Love and Triumph: The Coltrane Saga, Book 8 (11 page)

“Right. He has his orders and knows what is to be done.”

Rudolf felt annoyed. The abduction and ransom had been
his
idea, and now it appeared he was being pushed aside. With barely contained bitterness, he asked, “After it’s over, what will the Zealots and Bolsheviks want from me then?”

“Your orders are to proceed to marry Marilee Mikhailonov as quickly as possible to keep her here. Let nothing stand in your way. She cannot leave Switzerland.”

Rudolf’s laugh was mocking. “That’s easier said than done, Hanisch. It may come as a shock to you and everyone else, but the young lady is not willing to marry me for the moment. I have a plan, however, and—”

“Make it work, dammit!” Hanisch growled, grabbing the front of his shirt and giving him a shake. His eyes were stormy, narrowed, as he hoarsely whispered, “You haven’t heard the rest of why I was summoned! Word has just come that Drakar Mikhailonov has escaped with a large portion of the Czar’s personal wealth. It was smuggled to him by a cousin of the Czar, a woman, said to be in love with him. She was captured but refused to tell where he was going, but we do know the money was to be used to try and buy freedom for the Imperial family.”

He released Rudolf, who instinctively stepped back out of his reach.

“Mikhailonov, we have been told by one of our informants, was seen on the Imperial train at Pskov, where the Czar signed the formal papers of abdication. He was
not
on that train when it left for Mogilev. He has not been seen since, but it stands to reason that sooner or later he will get in touch with his daughter. That’s why you will marry her and keep her where she will be under surveillance. When Mikhailonov contacts her, our people will be ready to grab him—and the gold.”

Suddenly a voice came from the shadows: “A very good plan…if it works.”

Hanisch drew a knife from his boot so fast Rudolf did not see the lightning-quick movement, only the glint of steel as he turned in the direction of the intruder.

Cord Brandt stepped into the light. “You should make sure you’re alone before you start telling secrets, comrade.”

Hanisch bristled but laughed nervously to cover up his error. Brandt was right. “I thought we were alone. What business have you here, anyway?” He returned the knife to its hiding place with an equally swift motion.

“I came to look the place over, make sure I know my way around when the time comes so I won’t stumble in the dark.”

To Rudolf, he said, “I’ll need a diagram of the castle.”

“I have one ready for you,” Rudolf informed him.

“Good. It’s nearly dark. I’m going inside to look around.”

When he was gone, Rudolf felt compelled to admit, “There are times he makes me uncomfortable.”

“Why? Because he’s German?” Hanisch ridiculed. “Contrary to what they want the world to believe, the Germans are on the Bolsheviks’ side, Rudolf. They know revolution and the Overthrow of Kerensky and the PG are the fastest roads to peace with Russia. Maybe Brandt
is
a German agent. I’ve thought of the possibility, and if he is, so what? He’s on our side, he saved my life. Don’t worry about it. You’ve got more important things to do—like getting married!”

Hanisch was right. He did have important things to do…and tonight might be the time to start.

Chapter Twelve

Rudolf knocked hesitantly, afraid of what terrible situation might wait on the other side of the door.

Almost at once, it opened. Elenore, looking extremely harried and agitated, motioned impatiently for him to enter.

“How is she?” He was relieved to see his mother lying quite still, her eyes closed. “Is she asleep—or drunk?” he scornfully inquired.

Elenore irritably countered, “What difference does it make? I’m not going to try and get her up for dinner. You can say she’s sick…whatever. I don’t care.” She walked over to the faded velvet chaise and threw herself on it. Drawing her knees up to her chin, she folded her arms about her legs and stared solemnly at nothing in particular.

“Well, what the hell is wrong with you?”

She gave her long dark hair a toss, met the challenge of her brother’s angry stare. “How long is this going to continue? I’ve got my own life to live, you know. I’m sick of having to play nursemaid to her. I had no idea she was drinking so much.”

The fury left him for the moment. He lowered himself into a chair next to the chaise. “We were too busy to notice how bad she was getting. No doubt it’s been going on for a long time. I fired Ulda, by the way.”

Elenore was surprised. “Why? Mother will have a fit, you know. Ulda is intimidated by her tantrums, waits on her hand and foot. No other servant has ever taken so much off her. She likes that.”

“Ulda has been smuggling in her vodka for her.”

“How did you find that out?”

“I pretended I already knew, told her Mother had said it was her. She started crying and admitted it, said she needed the extra money she got to do it. We’ll just tell Mother she quit.”

Elenore gestured toward Amalia. “Just what do you intend to do about her drinking? She’ll find a way to get it herself. This is a fine time to discover she’s an alcoholic,” she added with a sigh of disgust.

He explained how it was actually working to his advantage.

She listened, shaking her head. “I’ll just be glad when it’s over. I’ve done nothing but tend to her all day. When am I supposed to have time to be with Cordell?”

Rudolf had toyed with the idea of not telling her Brandt was on the premises, afraid she’d create an awkward situation that might raise questions. Then he decided it was best to let her know, lest she see him and react the wrong way due to surprise.

“You may see him tonight, here. Don’t act like a fool if you do.”

At once she swung her legs around, sat up to face him, but he waved her to silence before she could start arguing. “He is here to observe, to find his way around the castle, in preparation for the abduction. He may have already left for all I know, but he said he wanted to go over every inch of the castle just to be safe, so if you run into him, don’t make a fool of yourself. Besides,” he finished, “you’ve got work to do.”

She clenched her fists, gritted her teeth. There had been men in her life before, but never one who drove her mad with passion like Cord Brandt. Being in his arms, tasting his kisses, was an experience nonpareil to any other. Thinking about his lovemaking made her want him fiercely, and the realization he was somewhere close only made it worse.

Rudolf suspected she was dying to jump up that very minute to go look for Brandt. “Listen to me, Elenore,” he said tightly. “Things are happening faster than we thought. There’s a lot going on, and I can’t have you getting in the way. Just do as you’re told because the abduction is going to take place very soon. We’ve received word the PG will fall any day, and Hanisch and the others want to leave for Russia to help the Bolsheviks take power. We have to hurry and take care of things here.”

Elenore had known that Cord might be leaving. She sensed he would not want to take her with him, and she really did not want to go, anyway. After all, while she pretended to believe in the Zealots’ philosophies, the truth was she enjoyed the comforts of the well-to-do, comforts the Zealots found so abhorrent. But as long as Cord was around, she wanted to be with him as much as possible.

“So just remember he won’t like it if you mess things up,” Rudolf reminded her.

She knew that was true. With a defeated sigh, she conceded, “What is it you want me to do?”

Rudolf glanced at Amalia. She was out, but he could take no chances of her waking up and stumbling downstairs in the middle of dinner and causing another scene. “We’ll just lock her in here. Her room is far enough away from Marilee’s that she won’t be heard if she starts yelling.”

“What about Marilee? How can you have her aunt spirited away if she hasn’t agreed to marry you?”

“Let me worry about that. You just go get ready for dinner.”

“What will happen if you leave Zurich?” She certainly had no intention of taking care of their mother the rest of her life.

Matter-of-factly, he declared, “We’ll put her in a sanitarium. That will be best for everyone.” He got up to leave, then paused. “By the way, I don’t want you lingering after dinner. Just say you’re worried about Mother and go check on her and then don’t come back. Maybe our Romanov princess will take a hint I want to be alone with her niece and retire early. Since we’re going to have to move faster than planned, I’ve got to have some time for seduction, don’t I?”

Elenore’s expression was piteous. “I’m afraid that’s a part of your plan you’d better be prepared to see fail, dear brother. Frankly, I think the only reason she agreed to this visit was because she doesn’t have anything else to do for the moment, not because she’s in love with you.”

Harshly, hotly, he informed her, “It doesn’t matter whether she loves me or not. She’s going to marry me—and soon. Who knows?” He gave a wicked wink. “By tomorrow morning, she may be begging me to marry her.”

Elenore did not have to figure out what he meant. “It won’t work, Rudolf. She’s not the type. Marilee is too shy to be seduced. She’ll run like a scared rabbit.”

He threw back his head and laughed jeeringly. “Do you really think I would be sporting enough to give her a chance to run?” He headed on out, then flippantly called from the doorway, “Just make yourself scarce after dinner, little sister, and leave the hunting to the fox!”

He stopped by the kitchen to make sure Gerda had prepared the special after-dinner cordials for his guests
—Zwetsch
,
a plum brandy.

And it was to be a very special brandy, indeed.

Jade’s drink would contain a drug made from the snakeroot plant, which would make her sleepy.

Marilee’s cordial would have a smaller dose, just enough to make her weak…and vulnerable.

And later—Rudolf smiled to himself—she would also sleep…but in his arms.

The shabbiness of the dining room was camouflaged by the use of mellow candlelight. Rudolf had Gerda inform Marilee and Jade that his mother would not be at dinner, and when they came down to the dining room, they both expressed concern.

Jade said they had no idea Amalia was so ill. “Perhaps we should make arrangements to leave, Rudolf. We don’t wish to impose,” she offered.

“I was afraid you’d feel that way,” he murmured, eyes doleful. “That’s why I hoped I could keep her problem hidden.”

Elenore breezed into the room. “She’s asleep,” she said to no one in particular and sat down.

Marilee could not resist asking, “Just what kind of problem are you talking about, Rudolf?”

He hesitated for effect, then, with a practiced look of humiliation, whispered, “Drinking.”

Jade and Marilee exchanged sympathetic glances, and Marilee said, “I’m so sorry, Rudolf. I had no idea, really.”

“Of course you didn’t,” Elenore cut in, wanting to be a part of her brother’s sham. “Few people do. We hope you will be tolerant and understand it’s a sickness.”

Rudolf concluded, “Yes,
that’s what it is, but please, let’s not discuss it now, and no more talk about your leaving!” He wagged his finger teasingly at Marilee, who was seated on his right. “Haven’t you realized by now you’re my prisoner…of love?”

They all laughed, though Marilee’s was forced. She felt more and more uncomfortable around Rudolf because she had about reached the conclusion they could never be more than friends and knew he would settle for nothing less than marriage.

“Don’t you agree, my dear?”

She looked up sharply. She had been so lost in the desolation of her musings that she had not heard a word he said.

He frowned, wondering what was on her mind that was so distracting. “I said tomorrow is a good day to go sightseeing in Zurich. You should be rested from your trip by then.”

“Yes, I suppose so,” she responded vaguely, as though she could not care less.

With a curt nod, he signaled Elenore to ring the little silver bell beside her plate that would alert Gerda they were ready for the first course to be served. He wanted to get on with the meal, get to the plum brandy—and the ensuing effects.

Though Gerda struggled to conceal her dislike for her assigned task, she was an accomplished cook, and Jade and Marilee were impressed by the sumptuous meal. Rudolf was counting the minutes till the cordials. But when Gerda finally set the little crystal glasses of brandy in front of Jade and Marilee, he felt a sinking sensation as Jade declared, “Oh, no, nothing more for me, please,” and Marilee also declined.

Nevertheless, he succeeded in keeping his voice less than hysterical as he urged, “But it’s a custom in our family to serve our guests this special brandy the first night. If you refuse, Elenore and I will both be disappointed.”

Elenore’s eyes widened, for she knew he was lying and quickly figured out why.

Good-naturedly, Jade shrugged and said, “Oh, very well, what’s a few more sips?”

Marilee followed suit.

Rudolf felt a flush of relief.

Elenore decided it was time for her to leave and excused herself, saying she needed to see about Amalia. Actually, she was anxious to meet Cord. She had finally spotted him slipping across the courtyard and into the garage, and had persuaded Gerda to take a note to him.