don’t know why, but he does. Sometimes when he looks at me
I know he’s thinking that he wishes I were already dead.“
Silver did not try to dissuade or convince her that a father
would not harm his child. Monteith was capable of anything in
her opinion, and Etaine’s instincts were probably correct. The
child possessed a wisdom far beyond her years and suffering
had honed that wisdom. If it were true that Monteith’s neglect
and cruelty toward Etaine was more malevolent than merely
callous, then it would be safer for her to be on guard. She
could only offer comfort at this juncture. „I’ve never lied to
you, have I, Etaine?“
„No.“
„Then listen carefully to me. I promise you I’ll take you
away from him to a place where you’ll be safe and well,“
Silver said softly. „I vow it on the grave of Rising Star. Do you
believe me?“
„I believe you will try.“ Etaine smiled gravely. „You
mustn’t feel sad if you can’t help me, Silver. I’ve been very
happy. I have wonderful friends and my life has been good.“
Dear God, the child was speaking as if her death were
inevitable, Silver realized with a thrill of panic. She forced
herself to smile. „It will be better.“ She gave Etaine an
affectionate hug. „Now run along and let me sleep. I’m very
tired. We’ll talk more in the morning.“
„Yes, Etaine, it’s time you went to bed.“ The deep voice
was smooth and mellow as dark honey in spite of its clipped
British accent. „Bid your friend goodnight and go to our tent.“
Monteith. Silver drew a deep breath and braced herself.
Then she turned and gazed at the man standing in the doorway
of the tent.
Monteith was as beautiful in his own way as his daughter.
He possessed the same white-gold hair, fine-boned grace, and
handsome features. Of only medium height, his royal carriage
made every inch impressive. He must have been in his early
forties, but his smooth, fair skin was unlined and he appeared
curiously ageless.
Silver had never seen him wear anything but gray, and
tonight was no exception. His pearl-gray trousers, darker gray
frock coat, and silk waistcoat gave him a curiously
phantomlike elegance in the nimbus of light cast by the
lantern. „Good evening, Monteith.“
„You look charming, my dear,“ Monteith said. „Perhaps I
should offer you a position in my circus. I’m sure the
gentlemen would flock to see you.“ His voice lowered silkily.
„And you appear to be so comfortable among us. May I ask if
you intend to be here long this time?“
„Only a few days.“ Silver glanced down at Etaine. „Khadil
said it would be all right if I shared her tent and there are a few
arrangements I wish to make before I leave.“
„Nonsense. When I heard you were here, I told Khadil to
move in with one of the other freaks for the night and let you
have exclusive use of her tent. A young lady must have her
privacy.“ His gaze flicked to Etaine and his smile glittered in
the lantern light. „I believe I told you to go to bed,“ he said
softly. „You’re not usually so stupid, Etaine. I don’t wish to
tell you again.“ He snapped his fingers.
Two bright spots of color appeared in the child’s ivory
cheeks and she scrambled quickly to her feet. „I’m going.
Good night, Silver.“ She ran toward the door, carefully
avoiding brushing her father. „I’ll see you in the morning.“
Monteith turned to watch her leave and then his gaze
returned to Silver. „Children can be terribly disobedient, can’t
they, Silver? I must remember to do something about that in
the near future.“
Silver felt a ripple of fear. Monteith’s physical presence
seemed to encompass and smother her. He was being far too
polite and charming to her. Mon-teith maintained a pleasant
facade only for his audiences and had never been hesitant
about displaying his displeasure for both her presence at his
circus and her association with Etaine. „You don’t seem
unhap--py to see me here. If I remember correctly, you weren’t
this cordial the last time I saw you.“
„I can afford to be generous. We won’t be here much
longer, so your interference with Etaine will cease to be a
problem.“
„I help Etaine. Surely no one could call that a problem.“
„No?“ His brow rose. „But then, we all have our own
viewpoints.“ He turned to leave. „And our individual purposes
in life.“
„The reason I came back was to talk to you about Etaine.“
„Really? How interesting. Tomorrow we must make time
for that conversation.“ He glanced back over his shoulder, his
dark blue eyes glittering coldly. „Sleep well, Silver.“
Silver gazed after him. Monteith’s presence always held a
strange fascination for her. She supposed it was his
resemblance to Etaine that bothered her so greatly. Being with
him was like peering into a broken looking glass and seeing a
beloved friend’s reflection twisted and fragmented. Etaine s
zest and warmth, her loving nature and joy in life were the
precise opposites of her father’s traits. His cold beauty and
mocking cruelty were repulsive, and the aura of power he
emanated disturbed Silver even more.
She got up and blew out the lantern, then settled down on
Khadil’s pallet and closed her eyes. She was so tired, and
seeing Monteith had made her realize how many problems
confronted her; Etaine, Monteith, her own plans for the future.
And the other possibility that she had been afraid even to
think about.
She swallowed, fighting down the panic that persisted in
rising within her. It was foolish to worry, when she would
probably have her monthly flux any day. If not, then it meant
she would have to see Nicholas only one last time. She would
certainly not lie here sleepless, thinking about possibilities that
might never come to pass. She would need all her strength and
control tomorrow, when she would try to persuade Monteith to
give up Etaine.
„Don’t move!“ A hand clamped down over Silvers mouth,
smothering her outcry as she was jarred out of a sound sleep
into half waking. „And if you sink your teeth into me, by God,
I’ll gag you. I’m not at all pleased with you, Silver.“
Nicholas!
Even in the darkness she could never fail to recognize him.
That musky scent, the deep vibrance of his voice… Joy
cascaded through her in a blinding tide. Something lost was
found. A bond that had been broken was now newly forged.
He was astride her, she could feel the iron-hard strength of
his thighs through the layers of clothes that separated them.
That was wrong, she thought hazily. There should be nothing
separating them. Not time, nor distance, not even the flimsy
barriers of fabrics.
„Silver?“ There was a sudden note of concern in Nicholas’s
voice. „Are you all right? Dammit, Mon-teith said you were
only tired. I should have – “
„Monteith?“ She was abruptly wide awake and began to
struggle beneath Nicholas’s weight.
„That’s better,“ Nicholas said dryly. „It’s not like you to be
so meek. For a minute I was afraid you were ill. I was sure –
Ouch!“ He jerked his hand away from her teeth. „Get your
fangs out of me. I told you I’d – “
„Let me go!“ Silver said fiercely. „Not again, Nicholas!“
„Oh, yes,“ Nicholas said softly. „Again and again and
again. It may never stop. If you run away, I’ll only follow.
Haven’t you realized that yet, Silver?“
The darkness of the tent was soft as ebony velvet and