The Counterfeit Count (30 page)

“You were shot?” Natalya gasped. She clamped her lips closed when Alexander chuckled.

“It would seem,” the czar said, “you have hidden your record of bravery from my kapitán.”

Creighton rubbed his left arm. “The wound was less severe than the one Natalya received tonight.”

“Both of you are worthy of the title of hero, although it seems to be one neither of you wish.” The czar glanced at his sister and smiled. “I grant you your request, Kapitán. Your service as a cavalry officer to me is complete, save for one thing. As your final command from your czar, Kapitán Dmitrieff, I order you to say yes when Lord Ashcroft asks you to be his wife.”

“But—” She gulped, realizing she had been about to gainsay the czar.

Creighton put his hand on her arm and turned her slowly to face him. His eyes twinkled in the lights from the theater as he brushed his lips against hers. When her arms rose to his shoulders, he said, “I'm waiting, Natalya.”

“For what?”

“For you to say yes.” His thumb beneath her chin tipped her face up toward him. “You have told me so often how you always obey orders. Will you disobey this one?”

“I thought you didn't want a wife.”

“I didn't realize how much I needed you until I thought you might be lost forever.” He kissed her cheek. “I guess I tried to be a hero one time too many, for I did not want to keep you from obtaining your dreams, even if it cost me my heart to let you go.”

“I did not want to go.” She brushed her fingers against his cheek, then leaned her head on his shoulder. “I want to stay here with you.”

His thumb tilted her chin back so she could see his smile. “Now you need not go. There is another Count Dmitrieff to reconstruct your father's dacha. Nothing prevents you from obeying this order.”

“Save that you have not asked me to be your wife.”

“And when I do, what then?”

She laughed as she brought his mouth toward hers. “Then I suspect I shall never obey another order save to love you with all my heart.”

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 1997 by Jo Ann Ferguson

Cover design by Neil Alexander Heacox

ISBN: 978-1-5040-0910-2

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