Page 65 of You Belong to Me
“He would be referring to me, madam,” Alexandra said from the doorway. “Since he can barely tolerate me, he must assume that you won’t be able to either.”
“My dear girl, whatever gave you that…idea?”
Vasili barely managed to keep from laughing. His mother’s hesitation came from finally noticing that Alexandra was still wearing theclothes she had arrived in, minus the coat and hat. And Maria was remembering what he’d said about never seeing her in a dress, if the sharp glance she gave him was any indication.
But Alexandra ignored their silent communication to address Maria’s question. “If you don’t believe me, madam, you have only to ask him. He quite despises me.”
Vasili should have known that this evening wouldn’t goentirelyas he had hoped it would. Alexandra’s frankness was going to shock his mother, yes, but he wasn’t going to escape unscathed from it.
Maria was now indignant again. “Vasili, tell her that isn’t true.”
He obliged. He even did so with a lazy smile. “Of course it isn’t true. Whatever I feel for you, Alex, I could never despise you. That’s such a cold emotion, and mine run much—warmer—where you’re concerned.”
She ignored his allusion to passion completely, and provoked him with an arched brow. “So we are to lie for your mother’s sake?”
“I don’t despise you, dammit!”
“Vasili!” Maria admonished.
He sighed. If he was going to lose his temper this soon, he’d never get through the evening. And Alexandra’s smug look was designed to make him lose it again. The little witch. She was deliberately putting him on the spot.
“Forgive me, Mother. Why don’t we assume the subject is exhausted and go in to dinner?”
Maria quickly acquiesced. “An excellent suggestion—except, Alexandra, wouldn’t you like to change first?”
Vasili had never seen a more feigned look of innocence as the one Alexandra wore when she replied, “Change what?”
And his mother accepted it. “Your clothes, dear. We dress for dinner here.”
Alexandra glanced down at herself. “But I am dressed.”
“No, I mean—”
“Give it up, Mother,” Vasili cut in. “I honestly don’t think she owns any dresses.”
“Of course I do,” Alexandra said. “What do you think was in all those trunks we carted here?”
“Whips and daggers,” he said, straight-faced.
She actually laughed. That it was genuine surprised him. It also warmed him and brought a smile to his own lips. Maria wasn’t amused.
Sternly, she said, “We will continue this discussion of clothes tomorrow, Alexandra. For now, Vasili, escort us to the dining room.”
He did, but he wondered if maybe he should have given his mother some previous warning of Alexandra’s eating habits. If Maria happened to insult Alexandra in her shock, the girl could lose her temper with her, and there was no telling where that would lead.
As it happened, he needn’t have worriedabout it. He should have recalled that Alexandra rarely took offense about her unusual habits. And some time actually passed before Maria noticed that Alexandra was eating with her fingers. When she did, she wasn’t so much shocked as embarrassed, though she wasn’t very careful about broaching the subject. Maria could be direct at times herself.
“Didn’t anyone teach you proper table manners, dear?”
Alexandra shrugged. “I suppose they did, but it’s been so long, I forget.”
“Why didn’t you continue the lessons?”
“You must be joking.” Alexandra laughed. “To deal with so many utensils is a waste of time, when I could be spending that time with my babies instead.”
NowMaria was shocked, and her honey-gold eyes turned on Vasili. “Herbabies?”
“Horses, Mother.”
