pinprick,“ he repeated. „She was only defending herself. The

wound* will be gone by tomorrow.“

Bewilderment pierced the seething fury Silver was

experiencing. It was clear the big Russian was defending her

from Nicholas Savron’s anger. Why would he help the prince

abduct her and then rush to her defense?

„Do you need a doctor?“ Nicholas asked gently. „I’ll have

Robert dock again and send someone for help.“

„The woman – “

„The woman is not worth one drop of your blood.“

Nicholas gave Silver a glance as cold as winter sleet. „I

will deal with her later.“

Mikhail shook his head. „I have no need for a doctor. She

did not hurt me.“

„Only because you – “ Silver broke off as Mikhail shook

his head warningly at her. „I will speak. Do you think I’m

afraid of either of you?“

„You obviously have no need to fear Mikhail. It seems he’s

been foolish enough to take a liking to you,“ Nicholas said

softly. „But you’d do well to be afraid of me. I value Mikhail,

and I don’t think I’ve ever been quite so angry with anyone in

my entire life.“

„Liking? He abducted me.“

„On my orders. And he insisted on going alone because he

felt it would be safer for you.“

„Or because you were too cowardly to go with him,“ Silver

said contemptuously.

Mikhail inhaled sharply and took an impulsive step forward

as if to place himself between Silver and Nicholas. „Nicholas,

she is only a woman. She did not –“

„Only a woman,“ Silver repeated indignantly. „A woman

can do anything a man can do. She can do more. Why do – “

„Shut up!“ Nicholas enunciated with great precision.

„I should not have taken the gag off her.“ Mikhail sighed

morosely. „I should have known her tongue would be as sharp

as her dagger.“

„Go take care of your wound.“ Nicholas’s gaze was

narrowed on Silver’s face. „I have a fancy to prove myself to

the lady.“

Mikhail gazed at him helplessly. Nicholas was dangerously

infuriated, and it was evident that Silver Delaney was not

about to try to placate him. „You gave your word.“

Nicholas gave him an incredulous glance. „Good Lord, she

stabbed you and you’re still defending her?“

Mikhail’s jaw squared stubbornly. „You promised me.“

Nicholas – muttered something fierce and obscene beneath

his breath. „And I’ll keep it, dammit.“

Mikhail turned toward the door and then glanced over his

shoulder at Silver, a gentle smile lighting his craggy features.

„I will be back soon. Do not be afraid.“

Silver glared at him. „I’m not afraid and I need no

protection.“

Mikhail slowly shook his head and shut the door quietly

behind him.

Silver immediately turned to Nicholas and opened her

mouth to speak. Nicholas raised his hand. „Not one word or

I’ll put the gag back on you.“ She hesitated and then pressed

her lips together. „Very wise. I’m holding on to my temper by

a very precarious margin, Silver.“ He sat down on the bed

beside her, not touching her, but close enough so that she

could feel the heat emanating from his body. The faint scent of

musk, brandy, and tobacco drifted to her nostrils. „I’m about to

give you the rules that will govern your stay while you’re on

the Rose. Are you listening?“

She gazed up at him mutinously.

„I see you are.“ He smiled faintly. „First, let’s discuss why

you’re here.“

„You want Dominic.“

„Exactly. I suppose I should give you the option of telling

me where he is.“

„Would you let me go if I did?“

„I’m afraid I’d be forced to do so. Do you wish to oblige?“

Silver drew a deep breath. Lord, she hated lies. Still, if it

would give Dominic a little more time. „He and Elspeth went

back to Killara in the Arizona Territory.“

Nicholas’s expression hardened. „I see you’re as prone to

falsehood as the rest of your sex is. Randall’s investigators

ascertained that your uncle was most definitely not at Killara.

It’s obvious asking you for the truth will accomplish nothing,

and I admit I’m a trifle disappointed. I thought you more

honest than most.“

A flush stung Silver’s cheeks. „I’m honest with those I

respect. You deserve only lies from me. I’ll tell you nothing

about Dominic.“

„But when he finds you’re gone from Mrs. Alford’s

nunnefy, I’d say there’s an excellent chance of him coming

after you,“ he said softly. „I posted a letter to your former

headmistress telling her you’d decided to accompany me on a

little pleasure cruise. If he’s as loyal to you as you are to him,

he should be waiting at the levee when we return to St. Louis.“

„He won’t even hear that I’m gone. There wouldn’t be – “

She stopped. „You’ll be disappointed if you think you can use

me to draw Dominic to you.“

His gaze narrowed on her face. „You seem very certain.“

He shrugged. „No matter. Then you’ll remain on the Rose until

you tell me where he is.“

„You can’t keep me here.“

„Oh, but I can. Shall I tell you how?“ Nicholas’s long,

shapely hand reached out and smoothed her hair back from

one temple, his touch as delicate as the brush of the wings of a

butterfly. „There is no one to help you here. This boat belongs

to me and you’ll find no one interested in any plea for aid.

Mikhail and my friend, Valentin, are completely loyal to me. I

have a party of acquaintances on board, but I assure you their

only interest is to have an amusing time. They include fifteen

or so strumpets from a New Orleans brothel and a number of

gentlemen whose idea of pleasure would cause even you to

blush.“ His gaze ran over her, touching on the primness of her

dark blue school uniform. „I’ve told Valentin to inform them

you’re the resident of a similar baudy house in St. Louis and

that you specialize in a pretense of little-girl purity. A certain

kind of man finds that pretense very exciting, you know.“

She hadn’t known, but she brushed the knowledge aside as

unimportant. „There is still the crew.“

He nodded. „Who would lose very lucrative positions if

they displeased me. I think they, too, would prefer to believe

my story.“

So she would be alone in her struggle with Savron. For a

moment she felt a tiny frisson of apprehension before she

dismissed it impatiently. Her struggles had always been alone,

except when Rising Star had been there to support her. This

was no different. „I don’t need help. I’ll still get away from

you.“

A flicker of admiration crossed his face. „No tears? No

pleas? I can almost see why Mikhail has developed a fondness

for you.“

„I never cry.“ She met his gaze. „And you will never hear

me plead.“

„Oh, but I will.“ Passion flared in the darkness of his eyes.

„And it will be my very great pleasure to grant those pleas.“

Silver felt a breathless twisting sensation in the pit of her

stomach. Lust. But it could not be lust when she felt only fury

at this golden-haired man. Was her body’s response so

mindless that it took no note of her mind’s bidding? She tore

her gaze away. „You will see.“

He was now looking at her with curiosity as well as

sensuality. „Why are you not threatening me with the wrath of

the Delaneys? I was told they’re a very powerful family.“

„I do not belong to them,“ she said haltingly. „I have

friends among them. My cousins Brianne and Patrick, Elspeth

and Dominic, but the others – “ She stopped and raised her

chin proudly. „I would not ask them for help. I told you I had