Read Online Splendor by Brenda Joyce - Free Book Online

for running on at the mouth."
    "Do not be sorry. You have always despised her, and if I were you, I probably would, too." Nicholas slanted a look at him. "She lost a tremendous amount of blood, but it seems she will live." He hesitated. "Thank God." And he was not thinking of Marie-Elena and Sasha, but of Katya.
    "Too bad," Alexi growled.
    Nicholas paced. "Alexi, I am worried about Katya."
    Alexi stared. He came over and placed his hand on his brother's back. "I am sorry. I was not thinking clearly. Poor Katya. She must be distraught. Where is she? I wish to see her."
    "She is upstairs with Leeza." Nicholas hesitated. He wondered how much his brother really knew. Alexi had to have heard the rumors, five years ago, when Nicholas had launched a huge investigation into Marie-Elena's life, past and present, uncovering every possible stone. But Nicholas was an extremely private man, and while he had then needed, desperately, a confidant, he had not told his brother or anyone about the possibility that his daughter was not his. Even now, he could not bring himself to share the truth with anyone.
    Nicholas turned and strode across the library to one of the open windows, his face grim. "Do you think Katya is a happy child?'' he asked without turning.
    Behind him, Alexi started. "She is a very quiet child," he finally said. "I don't know, Niki."

    Nicholas turned. "I don't think she is happy, but I do not know why. I try to come home as much as possible, and I am certainly more fatherly than most men I know who ignore their children—especially their daughters—entirely. And Marie-Elena is not atypical. Every woman I know is like her—more interested in galas and diamonds and lovers than in their own children. Is it possible that I am overly concerned?"
    "I don't know. I am not a father. At least you really love your daughter," Alexi said.
    "What does that mean?" His tone was sharp.
    Alexi actually flushed. "I don't know what I meant. I am going upstairs. How about drinks later—and a little prowling about town?" He grinned, pausing at the door.
    "Perhaps," Nicholas said. At that moment, he had not the slightest interest in either carousing or women, by God. And what had Alexi meant? Was he implying that Marie-Elena really did not care about her own daughter? Nicholas refused to believe it. He continued to stare outside. His gaze was searching.
    "Well, enjoy the landscaping," Alexi said with a teasing tone. "Until later, big brother."
    "Actually, there is a spy lurking about," Nicholas said as casually as if discussing the weather.
    Alexi froze, his eyes widened. "Are you in jest?"
    Nicholas turned. "A young lad. He's been snooping around for some time now. I am debating whether to end this farce now, or later. I am not in the mood for these kinds of games, not after the night and morning I have just had." He was in the mood, actually, to wring the spy's skinny neck and choke the information out of him which he wished to have. However, he was too experienced and astute to do that. He supposed he would now have to play cat and mouse himself.
    Nicholas turned away from the window. "I think I shall fetch the morning journal and take some breakfast before I toy with the spy."

    Alexi smiled. "You do that. I am visiting my niece." He swiftly exited the room.
    Nicholas followed, more slowly. As he left the library, Jacques instantly materialized. "My lord, your breakfast is ready," the slender Frenchman said. But then, he could almost read Nicholas's mind. "I have laid out your fresh clothes. Do you wish to bathe before carrying on with your morning since it is already rather late?" He coughed slightly. '.'You have a luncheon with Lord Stuart Davison, Excellency."
    Nicholas had not forgotten; Davison was a member of the foreign ministry and worked closely with Castlereagh. He had already met the man and while he appeared to be sympathetic to the possibility of an alliance between their two countries, Nicholas suspected there was far more