her.”
“Perhaps he doesn't,” she replied, unperturbed. “He might just be enjoying the moment. However, I don't like how her eye wandered to you.”
“No worries, love. I have all I need right here.” He swept her into the parlor
and kissed her.
Christopher had known the sight of the flirtatious blond would unsettle Katerina,
but honestly, he had been completely unmoved by her.
Mme St. Jean has a certain blatant sex appeal, and once upon a time suchthings tempted me, but no more. I love my wife. I need to tell her, but I want tofind just the right moment. Every other part of our relationship has been done ina panic-stricken rush, but this is too important. In the meanwhile, he assured her with long, tender kisses, cradling her in his arms like the priceless treasure she
was.
As always, she eagerly returned his affection.
“Ahem.” The clearing of a throat interrupted the embrace. Katerina's
grandfather was eyeing them with an amused look on his face.
“Oh, hello, Nonno,” Katerina said, trying for nonchalance, but not quite managing it.
“Hello, lovebirds.”
Katerina blushed and giggled at his comment.
She's so adorable when she's flustered. Christopher smoothed a strand of hair back into his wife's coiffure.
“Shall we tour my estate?”
“Oh, yes please,” she agreed eagerly, and Christopher assented with a nod.
“Better cover up,” Alessandro suggested. “It's chilly this morning, though I
must say, you two look warm enough.”
CHAPTER 16
T he days of the visit passed pleasantly, filled with delicious food and
superb conversation. Christopher and Katerina both enjoyed getting to
know Alessandro, who proved to be a kind and amusing gentleman with a gruff
manner that belied a tender heart.
He was also dangerously enamored of his French musician. She played with
him, keeping him on his toes.
Only Aimée made the visit difficult. She teased and flirted with Christopher,
which made Katerina wild with jealousy and Alessandro furious.
She also had a skill for knowing when Katerina wanted to play the pianoforte
or the harpsichord in the music room and chasing her out. Katerina's first impulse was to avoid the music room altogether and spare herself the endless harassment, but after careful consideration, she decided it should not be
necessary to do so. Katerina wanted to play, and she sought out the room at random moments, searching for a time when she would be able to do so
unmolested.
About two days before the party, she was seated at the piano bench at six in
the morning, working on a piece of sheet music she had found.
“You again?” Aimée stormed into the music room, stopping as close to
Katerina as she could get and hovering over where she sat. “Get out of here. I need to practice.”
“Since when do you practice at six in the morning?” Katerina asked in a calm voice that belied the pounding of her heart.
“The party is the day after tomorrow. I need to be ready.” The woman made shooing motions with her hands.
“I understand the importance of that,” Katerina replied, not budging from the
