Dimitry nodded as he stood beside her and looked out over the view. “The tsar wants to make it the biggest and most beautiful city in the world. Someday, people will come from all over the world to see it.”
Rose nodded and Dimitry motioned for the puffing guard to set the picnic basket down. The young man did as he was instructed before he retreated to a shady spot under a tree nearby. Dimitry reached into the basket, pulled out a patterned blanket and spread it on the grass. When she sat, he dropped down beside her and rummaged in the basket. With a grin he produced a bottle of wine and two crystal goblets. He poured a glass of rich red wine and passed it to her. Rose sipped it and admired the view. The sun was warm with little breeze to cool the air. Rose took a deep breath. The air was fresh, with just a little hint of spring crispness. Another bright colored bird flew overhead and she watched as it landed in a nearby flowering bush rubbing the base of her skull where a headache was beginning to form.
“Does your head still hurt?”
Rose nodded without taking her eyes off the bird who was now singing a pretty song to another one in the bush.
“Here.” He slid behind her, set down his wine glass and brushed the hair from her neck.
She jumped as his cool fingers slid up and down her neck gently massaging it. “You should not do such a thing,” she pointed out half-heartedly, letting herself enjoy his administrations.
He continued to work the muscles at the base of her skull. “No one is around.”
“One of your men is right over there.”
“So? He is sleeping.”
Rose glanced at the young man. With his hat pulled low over his face and his arms crossed, he did appear to be sleeping. The gentle pressure of Dimitry’s fingers loosened her tight muscles and the headache began to subside. She was so relaxed she sighed, closed her eyes and didn’t protest when he stopped rubbing her neck and pulled her against his chest. He reached around and refilled her wine glass. Perhaps it was the warm weather, the wine or Dimitry’s massage, but she was content resting in the circle of his arms.
His breath tickled the back of her neck. “This used to be my favorite spot when I was a boy.”
“Umm,” Rose murmured. “I can see why, the view is beautiful.”
“So are you.”
She sat up. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
“What if I am?”
Rose twisted around to look him in the eye. “It will not work you know. I will not be easily swayed by false words.”
He looked at her, the lines around his eyes crinkling in amusement. “I never say false words.”
With an indignant sniff she moved out of his embrace. “Oh, but you just did.”
“I did?”
“Yes, you called me beautiful.”
“You are beautiful.”
Rose frowned. “I will caution you to keep your honeyed words to yourself.”
He smiled, raising the glass to his lips and took a slow deliberate sip.
Rose looked away. The man is a rake in every sense of the word—a handsome rake.
Dimitry lowered his glass and reached into the picnic basket again. This time he pulled out a paper-wrapped parcel of cheese, sausage, and fluffy tea biscuits. He set the light meal down between them on the blanket and then took a small bowl out of the basket. He swept the lid off with a flourish.
“For dessert,” he said when she spied the chocolate dipped strawberries. “No self-respecting prince would seek to interrogate or seduce a lady without chocolate and strawberries.” He grinned.
She gave him a sour look and plucked a strawberry from the dish. The hungry look in his eyes made her shiver as she took a dainty bite of the sweet fruit. With a smile she licked the juice first from her top and then bottom lip.
He leaned forward. “Now who is seducing who?”
Her breath caught in her throat as he kissed the juice from her lips. She blinked when he moved away and popped another strawberry into his mouth. Oh yes, the man is definitely a rake!
She gazed out over St. Petersburg her thoughts and emotions muddled. Her feelings for Dimitry could not be ignored. At first she thought she was just attracted to him because he was handsome and strong, but deep down inside she knew there was more to it than mere attraction. What am I to do?
“What are you thinking?”
“I was just thinking how unfair life seems.”
“Where does it say life is supposed to be fair?” Dimitry asked with more than a hint of sarcasm.
He cleared his throat. “What troubles you?”
“I am engaged to a man that I can neither remember or like, it seems. Another man wants me for reasons I do not fully understand. Then there is the one I think I love who does not seem to be able to return my feelings. All in all, it does not matter in the scheme of things since the decision of who I am to marry lies in the hands of someone else. It just does not seem fair.”
Dimitry scowled at her. “Sergi wants you so he can blackmail your father, the king of England. As long as I have you and he does not, my country is safe. As for the man you think you love, he is in love with a lady whom he intends to marry one day when he has made his fortune.”
Rose’s heart sank. Dimitry is in love with someone else? Was that why he slipped them into the theater? Was he trying to hide her from a jealous lady love? He was just playing with her until he had enough money to satisfy his real love.
“It is time to go. I have a previous engagement this evening,” Dimitry helped her up and motioned for the guard who was now awake to pack up the picnic things. They proceeded back to the curricle in tense silence.
Chapter Sixteen
Rose started up stairs with the intention of resting in her room. Her headache was back. As she climbed the first couple steps her head began to whirl and her vision blurred. She clutched the railing, afraid she was going to fall, and closed her eyes.
“Switch costumes with me, Rose.” A girl in a Little Bo Peep costume asked.
“Why?”
“Edward and I are going to elope.”
She clutched her head with her free hand. My name is Rose. I switched costumes with Elizabeth.
“Princess?”
Rose turned toward the voice calling from the bottom of the stairs as everything went gray and fuzzy.
“Princess!”
When she regained consciousness she was lying on the floor at the foot of the stairs.
Victor knelt beside her, his expression worried, clutching her hand in his. “Princess?”
“I am not the princess. My name is Rose; at least I think it is.”
“Rose, like the flower?” He helped her sit up. “Rose who?”
Rose put her hand to her aching head, “I am not sure. I switched costumes with Elizabeth.”
“Princess Elizabeth?”
“I think so.”
Victor got to his feet and held out his hand. “What else do you remember?”
Rose shook her head and clutched his arm when the motion made her dizzy again. “Just that
Elizabeth was going to elope with Edward.”
He walked her up the steps supporting her with a strong arm around her shoulders. “Who is Edward?”
She could not help the sigh that escaped her lips. “I have no recollection of the man.”
Dimitry met them at the top of the stairs. “What happened?”
“She fainted on the stairs,” Victor explained. “She says she thinks her name is Rose and that she switched costumes with Princess Elizabeth.
Dimitry frowned at her. “I have sent a missive to the tsar. He sent a message to your king. Perhaps he can shed some light on the situation. Until then, or until you regain your memory, you will stay here.”
“—as your prisoner,” Rose finished for him bitterly.
He glowered at her. “Would you prefer a cell in the tsar’s prison?”
“What about my reputation?”
“You are either a good actress and a spy, or a lady of gentle bre
eding who has already crossed an ocean in the company of a notorious criminal. Either way I am afraid your reputation is already damaged beyond repair.”
Rose realized he was right, either way her reputation no longer mattered. They stopped outside her room. “What happens if you get no word back from the king?”
He pondered at her for a moment before he answered. “If you are found guilty of consorting with an enemy of the tsar, the sentence is death. As the head of the tsar’s army it would be my duty to have you executed.”
Rose gasped, a shiver of fright running up her spine.
“Dimitry!” Victor rebuked his cousin. “You can see the poor girl is upset, must you threaten her?”
“I was not threatening.” Dimitry's eyes narrowed. “Rest well, Rose, and pray the rest of your memory comes back to you soon.” He turned and left them standing in front of her bedchamber door.
“I do not know what has come over him,” Victor muttered. “Rest assured Princess, or Rose, whoever you may be, Dimitry will not execute you.”
Rose could not help but doubt his claim as she entered her room.
Dinah was turning back the bed covers when Rose closed the door and leaned against it, her terror making her knees weak. “Dinah, we have to get out of here.”
Dinah straightened. “Yes, Princess.”
“I am not the princess, Dinah. My name is Rose.”
The maid's face took on a pale hue. “I know.”
Rose stared at her. “You know who I am? Why did you not tell me?”
“I did not know who you were, just that you are not the princess.”
“Why did you fail to tell Sergi when he first kidnapped me?”
The maid looked down at her hands, twisting them together. “I was afraid miss, I thought if he knew the truth he might throw us both overboard to the sharks.”
“We have to get out of here.” Rose crossed to the bed and perched on the edge. “The problem is I have no idea how to accomplish that. I have no money with which to purchase passage on an English or French bound vessel.”
“Leave it to me, miss. A servant can go more places unnoticed than you would be able to.”
Rose nodded and lay down to rest her aching head. She napped for the rest of the afternoon, and when she awoke her headache was gone. Unwilling to endure another meal with Dimitry, she asked for a tray to be sent to her room instead. She picked at the food until finally, with a sigh she pushed the tray away and snatched up her shawl. Perhaps a walk in the garden would settle her. She nodded to the guards as she exited the palace. She still had no idea how she was going to make her escape with guards stationed on every floor of Dimitry’s home. Two more guards nodded to her as she strolled past them onto one of the garden paths.
The sun was going down turning the sky beautiful shades of purple and blue. The last of the birds yet to retire for the night called to each other as she strolled and she inhaled the subtle aroma of flowers carried on the soft breeze. When she came to the bench beside the tiger’s cage she wrapped her shawl tighter around her and sat down. The feline looked at her with those strange eyes of his, his tail flicking back and forth in a way which made her think he was waiting for something. She shivered, still afraid of the large cat, but at the same time fascinated by him.
Leaning back against the bench she watched him absently. Was her family looking for her? Would they know to look for her here? Surely when the tsar wrote to the king they would have already discovered she switched costumes with Elizabeth. Perhaps she had no family. Maybe she really was helping this Sergi character to take over the Russian throne. Could she be that deceitful? Before she could stop them, tears welled up in her eyes and she let them run unheeded down her cheeks. She was alone, confused, and frightened. For the first time she let herself sob. A noise on the path made her look up. Dimitry approached and she swiped the tears from her cheeks with her sleeve.
He handed her his handkerchief and sat down beside her. “Why are you crying?”
Rose stiffened regretting her short emotional lapse. “I do not know.”
The lack of the light obscured his features. “One does not cry without reason.”
“If I cannot prove my innocence you are going to execute me.”
“Then tell me what I need to know and all will be well.”
“I wish I could.” Rose began to cry again this time not caring that he saw her. “Do you not see? If I could tell you what you want to know I would, but I cannot. I do not even know who I am. I have no idea how I came to be here. I just want to go home, wherever that is.” This time the dam broke and Rose sobbed as if her heart would break. “I just want to go home.”
Before Rose knew what was happening she found herself cradled in Dimitry’s arms.
“I am truly sorry,” he murmured into her hair as he held her. “I want to believe you.”
“No, you do not,” Rose wailed.
He raised her chin so he could look her in the eye. “Yes I do, but I cannot. It is my job to protect the tsar and my country. Until I can prove to the tsar you are no threat to his throne I must keep you prisoner. I am sorry. I must keep you,” he repeated softly. His fingers stroked her cheek.
“Your grace, I…” Rose fell silent. Somehow she forgot what she wanted to say.
“You are so beautiful,” he murmured.
Rose swallowed, his husky tone unnerving her. In an unconscious gesture her lips parted and she trembled waiting for his kiss. She closed her eyes as he drew her to him, gasping as their lips touched. Something akin to liquid fire raced through her veins. I should not be out here in the garden alone with him. Instead of drawing back, her body melded into his of its own accord. Her arms found their way around his neck as he threaded his fingers into her hair. His kiss deepened and his other hand slid down to brush the tops of her breasts. She sucked in a deep breath as they tightened in response to his touch.
He groaned and released her. “Come, I had better take you back inside.”
Rose let out a shaky breath and shook her head. “I would like to stay out here for a while longer. I would not want everyone to see me with red eyes.” She sniffled, dabbing at the corners of her eyes.
“Very well.” He turned to leave. “Do not stay out too long, it gets cold quickly at night this early in the season.”
When she ignored him he shrugged and strolled back up the path. Rose wrapped her shawl tighter around herself and slumped back against the bench. Things were getting too complicated.
“Miss.”
Rose looked up as the maid hurried out from the shadows. “What is it Dinah?”
Dinah peered over her shoulder in the direction the prince had taken. “Come quickly,” she whispered, “I have found a way for us to escape.” The maid shoved a wad of cloth into her hands. “Change into this maid’s uniform behind those bushes.”
Ducking behind the bushes Rose tried to still her thumping heart. It didn’t matter where she went she reasoned, stripping off her gown and petticoats, it mattered only that she get away from Dimitry. With trembling hands she tossed the uniform over her head and tugged it down into place while Dinah kept watch for the guards. When she was dressed she peeked around the brush. “Now what?”
“Put this cap on your head and follow me. I am going to create a diversion by setting the tiger free.”
Rose gasped and then clapped a hand over her mouth.
The maid paused. “What is it?”
“You cannot let Ivan free! He will eat us.”
Dinah squeezed her hand. “I am going to lift the latch, fling the door open, toss in a chicken leftover from dinner and then we’ll run as fast as our legs can carry us. The chicken should occupy the tiger long enough for us to make the back gate. We are going to pretend to be the palace staff going home for the night. Whatever you do, don't speak.”
Despite the absurdity of the plan Rose watched with bated breath as the maid eased open the heavy bar keeping the tiger caged and threw in the chicken. Without looking back
to see if Ivan was eating his prize they ran down the maze of paths until they came to the one leading to the servants’ entrance. They had to wait only a couple minutes before a group of girls came along the trail and then followed along behind them. When the girls reached the back gate to the palace, they giggled and called out in Russian to the two guards who kept watch. Rose looked down at her feet as they passed by afraid they might stop her. As soon as they cleared the back gates, Dinah clutched her arm and pulled her down the alley in the opposite direction the rest of the women had taken.
In her hurry Rose dropped her gown. Dinah ignored her protest and kept jogging. At the end of the alley a coach sat waiting. The driver didn't get down from his seat atop the coach as they approached; instead Dinah reached up and flung open the door. She pushed Rose ahead of her into the dark interior. Rose scrambled into the coach, but before she could sit down a pair of hands took hold of her. When she tried to scream a hand clamped down over her mouth. Rose kicked and struggled as she was forced to the floor, hands twisted behind her back and secured. She kicked with all her might, but soon found her feet bound as well. The door slammed shut, and the coach lurched into motion as a gag was forced into her mouth.
Rose ceased struggling and lay there panting in defeat as it bounced down the street. After a few minutes the scrape and subsequent flicker of a match broke the silence. Someone lit the lantern above her head and trimmed the wick. In the shifting shadows of light Sergi’s face appeared.
He shook out the match and leered down at her. “Nice to see you again, Princess,” he said, malicious intent dripping from his voice. “You will not escape me this time. I have found a nice little cave for you. If you try to run away the tigers will eat you.” He turned to Dinah sitting on the forward facing seat. “Well done.”
Rose’s heart sank in the face of her maid’s betrayal. Why Dinah, why?
Sergi sat in the opposite seat, pulled a coin purse from his pocket and tossed it to the maid. “I have booked you passage on a ship bound for Spain in the morning.”
The maid gaped at him, mirroring Rose's surprise. “What? You promised me a career in the theater, Sergi.”
To Love a Horseguard Page 10
