Mad for the Plaid by Karen Hawkins Page A

windows, which were bolted closed. “Is it safe to talk here?”
    â€œThe grooms and stable hands are gathered on the far side around a stove, talking and laughing. They won’t hear us.” He smirked. “Just to be sure they are attached to their pursuits, I left them a bottle of vodka, which they like very much.”
    â€œDo they speak Oxenburgian?”
    â€œ Nyet. I insulted them every way possible and none of them so much as flinched. I— Ah, here he comes.”
    Apraksin had walked out of the front of the castle, nodding to a footman as if to indicate he didn’t need an escort. As soon as the door closed, he casually made his way to where Rurik stood by the paddock.
    â€œThat was bold,” Nik said. “Won’t they wonder why you left?”
    Apraksin grinned. “I asked if I could smoke in the sitting room. Lady Edana was quick to send me outside.”
    â€œLady Edana?”
    â€œThe Dowager Countess of Cromartie, Lady Ailsa’s grandmother.” The courtier pulled a small metal case from his pocket and opened it to reveal slender cigarillos. He offered one to Rurik, who took it with a murmured thanks. “I am here, enjoying a cigar, away from the curtains and rugs her ladyship wishes to protect.”
    Rurik pulled a tinderbox from his pocket and then made a spill of a thick twist of straw scooped from the ground. Soon the sweet cigar aroma caused Nik to growl, “Do you try to torment me?”
    Apraksin grinned and, glancing around, placed a fresh cigarillo on the fence rail. “There. One for you to collect after we’ve left.”
    â€œThank you. That’s something, at least.”
    â€œWe should leave vodka, too, since you gave yours to the grooms.” Rurik slipped a flask from his pocket and propped it beside the fence, near the cigar.
    Nik grunted his approval. “That will be most welcome.It will be cold in the stables tonight, even with the woodstove.” He moved to the front of the horse and absently ran the brush over D’yoval’s neck. “So. What have you found out?”
    Apraksin answered, “A ransom note was delivered this afternoon. Two hundred guineas were requested.”
    â€œFor both hostages?”
    â€œSo it seems. Our hostess is unhappy about the situation. Concerned, even. As she should be.” He cast a glance at the castle, and then added in a low voice, “From something Lady Ailsa said, I got the impression she hopes to pay this ransom as soon as possible.”
    â€œA foolish decision,” Rurik said around his cigar.
    â€œOxenburg does not pay ransoms,” Nik stated. “If you make one payment, then the abductors have that much more reason to keep their prisoners. And the longer the abductors keep the prisoners, the less likely it is they will survive.”
    â€œI said as much.” Apraksin made a smoke ring. “But when I suggested to Lady Ailsa that she might wish to rethink her position, she became very . . . adamant.” He grimaced. “It is obvious she does not wish for our assistance in this matter.”
    â€œShe is a stubborn woman,” Nik said.
    â€œShe is young. Perhaps that is it.”
    â€œAnd inexperienced,” Rurik added. “As we have a Romany presence in Oxenburg, we’ve faced the consequences of paying ransoms and know the usual outcome.” As soon as he spoke, Rurik cast a quick glance at Nik. “I beg your pardon if I offend you with such a comment.”
    Nik shrugged. “My grandmother would be the first to tell you that if you are so foolish as to allow yourself to be abducted, then you deserve to pay a ransom.”
    â€œOne of the few things she says that I agree with.” Apraksin leaned against the fence. “Rurik and I spoke to some of the maids to see what we could discover about this Lady Ailsa. She is the youngest of the earl’s children, is unmarried, and has been running the