Page 20 of You Belong to Me
“She did.”
Constantin thought frantically for a moment before he waved his hand dismissively. “Nervousness, and the thought of change. It happens to many brides—and grooms.”
“Usually such feelings are kept to oneself,” Vasili replied in a near grumble.
Constantin chuckled. “Ah, you’ve discovered my daughter’s propensity for frankness. I’ll admit it can be disconcerting at times, but refreshing at others. Alexandra will never waste your time getting to the point, you can be sure of that. But you needn’t take her remark to heart. It’s not you she doesn’t want to marry, but anyone. As I said, she would have been perfectly happy going on as she has been—indefinitely. But shewillmarry you. I have her word on that.”
That wasnotwhat Vasili was hoping to hear. “With all due respect, sir, are you sure you want to force your daughter to marry a man she doesn’t want?”
“Come now, doesn’t want?” Constantinsmiled in such a knowing way that Vasili nearly blushed. “I saw what happened when she first beheld you, and I assure you, no man has ever rendered her speechless before.”Not even that damn Englishman.
Vasiliwasblushing now—unaccountably, because it wasn’t as if he weren’t used to rendering women speechless. “She claims I surprised her.”
“No doubt you did.”
“It was mutual.”
“No doubt it was. My youngest daughter is nothing if not unique,” Constantin said with a good deal of fatherly pride. “I also have no doubt that a man of your years and experience will have little difficulty in winning her affections—and easing her fears.”
Not if Vasili could help it. And he was getting nowhere with the baron. The man had accepted him wholeheartedly, would apparently use any excuse to continue to do so. Vasili knew he needed to concentrate his efforts on Alexandra, and there was no time to spare.
He assured the baron, “I will make every effort where your daughter is concerned.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, just a statement that was open to different interpretations. He stood up to end the interview. “Because of my delay in arriving, I’m afraid we’ll have to leave very soon, preferably tomorrow, before the weather makes traveling too dangerous.”
He’d managed to surprise the older man.“But arrangements aren’t finished for the wedding.”
Vasili feigned a look of remorse. “I’m sorry, but did I forget to mention that my cousin insists the wedding take place in Cardinia, in the palace? It was the queen’s suggestion, and Stefan does love to give her anything she desires.”
Constantin had no comment for that and could think of nothing but the dilemma this unexpected development was going to cause. “But I’ve made no provisions to travel at this time.”
“You can always wait until spring next year and bring her to Cardinia then,” Vasili was quick to suggest.
Too quick, Constantin noted, which was why he said, “No, it isn’t necessary for me to witness her wedding. With the betrothal, you are almost as good as married. I’ll wait and visit when she has her first child.”
Jesus, the man already had him married and soon to be a father, Vasili thought with dread. “But surely she’ll be disappointed?”
As angry as she was with Constantin? He barely kept from snorting. “Not at all. If anything, she’ll be glad to be out from under my authority.”
And instead be under mine, Vasili realized, the thought intriguing him—until the consequences reared up to horrify him. Seducing the little wench was no longer a possibility, in fact, it was absolutely forbidden. But it wouldbe easier to get her to break the betrothal if her father wasn’t there to see how utterly despicable he intended to be—if he couldn’t get her to cry off before tomorrow.
9
Constantin sat back behind his desk and waited, almost positive that Alexandra would join him as soon as she saw that he was alone. It took less than two minutes for her to arrive. She must have been watching for the count to leave the study. She would try to avoid Vasili. Constantin wouldn’t be that lucky.
She still hadn’t changed out of her work clothes and looked anything but a lady. After what Vasili had told him she had said to him, Constantin was afraid the oversight was deliberate. It would be her way of protesting, and he knew from experience that she could be quite stubborn about it. He almost wished he could make the trip with them, just to watch her rough edges being softened by a man who, by the look of him, was no doubt an expert where women were concerned.
Come to think of it, the change in events could be quite beneficial, he concluded. Had plans gone apace, the pair would have been wed in less than a week, which was not verymuch time for them to get to know each other. But traveling to Cardinia first, which could take close to a month, depending on how encumbered they were, would give Vasili the opportunity to court Alexandra and win her over completely before they were actually married.
Knowing his daughter, Constantin had a feeling she wouldn’t be very appreciative of that possibility, not yet anyway. And, as expected, she got right to the point of her visit.
“When is he leaving?” she demanded.
“You are both leaving tomorrow.”
“Both? Then he didn’t cry off?”
“What made you think he would? What you told him? You disappoint me, Alexandra. I thought honor meant more to you than—”
“Enough!” she snapped. “I merely tried to end this farce by telling him the truth. But if he wants a woman who wants nothing to do with him—I should have known it would make no difference.”
