Love and Triumph: The Coltrane Saga, Book 8 by Patricia Hagan Page A

admit, “There are times he makes me uncomfortable.”
    “Why? Because he’s German?” Hanisch ridiculed. “Contrary to what they want the world to believe, the Germans are on the Bolsheviks’ side, Rudolf. They know revolution and the Overthrow of Kerensky and the PG are the fastest roads to peace with Russia. Maybe Brandt is a German agent. I’ve thought of the possibility, and if he is, so what? He’s on our side, he saved my life. Don’t worry about it. You’ve got more important things to do—like getting married!”
    Hanisch was right. He did have important things to do…and tonight might be the time to start.

Chapter Twelve
    Rudolf knocked hesitantly, afraid of what terrible situation might wait on the other side of the door.
    Almost at once, it opened. Elenore, looking extremely harried and agitated, motioned impatiently for him to enter.
    “How is she?” He was relieved to see his mother lying quite still, her eyes closed. “Is she asleep—or drunk?” he scornfully inquired.
    Elenore irritably countered, “What difference does it make? I’m not going to try and get her up for dinner. You can say she’s sick…whatever. I don’t care.” She walked over to the faded velvet chaise and threw herself on it. Drawing her knees up to her chin, she folded her arms about her legs and stared solemnly at nothing in particular.
    “Well, what the hell is wrong with you?”
    She gave her long dark hair a toss, met the challenge of her brother’s angry stare. “How long is this going to continue? I’ve got my own life to live, you know. I’m sick of having to play nursemaid to her. I had no idea she was drinking so much.”
    The fury left him for the moment. He lowered himself into a chair next to the chaise. “We were too busy to notice how bad she was getting. No doubt it’s been going on for a long time. I fired Ulda, by the way.”
    Elenore was surprised. “Why? Mother will have a fit, you know. Ulda is intimidated by her tantrums, waits on her hand and foot. No other servant has ever taken so much off her. She likes that.”
    “Ulda has been smuggling in her vodka for her.”
    “How did you find that out?”
    “I pretended I already knew, told her Mother had said it was her. She started crying and admitted it, said she needed the extra money she got to do it. We’ll just tell Mother she quit.”
    Elenore gestured toward Amalia. “Just what do you intend to do about her drinking? She’ll find a way to get it herself. This is a fine time to discover she’s an alcoholic,” she added with a sigh of disgust.
    He explained how it was actually working to his advantage.
    She listened, shaking her head. “I’ll just be glad when it’s over. I’ve done nothing but tend to her all day. When am I supposed to have time to be with Cordell?”
    Rudolf had toyed with the idea of not telling her Brandt was on the premises, afraid she’d create an awkward situation that might raise questions. Then he decided it was best to let her know, lest she see him and react the wrong way due to surprise.
    “You may see him tonight, here. Don’t act like a fool if you do.”
    At once she swung her legs around, sat up to face him, but he waved her to silence before she could start arguing. “He is here to observe, to find his way around the castle, in preparation for the abduction. He may have already left for all I know, but he said he wanted to go over every inch of the castle just to be safe, so if you run into him, don’t make a fool of yourself. Besides,” he finished, “you’ve got work to do.”
    She clenched her fists, gritted her teeth. There had been men in her life before, but never one who drove her mad with passion like Cord Brandt. Being in his arms, tasting his kisses, was an experience nonpareil to any other. Thinking about his lovemaking made her want him fiercely, and the realization he was somewhere close only made it worse.
    Rudolf suspected she was dying to jump up that very minute to go