“Sit down, Katherine.” His voice was firm, an order. “If it will make you feel better, I will be your food taster for the evening.” She didn’t budge, but he let go. “You have to eat sometime. Will you worry about the food for the whole voyage, or will you trust me that you won’t be drugged again?”
She sat down stiffly. “I didn’t think you would, but Kirov thinks for himself and—”
“And he was duly chastised for the first time. I tell you it won’t happen again. Trust me,” he added more softly.
She wished she hadn’t been looking at him all this time. Now she couldn’t tear her eyes away. His white silk shirt was opened at the neck, giving him a rakish look despite the elegance of his black evening coat. The shoulders were so wide, the arms powerful. He really was big, this fairy-tale prince, so utterly masculine in size, in looks.
No matter how Katherine tried to get around it, she was attracted. And without her anger to protect her, she had no defense against such potent attraction.
Lida saved Katherine from making a fool of herself with her staring by arriving with the first course. From then on Katherine concentrated on her food with a vengeance, only vaguely aware that Dimitri was talking to her as they ate, telling her a little about Russia, anecdotes about court life there, about someone named Vasili who was apparently a close friend. She supposed she made appropriate comments when necessary, since he didn’t stop talking. And she knew he was trying to put her at ease. It was nice of him to try. But she would never, ever be at ease in his presence. It just wasn’t possible.
“You haven’t really been listening, have you, Katya?”
He had spoken louder to gain her attention. She glanced up, blushing slightly. Annoyance seemed to war with amusement in his expression. She imagined he wasn’t accustomed to anyone ignoring him.
“I’m sorry, I—I—” She cast about for an excuse. Only one came readily to mind. “I was famished.”
“And preoccupied?”
“Yes, well, under the circumstances…”
He threw down his napkin and refilled his glass. He had consumed nearly all of the champagne by himself. Her first glass was still untouched.
“Shall we adjourn to the sofa?”
“I—would rather not.”
His fingers tightened on his glass. Fortunately Katherine didn’t notice. “Then by all means let us dispense now with what concerns you so you can enjoy the rest of the evening.”
Too late she became aware of his irritation. And what the devil did he mean by that? She had no intention of remaining in this cabin any longer than necessary. If she was to enjoy the rest of the evening, she would have to be alone, but she doubted that was what he had in mind. But first things first.
“Perhaps you will answer my earlier question now. I feel like a prisoner, and yet you invite me here tonight as if I were only a guest. Which is it to be?”
“Neither, I think, at least not in the strictest sense. There is no reason for you to be confined during the length of the voyage. You can’t escape at sea, after all. Yet idleness breeds unrest and is also a bad example for my servants. You will need to do something to occupy your time while you are with us.”
Katherine clasped her hands in her lap. He was right, of course, and this was more than she could have hoped for. She couldn’t remember the last time her life hadn’t been filled to the brim with activity of one kind or another. There was his library, but much as she loved to read, she couldn’t see herself doing nothing but that day after day. She needed stimulation for her mind, to be planning, arranging, doing something useful or challenging. If he had something to suggest, she would be grateful, especially since what she had feared was that shewouldbe confined to a cabin the whole voyage.
“What did you have in mind?” Her eagerness was unmistakable.
Dimitri stared at her for a moment in surprise. He had expected her to balk immediately at the idea of working. He had planned then to offer her the position of being his mistress, so she could continue playing this role of Lady to her heart’s content. Perhaps she had misunderstood. Yes. After all, he had never met a woman yet who would not prefer a pampered, idle existence to one of menial service.
“The possibilities are limited aboard ship, you understand?”
“Yes, I realize that.”
“In fact, there are only two positions available for you to consider. Which one you select is up to you, but you must choose one or the other.”
“You have made your point, Alexandrov,” Katherine said impatiently. “Do get on with it.”
Had he thought her directness refreshing? More fool he.
“Do you recall meeting Anastasia here earlier?” he asked tightly.
“Yes, of course. Your wife?”
“You assume I am married?”
“I don’t assume anything. It was mere curiosity.”
