“But let us wait, impatient one.Tonight it is business, not pleasure.”She drew a long fingernail down his naked chest, marking him, then crossed it to make a T.“Not yet, at least.I have what you want,” she said softly.
He captured her tormenting hand and carried it to his lips.“You always have what I want, my queen.”
She laughed deep in her throat.“You are naughty, my darling boy.You know what I mean.”
“The lists?”He looked at her and forced a smile, as if the lists were of no importance.
“Yes, Nicky, the lists.”She stepped away to take a bulky packet from a drawer.“English, French, German, Austrian, Italian, even American.All the ringleaders.With proof of their involvement.You would be surprised how many people see their advantage in the return of Napoleon, in the continuance of war.”
He took it and put it in his pocket, stifling a sigh of relief that threatened to choke him.Now he allowed seriousness to show.“Thank you Therese.This is the best way.And now, let me get you to safety.You are in danger.”
“Do I not know it!”she said, and panic showed.It was the first time he had ever seen such emotion in her.“But still I wonder, will you truly care for me?”
“Do you not trust me, my love?”He drew her into his arms to kiss her tenderly.
She relaxed there, but then drew back a little.“My only, one, my life has not been easy, and I have learned not to trust.You are married and your wife carries your child.You have reasons to abandon me once I have done what you wish.”
He rained kisses upon her neck.“Leave you?I could as well leave my heart!You know, Therese, that I have a duty to my wife.You agree with me on that.But you are my joy and my delight.You are everything to me.You are being foolish, empress of my soul.”Oh, God.How much more of this could he produce?
“No I am not, Nicky,” she said, moving out of his arms.“I am being terribly sensible, when all I want is to make love with you forever.”
She looked at him in a frankly appraising way.“You really are the best lover I have ever known.You have the … the soul for love.”Her lips parted hungrily, and he knew she was hungry for sex.She used it like a weapon, but it used her, too.One could never be sure which state reigned at any particular time, but just now, he thought, it was need that was driving her.
He couldn’t.
Couldn’t he leave now?He had the lists.But he knew he’d never make it out of the house against her will, and there were Eleanor and Amy to consider.
When she drifted over to him he steeled himself to continue his act for just a little longer.
“You are going to be very angry with me,” she whispered in a girlish manner as she slid her hands from his shoulders down his body.Despite everything, he could feel a physical response to her skillful touch.
With the deftness of a pickpocket she slipped the envelope from his jacket and replaced it in the drawer.
He stilled a violent movement and merely raised his brows.
“Till later,” she said with a secretive smile.“I have your wife here.”
He stifled an extreme response and met her eyes, allowing the warmth to cool a little.He welcomed a respite from amorous pretense.“I did wonder,” he said, keeping the tone casual.“I cannot imagine what you are about.It is not like you to feel petty jealousy.”
“I am not jealous.How could I be?She is so ordinary, and swollen with child as well.There is a friend, too.That I did not intend.”She laughed at his expression.“Do not look so severe,cheri.They are both quite safe and unharmed.I have given them dinner and playing cards so they may amuse themselves.”
Nicholas took a few steps backward and forward, absorbing relief, for she had no reason to lie, and desperately trying to work out what was expected of him in this situation.Therese would expect him to be put out by her action.He was sure of that.
“I cannot approve,” he said sternly.“Eleanor should not be upset in her condition.What are you doing?”
She looked at him with large, tragic eyes.He marveled at her ability to flit from emotion to emotion, all in apparent sincerity.“I am not sure of you, Nicky,” she protested.“You tired of me once.I must know you care more for me than for her.”
“And how do you propose I prove that to your satisfaction?Is it not enough that I have spent every possible moment with you for months?”
Her lips quivered and she pressed an elegant hand over them.“I am unreasonable, but are not all women so?You are asking me to take a great risk, Nicky, all for love of you.You are asking me to abandon all my friends, my means of livelihood … I am afraid.If you abandon me again, I could not bear it.I will surely die.”
Her acting was so powerful he began to feel guilty.
She came to cling to him and her musky perfume swept over him like a wave.The pungent, erotic smell of her sickened him, and it was as much as he could do not to thrust her away.
“If I see you tell your wife it is I you love,” she said tearfully.“If I see you tell her you will be leaving with me forever.If I see you destroy any remnant of kindness she still might hold for you, then perhaps I can believe.”
He felt a strong urge to hit her.What insane game was this?With difficulty he kept his tone moderate.“I consider this unreasonable, Therese.What happens if I do not?”
