RUSSIAN WINTER NIGHTS (3 page)

Chapter Three

Ekaterina watched, dumbfounded, as Empress Anna placed a chubby hand on Andrey’s shoulder. She could feel Andrey’s glare, but her eyes were transfixed by the sight of her aunt’s bejewelled hand sliding down to his chest. When the Empress gave him a quick pat, Ekaterina lifted steely, challenging eyes to his.

“It is an honour to finally meet you,” Ekaterina said politely, enunciating each word with aristocratic precision.

“Finally?” her aunt exclaimed. “Have you also seen his magnificent work, Ekaterina?”

“Why, yes, indeed,” Ekaterina replied, her tone slightly sardonic. “I have seen his great
skill
in action in a
very
different setting. But I never thought he’d been applying his skills elsewhere, my honoured aunt.”

“If I’d known I’d been courting such a
noble
audience, I can promise you that I would have given you due respect, my lady,” Andrey stated, his voice flat.

Ekaterina lifted her chin, her eyes cold.

“You don’t seem to be a fan of Andrey’s work,” her aunt commented blithely. “Were you not impressed?”

“It wasn’t worth remembering,” Ekaterina said with a bitter slant to her lips.

A crease formed in her aunt’s brow. She turned to the architect’s apprentice and patted his arm affectionately.

“Don’t take my niece’s words to heart, Andrey,” she said reassuringly. “She’s an excellent girl, but she has little taste for the finer things of life. Why, just look at that shabby dress!”

Empress Anna laughed at her own joke, oblivious to the heated glares passing between the two people near her.

“Now go,” Anna said, nudging Andrey’s shoulder. “Get me a drink, will you, my dear?”

His cold eyes sliding away, Andrey strode away from the throne and into the crowd. As soon as he was out of earshot, Anna turned to Ekaterina with a conspiratorial wink.

“Well, isn’t he quite the catch?” she said with a suggestive waggle of her fat brows.

Ekaterina inclined her head, careful not to disagree but also not to show too much interest. Emotions were dangerous at court. Even so, she discreetly followed Andrey with appraising eyes. In fact, it was hard not to notice him as he stood at least a head taller than most of the people in the hall. But his height wasn’t even his most striking feature. He was magnificent, with his thick shock of dark hair, his broad shoulders and his tapered waist. He was the picture of masculine perfection; yes, he was a perfect catch.

Manipulative
,
social-climbing fool
, Ekaterina thought bitterly.

“He will do well at court,” she mused aloud.

“Yes,” her aunt agreed with a sniff. “Especially after I take him as a lover.”

“I thought he was meant to be working here as an architect?” Ekaterina said, trying to sound disinterested.

“Oh, he’s already been instrumental in designing many parts of the palace. But I’m sure Rastrelli will be able to spare him now and again,” the Empress replied with an indifferent shrug. “Besides, he couldn’t do better, really.”

“No,” Ekaterina murmured quietly. “He really couldn’t.”

After all, how could the niece of an empress compare to the Empress herself? Despite her determination to remain aloof, Ekaterina felt her throat constrict. She blinked back the mist in her eyes. It hurt, she admitted to herself. It hurt more than she could have imagined.

Aunt and niece watched as Andrey walked through the crowd with purpose, neither turning to the right nor the left. He didn’t even pause, except when a beautiful young noblewoman stopped him by putting her dainty hand on his arm. He turned slightly as she drew closer, her thick lashes fluttering. Andrey’s expression didn’t change; his facial muscles were like stone.

But the Empress was not amused.

Ekaterina had to resist the urge to take a step away as her aunt’s face grew nearly purple with rage. The Empress stepped forward, her chest heaving and a short finger pointed accusingly at the unsuspecting noblewoman.

“You!” she shrieked, her voice piercing. “Come here this instant!”

The noblewoman froze, her head slowly turning to face Anna, the terror vivid in her eyes.

“Yes, you,” her aunt bellowed maliciously. “Move!”

The poor woman picked up her skirts and scurried forward. She hastened to kneel, her head bobbing up and down in a desperate apology.

“Your Majesty,” she stammered, frightened out of her wits. “Please forgive me. I had no idea he was of any interest—”

“Silence!” Empress Anna demanded. “You grovel like a pig.”

“Empress, please—”

But Empress Anna stamped her foot, cutting her off. She lifted the hem of her dress, exposing the toe of one of her shiny shoes.

“Apologise,” she hissed angrily.

“A thousand apologies, my—”

“Not with your mouth, with your tongue,” the Empress commanded with a sadistic grin. “Lick my shoes clean, you cow.”

Trembling, the pitiful woman got down on all fours and began to lick the Empress’s shoes to the feigned laughter of all around. Horrified, Ekaterina took the opportunity to slowly back away, not wanting to witness any more cruelty for the day. She knew her aunt would entertain herself with such cruel divertissements for a long time yet...and her presence would quickly be forgotten. So, Ekaterina quietly slipped from the hall, ready to retire to her chambers to nurse her bruised ego and conflicting emotions.

But just as she turned into the royal wing of the palace, she felt a hand latch onto her wrist. She spun away, glaring. It was Andrey, his eyes fierce and demanding. He rounded on her, backing her into the wall and placing both hands beside her head.

“You were toying with me, Lady,” he growled.

“
I
was toying with
you?
” Ekaterina blurted out angrily. “You are the one set on advancing your rank by seducing the Empress!”

“What are you talking about?” Andrey exclaimed.

“As if you didn’t know,” Ekaterina accused, jabbing a finger into his muscled chest. “You will be the Empress’s new pet, won’t you!”

“Her pet?” He leaned in close so that their noses were almost touching. “So says the Winter Court’s
sweetheart
.”

“I should have known better than to trust you,” Ekaterina said, her voice trembling. “You got what you wanted from me, didn’t you? You sampled the wares but then hooked a bigger, better fish. I suppose you won’t be needing to seduce me any longer, now that you’ve gotten into the Empress’s good graces.”

* * *

Ekaterina turned away, blinking rapidly. Andrey frowned. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. Her lower lip was faintly quavering.

But why?

It struck him suddenly, like a blow to the chest, and he nearly staggered backward.
Of course
, he realised,
she hadn’t known his identity
,
and he hadn’t known hers.
He covered his eyes with one hand. It might have been one massive misunderstanding.

But before he could gather his wits to compose himself, Ekaterina pushed away from him with a choked cry and fled down the hall. He watched her go, his hands hanging heavily at his sides. Then he slowly turned away, a mournful expression on his face.

Soon the hall was empty again, until one of the Empress’s maids stepped out from behind a curtain, a wicked glint in her eye.

Chapter Four

They were out riding, all three of them plus a retinue of courtiers. The snow was soft underneath their horses’ hooves, and the air was sharp. Ekaterina sat stiffly atop her mare, her back ramrod-straight and her face neutral. She hadn’t wanted to come, but it would have been impossible to refuse the summons of the Empress. Thankfully, they were on their way back to the palace now. Her aunt rode beside her, a strange smile playing about her lips. Andrey rode behind, his face sullen and brooding.

A fine trio.

“So, my dear niece,” the Empress began, her tone conversational, “how have you been lately? I haven’t seen much of you since you arrived at court.”

“Thank you for your concern, Aunt,” Ekaterina replied. “I have—”

“By the way,” her aunt interrupted brusquely. “Did you hear what happened to Sergei? The baker?”

“I didn’t realise you knew him,” Ekaterina said lightly. “He is a good baker.”

“Was.”

Ekaterina blinked and tried to remain calm.

“Was, Aunt?”

The Empress sniffed delicately.

“He was sent to Siberia yesterday,” her aunt informed her. “Because he was caught stealing bread for his family.”

Ekaterina’s throat closed.

“And his family?”

“Thrown to the street, as they well deserved.”

Ekaterina felt numb. The poor man and his family. She would have to instruct her own servants to find the family, give them money and hopefully help them find some means of living. Unfortunately, she could no longer help Sergei.

“Do you know what that means, Ekaterina dear?” her aunt queried.

“That his family will probably perish in the cold?”

“Yes but no.” Her aunt clucked her tongue. “That’s not the lesson here, my dear.”

The Empress reined in her horse, wheeling it around so that it blocked the path. She looked from Ekaterina to Andrey and then back again, her eyes narrowing.

“The lesson is that stealing will be punished harshly,” Anna said calmly. “No matter who the culprit is.”

She let an awkward silence blanket the group before kicking her horse into a trot.

“Remember that, both of you.”

Ekaterina didn’t dare look back to gauge Andrey’s reaction. It was clear that the warning was meant for them, but why? Her stomach tightened at the memories of them in the field, in the corridor and in the royal wing. Someone had seen. Someone had whispered. And now they were both on thin ice.

When they reached the palace, Ekaterina ignored Andrey and dismounted gracefully. She handed the reins to the stable keeper and bowed deeply before escaping her aunt’s oppressive presence. She wandered the echoing corridors aimlessly, her wind whirring.

Danger on one side and unrequited attraction on the other. How she wanted to return to the country, to be with her loving family once again!

“My Lady!” a page called to her.

Ekaterina halted and waited for the breathless page to reach her. The boy bowed and presented her with a scroll.

“A missive, my Lady,” he said as she took the letter. “From the architect’s apprentice, Andrey Kvasov.”

Ekaterina nearly dropped the letter. The fool! She slid the scroll into her sleeve, feigning complete indifference.

“You may go,” she said, waving the boy away.

As soon as he was out of sight, she pulled the letter from her sleeve and unravelled it hurriedly. The words were hastily but beautifully scrawled out...and they would damn them both if they had been seen by another other eyes.

My Lady
, the missive read,
I
must explain.
Please come to my suite.

She crumpled the paper in her hands, her ire boiling over. Jaw set, she stalked to the western wing of the palace. She knew where he was staying; she’d had one of her guards investigate. Without knocking, she threw open the doors to Andrey’s suite and slammed them shut behind her. Andrey jumped up from his seat.

“You!” she shouted angrily as she stormed towards him. “What were you thinking?”

She shook the ragged letter in the air and then pitched it into the fireplace. It dissolved in a bright burst of flame.

“I needed to see you,” Andrey explained, his palms up.

“Could you not think of a way that doesn’t involve us both getting killed?”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

Ekaterina stared at him incredulously.

“Haven’t you realised the Empress plans to make you hers?” she asked disbelievingly. “Or were you unaware that all your
hard work
has finally paid off?”

* * *

A look of abject horror passed over Andrey’s usually stoic face. Then finally, understanding dawned on him and he grew calm. He relaxed his stance and took a slow step forward.

“I see,” he said in a low, almost gentle tone. “Did you think I’d planned to be the object of her affection?”

Ekaterina’s brow creased, confusion mounting alongside her anger.

“Of course you did! Why else would you be at court?” Her voice quieted. “Why else would you lure ladies into your grasp?”

“You are mistaken, my Lady,” he corrected sternly. “I am here as an apprentice to plan and construct the Hall of Light.”

“Ha!” Ekaterina accused in disbelief, her voice bitter. “You are like every other man here. You prey on—”

In three quick strides, Andrey was across the room and a hair’s breadth away from her. His hands closed over hers tightly. He captured her eyes with his, and her voice faded away in surprise.

“You are
wrong
,” he said, his voice low but intense. “You have been at court for far too long, my Lady.”

“You used me,” Ekaterina said flatly, her eyes hard.

Andrey shook his head and pulled her closer, setting her palms on his chest so that she could feel his wildly beating heart.

“I had no such ambitions,” he said seriously. “I thought you were a peasant girl. I had no idea you were royalty. In fact, when I found out who you were, I thought you were the one using me.”

Ekaterina was silent as she searched his face for any hint of duplicity. But his face, though not expressive, was free of any of the tell-tale signs of dishonesty. Her brows lifted. He was right; neither of them had known who the other was. It was possible that he had wanted her for herself. It was possible. So...

“So,” she said slowly, “you do not want to be the Empress’s lover?”

“I could never touch that sadistic woman,” he said gravely. “Never.”

Then, he carefully took Ekaterina’s chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilted her face up to his. His eyes roved her perfect face, from her pouting lips to her earnest eyes. She was beautiful, and for more than just her physical appearance. She was a noblewoman who spurned courtly ways, who decried the idea of using love as a weapon and who wanted nothing more than honesty. He’d never met anyone like her before; she was a pearl amongst wooden beads.

Yes, she was beautiful.

Andrey carefully lowered his lips to her cheek, his breath ghosting over her lashes. She swallowed nervously, and his lips curved at the innocence that lay beneath her sharp mouth—a mouth he would very much like to savour once again.

“I will never be her lover,” he murmured against her cheek. “But I might like to be yours.”

* * *

Ekaterina started in surprise, but Andrey held her fast. Her heart raced, and blood rushed to her ears. She was sure she had not heard him right.

“Say that again?” she whispered.

He smiled and nuzzled her cheek, his stubble gently scratching her delicate skin as he dipped lower to nibble at the corner of her lips.

“I could be your lover,” he repeated, his voice low and seductive.

With the tip of his index finger, he traced a line from her collarbone to the swell of her breast. She shivered under the featherlight touch. But still, she hesitated.

“But what if my aunt—”

“Let’s not speak of her right now,” Andrey told her, his hands tangling in her hair.

“But she—”

Andrey swept her objections away by pulling her into a deep kiss, his lips rough on hers. Ekaterina melted into his embrace, letting him plunder her mouth and relishing the warm ache that was building between her thighs. Her thoughts grew hazy with pleasure as his tongue delved deeply into her mouth, pushing past the wall of her teeth and sweeping her into a delicious dance. She was barely aware of the workings of his skilful hands until she felt her bodice drop to the floor. She had no time to be surprised, however, as he continued his onslaught. The cotton of her underdress seemed rough against her skin as he moulded his hands to her ample chest, rubbing in an arousing circular motion. Her breathing hitched and she cried out in delight as he gently pinched her erect peaks. Fingers twisting in the fabric of his loose shirt, she pulled herself closer to his heat, breaking off their kiss to rest her chin over his shoulder.

* * *

Andrey was merciless in courting Ekaterina’s passion, his hands sliding down her back to cup her bottom. As he elicited another moan from his willing partner, he planned his method of attack.

He would rip away her skirts and push her gently to the lush carpets below. Then, while holding her gaze, he would slowly enter her. He would watch her face change, and then he would bring her to such heights of pleasure that she would come, screaming his name to the ceiling.

Burning in anticipation, he sank down to his knees before her, smiling as she tangled her fingers in his thick hair. She seemed confused at the sudden loss of contact, but it was soon forgotten as he glanced up to meet her curious blue eyes.

* * *

Puzzled, Ekaterina stared down at his chiselled features. But then his fingers found the lacings of her skirt, and her heart jumped. Andrey was so tall that even on his knees, he was eye-level with her bosom, a fact that suddenly made her flush. It had not gone unnoticed. Andrey smiled devilishly and slowly pressed his nose between her two pert breasts. His fingers worked the closures of her skirts as he began to suckle her though her thin undershirt. Ekaterina threw her head back, her mouth opening to cry out.

Then a familiar voice suddenly cut all activity short.

“Andrey, my darling!” her aunt called out from down the hall, her booming voice adopting a playful, singsong quality. “I’ve come for a visit!”

The lovers jumped apart and stared at each other in near panic. The Empress was only moments away from Andrey’s suite.

“What are we to do?!” Ekaterina asked in fright. “She will kill you if she finds us here.” Her hands fluttered wildly over her chest. “And my family! What will she do to them?”

* * *

Andrey took a split second to savour the sight of a noblewoman worrying for others before herself. Ekaterina was indeed exceedingly rare and precious. He felt himself fall just a little bit further under her spell. But now was not the time to dawdle in admiration, not when the monster was about to pound on his door.

“Quick,” he told her in a calm whisper, “follow me.”

He grabbed Ekaterina’s discarded bodice in one hand and took her by the arm with the other. He guided her to the fireplace and knelt beside it. Letting go of Ekaterina’s hand, he placed his open palms on one of the gilded wall panels, his fingers slowly roving over the raised decorations.

“What are you doing?” Ekaterina demanded in an angry whisper.

She looked over her shoulder as her aunt began to pound on the door.

“Are you decent, my darling?” the Empress called. “I’m coming in!”

“I’ll show you the things that only architects realise,” Andrey said, flashing her a confident grin.

His nimble fingers found what they were looking for. He pressed one raised circle with his thumb and the panel sprang open with a click, revealing a small, secret passageway. He pulled Ekaterina down and helped her crawl into the space before getting in himself and pulling the panel closed. It was not a moment too soon as they heard the Empress barrel into the suite a second later. They didn’t stay to hear her swearing.

Instead, they forged on. The space gradually widened, revealing a very narrow hall. There was barely space for the two of them, so they had to walk in single file. There was hardly any light, and they carefully felt their way along.

“Where does it go?” Ekaterina asked in a whisper.

“If I had to guess,” Andrey murmured speculatively, “I’d bet this widens even farther and joins up with other secret passages. We could probably go anywhere from here. Where do you want to exit?”

“The kitchens,” Ekaterina replied immediately. “The servants there would never betray me.”

“Let me lead,” Andrey suggested, catching her wrist.

Ekaterina nodded in agreement and paused, turning to the side and flattening her back against the wall to make room for him to pass. Andrey began to slide by, but stopped suddenly. They were sandwiched between two walls, their chests nearly touching.

“Now, this is familiar,” Andrey murmured, amused.

“Oh?” Ekaterina arched a brow. “I don’t recall being stuck in a secret passageway before.”

Andrey smirked. Danger was both behind and in front of them, and yet this fierce, young woman had the audacity to joke. He felt desire spike down his thighs. The fact that they were skating on the very edge of disaster only fuelled his need to touch her. He slid his palms down her hips and cupped the undersides of her thighs. He pulled her up so her legs were tight around his waist and her back pressed against the wall.

“Not the place,” he said in a low growl. “The position.”

“Ah, yes,” Ekaterina answered with a small smile. “I remember now. What were we doing again?”

“Let me remind you.”

* * *

Andrey kissed her slowly, his lips moving lazily against hers. But his fingers were quick, deftly pulling at the laces keeping her skirt tight around her waist. Ekaterina experimentally rolled her hips against his, smiling when she elicited a low grunt of approval. It was a dangerous game they were playing, and the tension only heightened her senses. It seemed an eternity before Andrey took a minuscule step back, letting her slide down his chest before offering her a cheeky smile.