To Love a Horseguard (19 page)

“It seems you are the talk of London, my dear,” the marquis said, with an unenthusiastic look.

She surveyed the room. Every time she caught someone’s eye they looked away as if she were a leper.
What is going on?
Her cousin Elizabeth made her way through the crowd toward her. “What is going on, Beth?” Rose asked under her breath when her cousin gave her a quick hug.

Her cousin refused to meet her eyes. “Nothing, what do you mean?”

“Everyone is looking at me strangely.”

Beth's glance slid away from hers. “There have been a lot of rumors going around about you, and what happened in Russia.”

“What do you mean?”

Beth dropped her gaze to the floor. “This is really not the place to discuss such things.”

“What things?”

“I have to go. Edward is probably searching for me. It is good to see you looking well. I shall call on you one day soon, Rose.” Beth hurried away.

Rose watched her go.
What sort of rumors are going around about me?
She turned to the marquis. “Do you know what Beth is talking about?”

He cleared his throat. “Ah, well yes, I do. Perhaps we could take a walk in the garden where we can discuss it in private.”

She nodded with reluctance. He offered his arm and she allowed him to lead her from the ballroom. They walked down one of the paths until they came to a secluded corner of the garden.

The marquis took her hand in his. “It pains me to tell you this, my dear, but your reputation is completely in shreds.”

“I am afraid I do not understand. Why? I was kidnapped. It is not as if I ran away.”

He cleared his throat. “Well, you were un
-chaperoned in the company of your kidnapper, and in the care of a Russian guard.”

“Russian prince,” Rose corrected.

“Yes, well, many people think there might be a different code of honor in Russia, but that is not the point. You, my dear, are soiled goods in the eyes of many.”

“I see.
Is that how you see me too?”

  His face took on a sinister expression. “Of course I do, but my father refuses to see the humiliation it will cause me. He thinks only of France and his bloody word.” He
shoved her away into a large tree trunk.

She winced as the rough bark
scraped her tender skin. “You are hurting me.”

His eyes glittered with malice as his fingers closed around her throat. “You made me the laughing stock of England, you spoiled wench.”

Rose closed her eyes, trying to steady her racing heart and think of a way to reason with him. “Please my lord, release me.”

  “If I could kill you right now, I would, but rest assured I will make you pay for the rest of your wretched life for the damage you have done.”

She shuddered and opened her eyes, trying not to show her fear and revulsion. “Let me go else I shall scream.”

Instead of releasing her, he increased the pressure on her windpipe and she clawed at his hands terrified he would kill her.

“The lady asked you to let her go.”

The marquis released her and
spun around. “What concern is it to you? She is my fiancée.”

A man stepped from the shadows. Rose gasped when she recognized him. “Dimitry?”

He gave her a brief nod but kept his eyes on the marquis. “I did not rescue the lady from a lecher like Sergi to turn her over to the likes of you.”

“And who might you be?”

“I am Prince Peterlovsky, the head of the tsar’s imperial army.”

The marquis snorted. “You have no power here, Russian.”

“Nor do you, Frenchman. I, however, have acquired a certain amount of respect from the duke and the English king, more than I am sure you would like to find out, should I repeat what I have just seen here.”

The marquis glared at him. “Are you sure about that?”

Dimitry crossed his arms across his chest. “Oh yes, quite sure, since the English king himself has requested my presence in his chambers tomorrow to reward me for my efforts on Lady Wellington’s behalf.”

“I see.” The marquis looked unsettled, the smug smile slipping from his lips.

Dimitry stepped forward. “In light of the circumstances, it would be prudent of you to withdraw your offer of marriage to the lady.”

“Why should I do that?”

“You obviously have a problem with the circumstances of her kidnapping, so no one would fault you for withdrawing.” Dimitry frowned. “There is also a rumor circulating you have sympathies with the rebel Cossacks. It would be disastrous to France, or England, if those rumors were to be exposed, especially when you did nothing to rescue your fiancée.”

Had it not been so dark, Rose was sure she would have seen the marquis grow pale at the veiled threat.

The marquis hesitated, and then stepped back. “I think we have been out here longer than is appropriate, Lady Wellington.”

Dimitry scowled at him. “I shall escort the lady back to her brother.”

The marquis nodded and hurried away.

Rose flung herself into Dimitry’s arms as soon as the marquis was gone from sight.

He held her close for a moment before gently disengaging her arms from around his neck.

“What are you doing here? Did the king really request your presence?”

“I came because Victor convinced me I have nothing to lose.”

She grinned.
“He did?”

“He did.” He looked into her eyes. “I came because I love you Rose, and I cannot imagine living another day without you.” He pulled her to him and lowered his mouth to hers.

Rose’s heart leaped in her chest and she wrapped her arms around his neck unwilling to let him go.

“There you two are.”

Dimitry groaned and released her. Rose blushed, but did not release him as she looked over his shoulder at her brother.

John grinned. “I believe the gossips’ tongues have wagged enough for one night.”

Rose sighed and stepped away from Dimitry to straighten her dress.

“I see you had a chat with the marquis.” John glanced at Dimitry with a small smile as they walked back to the mansion.

Dimitry cast him a rueful grin. “Was it that obvious?”

John chuckled. “It will be a while before he forgives you. He looked fit to be tied when he left.”

“I cannot say it pains me or my country overly much,” Dimitry answered.

They entered the ballroom. All eyes seemed to focus on them as they crossed to the dowager's side.

“Grandmother, may I introduce Prince Dimitry Peterlovsky, who saved our Rose from the clutches of the Cossack madman.”

The dowager smiled, seemingly completely taken with Dimitry as he bowed and kissed the back of her hand. “Well young man, it seems we owe you a debt of gratitude for returning my granddaughter to us.”

“Think nothing of it. It was my honor to return her to you.”

“Jonathon, have you seen the marquis? He left looking very upset.”

John winked at Dimitry. “I believe we have seen the last of him, grandmother. It seems he has decided to look elsewhere for a suitable bride.”

The dowager looked back and forth between the two. “What do you mean?”

“Perhaps you could explain it, John. I believe Lady Rose owes me a dance.” Dimitry held out his hand.

Rose smiled and placed her hand in his. They walked out on the dance floor amid whispers.

Dimitry bowed, “Will you do me the honor of this dance?” he asked, loud enough for all to hear.

Nodding she allowed him to draw her into his arms just as the orchestra began to play a waltz. She forgot about the spectators as he twirled her around the room. His warm, firm body so close to hers made her heart pound. She inhaled
his familiar scent and sighed. When she looked up he was studying her with an amused took and her face heated in response. “I missed you, your smell…among other things.”

He chuckled.
“I will use the same soap for the rest of my life if it makes you so content.”

Rose sighed. “I wish we could just stay like this.”

“Dancing?” He raised an eyebrow.

Rose giggled. “Maybe. Actually, I meant together, but it is impossible.”

“Why?” He raised an eyebrow.

“I am still engaged to t
he marquis.”

Dimitry smiled. “Do you think the king, or the dowager duchess would not consider a prince who has saved your life more than once far more suitable than a mere duke who was too weak-willed to come to your rescue?”

“His king forbade him come.”

Dimitry snorted. “I disobeyed my vows to the tsar for you.”

She raised a delicate eyebrow. “You did, how so?”

“I am here am I not?”

“The king asked you to come.”

“No, I came for you, Rose. I have petitioned the king for an audience with him tomorrow. I merely called the marquis’ bluff when I told him your king sent for me. There will be hell to pay when I return the tsar’s ship and crew.”

She bit her lip. “Will you lose your position as the head of his army?”

He shrugged. “Would you still love me if I was a plain old prince?”

Rose grinned. “Yes, how could I not?”

Dimitry smile
d, the love in his eyes clear to see. “Let us get out of here before I kiss you right here in the middle of the ballroom and really set the gossips’ tongues waggling.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Rose awoke and snuggled closer into Dimitry’s arms. He chuckled and kissed the back of her neck. “Careful,” he warned, “if you insist on wiggling your lovely behind in such a suggestive way we might end up in bed the whole day.”

“So?” She giggled.

He chuckled. “I think the tsar will not be in the mood to wait for me to finish making love to you before he arrests me.”

Rose sobered. “What will I do if he arrests you?”

Dimitry kissed the back of her neck again. “You will wait for me. I may be too old to make love by the time I escape from Siberia, but rest assured I will return to you,” he teased.

“I am serious, Dimitry!” she scolded, “I think Victor is becoming a bad influence on you.”

“Come my lady wife, it is time we got up. We shall be anchored in the harbor within the hour.” He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “I think I like the sound of that.”

Rose rolled onto her back and ogled his well-formed backside.
“What?”

He stood and padded naked
over to the trunk containing his clothes. He cast Rose a knowing look as she watched him with a hungry stare. “I like being able to call you wife.” He grinned.

Sh
e laughed and rolled onto her side. “I like it when you call me wife. Come here and say it again.”

Tossing his clothes on top of the trunk, he returned to the bed and leaned over her. “I love you, my lovely lady wife.” He lowered his lips to hers.

Rose sighed against his lips and wound her arms around his neck, tugging him down on top of her and then they made slow sensual love. When they were done he slid from the bed. “I hope the tsar sends you to Siberia with me, I do not think I could survive without being able to worship your delightful body every day.”

After he dressed and left, Sonova, the Russian maid, came to help her dress. No soon
er was she clothed then the ship bumped against the dock.

Dimitr
y opened the door with a grim look. “It is time.”

She took his hand and together they walked up on deck. R
ose caught her breath. It appeared as if the whole Russian army was there to greet them. A young officer marched up the gangplank. He saluted to Dimitry, and then said something to him in Russian. Dimitry nodded and stood still as another guard came forward and placed him in handcuffs.

Victor hurried up the gangplank and took her hand.
“It is all right Rose, Dimitry will not be harmed. He is being taken to the palace where he will have to answer to the tsar. He is being charged with defying a direct order and temporary desertion.”

“What do we do?” Rose tried to control her anguish as they followed the soldiers who were marching Dimitry down the gangplank.

“We will follow them to the palace and ask for an audience with the tsar. He was quite taken with you last time, so hopefully he will grant us a few moments of his time. All we can do is explain the situation and hope he will have mercy on Dimitry.”

Numb with fear Rose followed Victor to a
waiting carriage. She paused before Victor helped her inside, not wanting to let Dimitry from her sight until he was helped into a waiting box coach.

Victor took her hand in his and squeezed it.
“It will be all right.”

Pushing down her fear she lifted her chin and
climbed into the carriage.

When they arrived at the palace, Victor helped her from the carriage. He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and escorted her up the steps. They stopped and he spoke to an important looking man. The man looked at her
with open curiosity and then nodded, motioning for them to follow him into a large anti-chamber. A number of well-dressed people milled about in the chamber.