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out of your hair and take that incredibly lovely gown off your body and let you know how much I've missed

you these past weeks."

"You missed me?" I inquired.

"Every single minute," he swore.

I didn't necessarily believe him, but it was sweet of him to say so just the same. Gazing at him sitting across from me in the soft haze of moonlight, a crooked grin on his lips,

I felt a delicious, amorous glow spreading inside and thought how pleasant it was going to be to have him take the diamonds out of my hair and thegown off my body.

The moonlight had faded when we reached Kronstadt, the sky a light pearl gray with a faint suggestion of gold in the east. Despite the early hour the magnificent harbor was bustling with activity, cargo being loaded and unloaded

by the light of lanterns that glowed like pale fireflies, dozens of men rushing purposefully about, sailors from the naval base hurrying to their ship for early morning maneuvers. Our ship was an impressive vessel, sails unfurling as crew scurried about in the riggings. The captain

himself led us up the gangplank, told us our trunks were on board and said he was most honored to be carrying

such distinguished passengers. Catherine had made all the arrangements for our journey, I recalled, so it wasn't surprising he was so attentive and polite.

Even so, I was amazed at our quarters. Both bedroom and stateroom were commodious, the walls paneled in ivory white with gold leaf patterns, lovely carpets spread over the rich teakwood floors. Candles glowed softly in glass globes dripping crystal pendants. A bottle of champagne

nestled in ice in a silver bucket on a table in the stateroom. Beside it stood two tall crystal glasses, and there was also a large silver dish of caviar and a silver tray piled high with thin slivers of toast, chopped boiled eggs and onion and an assortment of tempting delicacies.

Stepping over to the bedroom door, I gazed at the large, lovely bed with its pale golden satin counterpane and soft mink spread of the same pale hue. ..

Jeremy came up behind me and curled an arm around my waist, looking over my shoulder at the bed. I could feel his warmth and strength as he pulled me close, resting his cheek against mine.

"Perfect accommodations," he murmured, looking at the bed. "This ship's taking us all the way to New Orleans, incidentally."

That surprised me. I had naturally assumed we would be changing ships at least twice.

"Catherine arranged it," he said. "She wanted to be sure we would travel in style. We'll be stopping in Copenhagen and picking up more passengers in

Marseilles,

but it was all arranged for our convenience. She's an extremely

thoughtful woman."

"She certainly is," I said.

Oh, yes. Catherine was thoughtful and Catherine was considerate. Catherine had gone to an incredible amount of trouble and expense. Catherine had done this, done that-and the two of them had been extremely chummy tonight,

so very relaxed in each other's company. I could feel my temper rising, feel a flush coloring my cheeks. He rubbed his cheek against mine, his arm tightening around my waist.

"Catherine's very generous," I remarked.

"It's her nature," he said. .

I pulled away from him and whirled around. "Too bloody generous," I informed him.

. His vivid blue eyes were utterly guileless. "Whatever do you mean?" he asked.

"She's always generous to the men she fancies. You slept with her, didn't you? Don't you dare lie to me!"

He hesitated for a moment and then decided he had best come clean. "Why do you think she gave me the medal?"

"You bastard!"

"I did it for England, love."

"You son of a bitch!"

"I couldn't help it, Marietta," he protested. "When the Empress of Russia invites a chap to pop into bed with her, he can hardly tell her he's got a headache. It 'was a question

of National Honor."

I glared at him and he looked at me with beseeching eyes and I shoved him out of the way and stormed past him

and out of the cabin, surprised to find I wasn't nearly as angry as I pretended to be. I went up on deck and heard the

sails crackling overhead and felt the gentle rocking motion and realized that we were already under way. I moved over to the railing and rested my hands on the smooth teakwood. The sun was up. The sky was a soft white. Silvery reflections shimmered on the blue-gray water. The majestic harbor of Kronstadt grew smaller and smaller, ships and white marble buildings looking like playthings in the distance.

A cool breeze stroked my bare arms, and I sighed, wrapping

the cloak closer, the pale champagne mink collar touching my cheek. Of course he had slept with her. He could hardly have done otherwise, and I really couldn't blame Catherine, either. He was a fascinating, devilishly handsome man, and Catherine of Russia was not to be judged like other women. I was wearing a fortune in diamonds

she had given to me, and I wondered if that wasn't perhaps her way of making amends to me for her little indiscretion.

No, it was impossible to be angry with her-or with Jeremy either, for that matter. He was a complete rogue, but I had always known it, and that was one of the reasons I loved him.

"Feeling better?" he inquired.

I turned. Lost in thought, I hadn't heard him approaching.

He had taken off his uniform and now he was wearing tall black boots and black breeches and a white lawn shirt and-yes, the same black sheepskin coat and hat, thoroughly

cleaned and refurbished. The red scarf was tied around his neck. A smile was on his lips. How could one possibly resist him? I gave him a cool look and turned back

around to gaze at the receding harbor.

"I'm sorry, love," he said.

"And well you should be."

"It'll never happen again," he promised.

"You're bloody right it won't! You won't have the opportunity."

"I'm forgiven?"

"I'm not sure," I said.

He moved behind me and wrapped both his arms around my waist and drew me up against him and kissed the side of my neck and kissed my earlobe and I relaxed, making no

effort to pull away. His arms held me close. Kronstadt was a mere speck on the horizon now, shrouded in mist. I sighed, glad to be seeing the last of Russia.

"There's champagne below," he murmured.

"I know."

"Caviar, too. It'd be a shame to let it go to waste."

"A shame," I agreed.

"There's a glorious bed as well," he added. "Never seen a bed quite so inviting."

He took hold of my arms and turned me around and I looked into his eyes. They were a dark, smoldering blue now, and I felt that marvelous glow beginning to spread through me again, a delicious languor in my limbs. I reached up to caress his lean cheek with my fingertips.

"We have a long journey ahead of us, love," he purred huskily. "Weeks and weeks. What are we going to do with all that time?"

"I imagine we'll think of something," I said.