Written on the Wind (The Blackstone Legacy #2)(59)
Dimitri set a hand on her knee, but she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. When he spoke, his voice was gentle with affection.
“Natalia, it is only a mosquito bite.”
It felt like a ray of sunshine pierced the clouds. Why had she been letting the opinion of a vain, spoiled girl matter so much?
She beamed at Dimitri. “Thank you for that.”
He slid off his bench and rotated to fill the space beside her. With a thumb and forefinger, he tipped her chin to look at him.
“You do not have an elegant accent,” he said. “You sound like a woman of Russia, a strong woman who can be depended on to endure the longest winter and shoulder any burden. You traveled across the country because you feared someone was trying to impersonate me. You are strength and valor and compassion. If I was a composer, I would write a symphony to express how grand you are.”
His kiss both thrilled and reassured her, and she sank into it with abandon. Maybe they didn’t have a future, but they had today, and it was precious. When the carriage arrived at their hotel, Dimitri instructed the cabbie to drive around the block a few times, and they went back to kissing. Natalia settled into his arms and smiled against his mouth.
Could Dimitri be the one? Perhaps being a part of Alexander’s life would be enough for her. Or they could adopt a child of their own. Dimitri’s condition didn’t have to dictate her life. Over the past few years, she had wondered if she would ever find the right man. It would be the ultimate irony if she was already being courted by the love of her life from the other side of the world. Dimitri would forever miss his homeland, but perhaps the two of them could find a way to create a wonderful life for themselves here in America.
24
Natalia awoke the following morning in a fog of happiness, blissfully anticipating showing Dimitri the sights of Washington over the next few days while awaiting Dr. Seaman’s return. Today they would climb the Washington Monument so Dimitri could enjoy the panoramic view of the city, then visit the Smithsonian.
But, of course, Poppy had to ruin it all.
“You’re not to go sightseeing without a chaperone, young lady,” Poppy said from the breakfast table in their hotel suite.
“Poppy, you’re three months older than me,” Natalia pointed out. “I don’t think you’re in a position to wag your finger and call me a ‘young lady.’”
“You are both young ladies,” Dimitri said. “The three of us shall see the Washington Monument together, and all of society shall marvel at how I have managed to acquire a charming young lady for each arm.”
“Not because of Natalia,” Poppy said. “She was born old and stodgy. Natalia, sit down and stop making everyone nervous with that wretched pacing. The Washington Monument doesn’t even open to visitors for another hour.”
A copy of Rand McNally and Co.’s Handy Guide to Washington lay open on the table, and Natalia reluctantly joined them to skim the guidebook while Poppy continued to complain.
“Why must we go to the top of the monument anyway? It’s too much of a climb.”
Dimitri saved Natalia from answering. “It is imperative that I go to the top. I have walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and traversed the country from coast to coast. I must now scale the Washington Monument, or my life will never be complete.”
Natalia continued flipping through the guidebook, searching for a way to dispose of Poppy so she could have Dimitri all to herself. It wasn’t that she intended to do anything salacious with him, but she didn’t like sharing him with Poppy. It didn’t take long to find her stepmother’s Achilles heel. Even after three years of marriage to one of the nation’s wealthiest men, Poppy’s thirst for buying things remained unquenched.
Natalia spoke with studied indifference as she consulted the guidebook. “It looks like we’ll pass the city’s prime shopping district on our way to the monument. Antiques, jewels, furs, a gourmet chocolate shop—my goodness, the list goes on and on.”
Poppy snatched the guidebook, a feral glint in her eyes as she scanned the offerings. As expected, she found a humanitarian justification to shop. “Your grandfather’s birthday is coming up,” she said. “Perhaps I should forgo the trip to the monument to be sure he is suitably honored.”
Natalia silently rejoiced. “That would be very thoughtful.”
It didn’t take long to gather their belongings for a day of sightseeing and shopping. Natalia wore a new hat with a wide brim that made her feel like the most feminine woman in the world. The sun was shining, and she was in love. The day couldn’t be more perfect.
After stepping out of the elevator, they headed to the concierge to request a carriage, but before they could reach the service desk, a trim man wearing an army uniform came striding toward them.
“Count Sokolov?” he asked.
Dimitri gave the other man a slight bow. “You have me at a disadvantage, sir.”
“Dr. Louis Seaman.” He introduced himself with a relieved smile. “I was called to Philadelphia on an emergency, but instead of a cholera outbreak, all they had was a case of tainted beef. I am eager to hear what you have to say about the incident at the Amur River. Come! We must confer right away.”
Sightseeing would have to wait. Something far more important was about to unfold.