My Angel (39 page)

"That is good to know." Karim's voice was solemn. "Ivan volunteered to watch over her until you returned. He vowed that Feodora would be big with his child by the time you found the estate again. That way she can in no way force an unwanted marriage and a bastard on you."

Alexi smiled thoughtfully. "Such a task he's taken on. One look at Ivan, and Feodora would be lost. She could never resist a handsome man."

"That was the purpose. Natasha and Ivan and I have plotted to save you from her loose ways. You must find a wife suitable for your station and one who is faithful; then you can take as many mistresses as you want."

Alexi wanted only one woman in his bed.

Angela
...

She still hadn't told him about her father or her name. Misha hadn't told him either. Events were truly out of hand.

~ * ~

Feodora was sicker than she'd been in all of her adult life. Bent over at her waist, she lost her breakfast for the third day in a row. Moving slowly, she made her way to the pitcher of water on her nightstand and rinsed her mouth. She spit it out, afraid to swallow, afraid to move lest the horrible retching begin all over again.

Since Ivan had come to Alexi's estate, everything had changed for the worse. He would smile at her, and against her better judgment she gave herself to him. She could not exorcise him from her mind. His body looked and felt like an aphrodisiac. He left her aching and needing. When she looked at him, she would begin to tremble, and she would inevitably break out in a cold sweat, her heart pumping fiercely, her breath coming in shallow, ragged pants.

She hated Ivan, and he detested her, but they fit together like
a hand to a glove. He filled her like no other. She knew his intentions were to soil her already tarnished reputation to a state where no one would want her, where Alexi would not marry her. Unable to stop herself, she still came to him in the middle of the night, begging for his attentions.

She knew she was shameless.

If she didn't wed Alexi, her father would have her thrown from his house and disowned. She would be left with nothing.

It seemed Ivan had succeeded in his mission. He had completely despoiled her, where no one else had. She'd always managed to lose the babies she'd conceived.

Until now.

"Sweet Jesus." She moaned and gave in to her sickness once more, every muscle screaming in protest.

She felt Ivan's presence beside her, before she was able to acknowledge him. He knew her condition.

"Go away," she finally said, unwilling to see his victorious grin. "Leave me to die in peace."

Soothingly, he touched her back, massaging her, working the kinks from her aching muscles. "You are not dying. This is perfectly normal, as well you know."

"How?" she asked.

He laughed, the sound booming in the quiet of the warm morning sun. "You dare ask? Why, I thought you were well versed in the ways of men and women."

"You know what I mean." She turned and accepted the cool glass of water Ivan handed her, once again not daring to swallow.

One of Ivan's dark eyebrows rose in amusement as he stared at her, humor written in every nuance. "I do?" he questioned, his eyes twinkling a challenge she wanted to ignore. "I would not dare to attempt to figure out the workings of your mind."

She quelled the response on the tip of her tongue. It wouldn't do to anger this man when her entire life rested in his hands, now that he'd succeeded in his mission.

"Of course you do. The potion..."

"Ah, the potion." He lowered himself to his haunches, his powerful thighs bulging as they accepted his weight. His finger
lifted her chin so she could not turn from his gaze. "I doctored it so my child would not be aborted. All life is precious, especially a child's. You will protect this life inside you."

She stared at him, her mind blank. "You hate me so very much," she said softly.

He grinned, his smile broad. "That is where you are wrong. There is no woman on the face of this earth I could hate. I love them all, and they all love me. And, Feodora, I will see to it that this child of mine is well taken care of."

"What will happen to me--and the babe?" she asked, her hand slowly lowering to touch her abdomen. "Will you marry me and give the child your name?"

He shook his head. "The child will have a name, and you will be taken care of, but marriage to me? No. I am not yet ready for such a blessed state."

Anger flared, and the need for retribution surfaced. "I will kill you."

One handsome eyebrow quirked in speculation. "The father of your child? I think not."

"Yes. You dare imply that you could take care of the babe in the manner of his station, You--a lowly stable master." She sneered, her hate escalating with each beat of her heart. He wouldn't dare.

"Stable masters make love to the ladies of estates quite often. It is something acceptable in most circles."

"I will tell Alexi you forced me."

Ivan shook his head at her. "You will not. You will not be here when he returns from
America
. I will make sure you are safe and protected in a place of my choice. And I will see to your marriage. For you, I will find a suitable mate, one who will keep you well satisfied all the days of your life."

She gritted her teeth against the hate welling in her breast. "You cannot abduct me, and you cannot make me wed a man I've never met."

"But I can. The men of my family have been doing that very thing successfully for hundreds of years. Where I am going to take you, you'll never be able to leave unless I give you my permission. The man you marry will keep you in chains
if you defy him, yet if you are a sweet, biddable wife, he will treat you with the care and understanding a wife deserves."

Fear snaked through her, yet her body shivered with delight at his words. She would marry a powerful man, a wealthy one. Perhaps this would not be so very bad.

"Who is this person? Where will you take me?" Curiosity seemed to be getting the best of her.

"Not far from here. I am glad to see that you are becoming more accepting of your new future." He rose, towering above her, one hand placed firmly on a lean hip, the other on her shoulder.

Ivan was all man, pure, unleashed masculine power, all she'd ever wanted. He would not be easy to forget. Perhaps she could have Ivan and a husband, too. Wheels were already spinning in her brain.

Suddenly she knew the truth of his words. She'd played the game his way and lost, and now she decided she might enjoy what he planned for her. She would never give him the satisfaction of learning how easily she'd given in to his wishes, though.

"You can't possibly think to hold me." She felt a carnal shiver at her own words. Perhaps they would trigger a primitive memory in him, and he would make love to her again, one more time before he gave her up.

"Your future husband will hold on tight to you."

"I will find a way out," she countered.

"Across miles of desert sand? In your condition? You cannot even leave this estate on your own. You haven't the resources. I'm leaving to meet Alexi and Misha. Natasha has left to see to a sick friend. You will stay here and you will cause no mischief. When I return, I will see to your future."

Primal fear swept through her. Ivan meant every word he spoke.

Across miles of desert sand.

This arrogant man towering over her was no stable master. She'd made the worst mistake of her life and didn't know what to do.

"Who are you?"

He laughed deep in his throat, the sound booming through the trees surrounding them. His hands were held high over his head, his face pointed upward.

"I am the man who will see you mastered."

~ * ~

"Ivan!"

Through what seemed like a seething mass of humanity, Alexi saw his wayward cousin.

"Alexander. There you are!"

Luckily, Ivan was tall enough to stand above the men and women gathered on the docks. Amid fishermen and merchants unloading their wares in the busy port, Alexi hadn't expected to see anyone he knew, least of all Ivan.

Ivan had always had an uncanny sense of where he was and what he was about. He waved in return to his cousin's call and pushed his way through the crowded wharf. A vendor cried out to him.

Alexi wondered again for the hundredth time if he hadn't been a fool to bring Angela here. He'd never had so many misgivings in his entire life. His country and its ideals would be difficult for Angela to adjust to, just as she was having so much trouble adjusting to the idea of becoming his mistress.