seem to have an affinity for acquiring hideous garments.“
„Valentin bought it from one of the nurses,“ she said
absently, her thoughts on his words. „You don’t seem overly
upset about the marriage.“
His eyes were twinkling as he stripped the gown off her.
„One of the things you must learn about me is that I seldom do
anything I don’t wish to do.“
„But I forced you.“ She frowned. „Didn’t I?“
„You certainly pointed a gun at me,“ he agreed placidly.
„You’re a very dangerous lady, Silver.“
He stripped her shoes and undergarments from her and
crossed to the double bed across the room and pulled back the
pale green satin spread. „Now, come and lie down so that I can
cover you up.“ His voice had thickened a trifle. „I’m trying to
forget about my recently acquired conjugal privileges and
remember you’re not well.“
She obediently crossed the room and slipped under the
sheets and turned on her stomach, her cheek cradled on the
pillow as she turned to look at him. „Did I force you?“
„Perhaps.“ He stood looking down at her. „Or perhaps I
saw a way I could have what I wanted, what I was too guilt-
ridden to take for myself.“
„Which one?“ She couldn’t breathe. It was so close,
shimmering beyond the dark mystery of his eyes. Something
wonderful.
„Someday I’ll tell you,“ he said. „But not until you have no
need for me to do so.“
„How maddening you are.“ She scowled. „I don’t think I
like Russians.“
He laughed. „Then you’re definitely going to the wrong
country, aren’t you?“
„I might not have to go to Russia. I might find Etaine
before they leave New Orleans.“
„Possibly.“ His hand moved over her hair, stroking the
heavy fall that tumbled over her shoulder and off the side of
the bed. „I love the texture of your hair. It’s like midnight
silk.“ He drew his hand reluctantly away and slowly
straightened. „I’ll leave you to nap now. I’ll order our dinner
served here in the stateroom in a few hours.“
„But you don’t think Monteith will still be in New Orleans,
do you? You think I’ll have to go to Russia.“
„I have no idea, but I do believe it’s your destiny to go to
Russia at some time.“ He smiled mischievously. „We
Russians, are great fatalists, you know. We believe our every
step is guided by destiny.“
„And what is your destiny, Nicholas?“
His smile faded and his dark eyes became grave. „Who
knows? Perhaps it’s to follow the firebird until she lets me
mount her and soar to the sun. I have a great fondness for
firebirds. I followed one once and she led me from hell to
purgatory. I’m willing to try my luck again and aim for a more
celestial destination.“
„Fairy tales again.“ Silver laughed uncertainly. He was all
golden beauty and entrancing enigma, more bewildering now
than she had ever known him to be.
He bent swiftly and kissed her with slow warmth and
exquisite tenderness. „I hope not.“ Then he straightened and
was walking toward the door.
He turned to look at her as his hand grasped the china
doorknob. „Do you find this stateroom suitable? We can
choose another one if you like.“
„This is quite nice;.“ She gazed at him in puzzlement. „But
why didn’t you take me back to the master stateroom?“
„Because Father Jason was right, that stateroom was for a
debaucher and his whore. Not for her highness, Princess Silver
Savron.“ He bowed, his expression half mocking, half grave.
„And certainly not for my wife.“
Silver felt a surge of wild unreasoning happiness out of all
proportion to his words. „I see. I didn’t know you made
distinctions of that nature.“
„Then you’ve already learned something new about me.“
Suddenly a frown darkened his brow. „Which reminds me that
we have a few things to discuss.“
„Yes?“
„You’re my wife now and there are a few things I will not
tolerate.“
„Indeed?“
„You will not run wild as you have done since I’ve known
you. My country is different from your own; there are dangers
of which you have no knowledge. You’re not even familiar
with the language.“
Silver’s lashes lowered to veil her eyes.
„You will not go out without a groom or accompanied by
Valentin, Mikhail, or myself.“ Nicholas cast her a wary glance,
but she seemed to be taking the strictures very meekly.
„You will leave the locating of Monteith and his circus to
me.“
Silver smothered a yawn with her hand.
„You will be guided by me in all matters concerning – “
„I’m very tired, Nicholas.“
He gazed at her suspiciously. „That’s all you have to say?“
Silver’s eyes closed. „That’s all I have to say.“
Doubtful, he stared at her for a long moment, then he
shrugged and turned to extinguish the kerosene lamp on the
table by the door. Perhaps it wouldn’t be too difficult a task to
tame a firebird after all. „I’m glad you’re being sensible.“ He
opened the door. „Rest well, Silver.“
The door closed behind him.
At once Silver’s lids flickered open to reveal crystal-gray
eyes shimmering with excitement, anticipation, and a secret
amusement.
She smiled in the darkness.
Don’t miss the enthralling sequel to this book, Satin Ice,
also by Iris Johansen and part of the concluding trinity of THE
DELANEYS, THE UNTAMED YEARS.
THE DELANEY DYNASTY
Three of Bantam’s bestselling romance authors, Kay Hooper,
Iris Johansen and Fayrene Preston, have established a unique
event in romance publishing – the creation of the Delaney
Dynasty – a family filled with fascinating male and female
characters whose love stories are deeply sensual and
unforgettable. Each author’s work stands alone, but read with
the other books is part of a panoramic picture of a colorful,
exciting, and heartwarming family.
The stories of the members of the Delaney Dynasty began
with the publication of THE SHAMROCK TRINITY, the first
trio of contemporary love stories of the Delaney brothers –
Rafe, The Maverick by Kay Hooper; York, The Renegade by
Iris Johansen; and Burke, The Kingpin by Fayrene Preston.
These three romances received such wide acclaim and
generated such a clamor for more stories of the Delaneys that
our authors soon gave us the next three contemporaries – THE
DELANEYS OF KILLAROO: Adelaide, The Enchantress by
Kay Hooper; Matilda, The Adventuress by Iris Johansen; and
Sydney, The Temptress by Fayrene Preston.
The authors’ fascination with the Delaneys grew and,
particularly, they were captivated by the daring and romantic
ancestors who started it all. Thus, the Delaney historicals were
created, one of which you have just read.
Setting the stage for the trilogy THE DELANEYS, THE
UNTAMED YEARS, though, was THIS FIERCE
SPLENDOR by Iris Johansen. In the pages that follow we are
giving you excerpts of THE DELANEYS OF KILLAROO,
THIS FIERCE SPLENDOR, and two of the other books of the
trilogy THE DELANEYS, THE UNTAMED YEARS. We
hope these excerpts will tempt you to get any of the books you
may have missed… as well as to look forward to the second
and last set of historical novels that will follow up THE
UNTAMED YEARS and be published in the late fall of 1988.