The Beloved Scoundrel (45 page)

“I don’t understand.”

His smile faded. “We will spend a good deal of time here in Kazan. I wanted to show the members of the ravin’s court that I hold you in honor. It’s too late at Cambaron but not here.”

Happiness surged through her. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It matters,” he said quietly. A mischievous smile lit his face. “Instead, I shall spend tonight contemplating my sins and deciding on a new and interesting fashion in which to make your wedding night memorable. There must be some way I can combine the two.”

Sin and sensuality and a bridegroom who was the master of both. She felt a ripple of heat as she looked at him. “If there is, I have confidence you’ll find it.”

“So do I.”

He was leaving her, and she didn’t want to let him go yet. Tomorrow seemed a long time away. “Do you think the ravin will come?”

“I doubt it.” He shrugged. “It makes no difference.”

“It does make a difference,” she said impatiently. “Why do you pretend it doesn’t? You care for her.”

His expression hardened. “It’s senseless to talk of this.”

“It’s senseless to ignore it. I know you care for her. I saw your face when I gave you the window with her image.”

“It was a magnificent work.”

“It was your
mother
. For heaven’s sake admit it and forgive her.”

“You’re being very forgiving yourself. Did I mention she was thinking of throwing you into a dungeon?”

“It doesn’t surprise me. She’s a hard woman.”

“Then let us drop the subject.”

“We can’t. Because neither of you can forget each other, and I won’t have her standing in the shadows for the rest of our lives. I’d much rather face her in the sunlight.”

His face softened. “You stand the sunlight much better than the ravin, my love.”

“Because I’m young and strong, and I’m to marry a strong man, not a weakling as she did. If you cannot forgive her, understand her.” She held up her hand as he started to speak. “That’s all I have to say, but it had to be said.”

“Why?”

“I told you.” But she had not told him everything. She had not told him that even though the ravin had coveted Alex’s affection, she had not let her brother think badly of Marianna. “I would rather have her for an ally than an enemy.”

“But there’s something more, isn’t there?”

She should have known Jordan would sense and probe for the entire truth. “Yes.” A smile lit her face. “She doesn’t raid cornfields.”

T
he gown Gregor sent to her quarters was of sky-blue silk and would have been called ridiculously outmoded by the
ton
. The simple round neck was
encrusted with pearls, but instead of having a fashionable high waist, it flowed to the floor, shimmering with beauty. It rather reminded Marianna of the gowns worn by the first duchesses of Cambaron.

“You are very lovely,” Gregor said when she reached the chapel. His big hand squeezed her own. “Come, I will take you to your husband.”

Husband. He meant Jordan. It was Jordan who stood at the altar. She experienced a dazed feeling of incredulity.

Then, as Gregor led her down the aisle, the disbelief disappeared. Jordan was dressed in a heavy gold-and-white quilted tunic over black trousers tucked into knee boots. He was as beautiful as Gregor claimed she was, and by God, he was
hers
.

She was vaguely aware of a sea of strangers, of Alex smiling at her from the front pew.

And the ravin sitting beside him.

Marianna’s pace faltered. She had not really expected Jordan’s mother to be here.

Then Jordan was holding out his hand to her, and she saw nothing but him. She took it joyously. This was their moment, the time that belonged only to them.

She started to turn to the priest.

No, there was something wrong. This time did not belong only to them. There was always a past and future as well as the present.

And there was something she had to do.

She whispered to the priest, “One moment.”

She felt Jordan’s surprised gaze on her back as she whirled around, walked over to the ravin, and stared directly into her eyes.

She said clearly, “Alex said I should ask you for Jordan’s hand in marriage.”

The ravin blinked in surprise but quickly recovered. “Besides the irregularity of such an action, it is a little late for formalities.”

“Alex doesn’t think so, and neither do I. May I marry your son?”

“He cares nothing for my wishes.”

“On the contrary I find myself craving approval from all and sundry.” Jordan’s tone was light as he joined Marianna and took her hand again. “Matrimony is a fearsome step, and one I doubted I’d ever take.”

The ravin stared at him uncertainly. “You wish for my permission? You are joking?”

Marianna held her breath. She knew how tempted Jordan would be to hide beneath his usual mask of mockery.

Jordan’s smile faded, and he was silent a moment before he said quietly, “I’m not joking, Ana.”

Ana. Not Mother. Marianna smothered a sigh of exasperation. Well, at least it was not Your Majesty or ravin. What had she expected? They were both hard and stubborn, and wounds did not heal overnight. It was a start.

Ana smiled brilliantly and then said gruffly, “I suppose the match is not totally unacceptable to me.” She turned to Marianna. “The windows in this palace are without character or color. Perhaps while Jordan is in Russia with the czar, you will stay and lend me your skill?”

A concession, but hardly a compromise. “It would be my pleasure. Jordan says we must stay here until we’re sure Kazan is safe from Napoleon, and I’ll go
mad without work to do. Perhaps later you will come to Cambaron and see the work I did there. Jordan says my dome is very impressive. You might see something that would please you.”

“Cambaron?” Ana’s eyes widened in horror. “I will never return to that place. It is—” She stopped as her gaze encountered Gregor’s. “It is a possibility.” She turned to Jordan and lifted her chin. “But you must not expect me too soon. I am a busy woman, and I cannot constantly be at your beck and call—and it could be I have other plans for my life. Perhaps when your first child is born, I will come.” She glanced challengingly at Gregor. “Well? Is it enough?”

He shook his head. “I want deeds, not words.”

She drew an exasperated breath as she gestured impatiently at Marianna. “Well, what are you waiting for? It is rude to keep the priest waiting.”

Marianna smiled, then turned to Jordan and held out her hand. “Your mother is right. We must not keep the priest waiting.”

He led her to the altar. “I’m happy you finally decided to get around to me,” he murmured. “For a moment I wasn’t sure if you weren’t wedding the ravin.”

“I am,” she whispered, trying to make him understand. It was not going to be an easy task to make a man as possessive as Jordan let others within the circle. “Just as you’re wedding Alex. We are not alone in this, but that is a good thing. We’ve both been too much alone. Now, I wish us to be joined in all ways.”

“It sounds very crowded. I hope we don’t have to invite both of them into our marital bed?”

“Jordan, I mean—” She stopped as she saw the smile that lit his face.

“But in other circumstances it seems a good plan.” He knelt on the cushions at the foot of the altar. “My dear love, I appreciate the gentle way in which you’re trying to tell me I must share you, but it really isn’t necessary. I’m sure that will be a constant battle between us, but not where Alex is concerned. I accept that he’s part of you.” His brows lifted. “Now, may we proceed with the wedding?”

Yes, there would always be battles and challenges in the life before them. They would both be changing and working, and because of their natures, they were bound to be constantly in conflict.

But there would also be love and loyalty and building together. They would leave their mark on life as she had left her mark on Cambaron.

She could hardly wait for it all to begin.

She smiled eagerly as she reached out and took his hands in her own. “Yes, I’m ready now.”

E
PILOGUE

September 15, 1812
Moscow, Russia

A
fter a horrendous trek through Russia and battle losses mounting to the thousands, Napoleon reached the gates of Moscow. General Miloradovich, head of the Moscow garrison, asked for a cease-fire while he led his men out of the city. His request was granted. Napoleon moved into a city that appeared almost completely deserted, fully expecting Czar Alexander to sue for peace.

Later that evening Moscow was set ablaze.

Napoleon arrested four hundred incendiaries who declared they had set the fires on the orders of the director of police. Before the fires were put out, over two thirds of the city and most of the essential supplies stored there had been destroyed.

In the Kremlin Napoleon waited in vain for over a month; Czar Alexander did not sue for peace. The emperor finally departed Moscow to search out provisions at Kaluga, ninety miles to the north. That march started a nightmare retreat through a barren, frozen land.

It was the beginning of the end for Napoleon Bonaparte.

December 30, 1812
Rengar, Kazan

H
e’s back in Paris!” The ravin strode into Jordan’s study and waved in Jordan’s face the letter she had just received. “But it is not the Paris he left. Napoleon’s empire is crumbling, the French have lost faith in their great hero.”

“It is about time,” Gregor murmured.

Jordan scanned the letter, and a smile lit his face. “That means the allies will be gathering for the kill.” He rose to his feet and moved toward the door. “Gregor, send a message to have them ready the
Seastorm
. I’ll go to Marianna’s workroom and tell her the good news.” He grimaced. “And try to tear her away from that chapel window she’s creating for Ana. I doubt if she’ll regard journeying to help defeat the emperor of more importance.”

“Notre Dame is in Paris,” Gregor murmured.

Jordan understood at once. He threw back his head and laughed. “Excellent. Marianna would lead a charge against Napoleon herself, if it meant she would be permitted to see the Rose Window at Notre Dame.”

“You are really leaving?” the ravin asked, startled.

“Of course.” He glanced back over his shoulder. “And so should you, if you wish to protect Kazan. Once Napoleon surrenders, every country in Europe will be scrambling to grab territory for itself.”

“No one will be permitted to snatch Kazan,” she said fiercely.

“Then you’d better be there to prevent it, Mother,” he said as he left the study.

He had spoken abstractedly, his thoughts on the coming victory. He did not even realize what he had called her.

“Mother,” she whispered.

“You have made great strides during these last months,” Gregor said behind her. “It was bound to bear fruit. Go with him now, and the final bonding will occur. Stay and it may take much longer.”

“Are you going with him?”

“No.”

She had known that would be his answer as she had known this moment would come. She had been prepared for it since the wedding those many months ago.

I want deeds, not words
.

“Kazan needs my help.”

“You have a son to protect Kazan. Do you doubt that he and Marianna won’t be able to hold their own with the rulers of Europe?”

“No, but this is not a fair test.”

“It is not a test. It is a choice.”

She turned to look at him. Scarred and beautiful. Relentless and kind. Her lover who was not her lover.

But not for very much longer.

She walked toward him. “I love you,
mado
.”

“I know.” His gaze searched her face. “But do you choose me?”

“You ask a great deal, and you may not like what you get. You know how possessive both Jordan and I can be. If I choose you, it is forever. I would never let you go. I will treasure and smother you. I will give a
bag of gold for the head of anyone who so much as bruises your fingertip.”

He chuckled. “Then I must be very careful not to shake hands with anyone of even moderate strength.”

“I’m not joking. I’m giving you warning.”

“I believe I could survive.” His smile faded. “Do you choose me, Ana?”

She did not want him to look this grave. She had caused him too much worry in the past, and now she wanted only smiles and joy for him. “Oh yes, I choose you. In all ways. In all things.” A brilliant smile lit her face as she came into his arms and nestled there. She felt right and free and as wrapped in splendor as one of Marianna’s stained-glass windows. “With all my heart.”

Turn the page for a preview of
Iris Johansen’s next tale of intrigue
and deception, introducing a
remarkable new heroine.

KILLER DREAMS

Coming in hardcover from
Bantam Books in June 2006