Her eyes flickered open and he looked down at her, as he said, ‘I shall probably have to carry you all the way back to Verechenko. There won’t be a droshky to be found today.’ Catherine suppressed a smile. The expression in his eyes was one she had longed to see: one of tenderness. Her arms tightened around his neck. She knew her happiness could be shortlived. Soon she must tell him who she was, and she had no way of knowing what Dominic’s reaction would be, but for the moment the afternoon was theirs and Catherine wanted it to last for ever. ‘I am feeling much better now,’ she said. ‘Let’s not go back to Verechenko yet. There’s too much happening in Petersburg.’ This time there was no mistaking the anxiety in the dark eyes. ‘Are you sure?’ ‘Quite sure.’ He showed as little inclination to set her back down on her feet as Catherine felt to be set down. Carrying her as though she were no more than a feather, he strode through the excited crowd, the populace instinctively recognising one of the nobility and making way for him.
