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to pieces under a little adversity. But I am reaching my limit. I am not for sale at any price. A king’s ransom wouldn’t change that fact. So you might as well release me now.”
    “You are stubborn, but it changes nothing. You will stay—no.” He held up a hand when she opened her mouth. “I do not recommend screaming. There are two guards outside this door who will immediately come in to quiet you. That would be most uncomfortable for you, and so unnecessary. I will give you a few hours to reconsider.”
    Katherine didn’t believe him for a moment about the guards until he opened the door to leave and she saw them both standing there, vicious-looking men in identical uniforms; long tunics, baggy pants tucked into high boots, wicked swords hanging from their hips. Incredible. Was the whole household to be a part of this crime? Apparently. Her only hope was still the Prince.

Chapter Five
    “ W hat am I to do, Marusia?” Vladimir asked his wife. “He wants her. She is refusing to share his bed. I have never before met this dilemma.”
    “So find him another woman,” she replied easily, thinking the solution was that simple. “You know what will happen if he is disappointed tonight. There will be no pleasing him the entire voyage home. If his grandmother had not scolded him for his excessive wenching, it would not be so bad. But she warned him away from her maids, and he complied in deference to her. He has had no sexual relief since we docked, an incredibly long time for the Prince to willingly deny himself. He must have a woman tonight before we sail, or we will all suffer for his frustration. It will be ten times worse than on the way here, when that stupid countess changed her mind at the last moment and did not sail with him.”
    Vladimir knew all of that. His problem was not only that he had never failed the Prince before; it was a matter of guaranteeing a pleasant voyage for them all as opposed to weeks of living with Dimitri in one of his dark moods. Not that the Prince could not remain celibate out of necessity, as he would on the voyage home. But when there was no necessity, as tonight, heaven forbid he should not get what he wanted, for when Dimitri was not happy, no one in his household was happy.
    Vladimir poured another shot of vodka and gulped it down. Marusia continued to stuff a goose with kasha for Dimitri’s dinner tonight. She thought the matter settled. He had told her only that the woman he had procured for the Prince was giving him trouble.
    “Marusia, why would a woman—now, this is no lady, but an English peasant, a servant—why would she not be pleased that a prince found her desirable?”
    “She must be flattered. No woman alive would not be at least flattered, even if she didn’t want to sleep with him. Show her his picture. That will change her mind.”
    “Yes, I will, but—but I do not think it will make a difference this time. She was not flattered, Marusia. She was insulted. I saw it in her face. I just do not understand. No woman has ever refused him before, virgins, wives, princesses, countesses, even a queen—”
    “Which queen? You never told me this!”
    “Never mind,” he replied sharply. “That is not for gossip, and you, dear wife, love to gossip.”
    “Well, every man should be refused at least once. It does him good.”
    “Marusia!”
    She laughed delightedly. “I jest, husband. Every man except our prince. Now stop worrying. I told you, go and get him another woman.”
    Vladimir looked dismally down at his empty glass and filled it again. “I cannot. He did not tell me, ‘I want a woman tonight. Find one.’ He pointed out this petite wren to me and said, ‘That one. Arrange it.’ She is not even beautiful, Marusia, except for her eyes. I could find him adozen women more to his taste before this evening. He wants this one. He has to have this one.”
    “She must be in love,” Marusia said thoughtfully. “That is the only reason a woman of low class