The Cruel Count (Bantam Series No. 28) Read Free Page B

return home. When things are more settled in Katona, an emissary can journey to England and discuss the matter of your marriage further.”
    He paused before he continued.
    “At the moment it is in your best interest to go back. I must find a ship to carry you.”
    “I have already told you, Count,” Vesta said patiently as if speaking to a backward child, “that I have no intention of leaving Katona. There is no point in any further argument. I must ask you and ... if necessary ... command you ... to take me to my ... husband.”
    For a moment the Count was absolutely still.
    Then he said, and there was no mistaking the stark astonishment in his voice:
    “Your—husband?”
    “The Prince and I were married by proxy before I left England,” Vesta replied. “The Prime Minister has the papers with him.”
    “Married! But—the Prince was not aware of this! It is the Prime Minister’s doing! The wily old fox!”
    “I understood,” Vesta said, “that His Excellency was carrying out the wishes of His Royal Highness in asking for my hand. But it was in fact my father who insisted on the marriage before I left. He did not wish me to travel on a basis of ‘sale or return’. ”
    Then as the Count seemed too stupefied to speak she added ironically:
    “How right he was! Although he would not have anticipated that I would have been asked to leave almost before I had arrived!”
    The Count scowling ferociously walked across the room to the window overlooking the Quayside.
    “If this is true,” he said after a moment, “it can of course be rectified. A marriage by proxy is only a legal ceremony. As the Prince is head of the law in Katona, the marriage can be declared invalid.”
    Vesta drew a deep breath.
    “That is something, I think, which should be discussed only by the Prince and myself, and not by outsiders.”
    Her voice was very cold and the Count turned from the window to say:
    “Very well, Ma’am, I am of course obliged to obey your command. I will take you to His Royal Highness. But let me say this. If at any time during our journey to Djilas you change your mind, I shall be very willing to bring you back here, or to find you a ship at some other port which will convey you in safety to England.”
    “I am most grateful for your consideration,” Vesta said with a touch of sarcasm in her voice. “Kindly tell me when you wish us to leave?”
    Her voice brought a different expression to the Count’s face.
    “Immediately!” he replied. “I should explain that the reason I posted here with such haste is that your life may be in danger. There are certain people who do not—wish you to stay in Katona.”
    Vesta stared at him uncertainly.
    “You mean they intend to assassinate me?” she asked.
    “They might have merely forced you to return on the ship on which you arrived,” the Count answered. “But as that has left I would not give much for your chance of survival.”
    “Those are the ... Revolutionaries, I ... suppose?” Vesta questioned.
    He nodded.
    “Does that make you see sense?” he asked. “Go back to England, Lady Vesta. Return to a country where there are no Revolutions, where you are known and loved. Go back to the people you understand. Go back to your family, to security, to comfort and peace.” He was almost pleading with her now.
    “You are very persuasive,” Vesta replied, “but may I remind you that as I am married to your reigning Prince I imagine I have some authority in this country. I therefore ... command you to take me with all possible speed to His Royal Highness.”
    She had spoken quietly but her eyes were still bright with anger.
    The Count looked down at her and she knew he too was incensed. He obviously had not expected that she would defy him.
    There was no doubt, she thought, he was like an eagle—cruel, a bird of prey, imperious, ruthless.
    She wondered for a moment with a little tremor of fear if in fact he was not really a messenger from the Prince, as he had