Chapter 14 Jahleel—Water Battles
JAHLEEL—WATER BATTLES
Must be having a palsy, or some sort of small stroke—because I know I did not hear this woman ask me to find her a husband.
I crane my neck to the ceiling. From the tub, soaking in blessed water, I look for St. Peter or Moses to give me answers. Yet I have the same unexpected world-shifting thrill as when I first spoke to Katherine. This creature still confuses me and draws me in by being confounding.
This is why I loved her. She’s unlike anyone and unafraid. At least, I thought her unafraid.
“Jahleel, you’ve gone pale.”
I gaze at her soft, fretful expression. There’s fear and something else in her black eyes. I hate that we’ve spent years at cross-purposes.
“You’re scaring me, Jahleel. Say something.”
“Tease me—laugh at me. Intimate as we are, you do know how it’s done.” I shake my head. “That’s what Elizabeth said to Darcy. She thinks him a prideful creature.”
“I ask you to find me a husband, Jahleel. And you’re thinking of a book?”
“Katherine, I’m at a loss.”
“Have you not said marriage gets rid of scandal?” She nods. “You’re being modest. I know you’ll find someone perfect and charming who you’ll approve of. Your approval is needed so I can try to reestablish my relationship with Lydia. I don’t want her scandalous mother to impair my … our child.”
Logical and disturbing, she offers this impossible idea while bathing me and putting her hands on my chest.
Some places miss such a delicate touch—I’m not one to complain. But another husband? I complain.
“Jahleel, you agree?”
I rub my aching temples. She’s given me a fresh headache.
“Are you in more pain?”
“I … The water, Katia. I’m disoriented. I don’t know how long I’ve been in my sickbed. Can we discuss this later?”
“Of course, but I’m still your mistress. Perhaps we can have a deal before midnight.”
“A deal at dawn, if we both see it.”
She moves from behind me and perches to my left. Glistening with perspiration, she swipes her brow. “You made this a replica of our past. Our suite at the Winter Palace with ryas on the floor, and paneling, even the bear carvings on the bedpost. This is not the dacha.”
“The cottage where we spent our wedding trip is too small. Too-close quarters must be why you became bored of me. The scale and grandeur of the Winter Palace is more to my liking.”
“Your affinity for marble has grown.” She inhales. “And lavender. It’s strong.”
Then, like a tigress, she stalks her prey. Her brilliant black eyes shine as she crawls to me. “Is there a reason you don’t wish to find me a new husband?”
Her fingers flick water onto my chest. “Am I beyond helping?”
For a moment, I believe her to be serious, but my soul screams, Trap!
At the edge of the tub, she stirs the water. “The Duke of Torrance has impeccable taste. Isn’t there a good candidate that comes to mind?”
Her eyes smolder. The temptress lingers a kissable distance away. And I was worried she’d drown me. She has different plans to destroy me.
“Well, you’ve been quite entertaining, but you can get Mr. Steele now.”
“I’m just getting started. You’ll need lotion.” Her brows waggle as she offers a saucy look. Then she retrieves the brush resting on my thigh. She’s playful, swirling it through the water, filling the bristles with suds and tossing clouds of happiness everywhere.
Can I pretend that this lovely creature didn’t hate me yesterday? That I had the strength to draw her into my lap and kiss every insane notion away.
She mops my forehead. Her fingers tangle in the hair she’s parted. “I don’t feel a fever. Jahleel, this bath might have done it.”
Suddenly, her arms wrap around my neck. Her hot breath scorches my skin.
“Katia, if I broke a fever, I don’t need another one.”
“Oh,” she says, but it’s several heartbeats before she lets go.
Then Katherine rises like the queen she is, slow and steady.
“You’re going to be alright.” She turns and performs a few steps of the minuet. If those slippers fly off …
“Did Scarlett give you the wild-lettuce tea too?”
“No.” She blushes. “Should she?”
“Go. Go get Mr. Steele.” I flick my hand toward the door. “Then leave.”
She doesn’t move, not an inch. “We don’t have a deal.”
Her stare sinks to my chest. Does she see how hard my lungs must work to secure the next portion of air?
“I asked you to go—”
“You should throw a ball. Then London will know that you’ve truly forgiven me. And that you’ll not strike down my new suitor.”
I close my eyes. Her movement is dizzying.
Her arms return to me, surrounding me with starch and honey and Katia. “Don’t you see? I know I’ve lost all rights to you and Lydia. If I’m not respectable, I’ll never be afforded a relationship with my daughter.”
“Unlike you, I’d never keep Lydia from you.”
She holds me tighter. “It won’t always be up to you.”
I can joke about my mortality, but not her.
Feeling tired and drained, I won’t allow the person who’s caused my greatest disappointments to finish me. I force myself to stand. I’ll be the one that leaves this time.
A mistake. I’m dripping and instantly chilled. Unable to control my legs, I fall.