Splendor (25 page)

George stared at her as if she had grown two heads. **Who are you fooling?" he asked very sharply.

Carolyn faced him, hands on her hips. 'Tather, I am not qui^ up to this conversation today. But since when have you told me what I could and could not do? Whom I could and could not see? You have always trusted my judgment implicitly."

George stared unhappily. "I do not want you getting hurt," he said finally.

Carolyn rubbed her temples. "I am an adult. I have the right to make my own choices, and my own mistakes."

"You are going to see him again?" He was aghast.

Carolyn recalled their devastating kiss. She also remembered his parting words to her—that they would discuss everything the next day. "We actually have some business to conclude," she said, a half lie.

"I beg you, Carolyn, stay away from Sverayov."

Carolyn looked into her father's anxious eyes. "What is it that you're not telling me?" she asked.

George returned her gaze, hesitating. "Carolyn, he said something about Copperville. I think he intends to seduce you in revenge for your columns."

She somehow smiled. But her pulse raced. ' That is absurd," she said, her smile plastered in place. But God, it made perfect sense. Why else would he wish to dally with her? When he could have the most beautiful, sophisticated women in the world? Carolyn did not want to believe it. But now she did not know what to believe.

"So you will refuse his invitation?" George asked.

Carolyn lied. "Yes." And she turned away, because now she had to go.

Carolyn was ushered into the foyer. A butler materialized. "Madame," he said, indicating that he wished Carolyn to follow him.

Carolyn trailed after him. She had been preoccupied all day, not merely with her latest encounter with Sverayov, but now, with her father's accusations as well. In all likelihood George was right, which meant that Sverayov was not even basely attracted to her. It was the perfect explanation for his interest in her. Yet she kept recalling the heat in his eyes, the passion in his kiss, and his strangely gentle tenderness.

"Madame." The butler gestured for her to go through a pair of wide-open doors.

Carolyn saw him at the exact same moment that he saw her. Their gazes met and locked. He was not smiling. Her heart, briefly, lost its momentum. And then it resumed its normal pace.

But she could not smile either as she entered the salon, that very same room where she had first met his daughter. He stared, coming forward. Katya was seated on the sofa beside her uncle Alexi. The Persian kitten was between them, enjoying a vast amount of petting. His purring was the only sound in the room.

Carolyn wished, desperately now, that she were a better actress, one who could hide all her feelings. Surely her current confusion and apprehension were written all over her face. "Your Excellency," she said huskily. And, to make matters worse, he looked so good.

He bowed, taking her hand, for one moment holding it tightly. Then he lifted it to his lips. "Thank you for joining us. Miss Browne." He did not smile. But his eyes were hardly cold, and Carolyn was almost certain that he was remembering their last encounter, too. He turned. "Katya."

The child came forward, curtsying. ' 'Thank you for coming. Miss Browne." She echoed her father exactly.

Carolyn smiled down at her, forgetting all about her father. She stooped slightly. "Did I not say that you could call me Carolyn, as all my friends do? And how is that clever kitten today? Have you tried my suggestions?"

Katya nodded. "He eats in my room. Taichili doesn't

like it at all. But yesterday he got out and I thought he was lost again. But he came back." She smiled.

Carolyn also smiled. *'He also came back because he loves you and is learning that you are his mistress," she said.

Katya pursed her lips as she thought about that, and finally, she nodded.

Carolyn looked up to find Alexi standing beside Svera-yov, and both men were staring at her. Her smile faded. Had she been transformed into an insect that lay beneath a microscope? Their gazes made her feel as if she were being dissected and thoroughly studied.

Alexi came forward with an exaggerated bow, smiling, a twinkle in his eye. "Miss Browne, I am terribly pleased to see you again. I think you are mending my broken heart."

Carolyn almost laughed. 'Thank you," Carolyn said. *'It is a pleasure to see you, too. I did not know that you have a broken heart—I am so sorry."

Alexi's grin widened. "Not as sorry as I." He briefly slid his arm around her. "Come, sit next to me, and give me advice on the fairer sex. It seems I never learn and am destined to repeat my past mistakes again and yet again."

Carolyn had to laugh. "I wish I could help," she said, aware that Sverayov appeared aimoyed with his brother's bold flirting, "but I am not very educated when it comes to romance."

"No? Why ever not?" Alexi asked, offering Carolyn a seat. As he did so, he gave his brother a sidelong glance.

She accepted. Katya came with the Persian to take a chair in the grouping, her eyes upon Carolyn. Sverayov also wandered over^but he did not sit. "I fear it never entered my head to study the subject, not when there is so much else to concentrate on."

"Spoken like a true bluestocking," Alexi said pleasantly. "Niki tells me you are extremely intelligent and fabulously well read. I am impressed."

Carolyn pinkened, wondering if Sverayov really dis-

cussed her with his brother, and in such glowing terms. "I enjoy reading. How could I not? Being the daughter of a man who owns a bookshop?"

"Your father owns a bookshop?" Katya asked suddenly.

Both brothers turned to stare at her as if such a statement were extremely out of place. Carolyn looked from Nicholas to Alexi and realized they were supremely surprised. She reached forward and patted the girl's hand. "Yes, he does. And I help him manage the shop. It is one of my favorite places in the world. Do you like to read?"

Katya nodded, wide-eyed.

"Katya is an excellent reader," Nicholas said, moving around her chair. He still did not sit, towering over everyone present.

"Katya, what is your favorite story?" Carolyn asked.

She hesitated. "The history of Peter the Great."

Carolyn's eyes went wide. "Dear, I meant, what is your favorite tale? Or do you so adore history that you would rather read about Peter the Great than La Belle au Bois Dormanf!""

Katya was silent. "I don't know," she finally said.

Carolyn looked up at Nicholas, understanding in that instant that Katya had never been exposed to fairy tales. "Can I bring her some storybooks? There are a few very nice ones for children."

"Of course," he said automatically.

"Taichili won't like this." Alexi chuckled.

Carolyn turned to look at him. "Why not?" Her dislike for Taichili had grown.

"I do believe Katya's program is rather rigid."

' 'There is nothing wrong with a structured education, and I beheve everyone, including children, should read from a wide range of subject matter. But fiction is particularly suitable for a child. I do not have to be a wizard to know that. Children have great imaginations, far greater than ours. It is a blessing, and should be cultivated and encouraged— not stifled and repressed."

Nicholas and his brother stared at her as if she had indeed

become an insect, but with a good dozen legs and at least two heads.

Carolyn blushed. "I am sorry to be so fervent. I cannot help myself," she said. "I do apologize. But it is unfair that girls—and women—are not allowed to fully cultivate their minds."

Sverayov did not speak. After a silent moment, Alexi smiled at her. "My brother's tongue is, apparently, tied. How unusual. Do not apologize. How refreshing you are— in this household, my dear."

"Yes." A silky female voice sounded, making them all look toward the threshold of the salon. "How very refreshing." Marie-Elena whirled into the room, her dark hair swirling about very bare shoulders. She wore a pale pink gown that was low-cut and short-sleeved. A strand of sapphires circled her neck. She was smiling, and far too widely. She halted in front of the group, directing her smile at Carolyn. "What a quaint concept. Cultivating one's mind—as one would a garden."

Carolyn found herself standing. She made no reply, but fought hard to remain composed, confronted again by Sverayov's wife. Many volatile emotions swept over her, including, Carolyn thought, dismayed, actual jealousy. And she also felt guilty. Last night, she had been in her husband's arms when she should have known better. But it was too late for regrets.

Marie-Elena turned. "Niki, darling." She kissed his cheek, ignoring Alexi, clinging to Sverayov as if she were a besotted newlywed. Then she smiled at her daughter. "Katya, baby, come give Maman a kiss."

Carolyn's pulse was swift. She watched Katya obey. Like a little soldier, she quickly got up, allowing the kitten to race away, and walked over to Marie-Elena, who bent. Katya pressed a kiss to her mother's cheek. Before she could return to her chair, Marie-Elena put her hand on the child's shoulder, forestalling her. She turned her gypsy-black gaze and wide smile on Carolyn.

"I did not know that you were entertaining.. . Niki," Marie-Elena said very sweetly.

Sverayov stepped forward, his expression impossible to read. "Miss Carolyn Browne, may I introduce my wife." He stared coldly at Marie-Elena. "You have finished your shopping early, have you not? Or were you lunching in town?"

"A little bit of both." Marie-Elena was gay. She laughed. "And how lucky I am to be home in time for tea." She faced Carolyn. "I believe we have already made one another's acquaintance, have we not, Miss Browne? Hmm, let me see, your father is a bookseller?" Her tone was decidedly innocent, as was her expression.

Carolyn kept a firm grip on her temper. "Your memory serves you well. Princess. My father's bookshop is one of the finest in London, indeed, in the world."

"How proud you are," Marie-Elena said. "And are you also an expert on children and their education? Are you a schoolmistress, perhaps? Or a tutor?"

Carolyn paused. "I do not consider myself an expert on any topic, my lady. And no, I am neither a schoolmistress nor a tutor.""

"Oh. That is odd. For I could not help hearing your fervent opinions on the subject of what children should read. I had assumed you were well informed on the subject." She smiled widely.

Carolyn could not summon a smile in return. "I have passionate opinions about many subjects, especially the subjects of reading and education. And I am well informed on those many topics which I study—especially the subject of the education of our gender. Princess."

Sverayov stepped between them. "Are you intending to join us for tea, madame?" he asked his wife.

"However could I refuse such a gracious invitation?" She stroked Katya's hair. "Come, baby, sit with Maman." And she took a seat on the sofa, Katya beside her.

The tea was already ruined for Carolyn. Her nerves felt stretched tight. Carolyn wished she could smile, and as she

took a seat, she met Alexi's dark eyes. His gaze was genuinely sympathetic, and he gave her an encouraging smile which made Carolyn feel only slightly better.

Sverayov turned and it was as if he had pulled a bell cord, for servants materialized, wheeling in a tea cart which also contained numerous pastries and cakes. He took a seat facing his daughter and his wife—diagonally across from Carolyn.

Marie-Elena kept one arm around Katya, who had not said a word since her mother entered the room. "Ah, now I recall. I saw you at the opera the other night. Miss Browne."

"Yes, you did."

Marie-Elena studied Carolyn, and although her expression remained fixedly pleasant, Carolyn was reduced to feeling very young, impossibly thin and unattractive, and very gauche. ' 'I think I recognized that pleasant young man you were with. Hmmm—I just cannot recall his name."

Carolyn's reply was automatic. "Anthony Davison, my lady."

Marie-Elena's eyes widened. "No relation to Lord Stuart Davison—that so very prominent member of Castlereagh's government?"

"He is his youngest son," Carolyn said. She shot a glance at Sverayov, who sat with one leg crossed, looking rather annoyed now.

"You are doing very well for yourself. Miss Browne," Marie-Elena remarked. "My, what a catch for yourself— should you succeed."

"We are friends," Carolyn returned somewhat defensively. "And I am not interested in catching anyone."

"Every woman wants to snare a rich, handsome husband," Marie-Elena laughed.

Carolyn decided not to respond, and she merely forced a smile. Inwardly she seethed. It was impossible to feel very guilty now about her behavior of the night before.

"And since when have you become so knowledgeable

about the British government?" Sverayov drawled, the question directed at his wife.

Marie-Elena had been stroking Katya's hair. Now she smiled at her husband—a smile brilliant enough to melt the coldest of male hearts. "Darling, you are here on a very important mission. Surely it is my responsibility to understand the situation—and to be as helpful as I can." Her smile faded and her gaze held his, wide, dark,^eamest. "You know how much I want to help, Niki."

Carolyn felt ill. Sverayov had said that he and his wife were estranged. But it did not seem that way, and was certainly not that way for Marie-Elena. Had he lied?

Sverayov's smile flashed, without mirth. "Helpful. What an unusual concept."

Marie-Elena's hand fell to her side. And for a moment, silence fell between the pair as they stared at one another. Suddenly Marie-Elena faced Carolyn.

"Recently, I lost a child," she said, her tone high.

Carolyn hardly knew what to make of such a comment. "I am sorry."

Marie-Elena nodded. "I almost died. Now, having recovered, I do not feel like I am the same woman. There is so much that I have done that I regret."

Why was she telling Carolyn this? "I am sure it was an overwhelming experience." How she wished to leave. She stole a glance at Sverayov, and saw that he was extremely annoyed now. But it-was clear to Carolyn that Marie-Elena was having regrets about her relationship with her husband. Surely she—or any woman—would regret breaking it off with a man like Sverayov.