A Sister's Quest by Jo Ann Ferguson

will not stay here tonight.”
    Relenting, because she knew he was being wise—wiser than she was when she could think of nothing but his kiss—she leaned her head on his shoulder. He was correct. If they stayed at the Gasthaus , they must guard all night against another attack. As she imagined the long hours ahead of them, she hoped Alexei would hold her close as he did while he carried her toward the stairs. Nothing had ever been so splendid as being in his arms.
    She knew the peril she was courting with these thoughts, but, as she rested against his broad chest, she savored them. There could be no danger in that … could there?
    Michelle was surprised to see that Rusak was seated in the driver’s seat of the carriage. As the snow cut through the blanket, she asked, “Where is your coachee?”
    â€œHe is no longer in my employ.”
    â€œYou gave him his leave? Because …”
    He pushed aside the carriage door with his foot and lifted her onto the seat. “He was talking more than he should when the beer loosened his tongue.” Stepping into the carriage, he lit the small lantern near its roof. “And I suspect he helped your caller.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œWho knows why any man will sell his loyalty in exchange for gold?” He closed the door and slapped the wall. “It does not concern me, for Rusak can drive us the rest of the way to Vienna while you play my devoted mistress, Liebchen .”
    She drew the blanket more tightly around her. “I wish you would not call me that.”
    â€œNow, now,” he teased as he wagged a finger at her. “Bad habits take a while to develop. We shall be in Vienna soon, and I must be able to call you that without thinking.”
    â€œAs long as you do not expect me to call you darling, too.”
    He laughed as he stretched his arm along the back of the seat and crossed his legs so that his boot brushed the blanket. “No, Michelle, I do not expect you to call me anything but Alexei. For a woman educated at that prim school, I think that in itself is quite a concession.”
    The carriage lurched into motion, saving her from having to answer. She changed the subject to one she found more comfortable.
    Alexei smiled as Michelle prattled on about the mountains around them. Since he had found her at St. Bernard’s School for Girls, he had found out how different she was from his expectations. Her mother had been world-weary, tested by years of living two separate lives. Michelle was an innocent, believing that she could change the world simply because she did good for those around her.
    Innocent mayhap in many ways, but he could not be unaware of her enticing beauty. Her mother had been an elegant hostess, winning the admiration of men throughout Europe. He should have been prepared to discover that Michelle possessed Sophie’s elusive allure, which he had sensed even though Sophie D’Orage had been many years his senior when they worked together. Yet it was Michelle’s innocence that made her even more irresistible than her mother.
    His hand curled around her shoulder, halting her in midword. When she glanced up at him, her eyes luminous in the dim light, he smiled. A man could lose himself in those eyes, if he was not cautious. It was his good fortune that he was always cautious. If he had not been, he would have given in to his yearning to press her back into that bed and teach her how much rapture they could share. She was concerned that he was sleeping on the floor night after night, but she need not be, for he could not sleep, plagued with the intoxicating thoughts of her so near.
    â€œ Liebchen .” At her grimace, he smiled and repeated, “ Liebchen , there are some things you need to know about how we must appear when we reach Vienna.”
    â€œSuch as?”
    â€œEverything said or done in our apartment must never be discussed elsewhere.”
    Her eyes sparked. “Do not