Spring Fires by Cynthia Wright Page B

poured brandy into two snifters and joined his brother in chairs facing the library fireplace. For a slow minute, they relaxed and regarded the leaping yellow flames.
    "I know Father is anxious to join us," Nicholai said at last, "so I had better tell you what has happened. Lion feels that you should be kept abreast of this situation with Marcus Reems."
    "Nicky, don't say that you already have news! You just saw the man for the first time a few hours ago!"
    He loosened his cravat with two dark fingers and sighed dramatically. "Ithas been a very full day...."
    "Do you think you can manage to tell me about it before you expire?"
    Laughing, Nicholai took a sip of brandy. "You recall my early departure from the CoffeeHouse—and your gluttonous dispatch of my gingerbread? Well, I waited outside until I saw Reems exit—from the back door—then I had a little chat with Lisette Hahn."
    "Really? Did she remember you this time?"
    "As a matter of fact, she did. I have a theory that she is pretending indifference in an effort to conceal a shameless passion for me."
    Alec's only response was a doubtful snort.
    Nicholai went on to repeat his conversation with Lisette about Marcus, her father's debt, and Reems's offer to buy the CoffeeHouse. "Of course," he finished, "she adamantly refused!"
    "Amazing!" Alec shook his head in disbelief. "Did you discuss Marcus's scheme with Lion?"
    "Yes—that's why I was late tonight. He came over to my house and we talked at length. I like him immensely, Sacha, and admire his honesty and insight. He seems to know exactly what Reems is up to."
    "I would trust his instincts."
    "I do. Lion thinks that Reems feels he lost the prestige of his wife's fine old family when she died—which he, in his warped view, would need to overtake Lion now that he is a senator. Don't ask me how he plans to surpass senator ; perhaps he intends to become president! At any rate, since the CoffeeHouse is the gathering place for political discussions, local negotiations, and gossip, Lion is certain that Reems wants to own it so that he can orchestrate all these power conversations."
    "It sounds as if Marcus wants to trade family prestige for local power. Friendships with the men who count, hmm?"
    "Exactly. And Lion is convinced he has a darker goal in mind... ownership of the forum where he could subtly spread rumors about Senator Hampshire."
    "With an eye toward taking that Senate seat himself, I'll wager—after he's created a cloud of scandal over Lion's name."
    "It would seem so."
    The door opened then and Jean-Philippe appeared. "Am I still banished?" Antonia's petite form crowded in beside her husband. "I won't be left out either, you scoundrels. I want to hear everything!"
    Their sons laughed, bade them enter, and the quartet gathered around the fire, discussing the progress of the Beauvisage ships, especially since the China trade had opened. Nicholai was telling his parents about France, beginning with the family chateau and vineyards, when Caro suddenly appeared.
    "I'm sorry—I didn't mean to interrupt—it's just that Etienne and Talya will not go to sleep without a kiss from their uncle."
    Alec began to rise automatically, then Caro's words sank in. Dropping back into his chair while Nicholai crossed the room, he experienced the same unsettling twinge that he had felt earlier. He had stood in the parlor for minutes before Caro and Nicholai had been able to stop talking and gazing at each other long enough to acknowledge his presence. Now Alec's children wanted their uncle. His mind trusted Caro implicitly... but there was a nagging ache in his chest
    * * *
    Little Natalya and Etienne were exhausted, and after a last hug from their uncle, they snuggled together in the canopy bed and closed their eyes. Kristin swayed in a nearby cradle, rosy cheeked and dreaming.
    Nicholai whispered to Caro in the hallway. "Where is Katya?"
    "She and Randolph went out to the theater a half-hour ago."
    "Damn! I wanted to talk to