Page 200 of Snowbound Surrender

Finally, she spoke. “You must think me very strange, Maxim.”

“No,” he countered gently. “Just upset.”

Annika sighed heavily, her breath warm in the freezing air. “None of this seems real, do you think? I mean, it is Christmas Eve tomorrow, and then the next day…”

No words followed this statement. Whether from her words, or the freezing air around them, her cheeks had pinked.

“The next day is your wedding day,” he said lightly, “if you choose it. Unless you have cold feet.”

She laughed and looked down at her thin boots. “In only one sense, Maxim. Believe it or not, I…I am actually considering forcing you to marry me.”

Relief and joy rushed through Maxim’s body in equal measure. “You mean that?”

Her blue eyes glanced at him and she nodded.

Was this situation real? Maxim swallowed, trying to maintain his equilibrium as his emotions flew around inside him. This was not what he came here for, he came here to hide his secret and claim the Czardom that he was owed.

But would any of it mean anything, if he did not have Annika by his side?

“You had better prepare all of your medals, by the way,” Annika was saying with a chuckle. “My father is planning the whole thing out to his satisfaction, and I think he would quite enjoy a military feel. You don’t have any more, do you?”

“Medals?” Maxim shook his head. “I could always rustle up a few.”

She grinned. “I think Father is far more interested in the preparations than I am.”

“Well,” said Maxim as they turned another corner, “I did say that I would marry him if he asked me to.”

The sound of Annika’s laughter seemed to bounce off the frozen trees, giving the whole world a different light.

“He has always dreamed about walking me down the aisle,” she said confidingly, “and it seems callous not to give him that opportunity.”

“And have you always dreamed of walking down the aisle?”

It felt like an innocent question – until the words were out of his mouth, and he saw the expression of fear on her face. Why did such a simple question provoke such a response?

“Once,” she said quietly. “But not for very long.”

Questions whirled in Maxim’s mind like the snow starting to pick up around him, but it was clear by Annika’s tone, and the way she refused to meet his eye, that this was not a conversation she would be drawn on.

Well, everyone should be allowed at least one secret. They were happy together, and it looked like nothing could stop their nuptials in just two days. What did a crush, years ago and with no consequences, matter to him?

Their walk took them down a long walkway. Coming towards them was a young lady, solitary, and dressed in the latestfashions. She had evidently ignored the Prince Regent’s desire for more formal attire.

About twenty yards before she met them, a gentleman appeared around a corner and shouted something. She stopped, waited for him to join her, and then kissed him full on the mouth before they started walking arm in arm.

“Good day,” the young lady said with a flirtatious smile.

“Good day,” Annika replied quietly, inclining her head.

Maxim looked back after a minute. “Who was that couple, and a very happily married couple they are too.”

“Not quite,” said Annika gently. “That is the Earl of Marnmouth and Miss Emma Tilbury.”

It took a moment for her words to sink in, and then Maxim turned back to take another look at them. They were no longer arm in arm, but standing in the path, kissing passionately as though the whole world had melted away.

“MissEmma Tilbury?”

Annika nodded. “I believe Miss Tilbury has been the Earl’s mistress for a number of years.”