Page 3 of Inconvenient Honor
“We met at embassy functions in Saint Petersburg,” she said.
“What is your relationship with Konstantin Volkov?” He ground out the words, skewering her with a gaze that would freeze water.
“I have none. We met at a function. That’s all,” she lied, tamping down panic.
“You’ve been seen in conversation. What is between you and Volkov?” he persisted.
“Nothing. There is nothing between us.” That much was the truth. Any “conversation” consisted of veiled threats and an attempt to get her alone. She had avoided him as much as she could.What lies between us is not the business of the Marquess of Glenaire.
The marquess’s face became a mask of concentration. She could almost hear the gears turning in his clockwork mind weighing her answers.
“Do you have me watched?” she asked.
“My dear Miss Thornton. You will have noticed this is no simple house party. The entire Ottoman delegation is here, as well as a sprinkling of diplomatic officials from across Europe. We watch everything.”
She had noticed. “The Ottomans,” she murmured. Delicate diplomacy indeed.
“I don’t know how Volkov got himself invited, or why,” he told her. “But I mean to findout.”
She would do the same in his position. She knew perhaps more than she should about Russian intentions.
“What did Volkov want with you here?” he asked.
“This morning he begged that I save a dance for him. I declined. He’s a terrible dancer,” she said.Easy, Lily. It is always better to stick to as much of the truth as you can.
“Tell me what you know. I will find out eventually,” he said. His graceful, long-fingered hands, splayed over knees encased in fine black silk, drew her attention.
“Miss Thornton, what do you know?” he demanded.
“Did I say I knew something?” she asked, eyes firmly on his hands. She did not look up. He wore a large sapphire set in hammered gold on his left hand, its intaglio design an elaborate coat of arms.
Cold beads of sweat dripped down her back. What Lily knew might interest the Foreign Office, but she dared not mention it.
“I will find out eventually, Miss Thornton,” the marquess repeated. He stood and took her hand to help her rise, drawing her attention back to his face.
A frisson ran up her arm at the feel of her hand in his. His knowing eyes never left hers when he bowed over her hand.My, but the man is gorgeous! Impossibly arrogant, but lovely to look at.
“Until later,” he said, and he melted into the crowd.
Lily stared after him. She looked in vain for the circle of admirers she had worked hard to cultivate.Damn you, Glenaire! I’ll have to start over.
A hand snaked out from behind her and clamped on her arm.
“My dance, I believe,” Volkov said in a voice that just avoided being a snarl. He pulled her arm over his in a mockery of a gentleman’s protection and held it there. “Smile, Lilias. Walk with me.”
The iron grip tightened. She had no choice.
“Darling Lilias, it is good to meet you again,” he said loud enough for bystanders to hear. “Smile!” he hissed.
Lily put one foot in front of the other and tried to do as he ordered. He leaned toward her, mimicking a lover’s concern.
“Your father must miss you,” he murmured in her ear. “Do you know he walks out every evening after dinner since you left?”He has Papa watched—of course he does.She shivered.
“What do you want?” she whispered back between clenched teeth.
“Why, the pleasure of your company. You’ve run from me all week. You will talk to me now.”
Lily’s knees threatened to buckle when he led her to French doors and out into the shadows.
