The Mad, Bad Duke (Nvengaria #2)(64)

Anastasia’s brows arched. “High praise from a man who does not suffer fools gladly.”

“My wife is no fool.” Alexander felt a surge of pride, which was not lost on Anastasia. But though Anastasia had a teasing twinkle in her eye, Alexander sensed her watching him carefully, thoughts whirling behind the words she spoke. “But then, neither are you. Please explain to me why you did not come to me with the conversation Myn overheard.”

Anastasia missed a step of the rhythm the smoothly caught herself. “Myn obviously was on his way to tell you. I thought you would not need to hear it from me.”

Alexander let his voice grow chilly. “I pay you, Anastasia, precisely to learn about such conversations as the one von Hohenzahl had in the tavern in Wapping. Myn needed you to translate the Viennese dialect, which I do not know. I waited for you to speak to me of it, and you never did. You have avoided me for weeks.”

“Because I did not think it important,” Anastasia said dismissively, but her eyes were worried.

“I think it vastly important, and so do you. Smile at me—people are watching.”

Anastasia’s face was strained, but she forced her lips into a smile.

“That is better,” Alexander said sternly. He found this role so much easier to play—the Grand Duke unraveling intrigues surrounding Nvengaria, rather than the man under a spell, wondering what the hell had happened to him. “Now tell me what game you are playing or I will waltz you out to the terrace and toss you over the balustrade.”

Anastasia’s bosom rose with her breath. She knew he was capable of doing just that. “Good Lord, Alexander, von Hohenzahl called you his secret weapon against Nvengaria. I needed time to think on that, to discover whether you had thrown in your lot with von Hohenzahl in order to take revenge against Damien. You met with von Hohenzahl today, I know.” Her smile became fixed. “If you have any intention of betraying Nvengaria, I will stop you even if I have to kill you. And you know I will do that.”

“I’d expect no less of you,” Alexander said smoothly. “I’ve already told von Hohenzahl to go to the devil. If you believe I would do one thing to jeopardize Nvengaria, you do not know me. I tried to remove Damien only because I thought it was best for Nvengaria. Neither you nor von Hohenzahl understand my motives.”

“Can you blame me? No one understands you, Alexander.” Anastasia spoke in exasperation that held a touch of fear.

Alexander smiled. “Meagan does.”

Anastasia stared at him, then her gaze softened. “You truly care for her,” she said in surprise.

“It is the love spell. Which is why I do not dance with her. If I held her this intimately, I would take her off and ravish her. Best that I keep the length of the room between us.”

Anastasia glanced over at Meagan again. “She certainly watches you with affection. She is a sweet girl, Alexander. Do not hurt her I beg you.”

Alexander scowled. “I have no intention of hurting her.”

She gave him a sharp look. “If you are toying with her, using her to further your own schemes, I will never forgive you. She isn’t one of us—she does not understand our world.”

“I do not wish for her to understand it.” Alexander swung Anastasia so he could keep his gaze on Meagan. His wife chatted easily with the gentlemen around her, and Alexander’s blood heated with jealousy. “I want her as she is, innocent and trusting.”

“Then she will never last if you take her to Nvengaria.”

“You were innocent and trusting in Nvengaria,” Alexander said. “You never lost your wonder, I remember. Not until Dimitri died.”

Anastasia’s eyes clouded. “I do not wish to speak of Dimitri. Let us return to von Hohenzahl. What do you intend to do?”

Alexander sensed the grief in Anastasia as usual when her husband was mentioned, but he sensed something new too, a worry he hadn’t seen before.

“I want you to help me against von Hohenzahl,” he said. “Pretend to be a loyal Austrian and help me make certain he is nothing more than a nuisance.”

Anastasia made a moue of distaste. “He is unsavory, and he has made it clear that he wants me in his bed. I have done things in the past that I am ashamed of to gain information, but von Hohenzahl disgusts me.”

“Even so, he has made threats against Meagan and Alex, and I want him rendered impotent.”

Anastasia gave a short laugh. “Interesting choice of words, Alexander. I—”

She broke off, her face draining of color as her gaze fixed on something behind him. Alexander turned in the dance, but he saw nothing save the long row of windows leading to a terrace and ladies and gentlemen standing near them, talking and laughing.

“What is it?” he asked, alert.

Anastasia was glaring at Alexander, her eyes shining with anger. “Did you set him on me? He has been following me everywhere.”

Alexander gave her a perplexed look. “I cannot answer if I do not know who you mean.”

Anastasia snapped her hands from him, breaking the dance. “Myn, your pet logosh. What does he want from me? Oh, I cannot stay.”

She whirled, diamonds in her hair flashing, and fled the ballroom, leaving Alexander standing alone in the middle of the floor in front of the entertained guests. Alexander growled under his breath, then growled again when he saw Meagan hurry out of the room after Anastasia.