Текст книги "Wild Silver "

Автор книги: Iris Johansen

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Текущая страница: 9 (всего у книги 13 страниц)

Silver Delaney taken by his own men, particularly since she

appeared more than eager to escape Savron.

Anticipation was a sharp pain within him as he turned away

and began to stroll down the deck toward the saloon.

Tomorrow. This goddamn charade was almost over. He had

only to wait one more day.

8

„Why are we having dinner in the stateroom?“ Silver asked as

she sat down opposite Nicholas at the damask-covered table.

She spread her napkin on her lap and dropped her lashes to

veil the hint of mischief in her eyes. „Have you decided I’m

not presentable enough to mingle with your other guests?“

„I decided I didn’t want every man at the table ogling you

and remembering what you looked like with nothing but a

wisp of cloth covering your privates,“ he said tersely. „I

haven’t forgiven you for that, Silver.“

„I didn’t ask for your forgiveness.“ She smiled at him. „I

think you’re just being selfish and don’t want to share the

raspberries with them.“

His frown faded and a reluctant smile touched his lips.

„That too.“ He looked down at his plate. „Talk to me.“

„What?“

„Tell me about yourself.“

She looked at him in puzzlement. „What do you wish to

know? I ve already told you what is important.“

„You’ve told me only that you’re a half-breed,“ he said

with barely leashed violence. „For God’s sake, that’s not the

only thing you are. You have a mind and a soul.“

„People aren’t usually concerned with anything else,“ she

said simply. „I know what I am inside but they don’t want to

see. You didn’t want to see either. You wanted only my body.“

Nicholas felt a sharp pang. What she said was true. He had

been so captivated with the challenge she presented, he had

disregarded everything else. „Well, I want to see now. Did you

like it at Mrs. Alford’s?“

„No, I hated it. They thought me savage, and I thought

them stupid. Even the lessons were stupid. Finger-painting and

needlepoint and how to curtsy. Rising Star taught me much

more from her books than any of those girls learned at the

academy.“ Her face lit with a reminiscent smile. „Rising Star

knew so much, she had many books and she was always

reading. She was far more clever than Mrs. Alford.“

„Her husband must have been very proud of her.“

Her smile faded. „Joshua? Joshua was ashamed because

she was an Apache.“ Her lips tightened. „He killed her.“

Nicholas’s gaze rose swiftly to her face. „Murder?“

„She was with child and he told her he did not wish it. She

rode away from Killara and died when her child was born.“

Her voice lowered fiercely. „She was strong. If she had wanted

to live…“ Her gray eyes were suddenly glittering with tears.

„She was gentle and kind but it made no difference. Her skin

was not white and they killed her for it. She told me once that

the way to live in a white man’s world was to take on his ways

and and become what he wished you to be. She was wrong.

No matter what she did, the Delaneys would not accept her as

one of them.“

The pain was naked in her face and he was experiencing a

reflection of her agony within himself. He tried to think of

something to distract her from that poignant memory. He lifted

his wine goblet to his lips. „Did you like nothing about your

schooling?“

She didn’t answer immediately, and it was evident she was

trying to gather her composure. „I learned to play the piano. I

love music.“ She made a face. „When I was first learning I

was terrible, and Mrs. Alford would come in and try to make

me stop. She said the noise was disturbing the other students.“

„But you wouldn’t do it,“ Nicholas guessed. „I knew I

would get better and I needed it.“ Nicholas could understand

how she needed something of her own to shelter her from the

loneliness and prejudice surrounding her, even if it were only

music. „What type of music do you prefer?“ She smiled

eagerly. „Everything. I like everything from folk songs to

Beethoven. It’s wonderful how music makes everything take

on beauty and sparkle. Do you like music?“

„Very much. I’d like to hear you play sometime.“ He

should have known Silver would take delight in music.

Anyone so sensual would naturally be attuned ,to the pleasures

of sound. „We have some fine young composers in Russia

now. I think you’d enjoy hearing their music. There’s a young

man named Rimsky-Korsakoff who shows great promise.“ He

looked down into the ruby-red depths of his wineglass. „St.

Petersburg can be very gay. Concerts, ballets, balls – “

„You’re trying to persuade me to go to Russia,“ Silver said

bluntly. „I told you I wouldn’t go. I leave Mrs. Alford’s shortly

and I intend to continue my studies.“

„What studies?“ Nicholas asked impatiently. „You’ve

already said you know more than the other women at the

academy. Perhaps you wish to perfect your skill at

needlepoint?“

„I’m going to go to a university and study medicine.“

„You intend to be a nurse?“

She stiffened. „I’m going to be a doctor.“

„Women do not become doctors,“ Nicholas said flatly.

„They do now.“ Silver set her plate aside and reached for

the crystal dessert bowl in which the raspberries were

swimming in rich cream. „Why should I be a nurse when I can

be a better doctor than most I’ve seen in the profession. It’s not

reasonable.“

„They won’t accept you at a university,“ Nicholas said

gently.

„I’ll find a way.“ Silver dipped her spoon into the

raspberries and met his gaze across the table. „Because I’m not

Rising Star, Nicholas. I won’t pretend to be what I am not and

I’ll let no one rob me of anything I choose to keep.“

There was no challenge in her expression, and Nicholas

realized that she was speaking with absolute sincerity. He

experienced a sudden thrust of pity mixed with respect and

admiration. Poor little firebird, she didn’t realize what a

difficult task she’d set for herself. Or perhaps she did and was

so accustomed to the struggle for acceptance that she could

perceive nothing different in this battle from the ones that had

gone before. „I could help you.“

She laughed with genuine amusement. „Instead of a house

and jewels, you’re going to buy me with an entry to a

university?“ She shook her head. „I wouldn’t take it from you.

I want the victory to be mine.“

He hadn’t thought of using his influence as a carte blanche.

He had wanted to help her and had made the offer impulsively.

My God, what was he thinking? He wanted Silver in his bed,

under his protection, not struggling in a university thousands

of miles away from him. Silver’s plan was all foolishness

anyway. She would be hurt and snubbed beyond anything in

her present experience. No, she’d be much better off under his

protection, where he could guard her from both the outside

world and herself. „Then it looks as if I’ll have to find a more

tempting prize to dangle before you,“ he said lightly. „Would

you consider a fine piano?“

„No, thank you.“

„Pity. Have you finished your dessert?“

She ate the last berry and set down her spoon. „Yes, why?“

„Because I’m about to seduce you and I wouldn’t dare

interfere with one of your primary pleasures.“ He stood up and

came around the table, pulling her to her feet and into his

arms. „Before offering one in its place.“ His head came down

and his lips hovered over her mouth. „Open your lips, love. I

want to taste you.“

She opened her lips and his tongue entered, caressed, and

explored. He could feel her heart pounding against his chest

and she seemed to be holding her breath. He caught her tongue

in his mouth and sucked it gently, tasting the textures. His

body was hardening and he knew he couldn’t wait much

longer. He lifted his head. „You taste of raspberries and sugar.

So sweet.“ He was unbuttoning her shirtwaist. „Come to bed,

Silver. There are things I want to show you, things I want to do

to you.“

She leaned against him, gazing up into his eyes. Such

beautiful eyes, she though dreamily. Dark with mystery and

hinting at wonderful secrets. „What do you want to show me?“

He pulled off her blouse and threw it aside. He found he

was too impatient to bother with anything more. Lord, he had

scarcely touched her and he was ready. He lifted her swiftly in

his arms and carried her to the bed.

„Do you remember that picture I showed you?“

Silver felt her heart suddenly jerk with excitement. „Are

you going to do that to me?“

„Among other pleasurable things.“ He laid her on the bed

and began to strip off his clothes quickly.

„Will I like it?“

„Oh, yes, love.“ He looked down at her and smiled. „First

we’ll have the main course, and then we’ll have a lagniappe.“

„Lagniappe?“

He came to herr all supple bronze muscle and golden mane.

„It’s a word I learned in New Orleans,“ he whispered. „It’s a

word I like very much.“

„What does it mean?“

He pulled her camisole down to bare her breasts. He drew a

shaky breath, his golden head bending forward until his warm

breath was feathering a nipple. „Something extra,“ he said

thickly. „Lagniappe means a little something extra.“

Silver gazed out the window at the bustling wharf below.

Since they were taking on only fuel and not passengers here in

Memphis, Nicholas had said they would be on their way in a

matter of hours. She would probably have no opportunity to

escape again before they reached New Orleans, she thought

absently. Then the placidity of the thought suddenly sent a

shock through her.

But there was no chance of escape now, she assured herself

quickly. Nicholas had carefully locked both doors before he

had left the stateroom to join Robert, Mikhail, and Valentin in

the pilot house. She was merely being sensible not to be upset

over a circumstance she couldn’t change.

One hand clenched on the peach-colored velvet of the

curtains. She was lying to herself. She had been captivated,

seduced by the hot, dark hours in Nicholas’s bed last night and

this morning. She wanted to let herself be brought once more

under that sensual pleasure spell. But it was even worse than

that. She wanted to stay with Nicholas. He was the magnet that

drew her and caused her to cling to captivity. He was the

reason she was giving up so tamely.

Yet she mustn’t give up. Etaine needed her and Silver must

not let lust keep her from returning to her.

The sound of a key turning in the door that led to the deck

startled her. Nicholas? But he had just left….

„Good morning. Miss Delaney.“ Lee Bassinger stood in the

doorwa’y, a faint smile on his lips. „I’m glad you’re dressed.

We won’t have much time.“

„Where did you get a key to this stateroom?“ she asked,

surprised and wary.

„I have keys to every stateroom on the Rose, and you’ll

remember this particular stateroom used to be mine.“ He

pocketed the key. „And will be again. Come along. I saw

Nicholas disappear into the pilot house, but we can’t count on

him staying there long.“ His gaze ran over her. „Not with a

pretty lady like you waiting for him.“

„I’d rather stay here than go with you,“ Silver said bluntly.

„But you’re not going with me,“ Bassinger said.

„I’m staying on the Rose and you’re going to escape. That

is what you want, isn’t it?“

„Yes,“ she said cautiously. „But why would you want to

help me?“

„I don’t want to help you. But I do want to deprive Savron

of something he values. Now, do you want to get away from

him or not?“

„Of course.“ Naturally she wanted to get away from him,

she told herself. There was nothing for her here, and she could

accomplish a great deal if she returned to the circus and

Etaine. The reluctance she felt was evidence only of the

dangerous sway Nicholas was beginning to have over her

feelings. She started forward briskly, passing Bassinger as she

went out on deck. „How do I get off the boat without being

seen by Nicholas? The gangplank is in clear view from the

pilot house.“

„It’s all arranged. I took the precaution of going ashore and

contacting a few of my employees. They’ll give you any

assistance you need.“ He drew a file out of his pocket and

deliberately broke the lock from the inside before shutting the

door. „Go down to the boiler deck by the rear stairs. There will

be two men in a rowboat off the stern. They’ll row you

upstream, around the bend and out of sight. I’ve given them

some money for you to facilitate your flight.“ He bowed.

„Good-bye, Miss Delaney. I was hoping to become much

better -acquainted with you, but one must accept these little

disappointments in life.“

Silver hesitated uneasily. Bassinger was gazing at her with

that tight, empty smile, his cold eyes reptilian, and he was far

too pleased with himself. There was something that wasn’t

right. Yet it was perfectly in character for Bassinger to want to

hurt Nicholas in any way he could. Perhaps she was being too

suspicious.

She turned away. „Good-bye.“

„No thank-you?“ Bassinger asked silkily.

She glanced back over her shoulder and slowly shook her

head. „I believe I’ll wait to see if there’s something to be

thankful for.“

Then she was gone, hurrying toward the back stairs which

led to the boiler deck.

„Face it, Nicky, there’s no sign of her,“ Valentin said

quietly. „We’ve queried everyone on the wharfs, searched the

streets, inquired at the livery stables. You even rode twenty

miles north to see if she had taken off on foot.“ He leaned

against the rail and looked out at the moonlit river. „If she’s

still in Memphis, she’s found a damned good hiding place.“

„I don’t think she is in Memphis,“ Nicholas said tersely.

„She’s more accustomed to wild country than cities. She grew

up in a hell of a lot more dangerous land than this. The farther

away from the Rose she traveled, the more secure she’d feel.“

„Then you think she’s somewhere in the forest or on the

road?“

„I don’t know,“ Nicholas said wearily. „I can only guess

what Silver would do. I’m going to ride out and try the main

road going south to make sure she didn’t go that way. Mikhail

is making a round of the taverns on the wharf to see if he can

pick up any information.“

„You need to rest, Nicky.“ Valentin gazed at him worriedly.

Nicholas had not slept for nearly forty-eight hours, and he

looked it. His skin was drawn tightly over the broad bones of

his cheeks, and dark circles were imprinted beneath his eyes.

„Wouldn’t tomorrow do as well? It’s after midnight.“

„I must find her tonight. The Rose is leaving Memphis at

dawn tomorrow.“

Valentin’s eyes widened. „You’re giving up the search?“

„Don’t be a fool. Of course I’m not giving up.“ Nicholas

paused. „God, I’m sorry, Valentin. I guess I am tired.“ He

rubbed the bunched muscles at the back of his neck to relieve

the tension. „Since I can’t find her, I’ll have to try to guess her

destination, then reach it before she does. We’ll take the boat

back upriver to St. Louis.“

„Mrs. Alford’s Academy?“

Nicholas shook his head. „The circus. When we first took

her, she appeared to be most worried that she couldn’t get back

to the circus. She told me later that she has friends there. It

would be natural for her to go to them for help.“

„It’s over three hundred miles back to St. Louis. That’s a

terrible trip for a woman alone. Do you think she’ll be able to

make it safely?“

Nicholas’s hands tightened on the rail. That was the

question he’d been asking himself. „She’ll make it.“

Valentin looked away from Nicholas to gaze at the glowing

lanterns hanging by the gangplank. „You could forget about

trying to find her. She’s not going to tell you where Dominic

Delaney is, Nicky.“

Nicholas didn’t answer.

„But then, that’s not the reason you tore Memphis apart

looking for her, is it?“ Valentin asked softly. „Delaney might

have started all this, but he’s not the crux of the matter now.“

„I’ll find Silver and then go after her uncle,“ Nicholas said

grimly. „I’ll have them both.“

„But if you have to kill Delaney, you may find that Silver

will object to your plans for her. Perhaps to the extent of

sticking her little knife in you.“ Valentin paused. „You’re

going to have to decide which is most important to you.“

„First I have to find her.“ Nicholas turned away. „I’m going

to get something to eat and then ride out. I’ve told Mikhail if

he learns anything to come to your cabin with the information.

I’ll check with you when I come back.“

„Very well.“ Valentin gazed after him until he disappeared

into the saloon. Slowly he turned and rested his arms on the

rail, staring thoughtfully into the dark water. The situation in

which Nicholas was embroiled was no longer amusing, and

Valentin was beginning to feel uneasy. Nicholas’s passion for

Silver was rapidly becoming an obsession and seemed to

contain the seeds of tragedy.

He knew Nicholas had little trust in women. Who could

blame him with a bitch like Natalya for a mother? And Silver

was even more wary than Nicholas and every bit as wild.

Perhaps it would be better if Nicholas searched in vain for her.

„Good evening, Count Marinov, no news of Miss

Delaney?“

Valentin turned to see Lee Bassinger strolling toward him.

„Not yet.“

Bassinger smiled. „Nicholas must be truly worried by now.

I feel called upon to render assistance.“

„Assistance?“

„I’m well known in this city. I’m going ashore to see if I

can obtain information from my manager here on the wharf.

He has his ear to the ground and perhaps he’ll know someone

who has seen her.“

„I’m sure Nicholas will appreciate your concern,“ Valentin

said dryly. What was the bastard up to? Bassinger had lounged

around the Rose for the last two days observing all their efforts

with that meaningless smile. Now, out of nowhere, he had

decided to help. „But he thinks Silver may have left Memphis

and gone back north. The Rose leaves for St. Louis at dawn.“

Bassinger’s smile stayed in place. „Perhaps Nicholas is

wrong. I’ll endeavor to find out for him.“ He put on his high

silk hat, pulled on his kidskin gloves, and turned toward the

gangplank. „I’ll be back shortly.“

„What do you mean, she’s not here?“ Bassinger’s light

green eyes were narrowed with rage. „I told you to hold her

here in this warehouse until I came.“

The two men standing before him exchanged uneasy

glances. Then the taller of the two took a deep breath and burst

out, „She got away from us.“

„What!“ A flush of rage mantled Bassinger’s cheeks. „You

fools! How could she get away? There were two of you.“

„She damn near killed me,“ the shorter one, who had a

scraggly beard, said testily. „She kicked me in the balls and

pushed Steve here into the river. Then she took off running and

was gone before we knew it.“

Bassinger’s palm cracked against the bearded cheek of the

man called Landon. „I may kill you myself.“ Bassinger’s eyes

were blazing with fury. „How long ago, Landon?“

Landon’s hand went to his cheek and his face turned ugly.

If the crazy son of a bitch didn’t pay so good, he’d –

„How long?“ Bassinger demanded impatiently.

„Only an hour or so after we took her,“ admitted the taller

man, called Steve by Landon. „We went ashore upriver just

like you said and told her we’d take her someplace safe to

hide. She didn’t want to come with us, so we tried to scare her

a little!“ He went on defensively. „It’s not our fault. She was

suspicious from the time she got into the rowboat.“

„Not your fault?“ Bassinger began to curse viciously. „Why

didn’t you come to me with this information?“

„You told us to stay away from the Rose and from you,“

Landon said quickly.

„That was because I didn’t want suspicion to fall on me,

you idiot.“ And because he’d wanted to linger and savor

Savron’s frustration and worry for as long as possible before

he revealed that he was in possession of what Savron wanted.

He’d enjoyed these last two days enormously, thinking he held

a secret power over that damn Russian, and now to find he had

nothing. Nothing! „Did you search for her?“

Both men nodded quickly.

Of course they had searched, Bassinger realized with fury.

So had Savron and his friends. The damn bitch had escaped

from all of them. He whirled and strode toward the door. „I’ll

make damn sure you never find work on this wharf again.“ He

slammed the door behind him and strode down the street.

She was gone. The key was gone. Those stupid sons of

bitches had let her get away. He had to get control of himself.

He was so enraged, he couldn’t think, and he needed to plan

his next move.

Silver Delaney was gone, but Savron suspected she had

returned to St. Louis, Bassinger thought. Perhaps he was right.

But even if Savron didn’t find the woman, Bassinger’s best

move would be to stay close to him. If one key had been lost,

perhaps another could be found.

He could see the lanterns of the Rose in the distance and

quickened his steps. He would be on the Rose when it sailed

for St. Louis at dawn.