“Because then neither you nor Nebrov will know which is the Jedalar,” she said, “until I choose to tell you.”
“I’d be deeply grateful if you would not link us together verbally. Even though you clearly do it in your mind.”
She did link them together. She had no choice. Jordan was the enemy. Even if he helped her save Alex, he would still try to take the Jedalar from her. She did not know if it could be done, but she must try to save both the Jedalar and Alex.
At the moment it seemed an impossible task. All the anger that had kept her functioning was draining out of her at an alarming rate, and she was so exhausted she could barely sit upright.
“Go to bed,” he said roughly. “You can’t go on like this.”
She shook her head. “I couldn’t sleep.”
He moved behind her, and his hands cupped the back of her neck.
She stiffened.
“Relax.” He started to massage the tense muscles of her nape. “It’s not as if I haven’t ever done this for you after you’ve worked all day.”
She had a sudden vision of herself sitting at his feet before the fire, his hands moving on her with possession and strength until she had been dazed with contentment. Dazed and dazzled with everything he had done to her during those days at Dalwynd.
His thumbs probed gently. “It loosens the-”
“Don’t touch me.”
He kept kneading her nape. “It’s easing you, blast it.”
“Don’t touch me!”
His hands fell away, and he stepped back. “Do you think I’m trying to seduce you?” he asked quietly as he moved around the chair to stand in front of her. “I’m not a fool, Marianna. You were in need, and I was only trying to help.”
“I don’t want your help.”
“But you may need to accept it before this is over. Doing battle with me over trivialities will sap both our strength and may get in the way of saving Alex.” He stared directly into her eyes. “No matter how much you dislike me at the moment, I believe you know I keep my word. Until Alex is returned to you, I will make no attempt to take anything from you but your cooperation.” He smiled crookedly. “However, after my guilt is expiated, I promise nothing. You know my morals are sadly unstable.” He turned and moved toward the door. “We’ll be leaving before dawn for Southwick. I’d appreciate it if you’d try to get some rest. It would be a great bother having to pick you up off the road if you fainted from exhaustion.”
It was still dark when Marianna reached the courtyard the next morning. Torches burned bright in their sconces before the front door. Servants bustled to and fro preparing for the departure, and Dorothy was overseeing their efforts.
“This is most undignified.” Gregor shrugged off the help of a solicitous footman and climbed awkwardly into a wagon drawn before the door. He grimaced as he settled himself on the pallet. “I told Jordan I was strong enough to ride, but he insisted I be coddled like an infant.”
Marianna could see why he had made the decision. Gregor’s face was drawn and bloodless in the merciless light. “Are you sure you’re well enough to make the sea journey?”
“What is there to do on a ship but rest? By the time we reach Kazan, I shall be strong as a bull.”
“Kazan? We’re going to Montavia.”
“Jordan has decided we should sail directly to Kazan and negotiate with Nebrov from a position of strength.”
She could see little advantage in such a move. “How kind of him to inform me. Where is Jordan?”
Gregor nodded toward another wagon by the stable. “He is seeing to the crating of your panels.” He chuckled. “What a clever little dove you are proving to be. I never guessed what you were doing.”
“It’s not clever to do what you have to do.” She saw Jordan coming out of the stable and strode across the courtyard toward him. She asked him, “You’ve packed all of them?”
“I’d hardly leave one behind when it might be the Jedalar.”
“But I’d wager you examined every panel very carefully before you had it crated.”
He smiled. “Of course. I even measured them. Every one of them is three feet by two feet. Some of them looked a bit more intricate than others, but I could tell nothing. Any one of them could be the Jedalar. I had the crates marked with a description of the contents to save time when you decide to retrieve it.”
“That will be helpful.” She changed the subject. “Why are we going to Kazan? Gregor says you wish to negotiate from a position of strength, but I don’t want Nebrov to think we’re offering him resistance.”
“Nebrov won’t destroy his weapon just because he perceives it to be threatened. Besides, we may need help after we get the boy away. According to Janus, Nebrov’s power has been growing in Montavia. It would be safer to take Alex to Kazan.”
After they got him away.
Jordan sounded so matter-of-fact that she felt a surge of hope. She could tell herself that all would go well and Alex would be safe, but it was difficult to make herself believe it.
Jordan’s brows lifted. “Satisfied?”
“No, I won’t be satisfied until Alex is free. But we will go to Kazan.”
“I’m glad you agree.” He inclined his head mockingly. “We should have the last of the crates loaded within a few minutes. Be ready to start.”
“I’m almost ready. I’ve only to say my farewells to Dorothy.”
“I’ve already bid her good-bye,” Jordan added dryly. “And was nearly frozen by her disapproval. She seems to think I’ve arranged Alex’s abduction just to lure you farther into my wicked web and-” He stopped, his gaze narrowing on her face. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
He shook his head, studying her expression. He said slowly, “It’s Dorothy. What did she say to you?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“What did she say?”
She shrugged. “That she forgives me my lack of virtue.”
“Christ.”
She smiled with effort. “I’m sure she considers herself very generous to a woman who is ruined in the eyes of all respectable people.”
He gave a low curse. “She hurt you.”
“She couldn’t help it. She didn’t even realize the hurt was there. She thought she was being kind.” She turned away from him. “I’ll be ready to leave in a few minutes.” She suddenly thought of something and asked over her shoulder, “What favor did you do for her?”
“Favor?”
“When I first met Dorothy, she told me you had once done her a great service.”
“It was nothing of particular note.” When she stood waiting, he shrugged and said, “No one would publish her books. I bribed McArthy and Son to do it.”
“I see.” She felt his gaze on her back as she crossed the courtyard to the steps where Dorothy now stood. Poor Dorothy, her finest triumph had been provided by one of the oppressive males she condemned.
“I will go with you, if you wish,” Dorothy said gruffly. “It’s not seemly for you to travel with Jordan in this fashion.”
Even now, when Dorothy considered her ruined, she was still striving to put things right. Marianna felt a flicker of warmth mix with the sadness. She could not condemn Dorothy for not being all that she wanted her to be; she must accept her for what she was. “Montavia is not like England. You would not understand it. You will be happier here.” She gave her a quick hug. “Good-bye, Dorothy, thank you for all your kindness to me.”
“You will find the boy,” Dorothy said brusquely. “And you’ll be back at Cambaron by summer.”
Marianna merely smiled, then turned and went down the steps to the wagon where Jordan was now waiting.
Without looking at Dorothy, he lifted Marianna onto the seat and then climbed up himself.
