„I’m not surprised he feels a whore’s gown more fitting for
me.“ Silver’s face was without expression as she took the
items from Valentin and tossed them carelessly onto the
padded velvet bench. „I’m to join all of you for dinner again?
I’m amazed Nicholas wants to chance my presence. I’ve not
seen anyone but Mikhail all day, and he vanished as soon as he
delivered my breakfast and lunch.“
Valentin made a face. „Nicky decided you needed time to
ponder and told us we weren’t to approach you.“
And a very clever move it had been, Silver thought. She
had nearly gone mad confined to this room all day with
nothing to do and nothing to think about besides Nicholas
Savron and her response to him last night. She had paced the
floor, trying to incite herself to an anger that would submerge
the tumult of feeling she was experiencing. Anger had not
come until now. She felt it sear through her in a furious tide as
she gazed at the yellow gown. By all that was holy, now it was
a silken gown! Damn Nicholas and his crystal chandeliers, soft
velvets, and fine damask tablecloths. How easy life was for
him. When she thought of the comparison between his life and
Etaine’s, she wanted to take a tomahawk to that arrogant
golden head. Etaine struggling desperately for breath; Etaine
forced every night into that hellish cage. And now Nicholas’s
actions were making life even harder for Etaine by preventing
her, Silver, from being close enough to help when needed.
„How kind of him to decide to permit the poor prisoner a brief
respite.“
Valentin was clearly troubled. „Tell him what he wants to
know, Silver. Nicholas can be very difficult. You’re going to
get hurt.“
„You think that if I tell him where Dominic can be found it
will be over?“ Silver shook her head. „You aren’t such a fool.
There is more between us than that.“
„I suppose you’re right. But don’t be so – “ He broke off
and turned to go. „It’s no use talking to you any more than it is
to Nicky. I’ll be back for you at eight.“ He looked over his
shoulder. „Wear the gown. Silver. Nick was adamant about his
wishes on that score. He said he was weary of gazing at a
frumpy schoolgirl at his table; he prefers you to look more
womanly.“
The anger Silver was feeling suddenly flamed higher. The
damnable arrogance of the man! „Oh, does he?“
Valentin sighed. „Hellfire! I knew…“ He was still shaking
his head as the door closed behind him.
Silver’s gaze swung from the door to the gleaming heap of
yellow satin on the bench. She was tempted to send word to
Nicholas that she would not only not wear the gown, she
would not join them for dinner. Yet she knew she couldn’t do
that if her attempt to escape was to be successful. She must be
out of this cabin and on deck early this evening when the Rose
veered toward shore.
She walked quickly to the window to look at the western
bank. Surely it was already a little closer. Robert was
beginning to change course to avoid the sandbars downriver.
Excitement and anticipation warred with the anger surging
through her. Soon she would no longer be a helpless prisoner.
She turned and glared fiercely at the gown again. She
would not give Nicholas the satisfaction of meekly obeying his
orders. This was the last time he would see her, and she was
determined that their final encounter wouldn’t be one he
would remember with triumph.
But Nicholas was no fool and there was no way that she
could think to do both. She quickly thought through the
possibilities but came up with no answer. Surely there must be
some weakness she could play on. Possessiveness? Valentin
had said Nicholas was very possessive of her and she had
noticed signs of that quality in him herself. Perhaps there
would be some way to use that fault to accomplish her own
ends.
Her gaze shifted abstractedly from the gown on the bench
to the bed. There had to be something… She froze, her eyes
widening, and then threw back her head and began to laugh in
sheer delight.
That was it! She had it!
Valentin looked at her warily. „You won’t need that cloak.
The saloon is quite comfortable tonight.“
„I felt chilled.“ Silver drew her dark blue cloak still closer
about her. „I’m ready to go.“
„Does the gown fit? Mikhail said you sent for a needle and
thread.“
„It does now.“ She held out her foot to reveal the dainty
yellow slippers with matching ribbons crisscrossing at the
ankle. „And the shoes fit well too.“
„I see that they do.“ Valentin opened the door and then
hesitated. Silver was glowing, blazing with vitality and an
excitement that made him vaguely apprehensive. „I’m glad
you took my advice.“
Silver sailed through the doorway, smiling sweetly at him
as she passed. „I think you’ll agree that I’ve tried very hard to
obey Nicholas’s command. May I have your arm?“ Her gaze
went to the far end of the saloon. The scene was much the
same as last night: Nicholas at the head of the table, the
musicians, the hovering servants, and chatting guests. She
glanced at Valentin as she slipped her arm through his and
started the long promenade to the far end of the saloon. „Do
you suppose he’ll seat me next to Mr. Bassinger again?“
„It’s not likely,“ Valentin said dryly.
„Then why don’t you take me to the head of the table at
once so that Nicholas can make his decision about which of
these gracious individuals he wishes me to get to know this
evening?“ Silver asked softly. „It will save time.“
Valentin looked at her suspiciously. „Silver – “
„Hush, Valentin.“ Silver didn’t look at him, her gaze on
Nicholas. He had just caught sight of her and he straightened
in his chair, his gaze raking over her slim form completely
enveloped in the blue cloak. „It’s too late now anyway. Take
me to him.“
„What the devil are you up to?“ Valentin muttered.
She didn’t bother to answer. They were only a few yards
from Nicholas now and Valentin would find out soon enough.
She stopped beside Nicholas’s chair and curtsied deeply.
„Good evening, your highness.“
The chatter of the guests suddenly dwindled and then
ceased entirely as everyone’s attention became centered at the
head of the table.
Nicholas’s gaze flicked over her once again, a smile of
satisfaction touching his lips as he saw the yellow satin
slippers peeping from beneath the hem of her cloak. „Take off
your cloak, it’s quite warm in here. I want to see how you look
in something besides that uniform.“ He smiled lazily. „I
thought yellow would quite wonderfully complement your
hair.“
She smiled back at him. „I’ve always been fond of yellow.
We Indians adore bright colors, you know.“ She shook her
head sadly. „Unfortunately, the gown didn’t fit as well as I
would have liked.“
He stiffened. „You’re not wearing it?“
„No, but I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.“ She smiled
brilliantly as her hand reached for the button at her throat. „I
believe you told Valentin you wished me to look more
womanly.“ With one swift gesture she slipped the cloak from
her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. „Now, what could be
more womanly than the woman herself.“
„Oh, my God,“ Valentin murmured, closing his eyes. „It’s
the bed curtain.“ Then he yielded to temptation and looked