Текст книги "Wild Silver "

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 13 страниц)

caught her eye. He experienced a hot thrust of emotion that

was totally new to him. „You appear to be exceptionally

generous in your giving. That could be very dangerous for a

woman. Some men prefer that such generosity be confined

solely to themselves.“ His lips twisted. „I’m beginning to

believe I may be included in that group. I find it quite a

surprising discovery.“

A bewildered frown wrinkled her brow. „Half the time I

don’t understand what you’re talking about. Do all Russians

say one thing and mean something else?“

„Probably, though it’s a trait not confined entirely to my

countrymen.“

„What a waste of time and effort. It’s far more sensible to

say exactly what one means.“

He threw back his head and laughed. „You like honesty?“

His ebony eyes were suddenly dancing roguishly. He took a

step closer to her. „All right, I’ll stop being Russian and adopt

your American ways.“

„Nicholas,“ Mikhail said warningly. It was the first time he

had spoken since she had entered the room and Silver’s gaze

flew to the face of the huge Russian. The Cossack’s gaze was

fastened on the prince with apprehension and rueful

resignation.

„She wants honesty, Mikhail,“ Nicholas said in a reckless

tone of voice. „Why not give it to her?“ His gaze held Silver’s.

„Shall I tell you what I want? One, I want Dominic Delaney.

Two, I want to take off all your clothes and carry you to a bed,

even one in this nunnery. Not necessarily in that order. At the

moment the urgency is definitely for the latter.“

Her eyes were wide and wondering as a child’s. „You wish

to fornicate with me?“

He chuckled. „Good Lord, I’d wager you didn’t learn that

word at the staid Mrs. Alford’s academy.“ He nodded. „That’s

exactly what I want to do and shall do at the earliest

opportunity.“

She gazed at him for a moment, her cheeks scarlet. Then

she shook her head, hard. „No.“

„Are you afraid I can’t please you?“ His tone was only a

level above a seductive whisper. „I promise you won’t be

disappointed. Come with me now. I have a carriage waiting

and we’ll go back to my boat. You don’t belong here among all

these prim young misses.“

A pained expression appeared on her face but quickly

veiled. „No, I don’t belong here. No one knows that better than

I do.“ Her chin rose. „But I don’t belong in your bed either.“

„You’re wrong; that’s exactly where you do belong.“ He

bowed mockingly once more. „But I can wait. It may even

whet my appetite.“ Something hot and wild flickered in the

darkness of his eyes. „Though I doubt it, because I’m already

very hungry indeed.“ He glanced over his shoulder at Mikhail.

„You see, my friend, I was very good. I didn’t throw her down

on the rug as you thought I might. Now we can go.“

„A good idea,“ Mikhail said dryly. „This is no place for you

either.“

Nicholas made a face. „You’re right. It’s difficult to breathe

in here.“ He turned back to Silver. „Good afternoon, sweet, I’ll

be looking forward to our next meeting.“

„I’m not sweet, and we won’t be meeting again.“

He tilted his golden head and regarded her apprais-ingly. „I

was mistaken. You’re quite right: there’s nothing sweet about

you. You’re like the vodka made in the Kuban. Hot going

down and explosive after. I’ve always had an insatiable thirst

for that vodka.“ He turned to the arched doorway and then

turned back as a thought occurred to him. „Silver Dove?“ He

burst out laughing. „Good Lord, what a misnomer. You’re

more like a firebird.“ He put on his black silk hat and strolled

leisurely out the door.

Silver found herself staring after him, seething with a wild

confusion of emotions. „He’s mad,“ she muttered. „He

couldn’t have meant…“

„He meant it.“ Mikhail Kuzdief had paused beside her and

was gazing down at her, his deep brown eyes oddly

sympathetic. „And he is not mad, only a little wild. Still, it

would be better if you ran away.“

„Why?“ She looked at him in surprise.

„Nicholas is used to getting what he wants,“ the big

Cossack said simply. „But if you are not here…“He shrugged.

„He saw you only once. Maybe – “

„Why are you warning me?“ Silver asked curiously.

„Because I think Nicholas is right. You do not belong

among the tame hens in this place.“ His gaze gravely searched

her face. „But I am not sure you belong anywhere else either.“

She flinched. „If I don’t, I’ll make my own place.“

A faint smile touched Mikhail’s lips. „Yes, that is what we

must do.“

„We?“

„I also belong nowhere.“ He put on his big black sheepskin

hat and turned toward the door. „Except with Nicholas. I have

warned you, but my loyalty is to him.“ The glance he gave her

over his shoulder was sober. „Always.“ He strode out of the

parlor.

Nicholas was waiting for him in the carriage and cast him

an amused glance as he climbed into the carriage. „You

warned her?“

„Yes.“ Mikhail closed the door of the carriage and settled

himself across from Nicholas.

„Do you think she will heed your warning?“

„No.“

The carriage started to move, the horses hooves echoing on

the cobblestone street.

„Neither do I.“ Nicholas leaned back on the leather seat.

„Thank God. I believe I would be ready to break your head if

you’d made it difficult for me.“

Mikhail looked at him in surprise. He had known Nicholas

since they were children, and one woman had always been

much the same as another to him. He had assumed it was the

rebellious defiance of Silver Delaney that had caused him to

react so explosively. Now, as Mikhail studied Nicholas more

closely, he was conscious of something else. „You want her

that much?“

„That much.“ Nicholas closed his eyes. „God, I’m so damn

hard, my guts are twisting.“

„We will be back at the levee soon. I’ll fetch one of the

women to your cabin. Which one do you want?“

None. He wanted none of them, Nicholas realized with

amazement. He wanted Silver Delaney or no one. What kind

of a spell had she woven over him? He didn’t answer for a

long, time, his gaze on the neat little hedges that bordered the

equally neat little houses lining the street. „We’ll be leaving St.

Louis tonight. Tell Robert to be ready to cast off by nine

o’clock.“

Mikhail nodded.

„I’m taking Silver Delaney with me.“ Nicholas’s gaze

shifted to Mikhail’s face. „You don’t have to help if you

choose not to do so.“

„I will help,“ Mikhail said quietly. „I will send her carriage

away and be waiting for her when she leaves to go to the

circus tonight.“ He paused. „But I want to do it alone. The

more men there are, the more chance that she will be hurt. I…

I like her, Nicholas. Do not hurt her.“

„Rape?“ Nicholas made a face. „My God, when have I ever

raped a woman? I have no taste for using violence on any

woman.“

But Nicholas had never been placed in a position where

force was necessary, Mikhail thought worriedly, he’d only had

to smile or speak sweetly and women flocked to his bed. But

Silver Delaney was not’a woman who would yield without a

struggle. She would be as fierce as the women of his own

people. „I would like your promise.“

Nicholas looked at him in surprise. „What the hell is wrong

with you? I told you what Bentsen reported on Silver Delaney.

The girl is no blushing virgin. There have been men aplenty

between her thighs.“ His expression hardened. „And she stood

there and watched while they hung Andre.“

Mikhail merely gazed at him, not speaking.

„Oh, very well,“ Nicholas said with exasperation. „You

have my promise. I’ll not force her no matter how much I’m

provoked. Satisfied?“

Mikhail nodded.

Nicholas slowly shook his head. „Why are you so

concerned?“

„I do not know. You are right, she is probably able to take

care of herself, even with you, Nicholas.“

„Exactly,“ Nicholas said. But would Silver Delaney want to

protect herself? He had known a plethora of passionate women

and had learned to recognize the signs when he saw them.

Silver Delaney possessed a potential for fiery sensuality

greater than any he had ever encountered before. If he wasn’t

mistaken, it would take very little to arouse her to the point

where she would be pleading for him to come into her.

Just the thought of her lying in his bed, her arms

outstretched with yearning, sent an aching heat to his groin.

His heart was suddenly slamming hard and fast against the

wall of his chest. Tonight. He drew a deep harsh breath and

tried to relax. Damnation, he didn’t know if he could wait until

tonight.

Silver moved slowly, heavily, through the arch of the parlor

entrance toward the curving staircase. She must get to her

small room on the third floor, she must close the door, close

out what had happened between her and Nicholas Savron.

„Silver.“ Mrs. Alford’s dulcet tones rang through the hall.

„I do hope nothing is amiss with your family. No one has

suffered an illness?“ The headmistress’ pale blue eyes were

bright with curiosity as she hurried forward. „His highness

was most insistent on speaking to you alone or I would have

been there to support you.“

Silver gazed at her blankly. She had never heard that note

of concerned sweetness in Mrs. Alford’s voice in the two years

she’d been under her roof. At least, not when the woman was

addressing her. „No, there’s been no illness.“

„Then perhaps it would be proper to invite his highness to

dinner. It would be a social coup of the first order to entertain

Prince Nicholas. You have no idea how prestigious it would be

for the academy. I’ve just been speaking to Miranda’s mother

and she says the entire city is in a tizzy about his arrival.

Rumor has it that he’s fabulously wealthy and his mother is a

favorite at the court of the tsar.“

So he hadn’t been lying; Nicholas Savron was truly a

prince. The thought sent an unexplainable rush of

disappointment through her. Why should it matter? Nicholas

was only an extraordinarily handsome young man who had

spoken words of lust to her. Such words had been spoken

before and been stopped by the little knife she always carried

with her. The knife could stop Nicholas also, perhaps he would

be even easier to discourage. His exquisite attire and cultured

manners could reflect a will that was equally soft.

„Silver! You’re not listening to me.“

„What?“ Silver glanced absently at Mrs. Alford’s

displeased face. „Oh, no, I’m not.“ She started up the stairs.

„And no, I won’t invite Nicholas Savron to dinner.“

„You won’t invite his highness?“ The woman’s voice was

outraged.

„No,“ Silver said again, even more clearly. „I will not see

him again.“

She heard the headmistress’ indignant gasp and then

proceeded to ignore the woman as she climbed the stairs.

He was gone. Why did she still see his face before her? She

had behaved so stupidly. Pray God he hadn’t noticed the effect

he’d had on her. She had blushed and trembled like one of the

giggling ninnies who were her classmates. He had smiled at

her with that wicked golden charm and she had felt a melting

somewhere deep within her. She had wanted to reach out and

touch him, run her fingers over the clean outline of his upper

lip and then up the broad plane of his jaw and perhaps – What

was she thinking? Of course she did not want to touch him.

She had always found it difficult to touch any person with

affection.

Yet, if she had wanted to touch Nicholas Savron, it could

mean only one thing. Lust. She was beset by the same malady

that was common to all young animals, the same fever that had

driven her mother to lie with Boyd Delaney. Fear shivered

through her as she remembered how strong had been the

response of her body as she stood before Nicholas. She had

never dreamed how terribly strong that response could be. She

must fight it. Who should know better than she how dangerous

lust could be? She had lived all her days on the fringe of life as

punishment for her mother’s yielding to that siren call. But she

was stronger than her mother; she’d had to fight to prevent

herself being crushed by the contempt of both Apache and

white. She could close her ears to that siren call even when

sung by a golden warlock.

Good Lord, the man was actually a danger to Dominic. A

Russian prince could not be Durbin’s pawn as she had first

assumed, but Dominic had made many enemies during his

years on the run. It was entirely possible Savron could be one

of them. He wanted to use her only for his body’s pleasure and

to get the information he wanted from her. She had no

intention of letting him reach either goal.

No, under no circumstances would she ever see Prince

Nicholas Savron again.

3

„My word, what have we here?“ Lee Bassinger straightened

away from the rail, his pale green eyes avid with curiosity as

he watched Mikhail Kuzdief stride up the gangplank. The

blanket-wrapped burden slung over the Cossack’s broad

shoulder was squirming and kicking vigorously, and a swath

of long, silky dark hair suddenly became visible as the blanket

loosened. „What, or should I say who, have you brought for

our friend Nicholas? I would have thought he’d have enough

feminine companions to choose from without importing

more.“ His thin lips curved in an empty smile. „I suppose it

could be that he prefers unwilling women occasionally. Well,

so do I. Perhaps we could share her.“

Mikhail did not answer, and his glance brushed Bassinger

as if he didn’t exist when he strode past him down the deck

and then up the wide staircase toward the staterooms.

Bassinger’s gaze followed him, the smile on his face never

wavering until Mikhail disappeared from view. Then he turned

back to look at the gleaming lights of the city. Interesting, He

knew very well that Savron did not force his bed partners. All

the bastard had to do was smile at a woman and she would

perform acts Bassinger had to use a whip to persuade the little

pullets to do for him. Why, then, had he sent that huge bull to

bring this woman to him against her will?

A flicker of excitement touched him and his hands

tightened on the rail. A weapon at last? He wasn’t a patient

man, and having to smile and be civil to Savron and his coterie

had caused the hatred to fester within him until it almost

choked him. Yet he had learned a long time ago that deceit was

a quality that must be fostered if a man was to have everything

he wanted in life.

And he would have everything. He may have been born

dirt poor but he had fought his way this far and he wasn’t

about to let a fop like Savron take anything from him. He

would have the Mississippi Rose again, and his highness

would be punished for humbling him.

He consciously relaxed his grip on the rail and

straightened, the smile returning to his face. There was always

a key to be found to bring a man to his knees, and his instincts

told him that Mikhail had carried that key on board the Rose

tonight. It was only for him to wait and watch until he had the

opportunity to use that key.

Mikhail threw open the door to Nicholas’s cabin and strode

into the stateroom. Nicholas rose easily to his feet, his gaze on

the bundle over the Cossack’s shoulder. „Good, God, Mikhail,

did you have to use two blankets? She must be smothering

under there.“

„I should have used ten,“ Mikhail muttered as he strode

across the room and dropped his burden on the bed. „And I

should have let you come with me. I should have let an army

come with me.“ He unwrapped the blankets with two quick

jerks and Silver tumbled free, rolling over to the opposite side

of the bed. Her wrists were tied behind her back and a

handkerchief gagged her mouth, but her eyes blazed up at

them as she continued to struggle to free herself. Mikhail

tossed the blankets on the floor and reached over to pull the

gag from Silver’s mouth, quickly jerking his hand away as her

strong white teeth snapped at him. „She is a wild animal.“

There was a curious note of pride in his expression as he gazed

down at Silver’s face. „If I had not taken her by surprise, I do

not think I would have been able to overpower her. She is a

fine, strong warrior.“ He carefully brushed a strand of hair

from Silver’s eyes, his expression gentle. „It is all right now.

No one is going to hurt you.“

„But / will hurt you.“ Silver glared up at him fiercely, still

struggling desperately against her bonds. „You can’t do this.“

„It appears that he can because he has.“ Nicholas strode

forward to stand over her. Her long hair was lying in wild

silken disarray against the peach-colored velvet of the spread

and he felt a sudden thrust of desire tighten his groin. He had

been sitting there imagining how she would look lying on his

bed, and the reality was even more erotic than his vision.

„Though not without some effort.“

„You!“ Her light eyes were glittering with rage as she

began to curse him with venom and amazing proficiency.

He lifted a brow. „My, my, she’s quite talented isn’t she,

Mikhail? The last time I heard a vocabulary so explicit was

from my groom at the estate on Crystal Island. Should we

release her, do you think?“

„Only if you wish to relieve yourself of a few fistfuls of

excess hair,“ Mikhail said dryly, gingerly touching his own

tousled red mop. „Before I got her hands tied I was sure she

would strip me bald. Best wait until you have talked reason to

her.“

„Reason?“ Silver struggled to a sitting position. „There is

no reason connected with this outrage. It’s madness, as I’ll

soon show you.“

„I’m sure you’ll try.“ Nicholas smiled. „And it will be

fascinating to watch your attempts. I may even be sorry to see

you depart after you tell me where your uncle has disappeared

to.“

„You’ll be sorrier to see me stay,“ Silver hissed. „Do you

think I’ll let myself be trussed up and served to you like a

turkey for Christmas dinner?“

„The trussing is only temporary. I’ll untie you as soon as

we get far enough away for it to be safe.“ He tilted his head,

listening. „Hear the paddles? Since I gave orders to cast off as

soon as Mikhail came aboard, that should be very soon. I have

no liking for bondage of any kind.“

„You lie! And my presence here is proof of it.“

A flicker of anger crossed his face. „I believe you’re

beginning to annoy me. So far you’ve cursed like a sailor,

threatened me, and called me a liar.“

„Let me loose and I’ll do more than that to you. I’ll stick

my knife in you as I did your friend.“

Nicholas stiffened. „Knife?“ His gaze flew to Mikhail.

„She stabbed you?“ His attention had been so absorbed with

the girl, he had scarcely glanced at Mikhail. Now he saw that

the Cossack’s tunic was torn and a rivulet of blood stained the

whiteness of the left sleeve.

Mikhail shrugged depreciatingly. „A pinprick.“ He bent

down and pulled a small dagger out of his boot and tossed it to

Nicholas. „Yet it might be wise to remember she is not without

fangs.“

„Like all vipers.“ Nicholas looked down at the dagger, his

beautifully molded features hard as the marble of a tombstone.

„She could have killed you. I should have gone myself, my

friend.“

A touch of anxiety clouded Mikhail’s features. „A

pinprick,“ he repeated. „She was only defending herself. The

wound* will be gone by tomorrow.“

Bewilderment pierced the seething fury Silver was

experiencing. It was clear the big Russian was defending her

from Nicholas Savron’s anger. Why would he help the prince

abduct her and then rush to her defense?

„Do you need a doctor?“ Nicholas asked gently. „I’ll have

Robert dock again and send someone for help.“

„The woman – “

„The woman is not worth one drop of your blood.“

Nicholas gave Silver a glance as cold as winter sleet. „I

will deal with her later.“

Mikhail shook his head. „I have no need for a doctor. She

did not hurt me.“

„Only because you – “ Silver broke off as Mikhail shook

his head warningly at her. „I will speak. Do you think I’m

afraid of either of you?“

„You obviously have no need to fear Mikhail. It seems he’s

been foolish enough to take a liking to you,“ Nicholas said

softly. „But you’d do well to be afraid of me. I value Mikhail,

and I don’t think I’ve ever been quite so angry with anyone in

my entire life.“

„Liking? He abducted me.“

„On my orders. And he insisted on going alone because he

felt it would be safer for you.“

„Or because you were too cowardly to go with him,“ Silver

said contemptuously.

Mikhail inhaled sharply and took an impulsive step forward

as if to place himself between Silver and Nicholas. „Nicholas,

she is only a woman. She did not –“

„Only a woman,“ Silver repeated indignantly. „A woman

can do anything a man can do. She can do more. Why do – “

„Shut up!“ Nicholas enunciated with great precision.

„I should not have taken the gag off her.“ Mikhail sighed

morosely. „I should have known her tongue would be as sharp

as her dagger.“

„Go take care of your wound.“ Nicholas’s gaze was

narrowed on Silver’s face. „I have a fancy to prove myself to

the lady.“

Mikhail gazed at him helplessly. Nicholas was dangerously

infuriated, and it was evident that Silver Delaney was not

about to try to placate him. „You gave your word.“

Nicholas gave him an incredulous glance. „Good Lord, she

stabbed you and you’re still defending her?“

Mikhail’s jaw squared stubbornly. „You promised me.“

Nicholas – muttered something fierce and obscene beneath

his breath. „And I’ll keep it, dammit.“

Mikhail turned toward the door and then glanced over his

shoulder at Silver, a gentle smile lighting his craggy features.

„I will be back soon. Do not be afraid.“

Silver glared at him. „I’m not afraid and I need no

protection.“

Mikhail slowly shook his head and shut the door quietly

behind him.

Silver immediately turned to Nicholas and opened her

mouth to speak. Nicholas raised his hand. „Not one word or

I’ll put the gag back on you.“ She hesitated and then pressed

her lips together. „Very wise. I’m holding on to my temper by

a very precarious margin, Silver.“ He sat down on the bed

beside her, not touching her, but close enough so that she

could feel the heat emanating from his body. The faint scent of

musk, brandy, and tobacco drifted to her nostrils. „I’m about to

give you the rules that will govern your stay while you’re on

the Rose. Are you listening?“

She gazed up at him mutinously.

„I see you are.“ He smiled faintly. „First, let’s discuss why

you’re here.“

„You want Dominic.“

„Exactly. I suppose I should give you the option of telling

me where he is.“

„Would you let me go if I did?“

„I’m afraid I’d be forced to do so. Do you wish to oblige?“

Silver drew a deep breath. Lord, she hated lies. Still, if it

would give Dominic a little more time. „He and Elspeth went

back to Killara in the Arizona Territory.“

Nicholas’s expression hardened. „I see you’re as prone to

falsehood as the rest of your sex is. Randall’s investigators

ascertained that your uncle was most definitely not at Killara.

It’s obvious asking you for the truth will accomplish nothing,

and I admit I’m a trifle disappointed. I thought you more

honest than most.“

A flush stung Silver’s cheeks. „I’m honest with those I

respect. You deserve only lies from me. I’ll tell you nothing

about Dominic.“

„But when he finds you’re gone from Mrs. Alford’s

nunnefy, I’d say there’s an excellent chance of him coming

after you,“ he said softly. „I posted a letter to your former

headmistress telling her you’d decided to accompany me on a

little pleasure cruise. If he’s as loyal to you as you are to him,

he should be waiting at the levee when we return to St. Louis.“

„He won’t even hear that I’m gone. There wouldn’t be – “

She stopped. „You’ll be disappointed if you think you can use

me to draw Dominic to you.“

His gaze narrowed on her face. „You seem very certain.“

He shrugged. „No matter. Then you’ll remain on the Rose until

you tell me where he is.“

„You can’t keep me here.“

„Oh, but I can. Shall I tell you how?“ Nicholas’s long,

shapely hand reached out and smoothed her hair back from

one temple, his touch as delicate as the brush of the wings of a

butterfly. „There is no one to help you here. This boat belongs

to me and you’ll find no one interested in any plea for aid.

Mikhail and my friend, Valentin, are completely loyal to me. I

have a party of acquaintances on board, but I assure you their

only interest is to have an amusing time. They include fifteen

or so strumpets from a New Orleans brothel and a number of

gentlemen whose idea of pleasure would cause even you to

blush.“ His gaze ran over her, touching on the primness of her

dark blue school uniform. „I’ve told Valentin to inform them

you’re the resident of a similar baudy house in St. Louis and

that you specialize in a pretense of little-girl purity. A certain

kind of man finds that pretense very exciting, you know.“

She hadn’t known, but she brushed the knowledge aside as

unimportant. „There is still the crew.“

He nodded. „Who would lose very lucrative positions if

they displeased me. I think they, too, would prefer to believe

my story.“

So she would be alone in her struggle with Savron. For a

moment she felt a tiny frisson of apprehension before she

dismissed it impatiently. Her struggles had always been alone,

except when Rising Star had been there to support her. This

was no different. „I don’t need help. I’ll still get away from

you.“

A flicker of admiration crossed his face. „No tears? No

pleas? I can almost see why Mikhail has developed a fondness

for you.“

„I never cry.“ She met his gaze. „And you will never hear

me plead.“

„Oh, but I will.“ Passion flared in the darkness of his eyes.

„And it will be my very great pleasure to grant those pleas.“

Silver felt a breathless twisting sensation in the pit of her

stomach. Lust. But it could not be lust when she felt only fury

at this golden-haired man. Was her body’s response so

mindless that it took no note of her mind’s bidding? She tore

her gaze away. „You will see.“

He was now looking at her with curiosity as well as

sensuality. „Why are you not threatening me with the wrath of

the Delaneys? I was told they’re a very powerful family.“

„I do not belong to them,“ she said haltingly. „I have

friends among them. My cousins Brianne and Patrick, Elspeth

and Dominic, but the others – “ She stopped and raised her

chin proudly. „I would not ask them for help. I told you I had

no need of the Delaneys.“

Nicholas experienced a strange aching tenderness that took

him by surprise. Pride, isolation, and courage were all there in

her face, and there was something beneath that armor that

stirred him to pity. He understood armor. He had worn it

himself since he was a small child and he knew what hid

behind it: loneliness, hurt, and wariness. He felt a sudden

impulse to reach out and draw her to him, cradle her in his

arms as he had never been held himself in that time so long

ago. His hand moved from her temple to her cheek. „Silver, I –

“ He broke off. My God, what was he thinking? This was the

tiger cat who had just sunk her fangs into Mikhail, who had

watched Andre die a horrible death, who had taken lovers as

casually as any court demimondaine. Surprisingly, it was this

last thought that brought the welcome anger that burned away

any hint of softness. „Good, then I needn’t worry about being

punished for my sins.“

„Worry. / will punish you.“

He suddenly chuckled. „If I give you the opportunity,

which I have no intention of doing. You will be confined in

this cabin unless I give you permission to leave, and I promise

you that if you bash me over the head while I’m sleeping or

steal your little knife back and stick it in my heart, Valentin

and Mikhail will be very displeased with you. I know you

won’t believe this, but they’re both quite fond of me.“

„I don’t believe it,“ she said flatly.

„Pity. I’m a very charming fellow.“ He smiled wickedly.

„I’ll be glad to demonstrate how agreeable I can be.“

She stared back at him unsmilingly.

„No? Well, then I suppose I’d better show you how

impossible it would be to escape even if I were no longer an

obstacle in your path.“ He leaned forward and quickly sliced

through the ropes binding her wrists. He stood up and strolled

toward the door facing the bed, pausing with his hand on the

knob to gesture to the other door to the left of bed. „That door

leads to the grand saloon, where you would encounter any

number of gentlemen eager to drag you into the nearest

stateroom and have their way with you. Please refrain from

using that door under any circumstance. I intend to be the only

one who’s going to have his way with you on the Rose.“ He

opened the door and inclined his head mockingly. „And this

door leads to the deck.“

Silver swung her legs to the floor and stood up. She crossed

the room, her gaze fixed warily on his face. He stood aside to

let her precede him.

Cool, moist air touched her cheeks and a lazy breeze

ruffled through her hair as she walked out onto the deck. She

heard the door close behind her as she moved over to the rail

and looked down at the churning waters below. It had seemed

as if only a short time had passed, yet the lights of the city had

almost disappeared from view. Now there were only dark

forests, high bluffs, and the river.

„I understand the Mississippi is over a mile wide in many

places,“ Nicholas said softly in her ear. „An impossible swim

for a woman. And I hardly think you’re stupid enough to risk

drowning yourself.“

„No, I’m not stupid.“ Silver did not look at him as she

deliberately fought down the flare of anger she felt at her own

helplessness. Anger would blur her thinking and put her at a

disadvantage, and she already felt more uncertain in Nicholas

Savron’s presence than she ever had before in her life. She

needed all her wits about her to find a way to escape this boat

and get back to Etaine. What if the child suffered another

attack and she weren’t there to help her? She had gotten better

and Silver had been filled with hope, but what if the recovery

did not last? Fear edged her voice. „You’ll not hold me. I’ll

find a way.“ She glanced sideways at him and drew in her

breath sharply. The moonlight frosted his golden hair with a

silver sheen, and he was as beautiful as any ancient god. It was

almost an irresistible temptation to let her gaze linger, but she

forced herself to look back at the river. That angel-devil beauty

was a snare, a weapon he no doubt knew well how to wield.

She must not let herself become entangled in his web.