A Sister's Quest by Jo Ann Ferguson Read Free Book Online Page A

sensation of his mouth. When he drew away, she slowly opened her eyes to see his glistening with passion he made no effort to hide.
    Softly he asked, “Which did you mean?”
    â€œBoth, I fear.”
    â€œI feared that as well.” He released her, and she gripped the footboard again to keep her wobbly knees from collapsing beneath her. Brushing her hair back from her face, he said, “We shall do well together, Michelle. We have much to speak of, but for now, go to bed. We have many more days of traveling.”
    â€œDo I sleep here?”
    â€œYes.” He went to the chair and got his coat. Shrugging his arms into the sleeves, he said, “I will go downstairs to be sure Rusak can polish off that last mug of beer alone. That should give you all the time you need to ready yourself for bed before I come back.”
    â€œYou are coming back here?” She gasped.
    â€œWhere else?”
    â€œAre you crazy to think that I would sleep with you?”
    He rested one elbow on the door frame. “Even I am not that crazy, Liebchen , but never forget that, as far as the rest of the world is concerned, you are my mistress. It would be very strange for me not to share a room with you, wouldn’t it?”
    â€œBut here?”
    â€œThere can be no chance of any word reaching Vienna that I did not sleep with you from the moment you left St. Bernard’s.”
    Heat slapped her cheeks, and she knew she was blushing when he chuckled. Too late, she understand Frau Offenbach’s puzzlement. The mistress of a grandly dressed man like Alexei Vatutin should wear something more splendid than her simple black gown.
    Blowing her a rakish kiss, Alexei went out and closed the door. It opened before she could move.
    He peeked around the edge and said, “I shall not be downstairs long. You might want to hurry and change. Good night, Michelle. Sleep well.”
    â€œThat is unlikely,” she said to the closed door. She hurried to her bag and pulled out her simple muslin nightgown. She was glad it covered her from chin to ankle. Unhooking her gown, she shoved it over her hips. She untied her petticoats and let them fall to the floor as she pulled on her nightgown.
    She sighed with relief as she scurried to the bed. Taking two of the pillows, she pulled off the coverlet. She placed them on the chair. Let Count Alexei Vatutin sleep on the floor, for he would not sleep with her.
    As she pulled back the remaining covers, she glanced at the door. She did not dare let him so close again. With an ease that was frightening, he had orchestrated her into his arms like a conductor leading his musicians to a crescendo. To let him hold her again when they were alone would be madness, for she had been unable to resist his kisses.
    With her palm beneath her cheek, she stared at the silhouette of the candle dancing on the wall. She tried to think of something other than his fiery touch. Something … anything.
    Maman!
    Why had Maman told her nothing about this other life she had led with Alexei? Had she kept the truth from Michelle because she did not want her daughter to be involved in this world of half-truths? Mayhap that was why Michelle had been sent to a straitlaced girl’s school. If that was so, it all had been for naught when Alexei Vatutin invaded her life.
    Her thoughts were interrupted as the door opened. Only the clatter of a key locking it kept her from looking up. She shut her eyes and forced her breathing to slow.
    Low noises warned her of every motion Alexei made. She heard him curse as he pulled off his boots. Without a bootjack or a valet, the tight boots must be nearly impossible to take off. She hoped the shadows hid her smile at his grumbles. It was a pleasure to discover that the almost too perfect Count Vatutin could be bothered by something as commonplace as boots.
    â€œShe makes her opinions quite clear,” he mused in a whisper, and she knew he had seen the pillows and