Sins of a Ruthless Rogue

“Has Prazhdinyeh re-formed?”


She tapped her fingers on the table. “They were never gone. Hatred of the czar won’t be stopped by the death of one revolutionary.

Someone else picks up the pieces and keeps going. I’ve been hearing about them for months.”

“Where? Who is behind it now?”

She waited a few moments. “You remember how this works, right? You give me something of value and then I see if I can help you.”

Clayton considered what he could give up. “They tried to kidnap La Petit.”

Daisy pinched her lip as she thought. “Did they succeed?”

“No.” There was no reason to tell her about Olivia.

“Interesting.” He could see her tucking away that information to be sorted out later. “Now, who their leader currently is, I cannot say.

But many supporters have been visiting the estate of Count Arshun.” She sketched out brief directions where to find it on the edge

of the city.

“What are they planning?”

“Ah, I do not know that, either. But it’s interesting timing. At the birthday fete of the Grand Duchess Ileana Narcosky later this week, a

portrait of the imperial family will be unveiled.”

“Why is that interesting?” The imperial family was always having some painting done while their people starved.

“It is of the entire family. Uncles. Cousins. Nieces. The artist traveled all over Russia for the past three years to gather sketches of

them.”

Clayton waited. Daisy never said anything without purpose. “It is said that the artist then painted the portrait under the czar’s

personal direction. Everyone is curious how the czar views them.”

“They will all attend the fete to find out their level of imperial favor.”

“Every last one. They haven’t all been together like this since the coronation of Alexander. Many people in my inn find that of interest.

”

Revolutionaries who detested the monarchy were stirring at the same time there was to be an unrivaled gathering of royals.

Daisy continued. “Now what I find of interest is, if the revolutionaries didn’t get Petit, why are you here?”

“They have something that doesn’t belong to them.” He could see her curiosity, but she didn’t press further. She knew when to hold

back.

She frowned. “Prazhdinyeh is different than before. More wild. Unruly. Unless I am mistaken, you don’t have your associates with you

this time?”

While he would have given much to have Madeline and Ian with him, he could save Olivia on his own. “I’ll get what I’ve come for.”

She shrugged, not overly concerned with his demise. “Dobre vecher.” She stood after wishing him a good evening, apparently

done.

He, however, was not. “You still owe me.” He pointed to the bullet hole in the rafter, a reminder of when the police had stormed the

inn. It had taken all the Trio’s skills to save her from execution.

Daisy paled. “You’re a cruel man to remind me of that.”

He didn’t contradict her. “I need supplies.”





chapter Five

Olivia pressed her face against the tiny pane of glass, trying to get a better view of the courtyard below. The carriage had arrived

this afternoon. Bright and new with a golden crest on the side. Count Arshun had finally returned, accompanied by a group of three

well-dressed associates. Two of them appeared to be young and one an older, portly man. She didn’t know where he’d been for the

past two days. Blin hadn’t known that detail.

Arshun had been followed by several carts full of long wooden crates. They were unloading them below. She couldn’t tell what was in

them, but the men strained under their weight.

Suddenly, there was a loud shout from the side of the courtyard. One of the crates had been dropped. Pipes? No.

Rifles. Muskets.

She stepped back, seeking comfort from the rough woolen blanket wrapped tightly around her since it offered little warmth. Blin had

fought to get her the thin gray scrap of material. Coal for the small stove in the room was out of the question.

The count was here and he wouldn’t expect her.

He’d expect La Petit.

She studied the distance to the ground from the tiny window. Even if she managed to break the glass and squeeze out, the drop to

the ground would kill her.

Perhaps that wasn’t a bad option. After all, it would be quick and her choice. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it, not while there

was any hope left.

“Blin?” He was still her best option for escape. He’d been kind to her, standing watch, protecting her from Nicolai and the other men.

She didn’t know if he slept outside her door, but he was there when she fell asleep and when she woke. Blin might not be smart, but

he was good at heart, if stubborn.

“Yes, baryshnya?”

She’d tried to get him to use her given name but he’d refused, insisting on addressing her formally as miss. “Have you heard when I’

m to see the count?”

Silence.

She pressed her face against the wood of the door. Blin never failed to respond. They spoke of his mama at home on the count’s

country estate. She knew of the farm, his dog, and his sister Oksana’s suitor, his babushka’s gout, his brothers’ constant bickering.

Silly, simple things. But they had kept her sane.

A key turned in the lock. She scrambled back, hoping to find Blin. But when the door swung open, Nicolai entered, carrying a dress

of fine blue wool. “You will put this on. Count Arshun wishes to see you at dinner.”

Blin had let slip bits and pieces of the horrors the count inflicted on his serfs. She wasn’t eager to see him. But dinner meant leaving

the room. And a chance to escape.

She must have hesitated too long because Nicolai pulled out a knife. “Unless you continue to claim you’re not La Petit . . . then I’ll kill

you now and save him time.”

She took the dress.

His gaze slid over her, and something like panic entered his eyes. “A maid will bring up fresh water and arrange your hair.” From

what she’d been able to gather, La Petit had been gloriously beautiful and skilled at seducing men. Perhaps Nicolai was beginning

to doubt her identity after all.

She prodded at the weakness. “I thought you were certain about me.”

Nicolai glowered. “I am.”

“Then why are you concerned about the count?”

“He is exacting.”

“I thought Arshun was your friend.”

Nicolai glanced over his shoulder. “I never claimed that honor. He is my leader.”

A maid appeared in the doorway and Nicolai scurried away. She should have been relieved he didn’t try to watch her undress;

instead, her unease intensified.

“What is your name?” Olivia asked as the maid began to unfasten her dress.

The maid didn’t even look up.

“I won’t tell anyone you spoke to me.”

Nothing.

Well, she wasn’t going to learn anything new from this girl. She used the time to try to think of a plan of escape, but all she could