Two tables stand before us, very close to the sconce. One is draped in cloth, and the other has needles and other tools. She smooths the bare sheet. “Fresh linen. I suppose this is where the patient will lie.”
“I’ll demonstrate.” I hand her my cane and then stretch out on the table with my arms crossed. “Even scented with rosemary. My laundress has gotten very good, since you told her I like spices.”
“That maid is kind. She listens.”
I don’t like the sound of that. “Another problem that I’m not man enough to fix.”
With a groan, she opens a curtain and light dumps in. “As the woman of the house I should be able to handle domestic things. But I’m not your woman, am I?”
Ignore. Ignore. Don’t lust after those high arches. “Katherine, this room is perfect for what Scarlett and Carew will do.”
“Thom will be in a great position.” Katherine’s back is to me as she stands at the window. Sunlight and the glow of the sconces highlight her figure and wonderful olive skin. “My sisters, both of them, are wonderful. But Scarlett did this with her research. She’s a woman fighting for the things she believes in. I envy her.”
“Well, she is Mamen’ka’s favorite.”
Arms folded, she turns to me. “Jahleel?”
“The cupping procedure is her research, but the Carews together will do the surgery.”
“Thom’s not worried. Those tools look sharp.”
“His cataracts are so progressed he loses nothing if it doesn’t work. But the chance to see colors or the curve of a woman’s hip is worth it. I’d be happy with that.”
She spins to me with flushed with ripe red cheeks. “Do you have cataracts?”
“No. Breathe, Katia. I have my sight.” I rotate away, not wanting to witness her desire turn to pity. “I see fine.”
“Jahleel, look at me and tell me the truth. Let this room be only filled with truth.”
“Fine. Watching you fill with fear is something I hate. Reminds me of the day my sister recovered, and you left me. You provoked that fight instead of telling me the truth.”
“I was wrong to do so. If I could turn back time …”
“You’d walk away from the ball. No dance. No kiss near the death flowers in the Winter Palace’s gardens. No us or Lydia or Andrew. I understand. Finally, I do.”
She bites that gorgeous bottom lip of hers. Then she steps closer. “Did Georgie tell you this?”
“Didn’t have to. That secret was obvious. My pride has tried to ignore that you’re prejudiced about sickness, and that’s something I cannot change.”
She holds out her hand and helps me sit up. “Well, your next bride already knows, thanks to your honesty in the parlor.”
“True. And if I had known or even believed that this would be my destiny, I would’ve confessed all, then kissed you. Maybe knowing that I already loved you the moment we met would’ve made a difference.”
From the tears in those jet eyes, I know that it wouldn’t. My love is pain to Katia. That’s the secret I can’t escape.
Chapter 33
JAHLEEL—SECRETS ANDWALLS
Off the table, I smooth the sheet, ridding it of wrinkles. “Another bit of honesty. My sight was once diminished. The blood sickness does strange things.”
“Guess a man who likes strategy loves surprises.”
“No. No, I don’t.” I force a smile. “But fear not. I see you, Katherine. You’re beautiful in emerald green.”
“You do like that color.” Katherine moves to the shelves where I keep my rarest chess sets. She takes them all in, studying the pieces just beyond her reach behind the glass. The subtle way she moistens her lips makes my frustrated blood boil.
Katherine points to my dark brown crystalline set. “Tell me about this one.”
