Secret Fire by Johanna Lindsey

Author:Johanna Lindsey [Lindsey, Johanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 1987-11-03T13:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

The ship was silent again. Katherine refused to take the credit this time, no matter how often she was looked at beseechingly by Dimitri’s servants, as if she could do something about his most recent foul mood. All she had done was refuse to have dinner with him. That couldn’t possibly account for such surliness on his part. He hadn’t even appeared interested when he invited her and seemed totally unmoved when she declined. No, they weren’t going to place the blame on her shoulders this time.

But what if you’re wrong, Katherine? What if a simple little overture could make a difference and relieve some of the tension? Even Anastasia has been quiet and subdued. And you have been meaning to speak to him about his library.

She made up her mind that morning, and an hour later knocked on Dimitri’s door. Maksim opened it and quickly exited as soon as she entered the room. He was surprised to see her, but no more than Dimitri. The Prince immediately straightened his posture and smoothed back his hair, then caught himself doing it and slumped back in the chair behind his desk. Katherine didn’t notice. She was staring at the papers strewn across the desk and wondering what could keep Dimitri occupied on such a long voyage. She would have been intrigued to know he was presently reviewing proposals from numerous factories and mills in the Rhineland that he was considering buying. Analyzing tedious reports was just what Katherine excelled at.

She finally glanced up at him and was disappointed to see such an inscrutable look returned, beautiful, but utterly devoid of emotion. She became nervous, wishing she had never come up with the idea of imposing on him, even if it was for something so minor.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you.” She looked quickly away from him toward the wall of books. “I couldn’t help noticing…before… I mean when I was here before, your extensive collection—” For God’s sake, Katherine, why are you stammering like a ninny? “Would you mind if I borrowed a book or two?”

“Borrow? No. The insulation in here keeps them from being ruined by the sea air. But you are welcome to read anything you like in here.”

She swung around too quickly, revealing her surprise and unease. “In here?”

“Yes. I wouldn’t mind the company, even silent company—unless you’re afraid to be in the same room with me.”

She stiffened. “No, but—”

“I won’t touch you, Katya, if that is what worries you.”

He spoke sincerely, his expression blasé. He didn’t care, she realized. He had made just a simple offer and a reasonable one. She hadn’t even thought of the sea air which could indeed ruin an expensive book.

Katherine nodded and approached the bookshelves, trying vainly to pretend she was alone in the room. After several moments she made her selection and moved to the white satin sofa to make herself comfortable. The book was a short commentary on Russia by a French count who had spent five years there.

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