Spring Fires (29 page)

"Please..." he soothed, "if you are seriously planning to leave me here on my own, at least spare me a few minutes to explain. Come into my room, where it is warmer."

Lisette saw Nicholai extend his hand to her and found herself trusting the expression on his face. She stepped forward, slipped her hand into the warm strength of his, and went along into the adjoining bedchamber.

The fire was burning softly, so he added a log and some encouragement with the poker before turning his attention to Lisette. To his consternation, he found her seated in a chair, rather than on the bed where she usually perched. Biting his tongue, he plumped up the pillows then stretched out on the counterpane. The weak candle and firelight left the distance between them filled with gray shadows.

"Well?" she asked stiffly.

"What do you mean, 'Well'? You're the one who's been throwing clothes around the room and shouting at me. Before you storm off into the night, I would appreciate some semblance of a rational explanation."

"Incredible! This may come as a shock to you, but I don't owe you anything, least of all an explanation, and you should be grateful that I have been so dull witted until now!"

"I hope you intend to elaborate on that last comment."

"I think you understand just what I mean. I have stood by like a
fool
,
smiling and slaving for a fortnight, while those silly girls have paraded in and out. You did all that you could to encourage them, leading them on, grinning when they blushed—" Her voice was rising. Realizing how she must sound, she broke off and took a deep breath. "I should have left you to them days ago! Let them cook and clean for you, change your bandages and sit up through the night with you—"

"Are you going to make me drag my frail maimed body all the way over there, or will you come and sit beside me?" Nicholai's voice was softly neutral; he was astounded by the raw pain that edged her words and, determined to finish the conversation, took scrupulous care not to offend her. "I want to explain something to you, but because it is such a personal matter, I would like very much to
see
you as I speak, rather than peer through the dark in your direction."

Aching to sit near him and be touched by the warm strong hands she loved so much, Lisette rose stiffly and seated herself on the edge of the bed.

"In light of your feelings concerning my female visitors," Nicholai began, "I assume you weren't happy to come home and find Amelia Purdy in my bedchamber."

"I wouldn't be happy to find her anywhere," she replied coldly. "She is a mean-spirited, vain, sharp-tongued shrew and I am disappointed to know your taste in women could sink so low."

He wore a wry smile. "You have a point there." Seeing her back straighten completely, he amended, "It isn't what it seems, however. Lisette! If you turn a degree colder I'll have to put you in front of the fire to thaw you out! Give me a measure of credit, won't you? I wasn't in love with Amelia, for God's sake! We were using each other—in bed!"

She looked stricken. The rigidness dissolved in her spine and she tried to stand, but Nicholai held fast to one delicate wrist.

"Don't you see?" he pressed. "You don't have to be jealous of her. I never cared for Amelia any more than she cared for me beyond the excitement I could provide."

"You needn't worry that I'm upset over your sordid affair with that disgusting woman. I really could not be less concerned—"

"Oh, Lisette," he urged, hands shifting to her sides to draw her near. "Please, don't say it! I want you to tell me that you
do
care, in spite of my flaws."

Nicholai's emerald-green eyes burned through the darkness, and it seemed to Lisette that they uncovered all her secrets. It was nearly impossible to breathe, let alone speak, but she managed one word.

"Why?"

In the coral-tinted shadows, she was more touchingly beautiful than ever.

"Why?" he echoed. "Because... I care for you. And let me assure you that there isn't a hint of sordidness in my feelings."

Happiness swelled in her, flavored by a more tart emotion. Part of her wished that he had declared his
love,
perhaps even begged her to marry him, yet this more temperate declaration was enough for now.

Nicholai studied her face, trying to read her true feelings. From the moment they first met, she had been an enigma to him. Slowly, she'd revealed bits of herself, and, little by little, her protective shell had cracked. Now Nicholai knew a great deal more, but she remained a mystery in many ways. What was the truth of her feelings for him? Affection, desire—of those he was certain. Love? He probed the word gingerly in his mind. His heart tightened again. It was too soon to explore that serious possibility; both of them were wary. Lifting Lisette's slim, fragrant hand, he pressed warm lips first to wrist and then palm, welcoming the rush of physical yearning that erased all thoughts from his mind.

As Nicholai eased Lisette back into the cool pillows, a stubborn voice shouted in her mind that she was a weakling to give in so easily. Could she be rendered witless by his practiced touch and a few noncommittal endearments?

Oh... but she longed to surrender and stop thinking. Yearning rushed over her in waves. Nicholai was exploring every curve and hollow of her face, slowly... almost reverently. Lisette shivered. He whispered, "Shh... it's all right..." against her ear, one hand caressing her back from the baby curls marking her hairline to the first smooth curve of her derriere.

Panic welled up from a hidden place in her heart. "Nicholai. Nicholai, stop!" Her voice shook traitorously. "Your bath! I know how you've been longing for one." Lisette struggled to sit up, and swallowed air in an effort to clear her thoughts. "I'll heat the water—right now!"

"What the—" Nicholai's momentary twinge of alarm was extinguished by the sight of her face, flushed with unmistakable desire. Trying to keep the devilment from his own expression, he said, "Of course, my bath! How thoughtful of you."

She paused in the act of leaving the bed and peered through the firelit shadows at him, wondering what the secretive gleam in his eyes foretold.

Chapter 26

May 6, 1793

A large brass bathtub reposed before the kitchen hearth
.
While filling it with buckets of water from the caldron that steamed above the fire, Lisette strove for a businesslike attitude. After all, there was no reason to be nervous. Hadn't she eluded Nicholai's persistent embrace in his bed? Now she was safely ensconced again in her role as nurse.

"My God, that looks wonderful."

She finished pouring in the last bucketful of water before glancing toward the doorway. Just the sight of him, twenty feet away, made her heart turn over. Maddeningly, her face grew warm.

"I'm glad you think so. It is... hot work."

"Obviously." He padded barefoot across the planked floor, clad in a chocolate brown dressing gown and carrying a decanter of wine and two goblets.

Lisette watched him approach with trepidation. He hadn't shaved that day and was looking decidedly piratical, especially when he flashed a knowing grin. He was beside the table now, filling the glasses with wine.

"None for me, thank you," Lisette said nervously.

Nicholai looked up in mock alarm. "This is an occasion. A milestone in my recovery." He held out the goblet. "I insist"

Something in his tone made her walk around the bathtub to accept the wine. "Perhaps a symbolic toast, then," Lisette whispered. "Just a sip."

He made no reply as their glasses clinked in the still, dimly lit kitchen.

"Well, here's to... you," stammered Lisette. She wanted to slap herself. "Your recovery has been remarkably quick."

"Will you be sorry when it's complete?"

Immediately on guard, Lisette took two nervous sips of wine, concentrating on the goblet, before replying, "How could the full return of your good health make me sorry? I know you must be anxious to get back to your house in Philadelphia and your normal routine—"

"Just as you are anxious to return to your beloved CoffeeHouse—?" he interjected.

"Well, of course." Flustered, she smoothed her skirt, took another sip of wine, and finally let her eyes rest on him again. If only she could keep from blushing! "I really must go now and leave you to your bath."

Nicholai caught her arm as she turned to flee. "Oh, no, you mustn't! Lisette, you have to
give
me my bath! That's why I didn't have it when Katya and Randolph were here. I didn't relish the thought of being bathed by either my sister
or
her fiancé... but
you
are quite another matter!"

Lisette paled under his laughing eyes. "But—I—"

"These are Dr. Wistar's strict orders!" he continued cheerfully, refilling both their glasses and walking around the table to deposit them next to the bathtub. "He is terribly afraid that I might reopen my wound while reaching to wash some... out-of-the-way spot. He offered to send Oliver out from my house but I assured him that I knew someone who would be delighted to help!"

"Nicholai!" she croaked. "You
didn't
mention my name—?"

He grinned devilishly over one broad shoulder while unfastening his robe. "What sort of a cad do you take me for?"

When he turned back and lifted his glass for another drink, the robe gapped open to expose his dark, lean-muscled chest. Although the rest of him was concealed beneath the tabletop, Lisette felt her nervousness dissolving, replaced by outrage.

"Does this situation amuse you?" she demanded.

Nicholai strove to repress a smile, with little success. "Of course I am not amused. Especially not by you, Lisette! I think the wine has made me giddy."

"You are impossible. All right, then, get in!"

"I need a bit of assistance with this sleeve—" He gave her an angelic smile.

Sapphire sparks shot from Lisette's eyes as she carefully lifted the sleeve free of his injured shoulder. When the robe was off and she had draped it over the nearest chair, Nicholai continued to stand before her.

"Will you tell me that you also need assistance getting into the bathtub?"

He flicked both eyebrows upward and stepped into the still-steaming water, wine goblet in hand. Lisette had one quick glimpse of his wide back tapering into lean, narrow hips and muscular buttocks as he settled into the bath. Leaning against the high back of the tub, he sipped the wine and sighed.

Lisette glared at him and reached for her own glass. "At your leisure, sir."

Watching her drink the wine, it took all his self-control not to laugh out loud. He saw her eyes skitter over his tanned hard shoulders and strong neck, then turn icy when they met his own lazy gaze. Like a cat with a mouse, he bided his time.

"I have all night, Lisette."

"How fortunate for you." She drained her wine and strode across the room to fetch a large sea sponge and a cake of soap. "My time, on the other hand, is more valuable. May I take your glass so that we can get on with this?"

Nicholai looked pleased in a way that made her uncomfortable. "I am at your disposal," he murmured, proffering the empty goblet.

"All right, then," decided Lisette, "I suppose we should take off your bandages and wash that wound as well. How has it been today? I hope you didn't exert yourself during Mrs. Purdy's visit!"

He gazed fondly at her serious, beautiful face as she unwound the layers of gauze. A tiny drop of perspiration drizzled down from her temple. "You are so adept at this," Nicholai teased. He took a chance and kissed the wetness on her cheek and was heartened by Lisette's grudging smile.

"As I said, this is hot work." She leaned over to deposit the pile of gauze on a chair, revealing a delicious swell of bosom to his appreciative eyes.

"Perhaps
you
should have a bath—?" he offered innocently.

Lisette couldn't resist. She smiled, then pressed a hand over the laughter that threatened to spill out.

"You are incorrigible."

"Thank you." His grin flashed in the firelight.

It was fortunate that she had to kneel at that moment, since it gave her an opportunity to steady herself against the rim of the bathtub. Again, she wondered how one man should have such a devastating effect on her.

"I liked you better when you leaned over from a standing position," Nicholai remarked.

"I suggest that you act your age, sir."

"Don't tempt me, my lady!"

His cool flat tone sent a thrill through Lisette that frightened her. Without another word or glance in his direction, she soaped the sponge and began to wash his wound. Only the tenderness of her touch betrayed her feelings for him.

Feeling his eyes on her face, she offered, "You have healed very well."

"Thanks to you..." he managed to murmur before giving himself up to the intense pleasure of her touch. Like feathers, Lisette's fingertips brushed his arms, neck, shoulders, rubbing and rinsing him with the soapy sponge. When she reached his chest, she used her hand to lather the expanse of crisp hair that reached from the base of his throat to point far down his belly. Nicholai groaned, closed his eyes, and lay back.