Текст книги "Wild Silver "

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

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heat, but I won’t promise to follow you to Siberia if the tsar

decides to curb that wild tongue of yours.“

Nicholas’s smile deepened. „It might be worth it. Siberia

could be a welcome change. St. Petersburg has been abysmally

boring of late. I used to be able to bear it when I knew I could

go back to the Kuban, but not…“He trailed off, his dark eyes

gazing brood-ingly down at the waters below him. „Maybe I’ll

pay a visit to court when this is all over.“

„Good God, why?“ Marinov asked, startled. „You hate life

at court.“

„I don’t know. It’s as good a place as any other in which to

be bored. Perhaps…“He shrugged impatiently. „But that’s in

the future. Now we have to find Dominic Delaney.“

„You think he’s to blame for Andre’s death?“

„Who knows?“ Nicholas said wearily. „But I’m here to find

out and I won’t go home until I do.“ His hand clenched

violently on the wooden rail. „Why the hell did he go to a

primitive place like Hell’s Bluff? What a fool he was.“

„But you loved him,“ Marinov said quietly.

„He was my cousin,“ Nicholas was silent a moment.

„Damn, he was as clumsy as a big puppy and I can’t remember

how many scrapes I had to get him out of, but he had a good

heart. He didn’t deserve to be hanged in a land so far from

home.“

„I take it we go to this St. Louis to question the young

woman? She doesn’t sound as if she would willingly tell you

anything.“ Valentin’s eyes twinkled. „Except the same advice

she gave Mr. Bentsen’s agent.“

„She’ll tell me.“ Nicholas turned away from the rail.

„Come along. Let’s go find Robert and inform him that he’s

going to get the opportunity to beat the Robert E. Lee’s record

to St. Louis. You recall how enthusiastic he was in the telling

of that tale. How long did he say it took? Four days?“

„A little less, I think.“ Valentin fell into step with him. „Our

celebration is over, I assume.“

„Why? I’m sure we’ll need amusement on the trip. We’ll

ask our guests to go along.“ Nicholas’s ebony eyes were

suddenly gleaming. „Don’t you think that’s a fine idea?“

„Lee Bassinger too?“

„You object? He’s not exactly charming, but he may

improve upon acquaintance.“

„You know damn well he’s a dangerous man. He’s a

vicious bastard, and he didn’t like losing this pleasure barge to

you. It was the pride of his fleet of river-boats.“

„All the more reason to invite him. It will make the journey

more interesting.“

Valentin slowly shook his head, but said nothing. There

was no use remonstrating with Nicholas when he was in such a

mood. The streak of wildness that had always been a part of

him had been growing steadily of late, and arguing only

triggered more extravagant behavior. „You realize the journey

could all be for nothing? What if Delaney’s niece refuses to

tell you where her uncle has gone?“

„There are always ways of handling vipers.“ Nicholas

suddenly threw back his head and laughed. He clapped

Valentin on the shoulder. „Stop frowning, my friend. She’s

young, a schoolgirl. It will take no time at all to get the

information from her. Silver Delaney will pose no problem for

me.“

2

Where in hell had the blasted girl gone?

Luke Carey carefully moved from the shadows of the high

stone wall to a beech tree closer to the three-story building that

housed Mrs. Alford’s Select Academy for Young Ladies, his

gaze searching the darkness.

She had to be somewhere on the grounds. He had caught a

fleeting glimpse of the Delaney girl as she had slipped from

the sill of her third-floor chamber to the branch of an oak tree

and begun her usual agile descent to the garden below. Then,

somehow, he had lost sight of her after she had reached the

ground. One moment she had been there, and the next she had

faded into the shadows. Maybe he should –

A strong arm encircled him from the rear and jerked his

neck back sharply. The sharp point of a dagger pricked his

throat.

„Don’t move!“ The voice behind him was low and fierce.

„Or I’ll slice your gullet like a chicken for Sunday dinner.“

Carey froze, his heart pounding so hard he could almost

hear it in the darkness. „I’m not moving,“ he said hoarsely. He

swallowed. „Will you shift that knife an inch or so? I’m scared

to breathe.“

„Soon.“ The knife remained pressed against the hollow of

his throat. „When you tell me what I want to know.“

It was the Delaney girl, he realized with amazement.

Though the tone was fierce, her voice held the same

melodious, bell-like womanliness as that of the schoolgirl who

had damned him to perdition three weeks ago in Mrs. Alford’s

prim parlor.

He found himself unconsciously relaxing. „Now, Miss

Delaney, you’re being a little hasty. You don’t want to – “ A

fresh ripple of fear surged through him as the dagger drew

blood.

„How do you know what I want to do? You know nothing

about me except what you’ve discovered by spying on me. Did

you think I didn’t realize you were following me?“ Her tone

was edged with scorn. „An elephant couldn’t have been more

clumsy about hiding his sign. You wouldn’t last two days on

the trail. The only reason I put up with it was to see how long

you’d keep at it when you saw I wouldn’t lead you to

Dominic.“

Carey muttered a low curse beneath his breath. „You could

have stopped me at any time. It’s your uncle we want. We have

no interest in your activities.“

„But I’m interested in yours. Who is this client who wants

so much to learn Dominic’s whereabouts?“

Carey nervously licked his lips. „I told you the day we met

in the parlor that I don’t know.“

„Charles Durbin?“

Carey started to shake his head and then stopped. Lord,

he’d be spitting himself on that damn little dagger in another

minute. „I wasn’t told. My orders were to find out Delaney’s

location and report to our man in New Orleans.“

Silver felt a swift, sinking disappointment. The man truly

didn’t know. Carey’s voice was shaking with fear and his

muscles were taut with terror. She had hoped he had been

lying to her when she had first asked him who was pursuing

Dominic, but a man seldom lied with a blade biting into his

throat. She reluctantly lowered the knife, her arm dropping

from around his neck. She stepped back. „Then send word to

your man in New Orleans that Dominic doesn’t want to be

found.“ She drew her dark blue cloak more closely around her.

„And tell him that questioning his kin can be very dangerous.

Don’t follow me again, Mr. Carey. It annoys me.“

There was no sound of a footfall, nor even a whisper of

movement in the grass, and it was not until he heard the soft

clang of the garden gate that Carey realized the girl was no

longer behind him. He whirled around, too late to catch

anything but a brief glimpse of Silver Delaney before she was

gone, hurrying down the sidewalk toward the hired carriage

waiting in the next block.

A few moments later Silver settled back against the leather

cushions of the carriage and closed her eyes, attempting to

relax her taut nerves. It was unusual for her to be this nervous,

and she must not let emotion sap her strength. Fear wouldn’t

help Dominic. Those men still didn’t know where Dominic

and Elspeth had gone and, with luck, would not find out. She

only wished she could contact Dominic and tell him he was in

danger once again. It was frustration that was causing her

distress and exasperation to grow more desperate with every

passing day. Dom had promised to contact her when they had

found a villa to Elspeth’s liking, but that might be months.

Blast it, she should have gone with them.

Then her lips curved in a wry smile. She had not been

invited to go along, and she probably wouldn’t have gone if

the invitation had been issued. Even after four years of

marriage Dominic and Elspeth had no need for anyone else.

Silver had realized early on that it was sometimes lonelier to

see the love that bonded them together and shut her out than to

stay at the academy, where the rejection was deliberate. She

could armor herself against the cruelty of strangers, she could

fight contempt and stupidity, but it was virtually impossible to

stem the poignant, wistful feelings evoked by watching

Elspeth and Dominic together. How would it feel to be loved

as Elspeth was loved?

She was being foolish. She deliberately straightened on the

seat and squared her shoulders. There was no reason to grow

weak and tearful over something no one could change. She

had been lonely all her life and could not expect anything else

in the future. Perhaps some people were meant to be lonely.

She had to accept the loneliness and go on with her life. There

were many rewards she could wrest from the world once she

had left this blasted school.

She smothered a chuckle as she imagined Mrs. Alford’s

expression of profound relief when Silver finally walked out

her front door. She had made sure that the last two years had

been as difficult for those around her as they were difficult for

her. Well, it had been their own fault, she thought defiantly. No

one could expect her to meekly let Mrs. Alford and her

mawkish pupils treat her with contempt. If she couldn’t have

friendship, she would have respect.

She glanced out the window of the carriage. She could see

the bright lights in the distance and the cheerful, alluring

music of the calliope drifted faintly to her ears. She was

almost there. She felt the anticipation begin to rise within her.

The circus. Here she had acceptance. Circus people were also

outcasts, yet proud, even splendid, in their isolation. They had

brought her into their world without thought or hesitation.

Soon, for a little while, she could forget-loneliness and pretend

she belonged to the brilliant, shoddy world of Monteith’s

Circus.

„You’re late.“ Sebastien threw open the door of the

carriage, his voice hoarse with strain. „Hurry!“

Fear clutched painfully at Silver’s throat. „Etaine?“

Sebastien nodded jerkily. „She had an attack this

afternoon.“ He tossed a coin to the coachman and easily lifted

Silver but of the vehicle. „We did everything you told us, but

she’s not much better.“ His handsome face was anguished.

„That son of a bitch made her go into the cage tonight. She

could scarcely breathe and he still made her perform with the

cats.“

Anger flared white-hot within Silver. Damn Mon-teith.

She’d like to cut his heart out. „She’s in her tent?“-

Sebastien nodded and hurried ahead, elbowing a path

through the crowd for her.

„How is she, Sebastien?“ a ticket taker called as they

passed the entrance of the big tent.

„Not good,“ Sebastien said curtly, scarcely looking at the

man. He hurried Silver past the big tent, the animal cages, and

on to a small tent at the back of the field. „Khadil is with her

now, but she’ll have to leave before Monteith discovers her

absence from the sideshow.“ He lifted the flap of the tent and

waves of moist heat struck them in the face. Then they were in

the tent, stepping around the small banked fire on which a

kettle of bubbling hot water was sending mists of steam into

the air, to hurry toward the woolen pallet on the far side of the

tent where Khadil was kneeling.

The albino turned to look at them, her strange eyes wide

with anxiety. „She’s seared, Silver,“ she whispered. „I’ve been

holding her hand like you said, but she’s so scared.“

„It’s all right, Khadil.“ Silver shrugged off her cloak and

threw it on the brassbound trunk beside the pallet. „You’ve

done very well. All you could do.“

She looked down at the tiny figure on the pallet, a sharp

pang of sympathy wrenching through her. Etaine’s eyes were

closed and her mouth was wide open as she struggled

desperately for breath. The child was still wearing her pink

tutu and tights, her fair skin shining with a mist of perspiration

that had darkened her white-gold curls to pale brown. She had

lost weight in the last few weeks and appeared even younger

than ten years of age.

Etaine’s lids fluttered open and she saw Silver. Hope flared

in the blue depths of her eyes. She smiled shakily. „I’ve .

been… trying.“ Each word was torn from her as she struggled

painfully for air. „It doesn’t – “

„Shh.“ Silver dropped swiftly to her knees beside Khadil.

„Save your breath. I know you’ve been trying. You just needed

someone to help you try a little harder.“ She glanced over her

shoulder at Sebastien. „I’ll need someone to keep that kettle

steaming.“

He nodded. „Many of us will take turns coming in to tend

it.“

Silver turned back to Etaine and smiled. „Why don’t we

undress you and wrap you in a blanket the way we did the last

time? That will make you feel much freer.“ She quickly began

to take off the child’s spangled pink finery. She experienced

another ripple of rage as she had a sudden mental picture of

how Etaine must have looked facing the lions tonight.

Monteith always deliberately tried to accentuate his daughter’s

youth and childish vulnerability when she performed. He must

have been very pleased tonight, Silver thought savagely.

Etaine’s illness gave her an air of fragility, almost a

transparency that was unbearably touching. „Sebastien!“

Sebastien paused at the entrance of the tent.

„Keep Monteith away from here tonight.“

He hesitated and for an instant she saw the fear that was

always present at any mention of defiance of Monteith. Then

Sebastien nodded with determination. „We’ll find a way.“

Khadil helped Silver undress and wrap Etaine in the

blanket and then sat back on her heels. „I have to leave now.

Monteith always checks the sideshow and my friends won’t be

able to fool him for much longer.“

„That’s fine, I won’t need you any more tonight,“ Silver

said. „Etaine is going to be fine.“

Khadil frowned, her eyes with their pink irises and red

pupils fixed worriedly on Etaine. „I’ll try to come back later if

you – “

„No.“ Silver tried to smother the exasperation she was

feeling. They all meant well, but their love for Etaine was so

deep that these attacks frightened them as much as they did the

child, and fear fed upon fear. „Leave us alone.“

Khadil nodded uncertainly, her wild mane of pure white

hair shining in the firelight. „Good night, Etaine.“

Etaine’s thin face was suddenly lit by a loving smile as she

gazed at the albino. „It’s… all right, Khadil. Don’t be…

afraid.“

„Hush.“ Silver motioned for Khadil to leave and settled

down beside Etaine, gathering the child into her arms. She

began to stroke the silky crop of fair curls, slowly and

rhythmically. They were silent for a long time, and Silver

gradually felt the tension that locked Etaine’s muscles begin to

ease and her breathing grow more steady.

„It’s getting better,“ Etaine said, nestling closer. „I was

afraid I…“

„It’s bad for you to be afraid. It makes the breathing much

worse. Now relax and think of pleasant things.“

„Heaven?“ Etaine tried to laugh. „I was wondering…

before you came… about heaven. I thought this time…“

„Not heaven,“ Silver said firmly. „You’re not going to see

heaven for a long, long time. You’ve had these attacks before,

and this is just another one. Maybe a little worse.“

Etaine nodded. „Worse. Why?“

Silver was silent a moment. „I don’t know, Etaine. I don’t

know why you have to suffer. Perhaps it won’t always be this

way. I have heard that some children grow out of lung

afflictions.“ If they lived long enough. The thought brought

panic in its wake, and she quickly blocked the emotion. She

mustn’t be afraid or Etaine would sense it and grow tense

again. She could often talk the child through attacks like these

if she could get her to relax. „A dry climate seems to help.

Doctors send many people to heal in the land where I was

born. Living here beside the river can’t be good for you.“

„We’ll move on… soon. My father says the pickings are

getting poor here.“

Silver experienced a swift thrust of pain. She had known

the circus would not remain here forever, but the news still

came as a shock. She would miss them all so much. Sebastien,

Khadil, Bruno the Strong Man, Etaine. No, not Etaine. She had

plans for Etaine.

„Tell me about Killara, Silver.“ Etaine’s lids had closed

again and her breathing was becoming less harsh with every

passing moment. „Tell me about your cousins… Patrick and

Brianne and about… Rising Star. Am I really like Rising

Star?“

„Yes.“ Silver gently stroked the blue-veined delicacy of

Etaine’s temples. „Not in appearance. My aunt was Apache,

like me, but you remind me of her.“ Strength and fragility,

gentleness and a joyous love of life that touched everyone

around her. „I miss her very much. She loved me.“

„Of course,“ Etaine said simply. „Everyone loves you,

Silver.“

Silver burst out laughing. „You’re mistaken, Etaine. I’m

not at all lovable.“

Etaine’s lids opened. „Then why do I love you?“

Silver gave the child a quick hug. „Because you love

everyone. Someday you’ll wake up and see me as I am.“

„I don’t love… everyone. Sometimes I feel very wicked.“

Silver knew to whom the child was referring. How the hell

could even a daughter love a monster like Paul Monteith?

„You’re not wicked. Some people aren’t worth loving.“ She

smiled down at her. „Do you think you can go to sleep now?“

„Pretty soon.“ Etaine’s breathing was almost normal now,

and her words were slightly slurred. „You won’t leave right

away? I always feel safe with you. I was so frightened before

when I couldn’t breathe.“

Silver swallowed to ease the tightness of her throat. „I

know, Etaine. I don’t have to leave for a long, long time. Now,

close your eyes.“

In a few moments the child was asleep and Silver let out a

deep sigh of relief. The attack was over. Tomorrow Etaine

would be weak and exhausted, but in a few days she would be

well again.

Until the next attack.

Silver knew a chill of terror that was quickly superseded by

determination. Etaine mustn’t be here when the next attack

occurred. She must be at Killara, where she could be cared for.

There had to be some way to get Monteith to relinquish

custody of Etaine. He had no affection for her. Hell, he had no

affection for anyone. She shivered as she remembered the last

confrontation she’d had with the man. There was something

terribly evil about Monteith, something not at all as it should

be…. She would wire Patrick and ask him for help. Mpnteith

appeared to be a greedy enough bastard; perhaps if Patrick

offered him a great deal of money…

She sighed wearily and tried to relax. Yes, perhaps Patrick

could help. Etaine would be happy at Killara, as Silver had

never been. She was a golden child and she would be accepted

by the family as one of them.

Her cousin, Patrick, had done everything he could to make

his grandfather and grandmother treat Silver as a true Delaney,

but he could not make them give her affection.

She had already resolved not to return to Killara, but the

ties that bound her to the ranch were too strong to sever

entirely. There were too many years, too many memories, too

many dreams invested in Killara to walk away from it and not

look back. Maybe she could settle somewhere close by and see

Etaine now and then, it would be sweet to watch her grow

strong and healthy and free of fear.

She was growing drowsy but she mustn’t sleep. The

carriage would return for her in a few hours to take her back to

the academy, and she had promised Patrick the last time she

had been expelled that she would try to avoid another scene

with Mrs. Alford. It was all very stupid. There were so many

foolish rules. How could any woman live smothered under so

many rules and with as many simpered platitudes ringing in

her ears? Still, she had promised. She wrinkled her nose in

distaste as she thought about having to sneak out each night.

Oh, well, three months more and it would be over. She would

be free.

She looked down at the child’s sleeping face and a wave of

tenderness swept over her. Now she must find a way of freeing

Etaine.

„Please, do be seated.“ Elisabeth Alford cast a flustered

glance at Mikhail Kuzdief towering behind Nicholas Savron

and moistened her lips with her tongue. „Perhaps your servant

could wait outside, your highness? My young ladies are shy

and easily frightened by the masculine gender and he is very…

large, isn’t he?“

Nicholas seated himself on the horsehair couch Mrs. Alford

had indicated. „Mikhail isn’t my servant, he’s my aide. He’s

Cossack and a Cossack is servant to no man.“ He smiled

easily. „And we have no intention of encountering any of your

young ladies except Miss Delaney. I’m sure neither my aide

nor myself could be considered a threat to the virtue of your

charges.“

The headmistress had distinct doubts on that score.

Nicholas Savron possessed a beguiling masculine beauty that

posed a danger far in excess of the attractions of an ordinary

young man – and he was a prince to boot. Any young girl was

bound to be dazzled by such a potent combination. From the

supple leather of his black boots to his black frock coat and

discreetly striped gray silk cravat, he was a picture of worldly

elegance. How had that savage been lucky enough to manage

to make the acquaintance of such a man? „Well, perhaps it

would do no harm for him to stay.“ Her fingers fluttered up to

fondle the cameo brooch at her throat. „I’ve sent for Silver. I

believe she’s in the garden this afternoon. The sweet girl is

such a lover of nature. You say you have a message for her?

Perhaps you’re acquainted with her guardian, Patrick

Delaney?“

Nicholas shook his head. „I have a connection with her

uncle Dominic.“

„A family connection?“

„Not exactly.“ The prince leaned forward and lowered his

voice. „I have a message for her concerning her uncle. A very

personal message. Naturally, you’ll be understanding enough

to give us the privacy needed for such a delicate matter.“

Mrs. Alford frowned. „Leave you alone with Silver? That’s

not possible. It would be frightfully improper.“

„But you’re obviously a lady of great discernment.“

Nicholas’s words flowed over her with honey-sweet

persuasion. „And a woman of such intelligence is allowed to

take risks when a lesser woman must cling diligently to the

rules.“ He smiled, his dark eyes twinkling. „I promise I’ll be

alone with her for only five minutes. What possible harm

could come to her in that short time?“

There was a sound from Mikhail that was suspiciously like

a snort of derision.

„Five minutes?“ The headmistress wavered. Those eyes

were mesmerizing and that wicked smile capable of melting

stone. She really shouldn’t permit him to – She abruptly stood

up as she made up her mind. Why not? That young demon

could certainly protect herself and she, Elisabeth Alford, was

not about to offend a prince. „Very well.“ She moved toward

the door. „But not a minute more. Ah, here is Silver. Silver,

this is his highness. Prince Nicholas Savron, and his aide,

Mikhail Kuzdief. My dear, his highness has a message for

you.“ She strutted from the room, her bustle swaying on her

ample posterior.

„What sort of message?“ Silver Delaney asked warily,

moving a few paces into the parlor.

Nicholas felt a tingle of emotion that was curiously like

shock. The girl before him was a dark flame burning in the

fussy drabness of the parlor. Ebony hair, straight and silky,

was left unbound to fall to the middle of her back. Golden skin

glowed with a satin luminence that was irresistibly tempting to

touch, and her eyes… wide-set, framed by long, curving black

lashes, those clear silver eyes should have been cool but they

were not. They were flashing, alive, and as passionate as those

beautifully shaped lips.

Passion. Sensuality. She radiated those qualities like a

shimmering beacon that would draw men to her as surely as

his own body was responding right now. She was clothed– in a

dark blue school uniform consisting of a long-sleeved waist-

length Zouave jacket, full shapeless skirt, and prim, high-

necked white shirtwaist blouse obviously meant to convince

all men that there was nothing worthy of their interest beneath.

On Silver Delaney the attempt at subterfuge was completely

useless. She held her slim body arrow-straight, her full breasts

pressing against the prim shirtwaist and jacket as if boldly

flaunting their presence. Yet there was an air of indifference to

her appearance that was as intriguing as the sensuality she

radiated with every breath.

„Well?“ She strode forward, her gaze meeting his with

impatience. „Speak up. Who sent you?“

Nicholas felt a touch of amusement. He couldn’t remember

ever having been spoken to like a dim-witted lackey even as a

child at the tsar’s court. He stood up and bowed mockingly.

„Forgive me for not answering you at once. I fear your beauty

held me speechless.“

„Bullshit.“ She stopped before him, planting her hands on

her hips. „I’m not even pretty. You were just taking my

measure as I was taking yours.“

Nicholas’s laugh rang out. He had never encountered such

honesty in a woman before. „Quite true. But may I say taking

your measure was a very pleasurable experience? I hope you

found me equally pleasing.“

He knew she would find him pleasing, Silver thought.

There was not a woman in the world who would not look at

him and want to keep on looking. A golden sun god – bold,

sensuous, lusty as any mythical Apollo. A sudden flush

brushed her cheeks as she realized her heart was pounding

painfully hard against her ribs. „You’re handsome enough, I

suppose. I have a fondness for dark men myself.“

Nicholas felt a sudden sharp annoyance. Was her circus

knife-thrower dark, then? Lord, what difference did it make

what were the preferences of a promiscuous little schoolgirl?

„Is your uncle Dominic dark?“

Her wariness immediately returned. „Yes.“

„And you’re very fond of him?“

„Yes.“ Her eyes suddenly narrowed. „Why are you asking

questions about Dom?“

„I need to see him. Will you tell me where to find him?“

„Why should I? What do you want with him?“ Her voice

became fierce. „How do I know you’re really who you say you

are? You could be another one of those idiot detectives who

came here looking for him.“

His lips twitched. „Who you consigned to the devil?“

„You are one of them.“ She took a step back, her hands

clenching at her sides. „I should have known that fool I

frightened away two days ago would send for someone else to

take his place. Why do you think I’d tell you anything about

Dom?“

His amusement faded. „Because I intend that you will tell

me.“

She looked at him incredulously. „Can you promise me that

you mean no harm to Dom?“

He hesitated before meeting her gaze. Should he lie to her?

The clear fearlessness of her regard decided him. In a world of

women who played with the truth as if it were a pretty toy, it

was refreshing to find one who appeared to have no guile.

„No, I can’t promise you that.“

„Then you’re loco to think I’d ever tell you anything.“ Her

eyes blazed. „I won’t tell you. Not ever.“

„You will, you know,“ he said softly. „Perhaps not now, but

you will tell me, Miss Delaney. It’s necessary that I find your

uncle.“

„Why?“

He smiled faintly. „I don’t believe it would be wise to

discuss my purpose with you. I think we’ve reached an

impasse. I can’t say that I’m sorry. Our situation promises to

become much more interesting this way. The quest may

become an adventure more satisfying than the discovery.“ His

voice lowered to velvet sensuality. „I’ve always been quite

fond of ‘adventures,’ haven’t you, Miss Delaney?“

His dark eyes held mysteries, sensual secrets she knew he

wanted to share with her. Yet his words were a mystery in

themselves. Silver tore her gaze away from him. „I don’t know

what you mean.“

Nicholas experienced a thrust of disappointment that

surprised him. What had he expected, he wondered cynically.

Just because the girl seemed more honest than most was no

reason she would admit to her lustful indiscretions. The

woman who occupied a man’s bed one night was seldom the

woman he met in the ballroom the next. „I’ll endeavor to make

my meaning clear… later. I’ll make sure you understand every

nuance and shading.“ His dark eyes glinted through half-

lowered lids. „Unless you’d care to change your mind?“

„I don’t understand what you’re saying.“ She shrugged

impatiently. „It makes no difference. I won’t change my mind,

so you may as well leave. Good afternoon, your highness. That

is, if you really are a prince. It wouldn’t surprise me if you

were one of those detectives and only pretending.“

He was dismissed, Nicholas realized with amusement, and

with a royal indifference that would have done justice to an

empress. „And it wouldn’t surprise me if you were a princess.“

Her gray eyes glinted with anger. „You’re laughing at me.

I’m no princess, nor would I want to be. I am what I am. Silver

Dove Delaney. Apache. White. Half-breed.“

Nicholas inhaled sharply, feeling heat flow through him

and his stomach knot painfully. Christ, she was magnificent.

Burning. Flaming with life. Her breasts were lifting and falling

with every breath, and he felt a sudden desire to reach out and

cover one of those breasts with his palm, to feel the fire, the

softness. He pulled his gaze away from her and tried to

remember what she had just said. „Apache? That’s an Indian

tribe of your American Southwest, isn’t it?“

Her lips curved in a crooked smile. „Your fine detectives

didn’t tell you I was a half-breed? Well I am and I’m also

illegitimate. My father thought my mother was good enough

only to bed and forget. Not that it matters to me. I had no need

of the Delaneys.“

„Yet you’re doing your best to protect one Delaney.“ He

was scarcely aware of the words he was speaking. He just

wanted to keep her talking, watch the play of expression on

her face. Passion. He could feel the passion in her reach out

and touch him like a stroking hand. My God, he wanted her.

She had him achingly full, ready as he had never been before.

Merde, and he hadn’t even touched her yet.

But he would soon. He had never been more certain of

anything in his entire life than that he must have Silver

Delaney in his bed.

„I said I had no need. I didn’t say I wouldn’t choose to

give.“ Two bright spots of color blazed beneath the golden

smoothness of her cheeks. „I do what I please. And it pleases

me to help Dominic.“

And, Nicholas thought angrily, it pleased her to offer her

body to this Sebastien and no doubt to any other man who