Page 63 of Inconvenient Honor
“It is as I expected…more than I expected,” she said.
What does he want from me? He can inquire after my well-being without coming here.
“You are curious about this meeting,” he said, concern pushing good humor aside. “I will not make you wait. Messengers have come.” Concern gave way to a worried frown.
Every fiber in her body went on alert.
“My father?”Not Richard. Please not Richard.The vehemence of her concern for the marquess stunned Lily.Why should he be in danger and why should it shake me so?
“Our agent in London tells us he has not yet arrived there. We hope he is safe in Copenhagen.”
Lily prayed that was true.
“I came with a warning, however.”
She sat straighter, alert, and calmed herself.
“We have lost track of Volkov.”
“You had him watched, honored uncle?” Of course they did.Don’t be an idiot.
“After we confirmed his treachery in Thessaloniki and dealt with the traitor?—”
Lily shuddered, all too aware of what “dealt with” meant. She had unleashed it on him; she hoped it was swift. She feared not.
“—we intended to make Volkov aware his actions would not go unpunished. He evaded our people in Naples when they got close.”
They intended swift death for him also. He would run like a scared rabbit.
“Evaded, honored uncle?” she asked out loud.
“He ran from Portsmouth. We tracked him to Naples, but he escaped.”
“North or south?”
“If he is after your father as he threatened, we or your marquess will catch him. He is well guarded.” The old man shrugged. “We sent someone to Copenhagen also.”
Lily nodded, relieved. “He threatened to kill me, too,” she murmured. Both hands went instinctively to her belly and the precious burden she carried. Pregnancy had filled her with more fears than she had ever before imagined. She felt her skin go clammy.
“If he finds out where you are, which is unlikely, he might come here, but that is even more unlikely.”
Of course it is unlikely, Lily. Don’t be a ninny.
“I am safe here,” she said.
“Inside the Seraglio, yes. It is the safest possible place. My warning is this: obey the Valide Sultan. Stay within these walls. Keep Ahmet or another eunuch near you at all times. Never put yourself in the reach of strangers.”
“Of course, honored uncle!”
The old man seemed pleased. “No more foolish adventures, Lily,” he admonished.
Walking back, the Valide Sultan praised her answer. “I know you will do this, Zambak. Your intelligence drives your actions, not impulse like some silly girl.”
“Thank you for your confidence, Highness.”
“I have hopes for you here.”
“Hopes, Highness?”
