos clan was also housed in the south wing, but on the lower floor.

She wasn't sure if a lower floor meant higher or lower status, but at this point she didn't really care. They had been walking so long on these marble floors that her feet were beginning to hurt.

Finally, Olivia noticed that Lady Augusta was leaning rather heavily on the general's arm and whispered something to the prince. He promptly invited them all into his private quarters.

These proved to be much cozier rooms, filled with comfortable chairs and with the draperies open to let in the sunshine. Even the paintings on the walls were cozy—genre scenes with rosy-cheeked children. Not particularly good ones, either. The sentimental sort, full of apples and woolly lambs. If Conrad was the one who had chosen them, his taste in art did not seem to be terribly sophisticated. Or he truly was childish.

Almost immediately a servant brought in coffee and cakes. This appeared to be the inevitable form taken by Sigmaringen hospitality. Susannah did not mind. The cakes, which came in an enormous variety, were delectable. There were sweet buns filled with fruit, sponges with cream filling, bundt cakes rich with almonds and raisins, and so many varieties of biscuits that she never saw the same one twice. Just breathing in the rich, sugary odor was going to make her fat.

Between the pleasure of being off her feet and the delight in sampling a new biscuit—this one chocolate with a filling of raspberry jam—it took Susannah a bit of time to realize that Olivia and the prince seemed to have forgotten that there were other people in the room. They were too busy looking at each other like a pair of mooncalves.

That could not be a good idea.

Susannah was not concerned about the prince. He was doubtless a nice enough fellow, but he could take care of himself. Her concern was for Olivia, who had a tender heart. Too tender. As if by caring for others, she could make up for the care she had never received from her parents.

Olivia must not fall in love with the prince. The pretense was one thing, but the reality would be an absolute disaster. Nothing good could come of it.

Susannah turned to Lady Augusta, only to discover that lady and the general equally engrossed in each other. Susannah raised her eyes to the heavens, or at least to the ceiling. What was happening here? This would be fine if they were safe in London, where they could all flirt safely to their hearts' content, but they were in Nymburg. Had they forgotten why they were here? Had they forgotten the danger of their situation? Had they lost all sense?

Was she the only sane one here?

She coughed. No one noticed.

She coughed more loudly. They still did not notice.

This was ridiculous.

She reached over and balanced Prince Conrad's coffee cup on the edge of the table. Then she sat back and stuck out a foot to jiggle the table.

Success.

The coffee cup fell to the floor with a satisfying crash, splattering the prince's trousers with a mixture of coffee and whipped cream. He jumped up. Everyone else jumped up. Olivia began dabbing at the mess with a napkin. Aunt Augusta fluttered and the general hovered. Conrad assured everyone that it was nothing.

Susannah rang the bell for a servant, who promptly appeared, assessed the situation, and began to clean up the mess. At least the royal servants had some sense.

“I don't know how that happened,” said Conrad apologetically, apparently forgetting that princes are not supposed to apologize for anything.

Susannah waved a dismissive hand. “One never knows what will happen while one is distracted.” She glared at Aunt Augusta, but that lady, whose age should have given her some notion of propriety, simply looked confused.

While one servant was carrying out the remaining dishes and pastries, another entered with a message for the prince. Looking delighted by the distraction, Conrad announced that Captain Staufer requested an audience.

Well, it was about time he put in an appearance. Susannah did not know what the appropriate demeanor was for a woman who had been passionately embraced and then ignored, so she decided on chilly indifference.

She tightened her lips and tried to appear uninterested, but she could not keep from immediately turning to look at him.

Max entered with a broad smile, saluted the prince, who seemed delighted to see him, and greeted the rest of the company. Their meeting should have been easy enough. A cool smile from her would have been appropriate.

Unfortunately, he was accompanied by a pair of huge dogs and one small one, along with a short, wiry man. The wrinkles on his face claimed he was an old man, but the vigor of his step and the twinkle in his eye denied it.

The small dog, which looked vaguely like a red dust mop, was on a leash. The other two, with heavy cream-colored coats and dark masks, stood calmly beside the count, observing the company with intelligent eyes. She had never seen dogs quite so large—their heads were well above her waist. They made the carved lions she had seen earlier seem positively puny.

Prince Conrad was regarding the dogs with approval. “A magnificent pair.” He turned to the others. “They are similar to the Leonbergers, but Captain Staufer breeds these himself. They are the finest guard dogs I have ever encountered.”

“With Your Highness's permission, I would like to offer one to Princess Mila and one to Lady Susannah, and the small dachshund to Lady Augusta.” Max turned to Susannah and winked.

Olivia looked nervous. “They are very impressive dogs, Captain Staufer, but…but they are very large.”

“Don't worry about that.” Max smiled in encouragement. “I also brought Josef, their trainer. He will remain until the dogs understand whom they protect and until you feel comfortable with them.” The old man grinned at them cheerfully.

Aunt Augusta looked at the small red mop. “Am I to understand that I am too old to need protection?”

“Not at all, my lady. Little Hans here is a ferocious guardian for all he looks like an innocent toy. He will bark furiously at any intruder, and though he may not be able to knock down an enemy, he will most certainly attack his ankles.”

“That is indeed true,” said the general with a smile. “They are very loyal, these dogs, and prompt to send out an alarm.”

While Lady Augusta, with the general's help, bent down to make the acquaintance of her small protector, Susannah stepped a bit closer to one of the large ones. She looked into a pair of dark eyes that looked calmly back at her.

“This is Lev. His brother here is Lezo.”

Max was watching her as he made the introduction so she nodded calmly and put out a hand. Lev sniffed it politely, and she was emboldened to scratch behind his ears. He seemed to enjoy that and tilted his head toward her. She ran her fingers through the thick coat and found it surprisingly soft. When she looked up, she found herself ridiculously pleased to see the gleam of approval in Max's eyes, but she concealed that pleasure by looking away immediately.

“You are annoyed at me?” he asked. “Ah, you thought I had deserted you.”

She looked up to deny it, but the words died unspoken. His eyes were not laughing now. They looked tender, almost caressing.

“I will never desert you, never leave you in danger. So long as it is in my power, I will protect you. That much I can promise.” He took her hand.

Her throat felt dry, and she licked her lips. “I do not ask for any promises.”

“No, you do not.” His mouth quirked in a slight, sad smile. “And I cannot make all the promises I would like. Not right now. But I will do all I can to keep you safe.” He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss on her palm.

It was just as well that Lev was so big. It was only the fact that she could lean on the dog that kept her from collapsing in a puddle as that kiss sped from her hand to pierce her heart and spread fire through her. It was an outrageous thing for him to do, here in a room full of people. Once she had begun to breathe again, she glanced quickly around to see if anyone had noticed.