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"Relax, Marietta," he crooned.

."It's not easy with you standing so close."

"I do not eat you," he promised. "I do not even try to persuade you to change your mind about marrying me."

"Oh?"

Gregory looked into my eyes for a moment, and then he sauntered casually over to the pale cream and tan marble fireplace with its superbly carved mantelpiece. He glanced at the gorgeous gold clock sitting atop it, idly examined one of the pair of orange porcelain vases etched with golden leaves. He was deliberating about something. I could see that. I took a sip of wine, waiting. After a few moments

he turned, drank his wine, and set the glass aside.

When he spoke, his voice was light, carefully controlled.

"I accept your decision," he told me. "At last I accept it.

At first I am disappointed, then hurt, and then I decide you are perhaps playing with me and wish to be persuaded.

Women enjoy these games."

"Some of them do," I said. "I don't happen to be one of them."

"I am puzzled, too, by your refusal to sleep with me again. That evening at Vasily's you are most responsive.

We can discuss this, no? You respond passionately, and I know it is not merely the oysters. I know you enjoy it as

. much as I do. This is so?"

"You were more than adequate," I replied coldly. "You can rest assured you-haven't lost your skills."

A smile flickered over his lips. "This does not worry me," he said. "I do not imagine for a moment that it is my performance in bed that causes you to turn down my proposal."

This cool display of male arrogance shouldn't have surprised me. I had certainly seen enough of it in my time. I finished my wine, and as I looked at the man standing across the room I realized that I didn't know him at all.

The warm, jovial Orlov with his charming speech patterns and engaging mannerisms had been a total fraud, a role he played with consummate skill. Dazzled by his physical presence, immersed in my grief over Jeremy, I had never bothered to look beneath the surface. Although I had often sensed the cold ruthlessness, I had ignored it, and from the first I had underestimated his intelligence.

"I think about it for a long time," he said, "and then I decide you use me. You sleep with me because you think it will make you forget this man who deserts you in London."

I looked at him, and I couldn't deny it. How had I ever considered him a charming simpleton, a sexually magnetic pet? He was as shrewd and perceptive as any man I had ever known.

"It-it isn't something I'm proud of," I said. "I - I never pretended to love you, Gregory. I found you wonderfully attractive

and I knew you wanted me and-and, yes, I

thought an affair with you would help me forget Jeremy."

He sauntered over to pour himself another glass of wine, and I sensed he was enjoying my discomfort.

"I was mistaken," I continued. "When you started talking about marriage I realized how-how unfair to you I'd been, and I knew I had to pull back at once before it went any further."

"You are very honest," he said: "This I admire."

"I didn't mean to mislead you."

"No harm is done. We have a splendid time together. It is a most memorable night. Rarely have I enjoyed myself more. I am only sorry that we shall not have more such nights."

"That's out of the question." .

Another smile flickered, this one faintly mocking. "You'

no longer find me attractive?"

"I'm no longer willing to deceive myself."

"You still love this Jeremy?"

"I do," I admitted. "It's something I must live with. I, hope that time will-will heal these feelings, but I know now another man isn't going to help."

"Not even Orlov?"

"Not even the great Gregory Orlov."

He chuckled, genuinely amused, and that surprised me.

The male ego being what it is, it would have been far more natural for him to be offended, and my tone of voice had hardly been pleasant.

"Any other woman would have jumped at the chance to marry Orlov," he informed me.

"That well may be."

"Even if I have the hump back, even if I have the hideous face, she would be more than eager because of my great wealth. She would think of the jewels, the clothes, the fine houses. She would pretend to find me the most appealing

man in the world."

"Some women might!'

"You do not consider these things at all. The great wealth never enters your mind."

"I'm not interested in your fortune, Gregory."

Orlov nodded. I was very uncomfortable and wished he would come to whatever point he hoped to make. Setting his glass aside, clasping his hands behind his back, he began to pace, deliberating again. Watching him, I was reminded of a lion prowling. Sleek, handsome, he radiated the strength and powerful magnetism of that animal, and, remembering

the knout and the bright crimson flecks in the snow, I felt he could be just as savage.

He stopped. He stood facing me, hands resting on his thighs, and as he looked at me his eyes were cool and decidedly calculating.

"I think it is time we-how is it you English say?" He paused, frowning, groping for the right words. "Ah, yes. I think it is time we place the cards down on the table. This is the correct expression?"

"More or less."

"You are honest with me. I am not completely honest with you."

Am I supposed to be surprised at that? I asked silently. I ran a finger around the rim of my empty glass, waiting for him to continue.

"I persuade you to come to Russia with us as Lucie's companion and it is in this capacity that you join us. I agree to pay you a large salary and see that you leave for America three months after we arrive."

"That's right."

"I have another reason for wanting you to come," he said.

"Oh?"

"It is-" He hesitated, rather uncomfortable. "It is important that I arrive in St. Petersburg with a beautiful woman, the most beautiful woman I can find, and the minute I see you I know that you are that woman. I know I must bring you to Russia with me."

"I see."

"You do?" He looked surprised.

"I think so. Sir Harry-Sir Harry tried to warn me. He told me you never do anything without good reason, that the reason is not always the obvious one. He tried his best to persuade me not to come to Russia."

"Sir Harry knows me a long time," he said.

"He suspected you might have an ulterior motive."

ee 'Ulterior?' This is not a word I would use. I-uh-I use a little deception, I tell a few white lies, but it is not ulterior.

All along I plan to pay you well."

"But not for keeping Lucie company."

He smiled a sheepish smile, the naughty little boy again, but I no longer found the pose endearing.

"Is good for Lucie that you come along. This much is true. She needs a companion for the long journey. I see you are very fond of her, and I believe maybe you will come if!

use this fondness as a lever. If I tell you the real reason I want you to come, I fear you will refuse."

Two nights ago, in the lobby of the glittering opera house, we had encountered one Countess Dedotov, a.

plump, supercilious woman in pink satin and diamonds who had the reputation of being one of the biggest gossips at Catherine's court. Orlov had introduced me as "a close friend," and as he chatted with the fluttery, painted old fool he had casually fondled my arm. I had maintained a cool silence, and, not wishing to embarrass him, I hadn't pulled away. Oh, yes, I knew the reason Orlov wanted me to come to Russia with him.

"Catherine is a very jealous woman, isn't she?" I said.

"This is so."

"Perhaps something of the dog-in-the-manger as well."

"This I do not understand."

"The dog in the manger did not want his bone, but he did not Want any other dog to have it. Some women are like that. They have lost interest in a man and no longer want him, but when they see him with another woman they decide to get him back."

"Women are strange this way."

"You-you wanted to use me to make Catherine jealous."

"This I admit."

"You believed that if she saw us together her-her interest in you would be rekindled."

He nodded, relieved that I had guessed, that he had not had to explain it to me. He looked ever so guileless now, smiling a broad smile, that disarming charm in full force.

"Is this so bad of me?" he asked.

"You made love to me," I continued, "and then you asked me to marry you so that-so that our relationship would be all the more convincing. You never intended to marry me, did you?" .

"Well-"

"You intended to introduce me as you fiancee and flaunt me about town on your arm and-and-" I was growing angrier by the moment. "And then you intended to discard me like-"

"This is not true!" he protested.

"God
damn
you, Gregory Orlov!"

Blindly, I reached for the vase on the table beside me. I heaved it over my head. I hurled it. Orlov cried out and ducked as it flew past him and hit the wall with a resounding crash and shattered into a thousand glittering gold shards. He looked stunned. I was rather stunned myself.

"That was priceless!" he exclaimed.

"I don't care!"

"It was one of a kind!"

"I don't
care!"

"Catherine gave it to me!"

"I don't
give
a sod, you son of a bitch! Please try to get that through your thick skull."

Gregory's eyes widened in amazement. "Ladies do not use such language," he said in a shocked voice.

"I'rn not a lady! I never have been, and I-I'm getting bloody good and tired of acting like one. I wish I'd had a pistol. I would have blown your bloody head off."

"This 'bloody' is not a nice word at all, I think. In England it has a bad meaning indeed. No?"

"You're bloody right!"

Gregory couldn't control himself any longer. He burst into gales of robust laughter, a rich, hearty sound that made me all the angrier. I glared at him, fuming, and finally all the fight went out of me and he stopped laughing.

I was exhausted, but I felt much, much better.

"You really know how to fire a pistol?" he inquired.

"I happen to be a crack shot."

"This I would'never have suspected."

"There are a lot of things about me you would never have suspected."

"I see the fire in your eyes. It is most startling. You are very beautiful when you are angry like this. You have the fiery spirit. You might almost be Russian."

"Go to hell," I said wearily.

"I do not intend to discard you after I have won Catherine's favor again, Marietta. This is not my intention at all.

I intend to send you back to America a very wealthy woman. From the first this is my intention."

"I'm tired, Gregory. I'm going up to my room."

"I plan to use you, yes. Is not a major crime. Is not gentlemanly of me to mention it, but you use me, too, in a different way. Me, I am not consumed with fury when I

discover it."

You're right, I thought, I'm no better than you are, and I have no one to blame but myself for this whole wretched mess. I should have listened to Sir Harry. I should never have come to Russia, but it's a little late now to cry over milk spilled a long time ago. I looked at the dazzlingly handsome, thoroughly unscrupulous man who stood across.

from me in his splendid attire, and I could no longer even be angry with him. I left the room, moving wearily toward the sweeping marble staircase.

Orlov followed me. He touched my arm. I turned.

"Now that we have placed these cards down on the table, maybe we can discuss this like the sensible adults."

"I'm afraid I don't feel very sensible at the moment."

"You first agree to. stay in St. Petersburg for three months as my niece's companion. I see now that you no longer wish to do this, and I understand it. I am an honorable man. I will give you the salary you have earned, and I

. will put you on a ship that will eventually take you to America."

"That's very kind of you."

I placed my hand on the cool marble banister, ready to go on up. Orlo~ put his hand on top of mine, gently restraining me.

"I ask that you consider a new proposition. I ask that YO)l agree to stay for one month only."

"And pretend to be your mistress," I said..

He nodded. "I ask that you continue to appear with me in public and act as hostess at the grand receptions I plan to give. You will wear the gowns I have had specially made for you-the gowns you refused to accept when I give them to you last week-and you will wear the jewels as well and pretend to be very happy in my company."

"I think not, Gregory."

"For this I will pay you; at the end of one month, the equivalent of one hundred thousand English pounds. This is a very large amount of money, Marietta. With it you can go back to this Texas you speak of a rich woman. With it you could probably
buy
this place."

"I probably could," I said dryly.

"You may also keep the gowns and the jewels," he added.

"How generous."

"For this I ask only that you playa role like one of the actresses Lucie admires. For one month only. Is this so difficult to do? It-uh-it will merely be a role. In public you are my gracious, elegant mistress. In private we are just the-how you say?-just the business associates. I do not come to your bedroom unless I am invited."

I made no reply. Orlov removed his hand from mine and stepped back and smiled a winning smile.

"You will consider this?" he asked.

''I'll consider it," I replied.

He looked relieved. "I give my first reception tonight. I send out the special invitations last week; Everyone accepts.

They are most eager to see Orlov again and meet the mysterious Englishwoman with the brilliant blue eyes and flaming red hair."

I imagine they are, I thought.

"My guests arrive at ten for the late supper and dancing, and I hope you will be downstairs to greet them with me."

I left him standing at the foot of the stairs and ascended the curving marble staircase and walked down a long corridor and stepped into the lovely, airy sitting room with its pale gold and white walls and golden brown parquet floor partially covered with a luxurious beige rug patterned with tan and gold and pinkish brown floral designs. Sunlight splashed in through windows that looked out over the back gardens, the radiant rays bathing the magnificent furnishings, the exquisite
objets d'art
tastefully scattered about. A fire burned cozily in the white marble fireplace, but the room was still a bit chilly. The Marble Palace might be one of the architectural wonders of St. Petersburg, but it was almost impossible to heat.