Mad for the Plaid Read Online Free PDF Page A

time.”
    â€œGood. Meanwhile, you two will announce you’re traveling to Castle Leod to see my grandmother. I will follow, but dressed as a groom. I’ll make certain no one sees me leave.”
    Apraksin raised an eyebrow. “And once we’ve rescued Her Grace?”
    â€œWe will take her to Inverness and put her on the fastest ship to Oxenburg. It is fortunate I have these few weeks open in the negotiations; one of the key participants has been held up by early-winter storms. It will be three weeks, and likely longer, before he arrives. Nothing can be done until then anyway.”
    â€œWho is this person?” Rurik asked.
    Nik hesitated. He’d worked so hard to get the fool to the bargaining table—years, in fact. But Nik supposed he had no choice; everyone would know soon enough. “The tsar of Russia.”
    Apraksin swore under his breath while Rurik gave a silent whistle.
    â€œAs I said, ’tis serious,” Nik confirmed.
    â€œI’m surprised he dares leave Russia,” Apraksin said in a grim tone. “There is such unrest.”
    â€œThat is the reason we are having these negotiations. He has ignored all advice and has repressed his people to the point of— Well. I need not tell you. But now he wishes our help and that of other countries in quelling this revolution he’s started. If Russia falls to the scourge of anarchy, Europe could follow. While Oxenburg is inno danger because of the concessions we’ve made to ensure our subjects are well taken care of, some of our neighbors aren’t in such a harmonious position.”
    â€œAnd with the treaties we signed after the war, if one country falls to unrest, then the rest of us must be involved.” Apraksin took a steadying breath. “I can see why you’re determined to see these negotiations through. We will find your three weeks. I will have one of the men announce you’ve fallen ill later this evening, right as dinner is served.”
    Rurik added, “I’ll set a guard outside your bedchamber to keep out the inquisitive.”
    â€œGood.”
    Apraksin pursed his lips. “Menshivkov can stay in bed, covered by blankets, when the servants bring food, in case someone is watching. His hair is about the same color as yours, and while he’s not the same height, he is close enough that we can mask it. I will have Doubrovnik ride to Castle Leod with word once the tsar has arrived for the negotiations.”
    â€œThat will work,” Nik agreed.
    Apraksin continued. “Rurik and I will go now and tell everyone who will listen that we are bored and have secured permission to visit Her Grace. We will say we are delivering personal letters. A number of those were delivered just yesterday, so that detail can be confirmed.”
    Nik nodded his approval. “Once it is dark, I’ll find a horse and meet you on the other side of the bridge.”
    Rurik’s heavy brows lowered. “I am uneasy that you are taking such a risk.”
    â€œI have no choice. Besides, you will be on hand to keep watch.”
    Rurik didn’t look pleased, but he nodded. “Your Highness will need a groom’s clothing. I’ll procure some from the servants. I’ll tell them it’s for one of the guards who wishes to sneak out undetected to court a housemaid.”
    â€œ Spasiba . Bring the clothes to me here.” Nik waved them toward the door. “Now go. You know what must be done.”
    The two men bowed and then left, the door closing behind them. Finally alone, Nik turned to the fire and threw the crumpled letter on top of the smoldering log.
    He watched silently as the red-hot flames flickered to life, greedily reaching for the paper, blackening the edges before crackling hungrily and consuming the note in a heated blaze. He had to find Tata Natasha and stop the indomitable Lady Ailsa from alerting the authorities. There was too much at stake to involve