17
Snow greeted them the next morning. The flurries didn’t last long and didn’t stick to the ground, but the temperature dropped considerably from what it had been the day before. And they weren’t anywhere near the mountains yet, where it was going to be much, much colder.
Alexandra loved such weather, but she had too many things on her mind to enjoy it. Her plan wasn’t working as swiftly as she had thought it would. Actually, it didn’t seem to be working at all.
Not once had Vasili remarked on her disgusting eating habits.
The twins had fought one night, and instead of stopping them with a word, as she usually did when she witnessed their tussles, she’d pretended to be fascinated and encouraged them.
But Vasili hadn’t commented on her bloodthirsty behavior.
He hadn’t noticed yet that she was beginning to stink, either, though Nina certainly had and frequently complained about it.
He hadn’t even been properly scandalized last night when she had danced a strictly male dance, and she wasn’t going to think about how much fun she’d had, even with him joining in, particularly after he’d joined in.
The only thing Vasili had alluded to at all was her unique way of keeping him faithful.
If she thought that was all it would take to make him break the betrothal, she could relax, but he hadn’t been nearly angry enough the first time she’d used that ploy, proving that much more was needed to finally make him disgusted enough to sever their association.
Not that she wasn’t going to continue to curtail his sexual peccadillos, publicly and privately.
Doing so privately wasn’t as satisfying or as scandalous as making a public scene, but he had been careful not to proposition any more women in front of her.
Because the embarrassment had been worse than his sexual frustration?
If that was the case, perhaps another “scene” was in order.
Maybe a simple demonstration of temper this time, something completely unrelated to Vasili, to show him that even if he was on his best behavior, she could still be an embarrassment to him.
The idea had some definite merit, and when she discussed it with the Razins that day, they agreed it couldn’t hurt to give it a try.
Timofee volunteered to be the cause of her anger, but Stenka argued that he wanted the privilege, so she assured them it would be a pleasure to scorch both their ears.
And the reason? She decided that one wasn’t necessary and that if Vasili asked about it, she would merely tell him it was none of his business.
She would have preferred to stage the “scene” in a town, where it would be even more public, but when they didn’t reach one before dark that night and ended up making camp again, she was too eager to see Vasili’s reaction to postpone the demonstration.
She still had to wait, however, because as usual, he was riding far in advance of the party and it would take a while for him to realize they weren’t going to catch up with him.
But it took Vasili more than an hour after dark had fallen to return, long enough to make Alexandra begin to suspect that he had found himself a willing woman somewhere up ahead.
So when he rode into camp and she immediately began cursing the twins at the top of her lungs, she really was as angry as she sounded.
Unfortunately, her knowledge of vulgarities was rather limited. And not having considered that lack beforehand, Alexandra was forced to pause in her diatribe to whisper to the twins, “I’ve run out of names to call you. Quickly, give me some more.”
Timofee was too busy covering an unrepentant grin with his hands, but Stenka was happy to oblige, and Alexandra’s eyes widened and her cheeks bloomed with color as she shouted the new names at him.
But with her back to Vasili, he couldn’t see her reaction, could merely hear her outrageousness, so she wasn’t worried about his noticing her own embarrassment.
She was impatient to know his reaction, however, and couldn’t resist another whisper to Stenka. “Is he properly scandalized yet?”
“I hate to say it, Alex, but he’s laughing.”
She was too surprised to answer for a moment, but then her shoulders dropped and she said in disgust, “Well, hell, what does it take to shock that man?”
Stenka could no longer hold back his own chuckles. “You could try dancing naked around the camp. That ought to get a reaction out of him, and the rest of us would, of course, look the other way.”
“Of course you would,” she replied dryly before tossing out a few more invectives for each of them, this time quite sincerely.
She marched off then, annoyed with them, annoyed with herself for somehow failing at her objective—again—and furious with Vasili for not reacting as he ought to.
Why would he be amused to hear such terrible language coming out of her mouth?
Didn’t he realize that if she could do something like this here, she could as easily do it in a drawing room where his king might be present?
He sought her out among the horses, where she had gone to take advantage of the soothing effect they usually had on her.
Usually. It wasn’t working tonight. She continued to move among them, though, ignoring the presence she felt behind her, knowing instinctively who it was.
And that was another thing that kept her from calming down.
She didn’t like it that she was able to sense Vasili, just as her mares could sense when one of the stallions came near.
He didn’t wait for her to turn around and acknowledge him. “Perhaps you will tell me why you were so angry with your Cossacks.”
“Why should I?”
“Because I ask.”
She changed her mind about saying it was none of his business, for the horses gave her an adequate lie.
She turned to give it to Vasili, but, as happened too frequently, she was disturbed by his handsomeness.
Anytime she was this close to him, she found it difficult to breathe, much less have a conversation.
But she finally got out, “They let Prince Mischa cover one of the mares today.”
“So?”
“So they know I am to be present for every breeding,” she explained, and that much was true.
“You actually watch?”
From his expression, she realized she had finally shocked him, and by something she did do, rather than what she’d been doing only for his benefit.
“Of course I watch. These are my babies, and I have better control over them than anyone else. I have to assure that the mares aren’t hurt—exactly as any other conscientious breeder would do.”
“But—”
“Yes?”
Her tone dared him to object because she was a woman, especially when she’d been doing her damnedest to appear and act unwomanly for him. And he must have remembered just that, because he dropped that subject to address another.
“Where were you that you didn’t witness it?”
She smiled at him. “Didn’t you know? You aren’t the only one who goes riding off alone—” She started to add, “in search of amusement,” but he didn’t give her a chance to.
“You did what?”
“Of course, when I ride,” she continued, “I don’t stick to the road as you do. I find the countryside much more—exhilarating.”
She managed the insinuation this time, but instead of pouncing on it, he said with complete confidence, “You’re lying, Alex.”
She ground her teeth before retorting, “Of course I am, but what made you think so?”
He was suddenly frowning. “What do you mean, ‘Of course I am’? Do you make a habit of lying?”
“Certainly,” she replied offhandedly. “It makes life so much more interesting, don’t you think?”
“No, I don’t,” he said sternly. “Life is interesting enough without complicating—Never mind. You’re a grown woman. Far be it from me to change any of your—habits.”
His condescension infuriated her this time, and she’d much rather take out some real anger on him than pretend to be angry at her friends. And she did it with a smile.
“How positively magnanimous of you, Petroff. Don’t expect me to be as generous, though. But then, we already know what habits of yours I’m changing, don’t we?”
He didn’t take the bait, but his smile was as false as hers. “Habits you think you’re changing. But as for how I knew you were lying, it’s because one of my men would have found me to tell me if you’d ridden off on your own, and another would have followed you.”
“I’m being spied on? Well, then, I’ll have to return the favor, won’t I? And I’ll start by finding out tomorrow what you were doing today.”
His brows rose. “You mean at the farmhouse I discovered—”
“You philandering—!”
“Now, now, what are you accusing me of?” He was almost laughing, he was so pleased by what she was thinking.
“As it happens, it was already getting dark when I found the place, so I didn’t have time to dally.
But as long as we’re on the subject, let me remind you that your own behavior had better remain completely virtuous—at least until after you’ve borne me an heir. Then you can do whatever you like.”
“Oh, I intend to do whatever I like, but I won’t wait until I have your permission. You, on the other hand, have had your last tawdry liaison.”
He was no longer pleased, but frankly incredulous. “In other words, you can, but I can’t?”
“You men have had a monopoly on that sentiment for far too long. You should have known that someday a woman would turn the tables on you.”
“But it isn’t going to be you, sweetheart,” he said with a cold, sharp edge to his tone. “You’re fond of cutting off ears? I’ll cut off a hell of a lot more than that from any man who puts his hands on you—at least until after—”
“Yes, yes, you’ve already said that,” she snapped, out of patience. “What makes you think I can even bear children? Maybe I’ve already tried and failed.”
She struck a nerve with that barb. “Then maybe we ought to find out beforehand.”
“Don’t even think it, Petroff, or I’ll cut off more than ears.”
They were glaring at each other nearly nose to nose. Stalemates were so unsatisfying, but they each knew that they’d reached one.
And then Vasili’s nose suddenly twitched and he leaned back to say, “Damn, what is that smell? I thought it was the horses, but it’s coming from you.”
Alexandra blinked, then stopped herself just in time from laughing. “Me?” She tried to sound indignant. “I don’t smell any different than I always do.”
He was really scowling now. “Woman, you did not stink when I met you.”
She shrugged. “I had just had my monthly bath when you met me.”
“Monthly?” he choked out.
She opened her eyes wide. “You think that’s too often? I always thought so, but Papa insisted.”
Vasili walked away in disgust.
Alexandra grinned from ear to ear.