Page 6 of The Captive

I would be his prisoner.

And it would be my choice.

To my surprise, Volkov’s smirk turned hard, as he made a show of shifting, pushing himself against me. I gasped when I felt the hardness in his baggy breeches, below the leather of his belt. His cock was hardening against my stomach.

My lips parted as I swayed closer.

I should be terrified.

So why was my core beginning to throb?

“Duchess, here on the steppes your title will do little for you. But you are a krasivaya zhenshchina…” He didn’t translate that for me, but the hunger in his sneer told me what I needed to know, and God help me, but the pulse between my thighs heightened.

“So, little rabbit…” He dropped his voice to a whisper and leaned his lips closer to my ear. “What can you offer me, not as a Duchess, but as a woman?”

I thought of those twelve years of discreet affairs. I thought of A Harlot’s Guide, which I’d read enough to have memorized. I thought of the adventure I’d wanted, and the thought of being parted from my horses, and my servants, whom I had to save.

And I lifted my chin. “My name is Augusta.”

I felt his smile, same as I felt his breath on the sensitive spot beneath my ear, and I shuddered.

“So, Augusta, you and your horses are mine now.”

I whimpered as he used my wrist to drag my hand down his body, until he pressed my palm against the hardness in his trousers. His hand closed around mine, until I was gripping his cock through the wool. My cheeks burned, and I thought I heard him chuckle.

“Little rabbit, your people will be safe to return to civilization and send word to your son, and you will show me proper appreciation.”

Appreciation? I thought of page twelve, The Supplicant Swan, with the woman on her knees in front of the man, his cock in her mouth.

And, to my shame and excitement, I knew I would be willing to do that and so much more to this man, if it meant saving my people and my animals.

“Yes,” I finally breathed.

He abruptly released me, and I stumbled back, to be caught by Hobbs, who was blathering hysterically. But I couldn’t seem to make my mind comprehend her words. Instead, I watched Volkov stomp about the camp, shouting orders I couldn’t comprehend.

His men laughed and nodded and began to loot our supplies, but I realized they were not taking more than my people could afford to lose. I felt Hobbs’ hold on me tightening, but my vision narrowed to Volkov, gesturing expansively.

Perhaps this was shock.

To my surprise, Semyon made his way to me, his expression guarded. He stopped before me and gave a little bow. When he rose, I made myself focus on his face, which now looked…impressed?

In what I could only graciously call halting French—so he spoke some after all?—he managed, “You brave…Volkov is…” He waved as if not able to explain. “Volk.” Wolf. “Cossack story…” He shook his head, then planted a fist against his chest. “Thank you for…my life, lady. Goodbye.”

Hobbs began to sob, and I turned my shocked attention to comforting her, first outside the tent, then inside. I began packing my valise furiously, scared Volkov might leave me behind and take my horses.

Yes, that was the only reason I didn’t want to be left behind.

Although I was still in my nightgown, I threw a coat over my robe, a heavy fur I’d picked up in St. Petersburg. My valise could hold an extra gown of heavy wool and three chemises. There was no room for stays, and without Hobbs, no one to lace me into them. Stockings, bloomers… Oh God, what else?

“Milady, you cannot go with him!” Hobbs sobbed. “You heard what Semyon said! He is a wolf!”

“I hope so,” I muttered, only to tsk dismissively when she wailed, and I swung back to her, clutching my bag to my chest and losing my patience.

“Hobbs! You will return to Moscow and send word to my son! Take my earrings and the pearl necklace, turn them into enough money to live until Edwin sends money and a rescue! You can do this, my friend.”

“And you, my lady?” she sniffed, pulling herself together.

I straightened my shoulders and turned to the tent flap. “I am going to do whatever necessary to stay alive.”