Page 187 of Snowbound Surrender
Anne stared in disbelief. “Do you mean to say you are enjoying this kind of attention?”
Maxim shrugged. “‘Tis better than no attention at all.”
Her mouth fell open. Well, if that was the way he was going to approach life, then he was certainly not the man for her.
“My dear ones!” Sir Thomas had rushed over to them, all smiles, and Anne plastered one of her own onto her face for his sake. “To think, the Prince Regent of our land saying my daughter’s name, not once, but twice! Ah, this is a happy day indeed! The announcement of your betrothal!”
“Father, keep your voice down,” Anne said quietly. “And remember, this is a marriage of convenience only, nothing more.”
But Sir Thomas was not to be dissuaded from celebration. “Here, you must meet Meredith – Meredith Marsh, come here!”
Anne’s heart leapt. “No, let her speak with – ”
Meredith approached their group hesitantly, hiding behind Sir Thomas and peering out at Maxim from behind his safety.
Anne swallowed. She had had no plans for introducing Maxim to Meredith, and had intended to shield her from the wedding plans.
“This is Maxim,” her father was saying. “Well, that’s not his full name – I think it is Alex Dimity…”
“Alexei Dmitry Immanuil Maximilian Konstantinvich,” said Maxim quietly. “But my friends call me Maxim, and I would like it if you would.”
Anne watched Meredith carefully, but she did nothing but blink silently from behind Sir Thomas.
“Well then,” said Anne briskly. “That part is over, the announcement is made.”
Maxim placed his hand on hers. “I think this has been sufficiently uncomfortable for everyone. Sir Thomas, Miss Meredith, my future bride and I are leaving.”
“L-Leaving?” Sir Thomas spluttered.
Anne stared. “Where are we going?”
Maxim smiled, and something lurched in Anne’s stomach. “Not far, I promise you. I think we have spent enough time in this stuffy court and I could do with fresh air.”
The thought of escaping the stares and gossip around her was enticing.
“Meredith, stay with Papa.”
The girl nodded, and Anne sighed as she and Maxim left the hot room.
“Thank you.”
Maxim stared, confusion across his features as they walked down a corridor. “For what?”
“For rescuing me from those stares,” she said heavily as they stepped outside. “I cannot bear it.”
He laughed and squeezed her hand. “My dear Annika, you will need to become accustomed to that when you are a Czarina.”
She could not help but laugh, it was so ridiculous – but that laugh became a gasp as she saw two beautiful horses, just waiting to be ridden.
A rushof warmth suffused across Maxim’s body as he watched Anne smile. When was the last time he had brought such joy to anyone?
“Oh, they are beautiful,” she breathed.
Maxim watched her gently release her hand from his arm, and move quietly and without sudden jerks towards them. It was evident that she was not only an excellent horsewoman, but one who appreciated the steeds for their own merits. Instead of rushing towards them, allowing her own excitement to overwhelm her, she moved slowly, allowing them to move towards her curiously.
“Thunder and Lightning,” he said with a smile.
Anne turned back to look with laughter in her eyes. “You did not honestly name them that?”
