“I have given something beautiful to you, Prince Alejandro?” She felt her eyes water.
Please stop!
“Si, Senorita. Something precious.” He closed his eyes briefly. In a whisper he added, “Eres preciosa.”
You are precious. She desperately wished she could control the heat spreading in her body. He was utilizing everything in his power to woo her.
And actually doing a reasonably fine job of it.
There dessert plates were removed and Prince Alejandro requested coffee. Once they had been served, Nicolette determined it was time to complete this business transaction. They had strayed terribly off course.
“Your highness, let us come to terms on our agreement. As you have repeatedly assured me, let us agree that you merely wish me to sing for you, nothing more.”
24
Destiny
“The flower which you threw to me
Stayed with me
Keeping its sweet fragrance
For countless hours
On closing my eyelids, I became intoxicated from the scent
and during the night I saw you.
Why did destiny have to put you in my path?”
—CARMEN by Georges Bizet
Oh, no, that is not my wish. I wish for much, much more.
“That is the arrangement,” Alejandro replied evenly, forcing a polite smile. Something had happened in the course of the luncheon to re-awaken the attraction he felt for the woman in black he had first seen framed by the Grand Staircase.
I had hoped to be over it. It no longer serves. But, unfortunately, the woman he disliked, the woman in the star’s dressing room, had transformed into someone not different, equally contrary and prickly, but entrancing.
Do not be lured in, Alejandro warned himself. The timing is never right with this woman. Take it as a sign. When he had wished to form a connection with her, he found her disagreeable to the extreme. Now when it was to his advantage to distance himself from Mademoiselle Nicolette that he might complete his business with her…
I find her irresistible.
“Let us not pretend I have entered into this arrangement willingly when we both know the truth, your highness.”
“I suggest you pretend a little, Senorita.” He frowned. She came dangerously close to attacking his honor and integrity, and that he would not tolerate. He was not without his convictions either.
Alejandro surprised himself that he was beginning to warm to the senorita despite her piratical temperament. Make no mistake: she might be impertinent and vain, but she was much humbled from their first meeting. He doubted if she had ever given the reins to anyone else in her life, and she did not like it.
Which would make him like taking the reins all the more.
Her confidence was shaken, which only increased her doggedness. She might bend, she might comply, but she would not do so out of fear, but because she willed it, to achieve an end. To obtain her heart's desire. She gave her all to Music.
How glorious to be driven by passion rather than by duty.
She was an Original. There was an intensity about her he found wanting in other women. And not the fanaticism of desperation and need but the potency of focus, enthusiasm and centeredness. There was an uncalculated joy in her persona, a zest for life, even in the midst of a great tribulation. She had a dream, and she was not waiting for someone else to deliver happiness to her door.
Alejandro never expected happiness to arrive at his door. Nor did he intend to pursue it.
She bit her lower lip, as if she were not as confident as she seemed. “An arrangement is an agreement between two people or parties, not a dictate from one. I have not yet made any demands of you in return.”
Alejandro felt his eyes fly open in spite of his practiced control. I am liking the sound of this.
He cleared his throat. “And what demands are those, Senorita Nicolette? I am listening.”
He studied the curve of her lush, red lips as he awaited her commentary, feeling confident one would be forthcoming. There always was where Nicolette Genevieve was concerned.
His eyes moved on to the curve of her neckline. The smooth finish of her ivory white complexion was the perfect compliment to vividly turquoise eyes, fully focused on him with a defiance she was unable to hide despite the high stakes in his favor.
Glossy black curls peaked out from under a large wide-brimmed straw hat with entirely too many feathers and too much gauze. Lace, chiffon, ribbons and ruffles everywhere—even a cameo and bishop sleeves.
Her red lips formed a slight smile in spite of herself. He was relieved to see she could laugh at herself as well as at others.
Alejandro was attracted to Mademoiselle Genevieve in spite of her combative personality and ornately overdone ensemble. It looked like something his mother the queen might wear. The effect of gowns meant to impress had the opposite effect on him. He liked simpler, tasteful designs. This outfit seemed more the costume while the alluring dress she wore in Carmen displayed the fiery, independent woman she was.
Or that's what I wish to believe. He much preferred her hair falling about her shoulders to the feathers and ribbons which hid her face.
Ordinarily independence was not a quality Alejandro desired in a woman, but somehow the fire would otherwise be missing from this one without it.
It is a recipe for perfection. Alejandro’s self-control wavered momentarily, his eyes stealing a glance from her forehead to her waist. Her full, lovely breasts were completely covered in opaque material, enticing one to imagine.
It is a crime against humanity to hide such exquisite beauty.
“Even after I have laid my heart and my fears before you. I would wish to see as much honesty from you, Senorita Nicolette. I have told you something I have told no one else. I have offered you a beloved keepsake. I have promised you my intentions are honorable, which I thought to be your objection.” Alejandro said. “So I cannot conceive of the reason for your disapproval.”
“I wish to know the terms of my performance before I favor you with my reply.” She was tempting him, luring him—possibly to an early demise—and he would no doubt willingly follow her there.
“The terms of your performance?” She made it sound like the terms of her surrender.
“If I were a man, Prince Alejandro, you would think nothing of my asking this question. In fact, you would have no respect for me if I didn’t.”
“I suppose that is true.”
“Do not suppose, answer me truthfully. Everything you dislike in me you would entirely approve of if I were a man.” She stared at him, clearly understanding the line had been drawn, before he saw a resolve cross her face. “What are the conditions which you have placed upon me, your highness?”
“I have no conditions, Senorita Nicolette. I wish you merely to sing, as you put it, with all of the accompanying dances, just as you performed on the stage. Precisely as you are already doing at the Palais Garnier before thousands of people.” He remembered very well how she had looked in the low-cut black silk dress, and he longed to see her thus again. He cleared his throat. “In the same ensemble appropriate to the part.”
“Ensemble?”
“Costume.” He cleared his throat. “Attire.”
“Only the two of us?” she asked unsteadily.
“Instead of performing before two thousand people, you will perform for me.”
“And you will not attempt to touch me?” she asked.
Touching her was the last thing he wanted. And the thing for which I would give my kingdom. The fantasy was beginning to affect him in unexpected ways. The thought of being in a room alone with Nicolette in that form-fitting dress, swaying her hips and singing, as the glorious sound flowed through his veins was more vivid than he had supposed.
“Not unless you demand it of me, Senorita.” He nodded in his most chivalrous manner. One must be honest.
“I should say not.” Her tone was indignant but he thought he perceived a longing in h
er eyes. “Incidentally, your highness, Carmen knew how to wield a sword. As do I.”
“I am forewarned, Senorita Nicolette. But I can assure you never in my life have I forced myself upon a woman. Nor will I ever. It would make an otherwise enjoyable endeavor repulsive to me.” Alejandro shook his head with disgust. For my part, I have a different need.”
“Yes, your transformation, if I can believe what you have told me. I fear you will be disappointed, your highness.” Her eyes were large and expressive, with a slight oriental turn, framed by long thick eyelashes and a lovely arched brow. She stuck out her chin, which was anything but soft. Like the rest of her, her facial features were feminine but solid.
Surprisingly, he began to think he preferred her features to the Austrian features of his mother's line: tall women with stick figures, noses which rendered one unable to breathe, and eyebrows in a continual state of condescension.
In his view, everything about Nicolette Genevieve was ravishingly beautiful.
“I don’t expect to be.” He cleared his throat.
What is wrong with me? Alejandro was not accustomed to being his own worst enemy. He needed this woman, and he did not need to bed her.
I have many who can fill that bill.
“As I told you, it is a highly personal experience for me, Senorita Nicolette. There is a healing in it for me.” He looked away momentarily, hating and fearing to share his feelings with anyone.
“I shall sing for you under one condition, Prince Alejandro.”
“Ah, and now we come to your part of the arrangement. And what is that condition, Senorita?” Though he wished otherwise, he could only imagine it had something to do with her career, which appeared to be the only thing of importance to this Mistress of seduction.
“I desire a singing career. In order to have one, it is necessary to be a leading soprano. You can help me become one. These are my terms.”
“I see.” Alejandro started to breathe again, unaware he had been holding his breath. It wasn’t the request he had hoped for, but he had seen it coming. “The poor reviews you mentioned. I still find that difficult to believe. I never beheld a more amazing performance in my life.”
“I thank you, your highness.” She leaned closer to him across the table, whispering. “But I assure you the damage has been done. I need to be seen with you, Prince Alejandro.”
“Seen with me?” He was well aware of the benefit he could confer upon this aspiring singer, but he pretended otherwise in order to discover the full extent of his obligation.
“Riding in the park. Attending events—the more populated the better—and dining as we are.”
He looked around and noted that almost every eye in the room was on them, despite the fact there were many present who were equally famous in their own right.
“My schedule is very busy while I am here, Senorita. Many important affairs of state, you understand.” As much as he would enjoy spending time with this siren, the temptation was painful. Literally. The less he saw her, the better for both his comfort and the integrity of her performance.
Her encore must be the same. I must experience this miracle I so badly need. It is life to me.
“I will not sing for you privately until my career is established. If it is not, I will not sing for you.”
“How many outings do you propose?”
“Whatever is required.” She shrugged. “I should think five or six.”
“One might say you ask a great deal in exchange for a single performance.” A performance which could change my life. “I have work to do while I am in Paris; I am not on holiday.”
“These are my terms. If I am to lose my career anyway, I have no reason to follow your bidding.”
“Very well. But you shall sing for me first.” He wished to ensure he received what he needed before going off on a lark.
“No.” She shook her head. “I shall receive what I need first, before I pay my due. I must ensure that you fulfill your side of the bargain. Once you have what you want, I am not convinced my requirements will be uppermost in your mind.”
Alejandro began to feel his anger rising.
I am to be the king of Spain. And she places conditions on me. Refusing my simple request. He stared at her a long while, holding her eyes.
I must hear her sing. It is my one chance of having this pain healed which I have carried with me all my life.
Alejandro was having some difficulty justifying the meeting of her demands when the definitive argument ran through his mind: I owe it to Spain to be all that I might be.
“In addition to the outings, I desire that you should attend my performances, your highness,” she continued in a low voice. “My public performances.”
“The list of your demands grows. Possibly that can be arranged, Senorita Nicolette,” he replied tersely. His eyes were ever watchful, but he behaved with nonchalance and disinterest.
“You must promise me, your highness…” Her lips quivered into a questionable smile, but her expression remained serious. She ran her gloved fingers along the blue and ivory cameo at her elegant throat. “that whatever your feelings, you shall do your best to elevate my career, and you shall not later enact your revenge. I, in turn, promise I shall give you the performance you desire.”
“You have my word,” he replied without hesitation. “And you shall promise to give me the private performance I require, exactly as performed on the stage.”
“As you wish, Prince Alejandro.”
“I have your word, Senorita Nicolette?”
“I have already given it, your highness,” she retorted.
He raised his eyebrows. “Let me hear it from your lips, Senorita,” he replied gravely. Did ever two people with less trust of each other enter into a bargain?
“I promise to give you the performance you desire,” she whispered.
He felt his heart soar at the same time he was able to breathe again.
“You will call on me for a stroll in the Tuileries Garden on Thursday then?” she asked.
“At 3:00 o’clock.”
“I trust you shall be at my performance on Saturday evening?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Shall we meet the following Tuesday evening here at Le Meurice? I do not have a performance as it so happens.”
A waive of regret washed over him. “I have a prior engagement. I dine with the British Ambassador to France, a Lord Ravensdale.”
“How could I have forgotten…” she murmured, tapping her finger along her brow.
“Oh, did I tell you, Senorita Nicolette? I don't recall it.”
“Excuse me? Forgive me, I have a terrible habit of thinking out loud.” She blushed, which seemed entirely out of character, even as she added with a mis-matched coquettish laugh, “Possibly I read it in the gossip columns. It is surprising what constitutes news, is it not?”
“I would prefer to be with you, Senorita Nicolette—that we might expedite your requirements leading up to the private performance—but it is my responsibility and I am duty-bound.”
“I could join you, I suppose,” she suggested.
Too late he was unable to stop the disapproval from crossing his expression.
In an instant he realized the grave mistake he had made. Clearly she wished to be true to herself but did not desire his honesty in kind. Her anger was apparent.
“I see you would be embarrassed to escort an opera singer on your arm, Prince Alejandro.” There were daggers coming out of those lovely eyes.
“Not at all, Senorita Nicolette,” he attempted to convince her. “You do not embarrass me personally, I assure you.”
“If not personally, then of what do you speak, Prince Alejandro? Who is embarrassed if not you?”
“I have a certain obligation to my country. I must present a particular face before dignitaries. This is a very important acquaintance for my country. Spain's relations have suffered since the war with the Americans in 1898. Courting high-ranking Britons are o
f a particular importance.”
“I understand.”
A sudden apprehension seized him. “You will not do anything to harm España, Senorita Nicolette? This is the one thing I cannot forgive and for which there would be serious repercussions, whatever our agreement. I would consider such harm as a breach of contract on your part.”
Her expression hardened and he observed a certain resolve in her eyes which alarmed him. Slowly, deliberately, she took another sip of tea, drawing out his apprehension as long as possible.
Instead of answering him she tipped her hat and covered her eyes, a far worse retort than any response might have been. He detested how she hid those expressive eyes behind her hat when he most wished to see them.
Alejandro was certain that if Senorita Nicolette was hiding from him, coyly positioning her eyes behind the rim of her hat, it was to promote her own designs and had nothing to do with shyness.
He felt his anger rising for the second time. He was not accustomed to being treated like a servant.
Before today that is.
“Have you ever felt it necessary to prove that you are of royal blood, your highness?” Finally she spoke.
“Of course not. It would be beneath my dignity.”
“Just so. And to think I was falling prey to your charm and sincerity. It is really quite outmoded to confuse one's station in life with one's character, your highness. You continue to consider me without conduct, gentility, or breeding simply because I am a singer.” Her lush red lips pursed momentarily.
“Your character is not in question, Senorita Nicolette. I should say it is your conduct.” He grew bolder now that he knew he had something she wanted. He grew tired of enduring her insults.
“I will not diminish myself by attempting to prove my worth to you. If you cannot see it for yourself, even after the charming story of your transformation, I see no advantage to my pointing it out.” She rose from her seat, clearly intending to leave. Suddenly she drew very close to him and he felt the temperature rise in the room. Her hand moved towards his hand, and he felt his mouth go dry.
The Serenade: The Prince and the Siren Page 19
