Splendor (35 page)

"No. There is nothing childish about you. Will you come to work tomorrow?"

She watched him, not wanting him to leave, which was absurd. She felt paralyzed. "Yes."

He nodded, hesitated. "And Davison?"

"I don't understand."

"He is pursuing you."

"I don't think so."

He did not smile, his hands gripping the back of his chair. "Your grandmother was right about Davison. He is a solid young man. His intentions, Carolyn, are legitimate.

I do believe that he is in love with you and that, in time, he will offer for you."

Carolyn's disbelief was vaster than before. "I do not think so. You are wrong. Why are you telling me this?"

'i feel obliged to do so," he said. "If he offers for you, you should seriously consider him."

Carolyn was taken aback. Was he encouraging her to marry Anthony? She felt crushed. "We are just friends, and," she added carefully, "I do not think it could ever be anything more."

"But if he offered for you?" he pressed.

"I do not love him."

"Ah, yes, you are a romantic—and proud of it." His tone became oddly gentle. "Carolyn, could you not marry a good young man—without love?"

Her mouth pursed as she shook her head. "No, I could not." She looked away; thinking not about standing in a quaint Norman church with Anthony, but in a magnificent, soaring cathedral with him. Oh, God.

Sverayov suddenly leaned forward. Before Carolyn knew it, she was in his powerful arms. His mouth touched hers. Brief and butterfly-soft. Carolyn moaned.

And then his lips were hot and hard on hers. Demanding that she open to him, for him, with him. Carolyn found herself clinging to his uniform, the dozens of gold buttons hurting her breasts, her body crushed by his. She forgot to protest, forgot to care. Carolyn kissed him back with all the desire she had been trying to deny since they had first met. Carolyn kissed him back hungrily, aching.with her love.

It was an endless kiss, there in the dimly lit kitchen, the flickering candlelight playing over them, the night around them black and still and silent.

It was Sverayov who finally broke away, tearing his mouth from hers. Carolyn took one look at his fierce eyes, and buried her face against his chest. Now what? He would walk out of the shop—and tomorrow she would return to her position as Katya's companion, as if nothing had eve^ happened, as if this powerful bond did not exist.

His arms remained around her, hard and possessive, powerful and unyielding, like the man himself. And Carolyn held on to him, as tightly. A part of her yearned to be held by him like this forever. But it was only going to last for another instant, and she knew she must relish this brief moment, hold on to it for as long as she could.

"I must go," he whispered. "I did not come here to make love to you—no matter how I want to."

"Yes," she said hoarsely, "you must go." Married, she told herself. He is married. And suddenly she hated Marie-Elena.

Sverayov stepped back. His gaze held hers, with a prom-' ise that was powerful and male—one they were both determined to deny. And then he was gone.

Carolyn sat down at the kitchen table and cried.

<^ Twenty-three ^

IN spite of having passed a sleepless night, Carolyn arrived at Sverayov's town house at eight, in time to take breakfast with Katya. Katya brightened when Carolyn entered the small, brightly lit breakfast room. The governess'glanced up once from her plate of cold meats and sausages, glared briefly, and resumed eating. Raffaldi was not present.

"Good morning," Carolyn said cheerfully. She was exhausted. She had spent most of the prior evening thinking about the impossibility of her predicament—and the impossibility of continuing this way when she had such powerful feelings for an unattainable man. She had been reduced to feeling hatred for another woman. What was happening to herself? How could she have become so base?

Carolyn knew that if she dared to continue on as Katya's companion, she must get an iron rein on her heart. She must gain control of her feelings, for they were forbidden, illicit, wrong. And she and Sverayov must never allow themselves an intimate moment again. Not in any way, shape, or form. Never.

"Good morning," Taichili returned grudgingly.

Katya smiled. "Good morning, Miss Browne."

Carolyn took her seat. "Where is Signor Raffaldi?" She hoped he was not sulking because of Katya's new program.

"He is taking a cup of cocoa in his room," Taichili answered without looking up.

Carolyn smiled at Katya. "It is a beautiful day. Perfect for an excursion to a museum this afternoon."

Taichili glowered again. This time she did not look away.

Carolyn smiled, trying to remain friendly. "Did you have a chance to study Katya's new schedule?"

"I certainly did," she said harshly. "It is absurd. I have never heard of teaching a little girl or any woman, for that matter, astronomy and philosophy. How will that prepare her for her life as a princess and a wife?"

"I do believe it shall prepare her very well," Carolyn said blandly. "So, you can see that two hours twice a week in the afternoon are cleared for educational excursions."

"Educational excursions," Taichili huffed.

"We are going to a museum?" Katya asked with wide eyes. "I have never been to a museum."

"This one is rather new and quite extraordinary. It has a wonderful exhibit on ancient Egypt. Whom do we know who was an Egyptian?"

Katya's brow furrowed. "Ptolemy?"

"You are right," Carolyn cried, delighted. "Before we go, we shall briefly discuss the pharaohs."

"What are pharaohs?"

' 'They are the rulers of Egypt, descended from an ancient royal family."

"Like my father," Katya said.

"Yes, like your father," Carolyn agreed, her smile fading. She was going to try to be far more compassionate toward Marie-Elena in the future. She would never allow herself to feel even a moment of jealousy or bitterness as far as the other woman was concerned. After all, were there not always two sides to every story? Perhaps she would even try to befriend the other woman!

"I would not mind studying the pharaohs, either," Sver-ayov said, breaking into her thoughts.

Carolyn almost fell off her seat as she twisted to look at him standing in the doorway. He filled it up. There were shadows beneath his eyes, as if he, too, had passed a restless night.

She gripped the table. If he had passed a sleepless night, undoubtedly it was not because of herself.

His gaze held hers. "Good morning," he said, apparently to the room at large. But his words were directed to her and her alone.

Katya smiled slighdy and briefly. "Good morning. Father."

He walked over to his daughter and kissed the top of her head. He nodded at Taichili, who was seated as ramrod straight as any soldier now, and he slowly faced Carolyn.

She, of course, was helplessly absorbed in her recollections of the evening before. She was afraid that everyone present would guess that there was something between them. But she could not look away from his magnetic gaze no matter how much she wished to.

"Good morning, Miss Browne," he said.

"Good morning," she managed.

"Do you mind if I join you?" He was speaking to everyone, but continued to regard only Carolyn. His golden eyes were smoke. "The dining room is distinctly unappealing."

Carolyn knew he never ate in the breakfast room with his daughter. She shot a glance at Katya and saw her wide surprise. Even Taichili's normally taciturn expression was gone.

"Please," Carolyn said, since no one else spoke. "Did you enjoy your morning ride?"

"Actually, I did not ride today." His gaze was probing as he sat down at the head of the table, Carolyn on his right. "Does the visit to the museum today fit into your anthropological program?" he asked Carolyn.

She wondered why he had changed his daily routine. "Actually, it does. Egypt seemed the perfect place to start, because of the recent rage for its fashion and culture. Of course, we have Napoleon to thank for that." Carolyn finally smiled.

"Yes, we do," Sverayov said, his eyes still glued upon her.

Carolyn fell silent, wishing Sverayov would stop looking

at her in such a penetrating manner. Then she noticed that Katya was regarding him with worry. "Katya," she asked gently, "what is wrong?"

Katya looked down.

"Katya," Sverayov said, "is something amiss?"

Katya hesitated. Her cheeks were flushed. "Are you going to tell Miss Browne that we cannot go to the museum?'' she asked in a strained, low voice.

"Absolutely not. I think it is a wonderful idea. In fact, I wish I were free this morning, for then I would join you." He smiled at his daughter.

Carolyn was amazed. She caught herself gaping and slammed her mouth shut.

"Hello," Alexi said from the doorway. He sauntered into the room. "What a cozy scene." He smiled widely at Carolyn and bent and scooped Katya up into his arms. She giggled as he hugged her hard before depositing her back in her chair. He slanted a look at his brother. "Might I take it that your interest this morning does not include a late gallop in the park?"

Sverayov's expression was bland. "It does not," he said. A servant had placed a plate of chops and broiled kidneys in front of him. He eyed Carolyn. ' 'For some xxid reason, I am ravenous."

Carolyn quickly looked away. She did not reply, knowing he referred to their encounter last night, which had ended so suddenly.

"Perhaps," Alexi slid into a seat, "you would not be so ravenous if you had not been out gaUivanting last evening. Where did you go after the ball, big brother?" He was smug.

"I came home and went to bed," Nicholas said -flatly.

Carolyn peeked first at him and then at his brother. Alexi was enjoying the moment, as if he knew all that had transpired. He, too, was served.

"Are you not eating?" Sverayov asked Carolyn.

She had not been served, but she was staff, and there

was a buffet on the sideboard. Carolyn began to stand. "Yes."

His hand clamped down on her shoulder and he pushed her gently back into her chair. "Please," he said. He transferred his plate to her place setting. Carolyn stared at the food, then peeked at the raptly attentive faces around her— even the two serving men were staring. But then, she was the companion, and a prince had just served her. "My good fellow." Sverayov addressed one of the staff, whose name he obviously did not know. "Kindly bring me another plate, exactly the same as the one Miss Browne is about to enjoy."

The servants scurried to the sideboard.

Carolyn swallowed and met Sverayov's golden eyes. "Thank you," she said.

"Ladies first," he replied politely. "Do not wait for me, Miss Browne."

Carolyn picked up her fork, aware of Alexi, Katya, and Taichili regarding her and Sverayov. Good God, she thought, torn between despair and hope, they all think something is going on between us. In the next breath, she thought, And they are all correct.

At the last minute, Raffaldi had asked if he could join them, a pleasant surprise. It was not quite three that afternoon when the trio arrived at the museum.

"Why, look at that, Katya," Carolyn exclaimed, pointing toward a small fresco of pyramids. "Do you remember what we learned this morning about the pyramids?"

Katya nodded, barely looking at the artwork, around which many visitors to the museum were oohing and aah-ing. Carolyn and Raffaldi exchanged glances.

"The Egyptians were brilliant engineers in their time," Raffaldi told Katya.

Katya shuffled her feet, staring at the cool marble floor.

Carolyn was holding Katya's hand. "What is wrong, dear?" she asked. "I thought you were looking forward to our excursion."

Katya flushed. "My father said he wished he could come with us. He has never said that before."

"And he meant it." Carolyn squeezed her hand. "We shall invite your father to join us another time."

"Will he really come?" Katya asked with transparent hope.

"I believe so," Carolyn said firmly.

Katya looked up at Carolyn. "But he's so busy."

Carolyn frowned. She was going to make certain that they had an outing with Sverayov in the very near future. "I do not think he is too busy for you."

"What is that?" Katya asked suddenly, pointing across the cool, dimly illuminated room.

Carolyn turned, and as she did so, she saw a shadow out of the comer of her eye. Not for the first time since they had entered the museum. Carolyn shifted, not certain why, to glance around, but no one was standing behind her. She felt slightly uneasy, but dismissed it as nonsensical. "That is a mummy," Carolyn replied.

"What is a munmiy?"

Carolyn began to explain, but instantly felt eyes upon her—or them—again. This time she whirled. But no one stood anywhere in the vicinity, staring at her back. Carolyn wondered at herself. Was she having an attack of overeager imagination? "Come. Let's take a closer look."

As the trio crossed the room to study the mummy, which was cordoned off, Raffaldi took her aside. "Is something wrong. Miss Browne?" he asked.

"No." Carolyn smiled. "Nothing is wrong. I had a poor night's rest and I am merely fatigued."

Raffaldi smiled. "Katya, let me tell you how they make munmiys," he said.

Carolyn listened with half an ear, while her gaze kept wandering around the room.

An hour later, Carolyn, Katya, and Raffaldi stepped out of the museum and walked down the wide front steps of the Greco-Roman building. Carolyn -and Katya were holding

hands, and they paused in the cobbled courtyard, looking for their carriage. * There it is," Katya said, pointing down the street, which was very congested with traffic. Their phaeton was momentarily blocked by a huge dray, drawn by draft hcffses, which was attempting to turn onto the street, but had to cross through the oncoming traffic to do so.

"Stupid driver." Raffaldi shook his head. Other coachmen and hansom drivers were shouting at the driver of the dray.

"We can wait," Carolyn said. "It will not be more than a few minutes."

Pedestrians, many of them museum visitors, were hurrying to and fro all around them. Most of the passing crowd were well-dressed ladies and gentlemen. Carolyn continued to hold Katya's hand. Two ragged boys were rolling a ball in the gutter of the street. Katya smiled at their antics.