Nikolai had just glimpsed the burden he had unwittingly placed on his friend and was in no mood to respond to Miss Curiosity’s question.
‘I’m Rachel,’ she offered.
‘I think we’re supposed to be paying attention to the service.’ Nikolai’s response was terse.
His voice made her want to say pardon, just for the chance to hear him repeat himself. It was deep and low and his accent so rich it made her toes curl. Rachel turned to Libby and they both frowned and pulled confused faces at each other.
There were so many questions but no time to answer them as they were now standing for the first hymn.
‘You can share mine,’ Rachel said generously when she saw that he didn’t have an order of service.
She was like a wasp hovering, Nikolai thought.
He had wanted to just see the service and leave.
And he would still do so, Nikolai decided.
He could not face the questions.
Or, worse, answering them.
‘Are you okay?’ he heard her say, and then realised that the question had not been aimed at him.
‘I’d better be!’ Libby responded with grim determination. ‘Stick close to me, Rachel.’
And then he felt, or rather heard, the woman beside him—Rachel—laugh.
It was an odd and unexpected reaction to an escalating situation and for some reason he almost smiled.
The fragrance she was wearing was possibly the scent of lying in a flower-drenched meadow in summer, not that he ever had, but Nikolai then decided that she was more like a bee.
Except her too-close proximity didn’t have the threat of a sting.
He looked at the pale hands that held the paper in front of him and it was the most pointless sharing ever because neither of them was singing.
‘Is she having pains?’ Nikolai asked.
‘Yes,’ Rachel said as the hymn ended and they took their seats. ‘But they’re ages apart.’
Her dress rode up as she took a seat and he was treated to a glimpse of freckly white thighs, and then he watched her fidget as she pulled her dress down.
And then there was another fidget as she went into her bag and took out some toffees and offered Libby one, but she shook her head.
He watched as the gold-foil-wrapped sweet was offered to him.
‘We’re not at the movies,’ he pointed out. Yet, again, even in uncomfortable circumstances he had the temptation to smile. She was slightly inappropriate, yet had made herself a companion when so many had simply stared.
Nikolai had been to few weddings. His lifestyle ensured he did not get particularly close to others but seeing his friend clearly in love, he was glad he had come.
Even if he had been outed.
They stood for another hymn.
‘Oh, I know this one,’ Rachel said, and proceeded to sing tunelessly and loudly beside him.
She was a terrible midwife because Libby had another contraction during the second verse and, Nikolai observed, Rachel didn’t appear to even notice.
He had timed them.
Rachel was right, though—they were ages apart and Libby had a while to go.
Still...
‘Your friend is in pain,’ Nikolai said.
‘I know!’ Rachel hissed, and as they took their seats while the couple went off to the vestry to sign the register she elaborated. ‘Why do you think I was singing so loudly? I was trying to keep the spotlight from her.’
Rachel did not need to sing, even badly, for the spotlight to be on her, Nikolai thought. Even if he had been seated at the back of the church, his eyes would have been drawn to her. He had noticed her getting out of the car, he had seen those long pale legs as they’d climbed the church steps and that gorgeous tumble of red hair.
A harp was being played, very badly, and Rachel got back to the order of service and found that it was Naomi’s cousin who was putting the congregation through hell.
‘Ouch,’ she said as a note was missed, and her fidgeting resumed.
‘Do you have any more sweets?’ he asked.
‘Always.’ She smiled and went into her bag and handed him not one but two.
He unwrapped the sweet and popped it into his mouth. It was brittle, with a soft centre, and was absolutely delicious.
‘Do you know why I like them?’ Rachel whispered. ‘They get stuck to your teeth and you can find a bit later.’
He turned then and for the first time met her eyes fully.
His were a very dark brown, almost black, Rachel thought, and his gaze was penetrating, so much so that as it shifted down to her mouth she could feel the blush of her skin.
‘I’m thinking of getting braces,’ she said, perhaps because they were on the subject of teeth, or perhaps just for something to say.
‘Don’t.’
‘The invisible ones,’ she amended.
‘Why,’ Nikolai asked, ‘would you ruin such an amazing mouth?’
Oh, she was a terrible midwife because had the bride and groom not appeared then, Rachel would have been rather tempted to take his hand and simply run.
He was stunning.
She ached to see him smile, but he did not return hers and she ached for a witty retort but she had none.
The bells rang loudly and the newlyweds walked back down the aisle and Nikolai turned his attention to them.
Daniil gave his wife a concerned look as he walked past.
‘I’m fine,’ Libby mouthed.
‘She’s lying,’ Rachel muttered.
Soon they were all out on the steps and the wedding party was being arranged for photos. Nikolai knew that now was the time to leave quietly.
Yes, Sev had questions and deserved answers, but today wasn’t the time for that and so, as the photographer called for everyone to gather on the steps, Nikolai walked away, hoping to disappear into the crowd.
‘Hey!’
He could hear the clip of footsteps running behind him and knew who he would see when he turned around.
The bee was buzzing.
‘You can’t just leave!’ Rachel said. She wasn’t even thinking about Sev and the rest of them—more, how dare he flirt like that and simply walk off?
But Nikolai had other ideas.
‘I can do exactly that,’ he responded.
‘You have to stay,’ Rachel said. ‘I’ve been given instructions and I take my duties as friend of the wife of the best man very seriously.’
Nikolai cared nothing about her duties and started to move away.
‘It’s not fair on Sev to leave,’ Rachel said, and his shoulders stiffened as he halted.
‘Sev’s wedding is hardly the best time to catch up on things.’
‘But he’ll enjoy it more if you’re here.’ Rachel watched as he slowly turned again. Nikolai glanced over at the wedding party and, sure enough, instead of concentrating on the photo being taken, Sev was looking in their direction, clearly wondering if Nikolai was about to disappear.
Again.
‘Very well,’ Nikolai conceded. ‘I’ll stay for the reception but then I’m going back.’
‘To where?’
‘To my life.’
Rachel was curious to know more. His accent was heavy and she guessed that London wasn’t his base. As they started to head back to the group she asked for more information. ‘And where is your life?’ she asked. ‘Where do you live?’
‘Nowhere for long. I don’t like to get too involved with any one place or person.’
He turned his head slightly and his eyes told her to step back from the conversation, to drop it.
She did so.
‘There’s Libby,’ Rachel said, and gave her friend a wave.
Libby was cl
early looking for them. ‘There you are.’ She smiled. ‘Sev wants you in a photo, Nikolai.’
Nikolai gave a nod and walked off towards the church, and Rachel and Libby watched as the three men stood on the steps of the church. A photo was taken of them with Naomi and then the photographer called for Libby to join in.
Rachel watched Libby make her weary climb up the steps to smile widely for the camera and then Libby and Naomi stepped aside and there was a photo taken of just the three men. Rachel glanced to her side and saw that Anya was standing nearby.
‘It’s a shame the other one isn’t here,’ Rachel said, and watched as Anya frowned. ‘Roman,’ Rachel clarified.
‘If he was here there would be trouble.’ Anya shrugged. ‘He would make sure of that.’
‘Still, it would be nice if Daniil could find his twin.’
‘Some people don’t want to be found!’ Anya dismissed the notion. ‘Daniil should accept that fact.’
‘It’s his identical twin.’
‘So?’ Anya said. ‘Sometimes you just have to get over things.’
She really was incredibly cold, Rachel thought as Anya walked off. If she hadn’t seen her dance, she would have thought Anya incapable of emotion.
Except she had seen her dance!
And Rachel wanted to see it again.
Nikolai rode in the car with Rachel and Libby, who told him where the reception was being held.
‘Your husband bought the hotel last year?’ Nikolai said.
‘He did.’ Libby smiled. ‘So you’ve been keeping an eye on him?’
‘A bit,’ Nikolai admitted. He looked over to where Rachel sat and saw that she was freshening her lipstick, and when she spoke he liked it that she had more important things on her mind than finding out about him.
‘Do you think I should simply ask her?’ Rachel asked Libby. ‘Maybe I was too subtle in the church.’
‘Rachel,’ Libby said, ‘I don’t think anyone could ever accuse you of being subtle.’ Libby turned and explained the conversation to Nikolai. ‘Rachel is desperate to see Firebird but it’s completely sold out. She was hoping that Anya—’
‘Anya?’ Nikolai broke in, clearly recognising the name.
‘I believe that she was the cook’s daughter at the orphanage.’ Libby nodded. ‘Well, her stage name is Tatania and she now plays the lead in Firebird. She was standing behind you in the church.’
‘She will be there at the reception?’ Nikolai asked.
‘She will be.’ Libby nodded. ‘Though only for a little while, she has a performance tonight.’
‘And I’m going to ask for tickets for next week,’ Rachel said as the car pulled up at the hotel. ‘Just watch me.’
He was!
Given the venue and that Daniil owned it, of course things went smoothly. Nikolai’s name had even been added to the table plan. He was seated beside Anya and another guest but Rachel shamelessly got out her pen and moved things around so that he now sat next to her.
‘We can’t have you not knowing anyone.’
Canapés and champagne were served as the guests waited to be invited into the ballroom and he took a drink as did Rachel, though again she chatted to Libby rather than to him.
He liked that. He appreciated how neither woman pounced on him for information, though possibly because they had something more pressing on their minds.
‘How are you feeling now?’ Rachel asked.
‘I’m fine.’ Libby smiled as she took a glass of sparkling water from a waiter. ‘I haven’t had one since the church.’
‘It’s probably just a little warm-up for next week,’ Rachel reassured her.
‘Have you rung your doctor?’ Nikolai asked, and Rachel blinked at his rather assertive intrusion into what was clearly girls’ talk.
‘I don’t think that’s necessary.’ Libby smiled politely and then, as she went to turn back to Rachel, she wavered and spoke to Nikolai. ‘Do you?’
‘It can’t hurt to check.’
‘I’m sure you’ll be fine,’ Rachel said, and shot Nikolai a look that told him not to worry her friend, but Nikolai just gave her a small shrug in response.
‘Anyway, less talk of babies.’ Libby tried to drag her mind from imminent birthing. ‘Rachel, you still haven’t told me. Who’s André marrying?’
It was only then, for the very first time, that Nikolai saw the rather forward Rachel appear just a touch uncomfortable—her neck went red and she took a sip of her drink before answering.
‘I don’t want to talk about André.’
‘Oh, come on,’ Libby pushed. ‘I miss all the gossip. Who is she?’
‘Just someone he met when we were on tour.’
‘You’re not going to go to the wedding, are you?’ Libby said. ‘How bloody awkward would that be, given that you two were—’
‘Libby,’ Rachel snapped. ‘Can you just drop it?’
He could see Rachel’s discomfort—more than that, he could feel it. He watched as she almost leapt on a passing waiter, holding up her glass and asking for more champagne.
Her glass was replaced with a full one and as Rachel took a grateful sip she met Nikolai’s slightly questioning gaze but thankfully they were then summoned to go through.
The ballroom looked incredible.
Dressed in shades of white, from the lavish white roses to the crisp tablecloths, it was picture perfect. The air was fragrant and as they took their seats thankfully Libby seemed to have forgotten what they had been discussing.
‘Anya!’ Nikolai stood as she approached and kissed her on the cheek. ‘It is good to see you. I hear you are doing well.’
‘I am,’ Anya said, and, out of the corner of his eye, Nikolai watched as Libby and Rachel shared a small smile at Anya’s arrogance.
It was a lovely meal, at least, for those who ate it.
Libby was struggling. She could barely manage to drink her water and declined an entrée, whereas Anya shook off the dressing and nibbled on a small piece of Cornish crab.
Rachel and Nikolai dived in.
‘It’s such heaven not to have to watch my weight,’ Rachel groaned as her main course of beef Wellington was served.
Anya’s meal wasn’t so gleefully received and she promptly pushed her plate away.
‘Is there a problem?’ the waiter checked.
‘No problem,’ Anya responded.
Nikolai chatted in Russian to Anya and made no apology for it. It was nice to speak with her because Anya was so self-absorbed that she really asked nothing of him.
‘I will have to leave as soon as the speeches are finished,’ Anya explained, and then told him about her rise to the top, her career, and then Nikolai asked her a question.
‘How long have you been in touch with Daniil?’
‘He and Libby came and saw me perform a few months ago. Since then.’
‘And what about Sev?’
‘I don’t really know him.’
‘What about Roman?’
Anya shrugged. ‘I don’t spend my free time looking up people from the orphanage where my mother used to work.’ She glanced at Rachel, who was sulking at being ignored as they spoke in Russian. ‘You have a fan.’
‘I know,’ Nikolai said. The odd thing was he was fast becoming a fan of Rachel’s.
‘How have you been?’ she asked.
‘I’m well.’
‘That’s good.’
She was as Russian as he. No emotion on display and her indifference was soothing, though Nikolai knew that at some point, if he kept in touch, questions would come.
For now, though, there was no probing. At least, not from his left. To his right, Rachel, clearly less than impressed that his back was to her and he was speaking in Russian, was trying to
squeeze into the conversation.
‘Anya...’ She leant forward and spoke around Nikolai. ‘I have to say I really want to—’
‘I’m just going to the loo,’ Libby interrupted.
‘Do you want me to come with you?’ Rachel offered.
‘Rachel,’ Libby warned. ‘You don’t need to hold my hand. I’m fine.’
Now Anya and Rachel shared a look.
‘You’ve seen me perform, then?’ Anya deigned to address Rachel.
‘Many times.’ Rachel nodded. ‘I’d been to see Firebird a couple of times before you took the lead and I was very annoyed when Libby was there and I missed it.’
‘Vera was annoyed too,’ Anya smirked.
‘Vera?’
‘Atasha—the previous lead.’
‘I came for your second performance,’ Rachel said. ‘I wrote a piece on it.’
‘For who?’ Anya asked.
‘For me.’
Anya wasn’t interested in that. Instead, she turned to Nikolai and spoke now in English. ‘You should come and see me.’
Oh, so it wasn’t sold out for him!
‘I’m not interested in ballet,’ came Nikolai’s response.
They were all so rude to each other! Rachel thought.
‘You should have said yes,’ Rachel hissed at him. ‘You could have given the ticket to me!’
‘Tickets,’ Nikolai said.
‘Tease.’
Libby returned to her seat and it was she now who fidgeted.
‘Do you think you should do what Nikolai—?’ Rachel started, but Libby shot her a look.
‘The speeches are starting,’ Libby said.
The father of the bride went first and that was very boring, Rachel thought. Then it was Sev, who made a toast to absent family and friends and raised a glass in the direction of Nikolai. Rachel was more focused on Libby breathing rather deeply beside her. But when Daniil stood to deliver the best man’s speech Rachel found that she was hanging on every word as he offered some insight into the time at the orphanage where Nikolai had been raised. She wanted to know more about the man who sat beside her. He fascinated Rachel. It was not just that he was so good looking, it was more the mystery that surrounded him and that he had offered no update to anyone on the intervening years.
Billionaire Without a Past (Irresistible Russian Tycoons) Page 3
