Mr. Darcy's Great Escape by Marsha Altman Page A

sip at every toast. When the bell chimed for two in the morning, they were both warm from the wine, and Trommler reappeared from nowhere. “The count demands an audience with you.”
    â€œI do not see how we can refuse our host,” Dr. Maddox said.
    Except for his guards, Count Vladimir was alone in his throne room, a room wholly medieval in nature up to the rusting swords and wooden shields on the wall. His ancestors must have had greater lands and power than he currently enjoyed. “Velcome,” he said in German. “You are here to stay.” It was hard to make out, and Dr. Maddox did a quick translation for Darcy.
    â€œYes, I am looking forward to seeing my brother,” Dr. Maddox said.
    â€œSo are we,” Trommler said in English for both of them, translating as the count spoke. “You see, he is missing.”
    â€œMissing?” It was the first word out of both their mouths.
    â€œOh yes, though His Grace is hoping that you will provide an… incentive for your brother’s return, Doktor Maddox. He has been quite resistant to the idea since he ran away two years ago.”
    Dr. Maddox wished he was less drunk, as he sputtered, “But the letters—”
    â€œAll of his letters were read. By me, I might add. The final ones were sent late or not at all. We didn’t wish to alarm you,” Trommler said. “If he’d gone himself, it would be only a matter of honor, and I believe His Grace would have given up by now. But he took the princess, the count’s only child, and this of course is unacceptable.”
    Count Vladamir was still speaking in Hungarian or Romanian, and he slammed his fist on the wood, making quite a sound. Trommler remained coolly calm and said, “He was a very good husband to Princess Nadezhda, you see. I will comment here that he was loyal to her and loved her deeply, and their fleeing was, whatever His Grace may believe, a mutual decision. But there was the small matter that he could not get her with child—for no lack of trying on his part.” His grin was downright dangerous. Obviously the count didn’t understand what he was saying, and they didn’t understand what the count was saying, so Trommler really controlled the conversation. “That Nadezhda couldn’t conceive was predicted by the midwife when she became a woman, but His Grace is convinced that a proper husband could overcome that particular difficulty. He gave Brian two years, and when no child was produced, not even a girl, he ordered his execution. A new husband was already chosen.”
    The horror was beginning to permeate Dr. Maddox’s wine-soaked brain. “So he fled, to save his life.”
    â€œAnd being the loyal wife, Princess Nadezhda fled with him. The count assumed he would go west, of course, to England, but that was far too obvious, and Mr. Maddox has a long history of escaping authority. He went to Russia instead, to Saint Petersburg, and from there the trail went cold. I assume you have no knowledge of this, or you would not have come at our invitation. You should know, Doktor Maddox, that your brother spoke of your kind heart. I knew it would mislead you into believing the best, that your brother was safe and happy in Transylvania, and you would come to see him in his new life without any concerns for your safety.” He paused to actually listen to what the count was saying before continuing. “As for the other Englishman, he is just an unfortunate incident but will at least make your indefinite stay a bit more comfortable.”
    Darcy was aware enough now to dart for the door, but it was shut, and the guards were ready to grab him. They didn’t harm him, just held him quite effectively. “You can’t keep us locked up here forever!”
    â€œYou are mistaken, Herr Darcy, about the extent of His Grace’s hospitality. It is quite vast.” He made a gesture, and the guards dragged them both