Текст книги "Wild Silver "
Автор книги: Iris Johansen
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Текущая страница: 13 (всего у книги 13 страниц)
12
„The circus is gone?“ Silver gazed at Valentin blankly. „But it
couldn’t be gone. I was there only three nights ago.“
„They packed up and left the next morning.“ Valentin said
gently. „Monteith arranged passage for his troupe and animals
on the Jefferson Davis to New Orleans. According to the
shipping agent, he was planning on taking another ship when
he reached New Orleans.“
„He’s going to Europe,“ Silver said numbly. „Etaine said –
“
„Not Europe. At least, not immediately,“ Valentin said.
„Russia.“
Silver’s eyes widened. „Russia!“
Valentin nodded ruefully. „He was evidently very
impressed by Nicholas’s affluence. He told the shipping agent
he was sure Russia would have rich pickings.“
„Which port?“
„The agent wasn’t sure. Monteith said he would decide
when he got to New Orleans and found what ships were
available.“
Silver drew a deep quivering breath. Oh, Lord, she didn’t
even know where Monteith had taken Etaine. Well, she had to
find out and quickly. „Where’s Nicholas?“
„He’s gone ashore to telegraph Randall’s in New Orleans
and try to have them intercept Monteith.“
„Those idiots will never – “ She broke off and her hands
tightened on the sheet until her knuckles turned white. She
must not become upset. She had to think… and act. „Valentin,
I need clothes. Would you buy a gown, shoes, and cloak from
one of the volunteers nursing the survivors?“
He gazed at her warily. „Nicholas won’t like it. You’re not
well enough to get up yet.“
„Would he like it better if I walked down that gangplank
wearing no gown at all?“
„Touche.“ He grimaced. „It seems I have no choice.
Anything else?“
„Money. I have to go ashore and purchase something.“
„I don’t suppose you’d be willing to tell me the nature of
the purchase?“
„No.“
„Nor let me accompany you?“
„No.“
Valentin shook his head gravely. „I can’t let you go unless
you promise to come back. Nicky would have me skewered
and roasted over slow flames if I let you run away again.“
„I promise. I have every intention of returning to the
Rose.“
Valentin hesitated before slowly reaching into his pocket
and pulling out a fat roll of bills and tossing it on the bed. „I
know you’re upset, Silver, but don’t do anything foolish.“
„I won’t.“ Silver felt a sudden stinging behind her eyes as
she looked up into his worried face. This might be the last time
she’d see Valentin, and she realized she would truly miss his
wry humor and droll pretense at fopishness. „Thank you,
Valentin.“
„It’s Nicky’s money.“ He made a face. „But my head, if
you don’t keep your word.“
„I’ll come back.“
Valentin studied her. „I believe you.“ He turned away. „So
I’ll use my considerable charm to talk one of the good ladies
out of her clothes. You won’t be pleased. They all dress with
the depressing drabness of most virtuous women.“ He lifted
his brow as he glanced back over his shoulder. „You won’t
change your mind?“
Silver shook her head.
Valentin sighed. „I didn’t think so.“ He shut the door
quietly behind him.
„Hurry,“ Silver said impatiently. „I told you there wasn’t
much time, Father.“
The plump, white-haired priest’s breath was coming in
little pants as he followed Silver up the gangplank of the Rose.
„I am hurrying, young lady,“ he said indignantly. „It will do
that poor dying soul no good if I expire before I can give him
the last rites.“
Silver caught sight of Mikhail watching them at the top of
the gangplank. „Is Nicholas back?“
Mikhail nodded, puzzled. „He’s in his cabin.“
„Good.“ Silver turned briskly and started toward the stairs
leading to the hurricane deck. „Come along, Father Jason.“
The priest scurried after her.
Mikhail gazed after them thoughtfully for a moment. Then
he walked slowly toward the stairs and began climbing the
steps.
Silver threw open the door to Nicholas’s cabin and strode
into the stateroom.
Nicholas jumped to his feet. „It’s about time you saw fit to
come back. Valentin says you left long before dark. If you ever
– “ He broke off as he caught sight of the priest behind her.
„What are you doing here, Father Jason?“
The priest leaned against the doorjamb attempting to!catch
his breath. „This young lady said it was urgent that I come. I
assume another one of the seamen is near death, your
highness.“
„I didn’t say that. Only that the matter was urgent.“ Silver
came forward to stand before Nicholas. „And it is.“ She drew
a small derringer from beneath her cloak and pointed it at
Nicholas. „He has to marry us.“
Nicholas’s froze, his expression stunned. „I beg your
pardon?“
„You. heard me. He’s going to marry us.“ She paused and
moistened her lips with her tongue. „Or I’ll shoot you.“
„Indeed?“ Nicholas lifted his brow. „How bloodthirsty of
you. May I ask where you got that pistol?“
„I bought it in a shop on the wharf.“ She added reluctantly,
„With your money.“ She hurried on. „But I’ll pay you back.“
His lips twitched. „I should hope so.“
Father Jason straightened away from the door-jamb. „This
is outrageous,“ he said incredulously. „Young lady, I will
perform no marriage rites between you and his highness while
he’s under duress.“ He moved forward to stand beside Silver.
„You should be ashamed, threatening a man such as he. Do
you realize this gentleman is looked upon as a hero by the
citizens of St. Louis for his selfless charity toward those poor
survivors of the tragedy of the Mary L?“
„No.“ She kept the pistol trained on Nicholas. „I only
realize I must have a legal father for my child.“
Nicholas went still. „Your child?“
„I’m over two weeks late for my flux and this is not usual
for me. I have to go after Etaine and I can’t risk leaving
without protecting my child.“ She met his eyes. „I will not
bring shame to any child I bear. It will be enough that he will
have Apache blood.“ She paused. „Don’t worry, I realize the
blame lies also with me. I want only your name for my child.
When I leave here, you will never see me again. I’m sure
you’ll have no problem dissolving the bond when you return
to your own country.“
„That’s a comforting thought.“ Nicholas’s eyes were
narrowed on her face. „You’ve obviously thought a great deal
about this.“
„Not a great deal.“ She smiled shakily. „If I didn’t tend to
act impulsively, this situation would never have occurred.“
She lifted her chin. „But I will make it come right.“
Father Jason was frowning uncertainly. „You have known
this woman in the carnal sense, my son?“
Nicholas’s gaze did not leave Silver’s face. „Oh, yes,
Father, it couldn’t have been more carnal.“
„It is possible that the child is not of your seed….“ Father
Jason suggested tentatively. „Perhaps the young woman has
engaged in similar activities with other gentlemen.“
„If there is a child, it is mine,“ Nicholas said unequivocally.
„Have you no shame that you admit to disgracing this
woman?“
„He didn’t disgrace me.“ Silver said indignantly. „I was the
one who chose to – “
„Anyone in St. Petersburg will tell you what a base
scoundrel I am,“ Nicholas interrupted quickly. „No woman is
safe from my lust.“
„But you obviously repent your past. Perhaps if you vow
not to transgress again, a penance or two would be sufficient –
“ Father Jason broke off as his gaze alighted on the mural on
the wall facing him. Stunned, his gaze shifted from perversity
to perversity. „Dear sweet Mary, I seem to have been mistaken
in you. This is the’chamber of a debaucher and his whore.“
„I don’t have much time,“ Silver said impatiently. „I have
passage on a riverboat that leaves here in forty minutes. Marry
us, Father.“
„You seem to have no choice,“ Nicholas told the priest
solemnly. He glanced down at the derringer in Silver’s hand.
„And I most certainly do not. Perhaps we’d better accede
graciously to – “ He broke off as his gaze traveled over
Silver’s head to the open doorway. Something flickered in his
eyes and his head made a negative motion that was almost
imperceptible. „Best proceed with the ceremony, Father.“
„Quickly,“ Silver urged.
Father Jason gave her an exasperated glance. „You’re a
most demanding female. I’m not so sure his highness is
completely to blame for – “ His glance again happened on the
murals. He quickly drew out a black book and began reciting
the words of the marriage rite.
The ceremony was over in an amazingly short time, and
Silver understood very few of the Latin phrases. She watched
suspiciously as the priest closed the book. „It’s done?“
„It’s done,“ the priest said.
„I want a paper,“ Silver said firmly. „Something to prove
that a marriage has taken place.“
Nicholas gestured to the small elegant desk across the
room. „There’s pen, paper, and ink, Father.“
The priest hurried over to the desk and scrawled a few lines
on a piece of paper he found in the desk drawer.
Silver followed him, glanced hurriedly at the paper, and
nodded. „That should be sufficient. Thank you.“
„May I go now?“ Father Jason asked caustically. „This has
all been most irregular.“
Silver nodded absently, her gaze turned back to Nicholas as
the priest hurried from the stateroom. „It was necessary,“ she
whispered. „I couldn’t take a chance. I had to protect my child.
You don’t know the pain of belonging nowhere.“
„Don’t I?“ he asked „How can you be sure?“
„Perhaps I can’t be sure.“ She drew a deep shaky breath.
„You said we knew very little about each other.“ Her hand
tightened on the pistol. „Well, it’s over and you’re free to do
anything you wish now.“
His lips curved in a curious smile. „I fully intend to do just
that.“
She nodded and then folded the document the priest had
given her and slipped it into the pocket of her cloak. „Good-
bye, Nicholas.“
He didn’t speak but continued to look at her with that faint
smile.
„It really was necessary that I – “ She broke off, looking at
him helplessly. „Truly.“ She turned and ran from the
stateroom.
Mikhail’s huge form was blocking the gangplank when she
reached the boiler deck.
„Good-bye, Mikhail.“ Her voice was husky and she had to
clear it. „Perhaps we’ll meet again.“
She tried to slip around him but he deliberately stepped into
her path again.
She frowned. „You don’t understand, I have to leave now. I
have to catch a boat to New Orleans within the hour.“
He silently shook his head.
Her lips tightened. „Get out of my way, Mikhail.“
„You could always point your little pistol at him,“ Nicholas
said from behind her. „But I doubt if he’d be as easily
intimidated as I was.“
Silver drew the derringer from beneath her cloak. „Let me
pass, Mikhail.“
Mikhail smiled gently at her and again shook his head.
„Mikhail, I’ll shoot you.“ Silver said, trying to make her
voice convincing. It was very difficult when the big bull was
gazing at her with such cheerful affection. „Truly. You know I
– Nicholas!“
He had picked her up and slung her over his shoulder. „Let
me down!“ Her hair was cascading over her eyes and she
could see nothing as he turned and strode toward the staircase.
„What are you doing? I’ll – “
„Hush, I’m tired of threats.“ He was climbing the steps.
„And stop wriggling. This is the only way I can hold you
without hurting your back.“
„Where are you taking me?“
„Back to bed. I told you the doctor said you weren’t to get
up. I should have known as soon as I turned my back you’d be
running around as if that bastard had been stroking you with a
feather instead of a whip.“
„Etaine – “
„I told you I’d take care of delivering your little waif to
you. Why didn’t you trust me?“
„She’s my responsibility. I can’t expect you to – “
„You don’t expect anything of anyone and you don’t trust
anyone but yourself.“ The crimson carpet of the saloon
suddenly came into her line of vision. „I keep my word,
dammit.“
„Let me down. I have a boat to catch.“
„In case it escaped your notice, you’re on a boat now.“ He
shifted his hold on her to open a door. „And its destination just
happens to be New Orleans.“
„I have to leave right away. I don’t know how long
Monteith will be in New Orleans.“ Her tone was anguished.
„He may be gone when I get there.“
„I’ve given orders to Robert that we’re to leave as soon as
we finish taking on more fuel.“ He set her on her feet,
carefully avoiding touching her back, and turned to light the
kerosene lamp on the rosewood table beside the door. „Which
should be no longer than thirty minutes.“
She brushed the hair out of her eyes, noticing absently that
Nicholas had not brought her to the master stateroom, but to a
much smaller one. Perhaps it had been the first door he had
passed. „But I have to –“
„I do wish you’d stop arguing, Silver. I’ve had a very
eventful day and I find I’m quite weary. May I have this now?
You obviously have no intention of using it at the moment.“
He took the derringer she was still clutching and set it on the
rosewood table. „I think I’m taking all this quite well, don’t
you? After all, it’s not every day a man is forced at the point of
a gun into the holy nuptials.“
„I told you I had to do it.“
„But why did you have to do it?“ The amusement and
mockery faded from his expression. „Wouldn’t it have been
easier for you to come to me and tell me there was a
possibility of a child?“
She shook her head emphatically. „I needed marriage. I
know you probably would have offered your protection, but
that wouldn’t make the child less a bastard. I knew you
wouldn’t marry me.“
„Did you?“ His dark eyes narrowed on her face. „You seem
very certain.“
She shrugged. „I’m not such a fool that I don’t know that
princes don’t wed with half-breeds born on the wrong side of
the blanket. Even Father Jason did everything he could to
persuade you that marriage wasn’t necessary with a woman
like me.“
„There are no women like you,“ Nicholas said softly.
„There’s only one Silver Delaney.“
Her gaze lifted to meet his own and she suddenly caught
her breath. She felt as if she were spinning, drowning in a dark
golden pool of sensation. Drowning. For a fleeting instant she
remembered that moment when she had sunk beneath the
waters of the river, fighting for her life, knowing there was
something wonderful waiting for her if she could just stay
alive long enough to grasp it. Something wonderful. Not lust,
but something deeper, more mystical… It was coming closer.
It was just beyond the horizon. Soon she would be able to see
it.
„You could have let me go,“ she said haltingly. „After I had
my paper from the priest, I would never have bothered you
again. Why did you follow.me?“
„Because I knew you’d let no feather drift to earth for me
to seize so that I might summon you back to me.“ His hand
reached out and gently brushed a swath of silky dark hair from
her face. „What a very wary firebird you are, Silver.“
She looked away from him. „That’s no answer.“
„You don’t trust me enough for me to give you any other…
as yet.“
„And you have little trust in me.“
„But I’m learning, Silver. I was taught a very bitter lesson a
long time ago.“ He smiled. „But now we have time to learn
each other. Marriage is forever.“
„No!“ she said, distressed. „I never meant to trap you in
that fashion. You can have it dissolved.“
„There is no divorce in my family,“ he said flatly. „You
should have taken time to query me on the subject. Now
you’re just as much a captive as you were when I first brought
you aboard the Rose.“
„And so are you,“ Silver said, frowning. „Truly, I never
meant – “
„It’s done.“ He made an imperious gesture with his left
hand. „There is no use talking about it.“ He took a step
forward, took off her cloak, and began unbuttoning the shiny
black buttons on the bodice of her gray gown. „It’s time you
went back to bed. Wherever did you get this ugly gown? You
seem to have an affinity for acquiring hideous garments.“
„Valentin bought it from one of the nurses,“ she said
absently, her thoughts on his words. „You don’t seem overly
upset about the marriage.“
His eyes were twinkling as he stripped the gown off her.
„One of the things you must learn about me is that I seldom do
anything I don’t wish to do.“
„But I forced you.“ She frowned. „Didn’t I?“
„You certainly pointed a gun at me,“ he agreed placidly.
„You’re a very dangerous lady, Silver.“
He stripped her shoes and undergarments from her and
crossed to the double bed across the room and pulled back the
pale green satin spread. „Now, come and lie down so that I can
cover you up.“ His voice had thickened a trifle. „I’m trying to
forget about my recently acquired conjugal privileges and
remember you’re not well.“
She obediently crossed the room and slipped under the
sheets and turned on her stomach, her cheek cradled on the
pillow as she turned to look at him. „Did I force you?“
„Perhaps.“ He stood looking down at her. „Or perhaps I
saw a way I could have what I wanted, what I was too guilt-
ridden to take for myself.“
„Which one?“ She couldn’t breathe. It was so close,
shimmering beyond the dark mystery of his eyes. Something
wonderful.
„Someday I’ll tell you,“ he said. „But not until you have no
need for me to do so.“
„How maddening you are.“ She scowled. „I don’t think I
like Russians.“
He laughed. „Then you’re definitely going to the wrong
country, aren’t you?“
„I might not have to go to Russia. I might find Etaine
before they leave New Orleans.“
„Possibly.“ His hand moved over her hair, stroking the
heavy fall that tumbled over her shoulder and off the side of
the bed. „I love the texture of your hair. It’s like midnight
silk.“ He drew his hand reluctantly away and slowly
straightened. „I’ll leave you to nap now. I’ll order our dinner
served here in the stateroom in a few hours.“
„But you don’t think Monteith will still be in New Orleans,
do you? You think I’ll have to go to Russia.“
„I have no idea, but I do believe it’s your destiny to go to
Russia at some time.“ He smiled mischievously. „We
Russians, are great fatalists, you know. We believe our every
step is guided by destiny.“
„And what is your destiny, Nicholas?“
His smile faded and his dark eyes became grave. „Who
knows? Perhaps it’s to follow the firebird until she lets me
mount her and soar to the sun. I have a great fondness for
firebirds. I followed one once and she led me from hell to
purgatory. I’m willing to try my luck again and aim for a more
celestial destination.“
„Fairy tales again.“ Silver laughed uncertainly. He was all
golden beauty and entrancing enigma, more bewildering now
than she had ever known him to be.
He bent swiftly and kissed her with slow warmth and
exquisite tenderness. „I hope not.“ Then he straightened and
was walking toward the door.
He turned to look at her as his hand grasped the china
doorknob. „Do you find this stateroom suitable? We can
choose another one if you like.“
„This is quite nice;.“ She gazed at him in puzzlement. „But
why didn’t you take me back to the master stateroom?“
„Because Father Jason was right, that stateroom was for a
debaucher and his whore. Not for her highness, Princess Silver
Savron.“ He bowed, his expression half mocking, half grave.
„And certainly not for my wife.“
Silver felt a surge of wild unreasoning happiness out of all
proportion to his words. „I see. I didn’t know you made
distinctions of that nature.“
„Then you’ve already learned something new about me.“
Suddenly a frown darkened his brow. „Which reminds me that
we have a few things to discuss.“
„Yes?“
„You’re my wife now and there are a few things I will not
tolerate.“
„Indeed?“
„You will not run wild as you have done since I’ve known
you. My country is different from your own; there are dangers
of which you have no knowledge. You’re not even familiar
with the language.“
Silver’s lashes lowered to veil her eyes.
„You will not go out without a groom or accompanied by
Valentin, Mikhail, or myself.“ Nicholas cast her a wary glance,
but she seemed to be taking the strictures very meekly.
„You will leave the locating of Monteith and his circus to
me.“
Silver smothered a yawn with her hand.
„You will be guided by me in all matters concerning – “
„I’m very tired, Nicholas.“
He gazed at her suspiciously. „That’s all you have to say?“
Silver’s eyes closed. „That’s all I have to say.“
Doubtful, he stared at her for a long moment, then he
shrugged and turned to extinguish the kerosene lamp on the
table by the door. Perhaps it wouldn’t be too difficult a task to
tame a firebird after all. „I’m glad you’re being sensible.“ He
opened the door. „Rest well, Silver.“
The door closed behind him.
At once Silver’s lids flickered open to reveal crystal-gray
eyes shimmering with excitement, anticipation, and a secret
amusement.
She smiled in the darkness.
Don’t miss the enthralling sequel to this book, Satin Ice,
also by Iris Johansen and part of the concluding trinity of THE
DELANEYS, THE UNTAMED YEARS.
THE DELANEY DYNASTY
Three of Bantam’s bestselling romance authors, Kay Hooper,
Iris Johansen and Fayrene Preston, have established a unique
event in romance publishing – the creation of the Delaney
Dynasty – a family filled with fascinating male and female
characters whose love stories are deeply sensual and
unforgettable. Each author’s work stands alone, but read with
the other books is part of a panoramic picture of a colorful,
exciting, and heartwarming family.
The stories of the members of the Delaney Dynasty began
with the publication of THE SHAMROCK TRINITY, the first
trio of contemporary love stories of the Delaney brothers –
Rafe, The Maverick by Kay Hooper; York, The Renegade by
Iris Johansen; and Burke, The Kingpin by Fayrene Preston.
These three romances received such wide acclaim and
generated such a clamor for more stories of the Delaneys that
our authors soon gave us the next three contemporaries – THE
DELANEYS OF KILLAROO: Adelaide, The Enchantress by
Kay Hooper; Matilda, The Adventuress by Iris Johansen; and
Sydney, The Temptress by Fayrene Preston.
The authors’ fascination with the Delaneys grew and,
particularly, they were captivated by the daring and romantic
ancestors who started it all. Thus, the Delaney historicals were
created, one of which you have just read.
Setting the stage for the trilogy THE DELANEYS, THE
UNTAMED YEARS, though, was THIS FIERCE
SPLENDOR by Iris Johansen. In the pages that follow we are
giving you excerpts of THE DELANEYS OF KILLAROO,
THIS FIERCE SPLENDOR, and two of the other books of the
trilogy THE DELANEYS, THE UNTAMED YEARS. We
hope these excerpts will tempt you to get any of the books you
may have missed… as well as to look forward to the second
and last set of historical novels that will follow up THE
UNTAMED YEARS and be published in the late fall of 1988.
