large part what inspired his troops. He'd always lived with them in the field, undergoing the same hardships, understanding their fears, listening to them talk of their wives and children and lovers. They'd follow him to hell and back.
And in a few days' time, even if Hussein Pasha's reinforcements were added to the defenders of Kars, he'd be leading his men into a kind of hell devised by the Sultan's wish for an invincible fortress. That, too, was an enormous calculated gamble, but if Kars could be taken the Turkish territories in the East would fall and the Sultan's ministers might be forced to the peace table. If Kars fell, the war could be over. If Kars fell, he could be back in Tiflis in less than a month.
'I don't suppose it would do any good to say be careful.'
Stefan smiled. 'In my own fashion I'm careful.' But he understood what Nikki was saying. 'And I've reason to be more cautious now,' he added. 'Will that do?'
Nikki smiled back. 'I know how ridiculous words of prudence are in wartime. As if caution ever won a campaign, but…' He sighed. 'I know your style of command and it's based more on some goddamned guardian angel watching over you than on any even remote concept of discretion. Take care.'
'I intend to.'
Both men knew their platitudinous words, no matter how well intended, wouldn't last a second in combat. There one acted on instinct and experience. One did what one did best, and Stefan had always won by risk taking.
'You intend to what?' Lisaveta asked, walking back into the parlor, her traveling dress of forest green bombazine an attractive foil to her golden eyes and peaches-and-cream skin.
'I intend to love you till the end of time,' Stefan chivalrously answered. 'Are you comfortable now?' he went on, inclined to change the subject to safer ground.
'That wedding gown weighed thirty pounds,' Alisa said, 'although its dazzling splendor was worth the suffering.'
Lisaveta smiled. 'One never actually suffers in something that beautiful but, yes, I'm very much more comfortable now.' She twirled around, her light silk skirt billowing out in a fluttering bellshape.
Nikki and Stefan had come to their feet when the ladies entered the parlor. Knowing how pressed Stefan was for time, Nikki took his wife's hand and said, 'Since they're holding the train for you, we won't stay any longer.
'You'll let us know how you're feeling,' Alisa said, her voice significant in its emphasis.
'You'll be the first to know,' Stefan replied with a smile. 'We'll telegram.'
Hugs and kisses were once more exchanged amid promises to write and visit. No one mentioned the war, but when Nikki and Alisa stepped off onto the platform, the train began moving immediately. Stefan's orders were being obeyed.
'Are you happy?' Stefan asked, his arms around Lise's waist as they stood by the train window, the bustle of the station passing by with increasing speed.
'Words pale,' she softly replied, leaning back into the solidness of Stefan's body, all the pain and uncertainty of Nadejda in the past, Stefan's love for her wildly real, like his strength. She couldn't have been happier or more content.
'You must be tired.' She seemed small and delicate in his, arms and the day had been grueling. They'd worked nonstop arranging the wedding, then entertained their guests for several hours more.
Lisaveta sighed. The evening had been so hectic and chaotic she hadn't had time to think about being tired. Until now. 'I am,' she said, letting her eyes drift shut for a moment.
'Anyone would be, darling. The schedule's been brutal. Why don't you take a nap?' he suggested. Slipping his arms from around her waist and taking her hands in his, he turned her to face him. 'I'll wake you in, say, two hours.' The color was gone from her cheeks and fatigue shadowed her eyes.
'You'll wake me?' She didn't resist, Stefan's soft bed temptation in her weariness.
'Promise.' His smile was protective. 'You and baby need rest.'
Her fingers gripped his in a sudden tightening. 'Do you…really think so?' She felt so normal; were other women as uncertain as she?
Stefan hadn't had time himself to dwell at any length on that possibility, or perhaps he'd suppressed those thoughts with so much at stake in the attack on Kars. The reality of a child could seriously curtail his style of soldiering, which had, until very recently, been his life. And the thought of having a baby was, in honesty, not completely joyous. It was in too many ways terrifying. It made him vulnerable in a precarious world; it increased the danger of his existence; it opened up long vistas of 'tomorrow' when he'd always lived for today. And his responsibilities, which he'd learned to handle with a practiced skill, were now extended to a wife he loved and soon, perhaps, to a child.
Would he think of them as the charge was sounded? Would his emotional involvement temper his intuitive sense of survival?
Would his risk taking be impeded because he had too much to lose?
He was uncertain of the answers, and that in itself was disconcerting. He wasn't, as a rule, uncertain.
But to his wife, he said, 'I
Gazing up at him, she tried to gauge his sincerity. 'Good,' she said after a small pause, 'because Alisa's probably right.'
Stefan grinned. 'Nikki certainly seemed sure. I was almost called out.'
Her pale eyes widened. 'You weren't
'No, darling, I can't be forced into anything.'
'You're not just being pleasant?'
He laughed out loud at the notion he'd marry someone 'to be pleasant' after escaping designing women for years. 'I don't think even my most fervent supporters would see me obliging as a bridegroom out of courtesy alone. You are truly loved, darling, make no mistake.'
Lise smiled a contented Cheshire cat smile. 'You say the nicest things.'
He grinned. 'Years of practice.'
'Which have now come to a screeching halt.'
'Of course.' But his grin was still in place.
'Are you always this accommodating?'
'Years of practice,' he repeated, amusement rich in the words, and he kissed her then to erase her small scowl. 'Which,' he added a moment later, his mouth still close to hers, his voice quiet and grave, 'are now over. Have I told you that I'm looking forward to monogamy?'
His words warmed her heart, his dark eyes so adoring she felt a contented security as bucolic as a Lorrain landscape. 'A novel experience,' she softly murmured, her mouth lifted in a very small smile, 'for you, I'd guess.'
'But then,' he replied, his voice a hushed suggestion, 'I'm always open to novel experiences.'
'Libertine.' It was a whisper only.
'You're a married man now.'
'I like the sound of that with you in my arms, and,' he went on, no longer jesting, 'I didn't think I'd ever have those feelings.'
'We've the Turks to thank for our meeting,' she reminded him, touched by the peculiar fate that had taken a hand in their destiny.
'You're right.' Mention of the Turks, though, effectively altered Stefan's sense of joy. He had enormous work to accomplish mapping his plan of attack before the train reached Vladikavkaz. 'Sleep now,' he gently said, kissing her tenderly, 'and I'll wake you soon.'
The rhythm of the train and the warmth of Stefan's body, the swaying comfort of being held, were all lulling supplement to her drowsiness. 'You won't forget to wake me?'
The gold flecks shone briefly in his black eyes, brilliant like his smile. 'Not a chance, sweetheart. This is my
While Lise slept, Stefan pored over the maps he'd brought with him, coordinating his cavalry with the infantry movements, measuring distances from the artillery positions, trying to estimate the weakest approaches to the city,
