Page 13 of Inconvenient Honor
“Go on,” Sahin prodded.
“A knock on the door. He went to answer, closing the door to the—the room we were in. Some sort of messenger had arrived. I heard them.”
“What exactly did you hear?” Richard asked; he tried not to think about the room they had been in.
“I didn’t hear it all, but I heard enough. Volkov has an agent in Thessaloniki.”
Sahin shrugged. “Agents everywhere. We know this.”
Lily shook her head. “This one is imbedded in the court of the provincial governor. You have a traitor who will provide support to revolution. When the time comes, he will assassinate the governor.”
Richard cursed silently. “At which time Russia will step in to assist the rebels,” he said. England needed stability in the region. Greedy Russia threatened all of Europe.
Sahin looked grim. “Or to assist my government—at a cost. Either way, Russia wins.”
“People will die in the streets,” Lily said hotly.
“What else did you hear,” Richard asked.
“Much sounded garbled, but I think Volkov acts on his own.”
“The czar’s foreign office doesn’t know?”
Lily nodded. “Volkov wishes to be a hero. He has the idea he will announce his brilliance after the fact.”
“Fool!” Sahin pronounced. He looked at Richard. “It appears our friends, the Russians, have more than one effortunder way in Greece.”
Richard nodded agreement.Volkov acting on his own has even more to lose if Lily betrays him.
“Did you hear the man’s name?” Richard demanded.
She looked from one grim face to the other. “You must promise not to act until my father is safe,” she said.
Richard nodded. He couldn’t promise for the Ottomans. The old man shrugged.
“Your father has been summoned,” Sahin said. “That must satisfy you.” He leaned forward.
She told them what they needed to know.
Sahin rose to his feet. “I will leave the two of you to discuss Lily’s protection,” he said. “I must travel if I am to reach London tomorrow.” He smiled fondly at Lily. “You did right, little one. I know this man can protect those you love.”
“I hope so,” Lily whispered to the old man’s retreating back. “Volkov will be merciless.”
Richard sat motionless.I have a duty to protect her. A duty.He knew and understood duty; he refused to acknowledge the underlying passion.
Lilias pressed both hands on the table and rose to her feet. “Too late now. Volkov will know I spent time with you,” she groaned. She turned her eyes to his. Green, he thought. Green and so luminous they light the room.
The desire to protect overwhelmed him. Richard almost drowned in the flood.
Lily swayed forward.
Chapter Six
Glenaire’s hand, which had shot out swiftly to steady her, lay hot on Lily’s arm. She batted it away.
“Too late,” she said. “Keep your protection.”
He rose to tower over her. “You doubt me?” Glenaire sputtered; he pinned her with a glare. “Your father?—”
