The Beloved Scoundrel (31 page)

“But she didn’t marry again?”

“No.” His smile became mocking. “After being wed to my father, I’m sure she had quite enough of marriage. It would only have gotten in her way.”

“You resent her.”

“Do I? It’s a possibility. I also admire her. She’s a brilliant woman. She rather reminds me of you.”

“Me?” She shook her head. “I’m nothing like her.”

“You have the same vitality and intensity.” He paused. “And the same appetite for pleasure.”

The sensual words came out of nowhere, catching her off guard and bringing the physical response that he had so carefully cultivated during those days at the hunting lodge, the tingling between her thighs, the swelling of her breasts. The mask was suddenly off, and this was not the man who had carefully tamped down any hint of sexuality on the journey from Cambaron but the totally erotic being he had been at Dalwynd.

He smiled as he read her expression. “Don’t be alarmed. I intend to keep my promise. I just thought I’d remind you it’s still there, waiting. For both of us.” He glanced at the servant who had appeared at her side bearing a silver tray on which were arranged an assortment of baked meats. “Try the chicken. The
ravin’s cook has created a lemon sauce that’s quite superb.”

H
e wants her still.” Ana bit into a chicken wing with delicacy and gusto, her moody gaze on Jordan and Marianna. “This is not usual for Jordan.”

“Marianna is not usual,” Gregor said. “And neither was what he felt for her.”

“I see nothing so unusual about her.” She frowned as she studied Marianna. “Why is she fighting him?”

“Do you suppose it could be because she regards him as the enemy? She loves her brother, and she holds Jordan responsible.”

“He will get the boy back.”

“And there’s the small matter of the Jedalar we are trying to steal from her.”

Ana dismissed the argument with a wave of her hand. “We are in the right.”

“Right is usually in the eye of the beholder.”

She nodded thoughtfully. “There are problems, but most women are taught to be guided by their bodies, not their minds.”

“Marianna is not ‘most’ women.”

“You said she let herself be taken by him. She is clearly a young woman with a young woman’s passions.”

The conversation was making him uneasy. At first he had thought he had seen signs of envy, but now he realized Ana’s feelings were far more complicated. “The battle is between them, Ana. You cannot make a gift of her to him just because he wants her. You sent me to England to make sure he was not spoiled by getting everything he wanted.”

“This is different.”

It was different only because Ana wanted it to be different. “How would you have felt if your husband had possessed a mother who wanted him to have you, regardless of your inclination?”

“There was no question of that,” she said bitterly. “They all hated me in England.”

“For good reason. You were rude and wild and wanted your own way. You cannot trample over people and expect them to love you.”

She glared at him. “I don’t trample over people.” Scowling, she then amended her own statement. “Well, not as a common practice.”

His laughter boomed. “I admit you’ve grown gentler over the years. Now, you are more like a pouncing tiger than an attacking lion.” He looked at Marianna again. “She did a splendid panel of a tiger that reminded me of you.”

Her attention returned immediately to the previous subject. “Jordan is generous and can be very charming. There is no reason he should not have her. She could not find a better lover or protector.”

His laughter faded as he saw where she was drifting. There would be trouble if she decided on this course. He said slowly, “You cannot buy him, Ana.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not trying to buy him.” She lifted her chin. “I have no need to buy anyone.”

“That is true. Now believe it yourself.” He lifted his glass of wine to his lips. “He will come to you in time.”

“Will he?” Her lips curled bitterly. “When I am old and gray and pitiful? I’ve waited too long already.
What does he want of me? I cannot be anything but what I am.”

“Be patient. You’ve hardly been a sweet and sacrificing mother,” Gregor said mildly. “Any more than he’s been an understanding, forgiving son.”

“I don’t want his forgiveness.”

“Then what do you want from him?”

She was silent a moment and then said haltingly, “He need not be so cold. It would not be too much to expect friendship, would it? After all, we do have a common goal.”

He could sense the hurt she would never show Jordan. He wanted to reach out and touch her in comfort, but he knew she would not accept it. This wound went too deep. “It will come in time.”

“You said that before,” she said impatiently.

“Ah yes, you fear gray hair and creaking bones. But how can that happen when I’m going to burn all the calendars?”

She smiled reluctantly. “Would you really do that for me, Gregor?”

“Of course. Do you wish for a fountain of youth? I will venture forth immediately and find it for you.”

“I’m not sure I would like to be young again. I was very stupid when I was young.”

“We are all stupid before we gain experience.”

“You were never stupid,” she said softly. “You were always exactly as you are now.” A shadow crossed her face. “Were you truly almost killed?”

“No, I’ve had far greater wounds. All the blood frightened Marianna.”

“I won’t have you die,” she said with sudden fierceness. “Do you hear me? I won’t have it. What would I do without you?” She grimaced as she realized
what she had said. “You see how selfish I am. I’m not sure you’re right regarding my improvement in character.”

“It is all you. The bad and the good combine to make the whole. It is the entire Ana Dvorak that matters.”

She looked down into the wine in her goblet. “The entire Ana Dvorak has certain needs that you do not fulfill. Are you going to come to me tonight?”

“No.”

Her hand tightened on her goblet. “I will not wait forever for you.”

“This is very good wine. Your own vineyards?”

“Yes. You injure my pride by your refusal. Other men desire me.”

“I desire you.” He smiled at her. “How could I not desire you? You are everything that a man could want in a woman.”

“Then why do you— I will not humble myself again like this.”

“Yes, you will.”

“Why should I?”

“Because you know that no one loves you as I do. You are curious to know how it would feel to bed a man whose love is as great as mine.”

She smiled beguilingly. “If you truly love me, you will come to my bed.”

“It is because I love you that I do not. Sadly it is as bad for your character to indulge your every wish as it was for Jordan.”

“I am not Jordan.”

She did not realize how much she resembled Jordan in this moment. Green eyes glittering with annoyance, the beautiful mouth tight with willfulness,
the explosive energy lying just beneath the surface. The only difference was that Jordan masked his emotions beneath that air of cynicism, and Ana hid hers behind a wall of pride.

“No, Ana,” he said gently.

A mixture of disappointment and anger flared in her expression. “I’m not a nun. Do you want to know how many men I have had in my bed since last I saw you?”

“No, I do not want to know.”

“When I go back to my rooms tonight, I will send for a man who does not find me—”

“No, you will not.” His gaze met her own. “Not while I am here.”

“You cannot expect me to—” She broke off and then nodded jerkily, her voice uneven, “Not while you are here. Never while you are here.” She glanced quickly away from him. “You are a very difficult man,
mado.
”

“I am a very simple man.”

“Who must always have his way.” She squared her shoulders and smiled recklessly. “Well, I will not be defeated on all fronts. I think I must see that Jordan is made happy, if I am not.”

He should have known she would return to do battle. “You took away his mother, and now you wish to provide him a mistress to soothe the hurt? It is not a trade you can make, Ana.”

“You will not allow it?”

He nodded at Marianna. “She will not allow it.”

Ana’s gaze raked the delicacy of Marianna’s features, the fragility of her small body. “I doubt if she’s a match for me. I think I must accompany you on this
journey to Montavia. Nebrov will hesitate to attack if I am along.”

“I am not so confident.”

She smiled brilliantly. “And besides, I must be there to protect you in case your wits fail you again. Yes, I will definitely go to Montavia.”

He opened his lips to argue with her and then closed them. Perhaps Ana should go with them. Marianna’s will was strong enough to resist Ana’s coercion, and, for all he knew, Ana’s effort might bring about the prize she wanted most in the world. A common goal, she had said, meaning the defeat of Napoleon, but now Marianna offered the possibility of another common goal.

Poor dove, he was about to offer her up to the tigers.

“Why are you not arguing with me?” she asked warily.

“But I want you to go to Montavia.” He smiled at her and added with complete truthfulness, “I always want you with me, Ana.”

T
he morning was frigid, and the breaths of the horses milling about the courtyard were like plumes of smoke. Marianna was mounted and waiting impatiently when Jordan came out of the palace.

He was dressed all in black even to the seal fur on the collar of his cloak, and he appeared lean, tough, and faintly sinister in the early light.

“Good morning.” He mounted his horse and gathered the reins. “I regret to keep you waiting, but I was having a discussion with the ravin. It seems she’s going with us.”

She frowned. “Why?”

He shrugged. “Who knows? What she says isn’t always what she means.” He took stock of the waiting horsemen. “But she apparently meant it when she said she’d furnish us with quite a large troop. This is almost an army.”

“How long are we going to have to wait for her?” she asked.

“Not long.” His gaze returned to the palace. “There she is now.”

Ana Dvorak looked very much like the warrior in her stained-glass window, Marianna thought, as she watched the woman mount her black stallion and then ride toward them. The ravin was not wearing armor, but her back was straight, her seat on the horse magnificent, and her manner bold and autocratic.

“I don’t suppose you’ll reconsider? This is not necessary, you know,” Jordan said as she reached them. “There’s no use putting you in danger as well.”

“I’m touched by your concern. But I do think it necessary, and I rule here, not you, Jordan.” She gestured for him to ride ahead. “Now run along with Gregor. I wish to speak to the
belka.
”

“Why?” Jordan asked.

“I’m merely being cordial to a guest. You gave me no opportunity to become acquainted with her last night.”

Jordan hesitated and then glanced inquiringly at Marianna.

Sweet heavens, Marianna thought, he was behaving as if the woman were going to cut her throat. She was not sure she was looking forward to becoming acquainted with the ravin, but there was nothing to fear.

“Go on,” she said curtly.

He shrugged and nudged his horse into a gallop.

“He is very protective,” the ravin said as she guided her horse along side Marianna’s. “It is a fine quality in a man.”

“If one wishes protection.”

“Don’t be absurd. A woman always needs protection.”

“Do you?”

“I’m the ravin. I have an army to protect me.”

“And before you were the ravin?”

Ana Dvorak burst into laughter. “Very well, I admit it. I would have hung a man up by his toenails if he’d offered me protection.”

“Even Gregor?”

Her face softened miraculously. “Gregor will not listen. He never offers, he just gives of himself.” She frowned. “But I am not here to talk of Gregor, and I’m not here to answer your questions.”

“You said you were here to become acquainted, Your Majesty,” Marianna said.

“No, I’m here to tell you that you should take Jordan back to your bed.”

Marianna’s eyes widened in shock. “I beg your pardon?”

She shrugged. “I’m not like Jordan; I have little subtlety. Men are prone to dance around a problem, when confronting it would bring an instant solution.”

“And I am a problem?” Marianna asked carefully.

“You’re angry with Jordan, but it’s nothing that can’t be resolved. It’s foolish to ruin your future over a present dispute. Of course, Jordan cannot offer you marriage, but you’ll find him a very generous protector.”

“Oh, will I?”

“And if you don’t trust him, I’m prepared to ensure that you’re well cared for when he leaves you. I will give you a comfortable income and a lovely house here in Kazan. Gregor says you’re very fond of your brother. I will see that he gets a fine schooling and an opportunity to succeed in any career he chooses.” She looked intently at Marianna. “Is there anything else you could ask?”

“Yes, I wish to ask one more thing.” Marianna’s voice was shaking with anger. “Did he tell you to speak to me?”

“Jordan does not tell me anything. I make my own decisions.” She studied Marianna’s expression. “You’re very angry. I don’t think you’re prepared to be reasonable.”

“Reasonable? You consider it reasonable for me to become a whore at your bidding?”

“I did not— Well, perhaps I did, but it was for your own good.”

“And what if I had offered you the same suggestion?”

“In your circumstances I would have considered it a fine—” She stopped and then said bluntly, “I’m not in your circumstances. I
want
this for Jordan.”

“You’re just like him,” Marianna said in disbelief. “Nothing matters but what you want.” She drew a deep, shaky breath. “No, thank you, Your Majesty. I don’t want your fine house or your son. All I want is your help in getting Alex back and then to say goodbye to both of you.”

Ana took in Marianna’s face and blazing eyes, then gathered her reins. “No doubt worry over your brother has made you a trifle overwrought. Think
about it. I will talk to you later.” Her gaze slid away from Marianna before she added, “It would be best if you did not tell Jordan of our discussion.”