Oh dear, I didn't suppress that feeling deeply enough. “It's nothing.”

“Tell me, Julia.”

She attempted again to prevaricate, feeding out a partial truth. “Well, he's always been a bit of a rake, you know? The gossips say he had an… indiscretion

with an opera singer a few months ago.”

Adrian shrugged. “And? He's young. These things happen.”

Julia compressed her lips and gave her husband a speaking look. “I don't like

that they do. He doesn't need to cheapen what is best between a man and woman.

It's time for him to grow up and understand how much better love can be.

Katerina has many fine qualities. She'll be as good for him as he is for her.”

Adrian smiled.

She knew that, like his son, he'd sown quite a few wild oats when he was young, but Julia wasn't backing down. The passion between a husband and wife

was so much better than flings with loose women. He'd admitted as much more

than once.

“Come now, love,” Adrian urged, “I won't believe you did this because of a

months-old affair. Tell the truth, Julia.”

“Fine.” Her voice was suddenly fierce. “I want her for myself. I want to be

her mother. I love her like a daughter and…”

“And you've missed having one all these years?” Finally, Adrian understood, if the look on his face was any indication.

“Yes,” Julia admitted, bitter grief twisting her lips and stinging her eyes.

“She would have turned nineteen in March. It's only a few months difference.”

He gave a single, slow nod. “Julia, Katerina can't replace Andrea.”

Her voice wavered as she answered. “I know, but she's special too.”

“And now she can be yours?” he guessed.

“Yes.”

“Are you certain she's capable of becoming the kind of wife he needs?” he pressed, aiming straight at the heart of the matter.

“She already is,” Julia insisted, “and I'm sure she will get better as time goes

on.”

“I hope you're right,” Adrian said in a voice that spoke clearly of his doubt.

A hint of worry flared. “So do I, darling. So do I.”

CHAPTER 10

K aterina was enjoying a simple but tasty breakfast of hot buttered

toast and tea, accompanied by the unrivaled pleasure of looking

at her husband as he sat beside her. Dark stubble covered his cheeks, making him

look rakish. Bed-messy hair added to the illusion. He pored over a newspaper in

search of rental advertisements. They'd had a breakfast tray sent, wanting to linger a while in the apartment and savor their closeness rather than joining the

throng in the dining room.

She took a sip of the dark unsweetened brew and sighed.

The sound brought his head up. “Are you well, love?”

She gifted him with a shy smile. “Yes. I feel wonderful. I don't know that I've

ever slept so peacefully.”

He grinned, and there a hint of masculine possessiveness slipped into it, though his words, when he spoke, sounded ordinary. “That's good to hear. So, are you up for seeing a few properties today? This setup was cramped when it was just me.”

Katerina rolled her shoulders experimentally. “I think so.”

“You seem to be moving more freely today,” he commented.

“Yes. The bath helped immeasurably, and you also… relaxed me.” Her

cheeks burned, but not as much as she had expected. Hussy, she chided herself, but even in her own mind, it was a jest. She felt amazing.

He smirked and winked at her. “Any time, love.”

She colored prettily.

And then, breakfast finished, she dressed while he shaved. Soon the