moment she had been released from the stateroom by

Bassinger. It had followed her like an annoying shadow on the

long, hard trip from Memphis and was still with her now. But

it had nothing to do with her leaving Nicholas, she assured

herself quickly. She had her life to live and she must not be

beguiled by Nicholas Savron. She moved her shoulders,

unconsciously trying to shrug off the thought of him. Why did

memories of Nicholas persist when she would probably never

see him again?

„It was impossible for me to leave a message when I

suddenly had to leave the academy,“ Silver explained. „Where

is Etaine now?“

„Performing. She should be through soon. I will go and tell

her you are here.“ Khadil stood up. „You will need a bath and

a change of clothes. I’ll get Sebastien to bring you some hot

water and you’ll find my hairbrush in that chest. I don’t think

my clothes would fit you, you’re much taller than I am. I’ll see

if Fatima has something that will do.“ She smiled shyly. „It is

good that you have come back to us, Silver. We have missed

you.“

Silver’s throat tightened. „I’ve missed you too.“

The albino’s smile was wide with pleasure as she left the

tent.

Silver gazed at the flame flickering in the lantern on the

crude table a few feet away. They had missed her. They cared

about her. This was where she belonged, not as the woman of a

man who cared nothing for her once she had left his bed. She

had been right to leave Nicholas and come back to the people

who found worth in her.

She rose quickly, luted the lid or Khadil s chest, and located

the hairbrush. She would keep herself busy repairing the

ravages of the trail until Etaine was free to come to her, and

would not give one more thought to Nicholas. She began to

run the bristles of the brush slowly through her long hair, her

gaze once more on the golden flames of the lantern. How

beautifully it shimmered in the darkness of the tent, like a

burst of golden sunlight, like Nicholas’s hair beneath the

chandeliers in the Grand Saloon….

Etaine’s laughter pealed out as soon as she caught sight of

Silver. „You look like one of the caliph’s dancing daughters in

Fatima’s act.“ She clapped her hands in delight. „I like this

costume much better than that ugly uniform. You should wear

it all the time.“

„I’m afraid Fatima wouldn’t appreciate my appropriating

her costume on a permanent basis,“ Silver said dryly, glancing

down at herself. The filmy scarlet skirt and matching short-

sleeve velvet jacket were very comfortable and she was

beginning to think Eastern women must be more sensible than

she had dreamed if they had eliminated the wearing of

undergarments. Still, the extremely low square neck of the

jacket was far from practical and seemed purposely designed

to lift and frame a woman’s breasts for the delectation of the

onlooker. „She made it clear she wanted it back.“

Etaine laughed again and ran across the tent into Silver’s

arms, hugging her with all her strength. „You look better in it

than she does. You look beautiful. Oh, Silver, I’ve missed you

so.“

Silver’s arms tightened around the child’s slight body.

Etaine didn’t seem any thinner, and her color was good. „Well,

I’m here now. You haven’t had any more attacks?“

Etaine shook her head. „I’ve been fine. Maybe I’m growing

out of it, as you said I might.“ She sat down on Khadil’s pallet

beside Silver and nestled into the curve of her arm, her short

white-gold curls shimmering against Silver’s flame-colored

bodice. „I was worried about you. I thought perhaps my father

– “ She broke off and was silent a moment before continuing

haltingly. „I wondered if you’d had an accident.“

What the child meant was that she had been afraid that

Monteith had found a way of getting rid of Silver.

„No, I had to go away for a while, but I’m back now and

everything is going to be better.“

„Is it?“ Etaine’s voice was wistful. „I hope so.“ She

brightened. „Anyway, I’m glad you came back before we left

St. Louis.“

Silver stiffened. „You’re leaving?“

„I think so. For the last week my father has been talking

about it. He says the Americans don’t appreciate the circus as

Europeans do and – “

„He’s taking the circus to Europe?“ Silver interrupted,

startled. „When?“

Etaine shrugged. „He didn’t say. I can’t ask; it wouldn’t do

any good.“ She was silent a moment before whispering, „I

don’t want to leave you. Silver. Sometimes I think of being far

away from you and I get so scared. While you’re here I always

believe everything will turn out fine, that I’ll get well.“

„You will get well,“ Silver said fiercely. „And you won’t

leave me. I’ll find a way to keep you here in America.“

Etaine tilted her head and looked at Silver, and for a

moment the child’s eyes had the weary sadness of a woman in

her twilight years. „I don’t believe he’ll let me stay, no matter

what you do. I’ve been thinking a lot lately and I know now

what he wants of me.“

Silver frowned. „What?“

„Death,“ Etaine said simply. „He wants me to die.“

Silver shivered and her arm tightened convulsively around

Etaine’s thin shoulders. „You could be wrong.“

„No.“ Etaine’s clear gaze met her own. „He hates me. I

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