My Angel (34 page)

Misha leaned against one of the lifeboats, his stance nonchalant. "She told you the truth? She told you her last name?" Misha's voice was dry and a bit strained. "You realize that your life is in danger. Knowing the man and his reputation, he might stake you out on the desert sands and ask questions later. When we reach land, I will take all precautions necessary. We'll go overland quickly. You should arrive at your ancestral home in two days."

"Whatever you think best,'' Alexi said without emotion, not bothering to confess to Misha he still knew next to nothing about Angela.

Stake me out on the desert sands?

Of course he'd asked her, but she didn't tell him anything. She had a father--one who cared. She told him she'd written to him and told him not to worry, that she would marry the man she ran away with.

What father would believe that drivel? A father who didn't have the God-given sense to protect his own daughter.

Alexi could not marry a woman who lied about her innocence--one who continued to dally with his affections. Honor-bound to do his duty, he had no choice. Marriage for him meant that a lady equal to his station must be his bride.

He slammed his fist on the railing, furious with himself and the fact that he cared too much. Thinking of Angela would likely drive him mad. He'd thought to be the only man to possess her. Sharing had never come easily to him. Time and again he told himself it was the future that counted, not the past. The reminding didn't temper his possessive instincts.

"You should have listened to her," Misha said. "What did Angela tell you?"

"Not much. She has a father who will not venture out of
his snug home to find her. A man who could not possibly care about her."

"Sweet Jesus," Misha said softly. "And you believed that bit of foolishness?"

Alexi shrugged, unable to admit the truth. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Because she's lying." Misha paused, struggling for a breath. "Just as she lied to you before. She's not what she seems, Alexi. Wake up before you find yourself staked out below a smoldering sun with vultures flying above you and your manly parts stuffed in your mouth." Misha's voice rose with each word.

"Crudity does not become you, Misha. When have you ever allowed your wild imagination to overshadow common sense? Only an irate father or another lover would seek revenge in such a brutal manner."

"Stupidity may well be the death of you. She has an irate father, one who believes he is chasing the devil himself."

Misha turned his back on Alexi, his fists clenched at his sides, his shoulders racked with tension.

Alexi laughed this time. "What father would go after a woman who was about to be married to a prince? You cannot expect me to believe there is really a man swearing vengeance against me. It is simply not possible. If someone is out there following the
Mystic,
it is to dance at the lady's wedding and smile at the fool who believed in her innocence. Perhaps he is after a share of my wealth."

Fury and frustration still tainted Misha's thoughts and words. "Are you sure she was not a maiden? Are you absolutely positive?"

"Allah, but your ignorance exceeds your arrogance. I know a maiden when I bed one. She was not."

"Very well then, it seems there is naught that I can tell you that you would acknowledge as truth. You will have to learn the hard way."

"She's agreed to be my mistress." His voice was filled with scorn and sarcasm.

Misha eyed him critically. "You don't want her now."

The statement surprised Alexi, but he nodded. "I find the thought appalling, her reasons abhorrent."

"You are a hard man to please. For weeks now you've been pacing the decks, a man full of lust, unable to appease it, not wanting another woman to warm your bed, and now that she's agreed to your terms you don't want her." Misha laughed. "The irony of it all. You are a sorry case, Prince Alexi. It is too bad you cannot accept what you feel for her. Your life would be much improved--and so would mine."

"What?" Alexi asked, still mulling over his admission. Now that he'd won the chase and her compliance, he didn't want her. That was a lie, he thought. He wanted her more this very second than he ever had.

"You're like a snarling bear to be around. Like your western name, Devil, you've behaved atrociously. Unless you find a woman to ease your baser instincts, it doesn't appear you will change anytime soon. Bed the chit and get her out of your system. Make her your mistress, but be wary of the price you might pay. Give her the jewels and fancy clothes you promised; enjoy her so the rest of us can find some rest from your bellowing."

Misha left on those words of wisdom. Alexi watched him stride arrogantly down the length of the ship to the steering gears. With a wave of his hand, Misha dismissed the captain and took control of the clipper ship.

Alexi watched him, his trusted cousin. Misha braved the elements of the sea like a man born to it. Misha--his devoted friend, a man who had never lied to him.

Misha accompanied him on this trip of his own free will, seeking adventure and an escape from the duties that would soon rule his life. Misha was a count in his own right, yet he served Alexi faithfully.

"Bed the chit," Alexi muttered. "Get her out of my system." Perhaps he would do just that.

~*~

Sam Chamberlain stood on the
London
docks, watching the
Mystic
and Angela sail out of view. In his pockets were three
unopened letters from Angela. His fear for her sanity paramount now, he was almost afraid to read the letters. He'd heard the gossip on the docks. Angela slept in Alexi's cabin. By now his daughter was the devil's mistress. A man like Devil Blackmoor took whatever he pleased.

Devil Blackmoor was in for an awakening. Devil Blackmoor would rue the day he bedded Angela Chamberlain.

Sam fingered the letters. Giving in to his fears, he found a shaded spot and sat down. For a few long seconds he closed his eyes, letting the breeze soothe his nerves.

Three telegrams. They burned his hand.

Dearest Papa and Mama,

We
--
Alexi and I
--
have boarded the train in
Cheyenne
. His private car was demolished in an accident, so we had to buy passage. Did you know he is a prince? We're on our way to
Russia
. He fills me with happiness.

I'm sorry…. I seem to be rambling. We were slowed by several storms, but now we are on the train headed to
New York City
. Alexi says his ship, the
Mystic,
will be waiting there for us. He told me we would see
London
and maybe
Paris
on our way to his homeland. He's promised me adventure.

Nothing more, Sam thought, his anger simmering out of control. His jaw clenched, his fingers trembling with rage.

His father is a grand vizier in
Turkey
somewhere. If there is time, we 'II stop and see his father. I'm so excited.

"Hell!"

I've always wanted adventure, and that finishing school you planned for me would have been the death of me. I
cannot envision myself eating with a dozen forks and deciding which wine to serve with fish.

I'm so happy. Alexi says I will be his first concubine.

"Son of a bitch!"

Isn't that romantic? I do love him so. Please, Papa. I know you're worrying about me. Don't. I would do this all over if I had the chance. My only regret is that I lied to you. I'm sorry, Papa, but as I said before, if I had it to do over again, I would do the same thing.

Alexi has promised to give me my heart's desire. He loves me, and I think that when we reach
Russia
, we'II be married.

Give Mother and Trey my love, and think good thoughts for me. Don't for get Jacob; he was always such a wonderful friend.

I've been selfish, thinking only of myself. How is Emma? Did everything turn out all right?

I Love you, Papa and Mama.

Angela.

"She can't be that naive."

Sam crumpled the paper into a hard ball and tossed it into the
Thames
. Tears slid down his cheeks, and his shoulders slumped. He thought his heart had broken in two.

"Concubine."

Dear God, he'd kill the bastard. If he had to storm the seraglio or the devil's palace to get her out, he would do that--and whatever else was necessary.