my shoes clean, you cow.’
Trembling, the pitiful woman got down on all fours and began to lick the Empress’s shoes, to the accompaniment of feigned laughter all around. Horrified, Ekaterina took the opportunity to slowly back away, not wanting to witness any more cruelty for the day. She knew her aunt would entertain herself with such cruel divertissements for a long time yet...and her presence would quickly be forgotten. So Ekaterina quietly slipped from the hall, ready to retire to her chambers to nurse her bruised ego and conflicting emotions.
But just as she turned into the royal wing of the palace she felt a hand latch on to her wrist. She spun away, glaring. It was Andrey, his eyes fierce and demanding. He rounded on her, backing her into the wall and placing both hands beside her head.
‘You were toying with me, lady,’ he growled.
‘I was toying with you?’ Ekaterina blurted out angrily. ‘You are the one set on advancing your rank by seducing the Empress!’
‘What are you talking about?’ Andrey exclaimed.
‘As if you didn’t know,’ Ekaterina accused, jabbing a finger into his muscled chest. ‘You will be the Empress’s new pet, won’t you!’
‘Her pet?’ He leaned in close so that their noses were almost touching. ‘So says the Winter Court’s sweetheart.’
‘I should have known better than to trust you,’ Ekaterina said, her voice trembling. ‘You got what you wanted from me, didn’t you? You sampled the wares but then hooked a bigger, better fish. I suppose you won’t be needing to seduce me any longer, now that you’ve got into the Empress’s good graces.’
* * *
Ekaterina turned away, blinking rapidly. Andrey frowned. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. Her lower lip was faintly quavering.
But why?
It struck him suddenly, like a blow to the chest, and he nearly staggered backwards. Of course, he realised, she hadn’t known his identity and he hadn’t known hers. He covered his eyes with one hand. It had been one massive misunderstanding.
But before he could gather his wits to compose himself, Ekaterina pushed away from him with a choked cry and fled down the hall. He watched her go, his hands hanging heavily at his sides. Then he slowly turned away, a mournful expression on his face.
Soon the hall was empty again, until one of the Empress’s maids stepped out from behind a curtain, a wicked glint in her eye.
They were out riding, all three of them plus a retinue of courtiers. The snow was soft underneath their horses’ hooves and the air was sharp. Ekaterina sat stiffly atop her mare, her back ramrod straight and her face neutral. She hadn’t wanted to come, but it would have been impossible to refuse the summons of the Empress. Thankfully, they were on their way back to the palace now. Her aunt rode beside her, a strange smile playing about her lips. Andrey rode behind, his face sullen and brooding.
A fine trio.
‘So, my dear niece,’ the Empress began, her tone conversational, ‘how have you been lately? I haven’t seen much of you since you arrived at court.’
‘Thank you for your concern, Aunt,’ Ekaterina replied. ‘I have—’
‘By the way,’ her aunt interrupted brusquely. ‘Did you hear what happened to Sergei? The baker?’
‘I didn’t realise you knew him,’ Ekaterina said lightly. ‘He is a good baker.’
‘Was.’
Ekaterina blinked and tried to remain calm.
‘Was, Aunt?’
The Empress sniffed delicately.
‘He was sent to Siberia yesterday,’ her aunt informed her. ‘Because he was caught stealing bread for his family.’
Ekaterina’s throat closed.
‘And his family?’
‘Thrown to the street, as they well deserved.’
Ekaterina felt numb. The poor man and his family. She would have to instruct her own servants to find the family, give them money and hopefully help them find some means of living. Unfortunately she could no longer help Sergei.
‘Do you know what that means, Ekaterina, dear?’ her aunt queried.
‘That his family will probably perish in the cold?’
‘Yes—but no.’ Her aunt clicked her tongue. ‘That’s not the lesson here, my dear.’
The Empress reined in her horse, wheeling it round so that it blocked the path. She looked from Ekaterina to Andrey and then back again, her eyes narrowing.
‘The lesson is that stealing will be punished harshly,’ Anna said calmly. ‘No matter who the culprit is.’
She let an awkward silence blanket the group before kicking her horse into a trot.
‘Remember that, both of you.’
Ekaterina didn’t dare look back to gauge Andrey’s reaction. It was clear that the warning was meant for them, but why? Her stomach tightened at the memories of them in the field, in the corridor and in the royal wing. Someone had seen. Someone had whispered. And now they were both on thin ice.
When they reached the palace Ekaterina ignored Andrey and dismounted gracefully. She handed the reins to the stable keeper and bowed deeply before escaping her aunt’s oppressive presence. She wandered the echoing corridors aimlessly, her mind whirring.
Danger on one side and unrequited attraction on the other. How she wanted to return to the country, to be with her loving family once again!
‘My lady!’ a page called to her.
Ekaterina halted and waited for the breathless page to reach her. The boy bowed and presented her with a scroll.
‘A missive, my lady,’ he said as she took the letter. ‘From the architect’s apprentice, Andrey Kvasov.’
Ekaterina nearly dropped the letter. The fool! She slid the scroll into her sleeve, feigning complete indifference.
‘You may go,’ she said, waving the boy away.
As soon as he was out of sight she pulled the letter from her sleeve and unravelled it hurriedly. The words were hastily but beautifully scrawled...and they would damn them both if they were seen by another other eyes.
‘My lady,’ the missive read, ‘I must explain. Please come to my suite.’
She crumpled the paper in her hands, her ire boiling over. Jaw set, she stalked to the western wing of the palace. She knew where he was staying; she’d had one of her guards investigate. Without knocking, she threw
