Love and Triumph: The Coltrane Saga, Book 8 by Patricia Hagan Read Free Book Online Page B

against the bile that rose in his throat when she had mentioned the name of Alexander III, for he knew only too well of the sorrow suffered by his idol, Lenin, over his eldest brother, Aleksandr, having been convicted and hanged for conspiring with a revolutionary terrorist group that had plotted to assassinate him.
    I should be an actor , he told himself fiercely, taking a gulp of wine to ease the burning within, instead of a pianist…because only a great actor could pretend to enjoy the company of such capitalistic swine!
    And it was good, he thought with a mechanical smile of adoration at Marilee, that she did not feel a part of this family, for he’d be damned if they’d ever fraternize with   the Coltranes once they were married.
    Rudolf was relieved when dinner finally ended. A full orchestra began to play, and hundreds applauded as Travis Coltrane led his bride, Valerie, to the center of the room for the traditional first dance. Then they parted—Travis dancing with his mother, Valerie with her new father-in-law. At last the other guests could join in, and Rudolf led Marilee onto the floor for a spirited waltz.
    He gave her the adoring gaze he’d practiced before his mirror and huskily murmured, “I can’t wait for our time, my darling, when we lead the wedding waltz.”
    Dizzy and giddily happy as the result of too many glasses of champagne, Marilee felt a warm glow…but not in particular over Rudolf’s intimate flirting. She was caught up in the glittering atmosphere of the romantic evening. “Maybe…” she said coquettishly, “One day. Who knows?”
    He squeezed her hand, pressed harder against her waist. “At least say you’ll visit my family in Zurich and give me a chance to win your heart.”
    The dance ended, another began, and suddenly Kurt was there to take Marilee into his arms. It was what Rudolf had been waiting for. Quickly, he went in search of Jade and found her standing to one side, talking to some ladies. He nearly tripped in his haste to get to her before someone else did. “Princess Jade.” He bowed with a flourish. “May I have the pleasure of this dance?”
    The other women exchanged envious glances, and Jade, flattered, allowed him to lead her onto the floor.
    “I’ve never danced with a princess before,” he said.
    She laughed softly. “Is it any different?”
    “Oh, yes. It’s the aura, the enchantment. Of course, it also helps that you’re quite beautiful.”
    “All right, Rudolf, you can stop now,” she pretended to scold, emerald eyes shining. “You’ve won me over completely, and I assure you I’ll give Marilee my wholehearted endorsement. Colt and I both agree she should accept your invitation to visit Zurich. It will do her good.”
    “Why don’t you accompany Marilee to Zurich?” he glibly suggested. “My mother would love to have you as our guest, and I’d feel better about Marilee traveling if you were with her.”
    “How nice of you! I think I’d like that very much, and you’re very kind to include me,” Jade agreed enthusiastically.
    Marilee had finished her dance with Kurt and was on her way to the terrace herself to get some fresh air in hopes of clearing away too many champagne bubbles from her head. She was surprised to see Rudolf and Jade coming in, did not have time to speculate as to the reason, or a need, for Jade quickly, and excitedly, told her of Rudolf’s invitation.
    “…So,” she finished, “if you decide you’d like to go, you’ll have a traveling companion, and I think it would be a wonderful trip for both of us.”
    Marilee looked from one to the other and decided perhaps it was the only way she would ever find out whether Rudolf was the man for her.
    “All right,” she said quietly, without enthusiasm. “I guess I might as well.”
    Jade was distressed to hear such defeat in her voice and said, “We’ll have a lovely time, and I’m looking forward to our being together, too.”
    Rudolf was bristling inside to see