A Lover's Promise: Conrad Chronicles by C.K. Mackenzie

Author:C.K. Mackenzie [Mackenzie, C.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Emelia Publishers
Published: 2023-01-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Kaya had experienced many things since leaving Cairo. A mix, she supposed, of good and bad, which was generally the way life went, so far as she could tell. She had not, however, ever thought she’d experience a prison.

They took Hannah’s carriage. Charlotte sat stoic and stunned as they made the trip, though that might’ve been the language barrier. Charlotte had no one to speak with about Hannah, and Kaya had no way to offer her comfort. So the two of them sat in silence as Paul drove.

“Perhaps not the wisest time to have dismissed the footmen,” he muttered as he helped Kaya and Charlotte from the carriage. “Not that they were any use.”

“I’m surprised the directions the condottiero gave you were accurate. Given his distaste, I half expected him to direct you off a cliff.” The captain of the guards had looked anything but helpful, but he had begrudgingly agreed to Paul’s request and given detailed directions to the prison.

“He had nothing to lose,” Paul said as he took the bag from Charlotte and settled one hand on Kaya’s back. “Plus, I’m certain whoever is guarding Hannah will demand a bribe.”

Charlotte had only blinked when Paul took the small pouch of coins he’d retrieved from the bandits yesterday. He’d tried to explain that they were for Hannah’s welfare, but Charlotte didn’t speak English and only a smattering of Calabrian, and neither Paul nor Kaya spoke Prussian.

Perhaps they ought to try Marathi. Hannah had said they’d traveled there. Kaya made a mental note, but they were at the doors. Now certainly wasn’t the time.

“We’re here to see Countess von Almey.” Paul used his haughty tone. The one he used when speaking to inn proprietors who looked down on them because they traveled by foot rather than by carriage.

Kaya didn’t bother with the pair of guards, who stared at Paul as if they didn’t speak Calabrian, either. Instead, she watched the area, her fingers brushing her khanjar. Just in case. New locales required a certain level of surveillance. Especially a prison.

Not that she knew that. “This is one experience I could have definitely done without.”

Paul cast her a sardonic smile and tilted his head slightly in agreement.

No one else lurked around the street, and it seemed these guards didn’t require a bribe. They opened the doors and silently let them enter. The building was drab brown stone on the outside and not much cheerier on the inside. Because it was on a corner surrounded by taller buildings and a forgotten road that abruptly ended, little light entered the grimy windows. A tall desk with a smattering of candles lay directly in front of the foyer, and a single man sat behind it.

Kaya looked around and frowned. “I’m not impressed with this place,” she muttered to Paul as another guard led them deeper into the building.

“Eh, it’s cleaner than what I’ve seen.” He grinned at her. “Cleaner than the military stockades, too.”

She snorted and rolled her eyes. “I’m sure,” she said primly.

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