Once a Princess by Johanna Lindsey Read Free Book Online

anyone answered, Vasili voiced his indignation. “More audacious behavior by the wench. Do you still maintain she doesn’t deserve to be put in her place, Stefan?”
    Stefan was purely disgusted with himself, for his first reaction to that closed door was relief, which smacked of cowardice, something no one in his right mind could ever accuse him of. Accordingly, his tone was a bit clipped when he shot back, “And what is her place, my friend? She’s not a Cardinian peasant, you know.”
    â€œShe’s an American peasant. What, pray, is the difference?”
    Lazar was laughing by this time, he was soamused, and answered, “Damned if I know, but I’m sure she can tell you. Why don’t we ask her?”
    â€œWe’ll have to break the door down to do that,” Serge reminded them.
    â€œI didn’t hear a lock turn,” Vasili said. “Just open—”
    The lock clicked even as he spoke, so Serge asked again, “Shall I break it down?”
    With a sound of annoyance, Stefan stepped forward and rapped sharply on the door, calling out, “Mistress, our business is with Wilbert Dobbs, not with you. Kindly—”
    â€œDobbs is sick,” the female voice shouted. “I run the place now, so you’d have to deal with me, and that means you might as well leave.”
    She’d answered so quickly, it was obvious she’d been listening at the door, knowledge that would have increased Stefan’s embarrassment if her stubbornness hadn’t just pricked his temper. “Unless you wish to do without a door until this one can be repaired, I would suggest you open it very quickly, mistress!”
    Magic words, apparently. The door opened, but the wench stood there blocking the way, hands on hips, one on the hilt of her knife. The knife was still sheathed, but Vasili and Stefan knew how quickly that could be amended, and the light of battle in her eyes said it was likely to be. Her clothes were similar to those she’d worn last night, with merely a different colored shirt, one that cast a gray pallor to her complexion. The bright light of day was definitely not kind to her.
    â€œYou speak English real good for a foreigner,”she told Stefan directly, not bothering to look at the others. “But you sure don’t understand its meaning very well. I told you Dobbs is sick. That means he can’t be disturbed by the likes of you.”
    Stefan took an intimidating step toward her, but she held her ground. Her courage was commendable, but foolish under the circumstances. He was, after all, nearly a head taller than she and in prime physical condition, and she had no idea what he was capable of. His eyes had begun to glow with his annoyance, though he was unaware of that fact, or that it was the reason her hands had started to sweat.
    â€œIf you understand English yourself,” he said with soft menace, “then understand that we will speak with Wilbert Dobbs because it is imperative that we do so, and nothing you can say or do will alter that. If my own understanding is correct, I believe that means you would be wise to step out of the way.”
    She hesitated for a long moment, glaring at him, before she said, “Go on, then, disturb a dying man. It’s on your conscience, not mine.” And she whipped around, leaving the doorway and their presence as quickly as possible.
    â€œYou could have at least asked her where the fellow is,” Vasili grumbled as he and the others followed Stefan inside.
    Lazar chuckled, still finding the situation highly amusing. “It will be easier to find him ourselves, Vasili, than to get any more information out of that one. We have not a palace to search, after all, but a few measly rooms.”
    â€œThen let us proceed, by all means. This place ishard to stomach in the light of day.”
    Actually, it smelled of lye soap, rather than stale beer. Tables were moved aside, chairs upended