As Kristal looked up to meet Rudi’s scorching gaze, he strode with ease over the safety-gate barrier and came towards her.
“And they lived happily ever after,” he finished for her. “And now I’m about to whisk away your story-teller. She’s wanted elsewhere,” he explained.
“Wiedersehen, Fredi,” she said, and allowed Rudi to open the gate for her. “Who wants me?” she enquired curiously.
“I do,” he replied, taking her arm and leading her into the study.
“I really should get back. I’ve been absent for ages.”
“A little longer won’t hurt, then,” he replied determinedly and pulled her into his arms. “Will you come to the lodge with me when the reception is over?”
“No, I most certainly won’t!” She struggled to escape, but his arms became steel bands around her. “Now, let me go—I have to get back.”
“Not till I’ve persuaded you,” he replied, cupping her face in his hands. His lips sought hers, brushing teasingly back and forth. One hand cradled her head, the other wrapped round her slender waist. She pressed her palms to his chest, feeling the pounding of his heart.
“Say you’ll come,” he said, at last ending the kiss.
“I—I can’t,” she replied, already faltering as she knew she would. He sighed, as if in defeat. “We’d better get back,” he said.
They had reached the middle of the hall when she heard Gabi call to her. “Come and help me change!” And Kristal hurried after her.
Glancing down as she sped up the stairs, she met Rudi’s bemused gaze, and once more felt the power of those scorching, melting eyes. Why did she have to love him so? Love was such a complicated and complicating emotion.
“You weren’t just surprised to discover who the bridegroom was, were you?” Gabi asked tentatively, as Kristal helped her out of the bridal gown.
“Astonished,” Kristal insisted, trying not to sound as flat as she felt.
“I—I saw your face, Kristal. I’m so sorry. You weren’t even just astonished, were you? You were deeply shocked, and I think I know why. You’re in love with Rudi, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” she agreed simply. “I’m afraid so.”
“Oh, Kristal! I’d never have played such a cruel joke, had I known.”
She disappeared into her shower, leaving Kristal to mull over what had happened. Rudi had made it perfectly clear that his only interest in her was physical, and that was all there was to it, which was why she had to take herself out of his orbit just as quickly as was decently possible.
“What do you think of my going-away outfit?” Gabi enquired as she reemerged, wrapped in a large, fluffy towel. She waved a hand at a lavender, cashmere suit and toning blouse, which were hanging on a wardrobe door.
“Absolutely gorgeous”
“I had a shopping spree only last week. I bought you something, too. Here.”
She produced a large box bearing the name of a well-known fashion house. On opening it, Kristal withdrew a suit of very similar lines to Gabi’s, but in a cinnamon shade, and a cream, silk shirt.
“I’ve already had my present! Oh, they’re beautiful, but I couldn’t accept them, Gabi.”
“Well, of course you could. What would I do with them? They’re your colours. They wouldn’t suit me.”
“All right—to please you. Can I use your shower first?”
Kristal disappeared into the bathroom and re-emerged a few moments later wearing the new outfit.
“What did I tell you!” Gabi exclaimed. “They’re perfect on you.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself! Why didn’t you marry Rudi?” she found herself asking.
Gabi laughed, a delicious peal of joy.
“I couldn’t marry Rudi! Oh, I adore him, of course, but he’s always been like a big brother to me.”
“You mean, there’s never been any romance between you?”
“Good heavens, no. Mathilde had this ridiculous hope about Rudi and me. We humoured her, but we never went along with the idea ourselves. I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry, too, that I misunderstood. I just couldn’t see how Rudi wouldn’t be in love with you. You’re a much more effervescent person than I am.”
“Which drives Rudi mad at times! Anyway, you’ve had little to be effervescent about, losing all your family, being alone in the world, and then coming here, to find yourself facing downright hostility from at least one member of the family.”
“At least one! You mean Mathilde, of course?”
“Yes, I do. But I realise now that Rudi wasn’t exactly welcoming, at first. He changed his tune when you were hurt, though. He really was upset when you ran out on him without a proper goodbye.”
“Well, I’m sorry about that, but I’m afraid I’m about to do the same thing. There’s only one thing Rudi’s interested in, as far as I’m concerned, and I love him too much to settle for an affair.”
Gabi did not reply and Kristal turned to find out why—Gabi was never short of words. She was holding a lipstick to her mouth but not applying it.
“Do you think this is a good colour to go with this outfit? Or is it a bit too purple?” she asked, changing the subject abruptly.
“I think a slightly paler one would be better. Try this one,” Kristal suggested, picking up one that was pinker, but still slightly lilac.
“There! Will I do?”
“You look wonderful!” Kristal enthused. Her expression turned serious then as she asked, “Would you do me one last favour?”
“Anything! I’m so very happy you came—even though you believed I was marrying the man you love! I only hope you find the happiness Andreas and I share. So, what is it?”
“Have a discreet word with Johann, and have him bring the car round to the side entrance in half an hour. There’s a flight I want to be on.”
The brilliance in Gabi’s eyes dulled. “If that’s what you really want.”
After apologising to Gustav for the brevity of her stay, Kristal collected her things. She used the back stairs, praying that Johann had got her message and would be waiting. Sure enough, the black car with its tinted windows was right there, the engine ticking over quietly. The boot was open so she lifted her case in and climbed in through the open back door.
Ten minutes later, she began to feel puzzled. This was definitely not the road to the airport. She tapped on the glass partition to speak to the peak-capped driver. He removed the cap and their eyes met in the mirror.
It was Rudi, she realised with shock, not Johann, at the wheel, and his amber eyes were glittering with fury. Furious herself, she slid back the partition.
“I don’t know what you’re playing at, Rudi, but I want to get to the airport immediately, and this is not the way!”
Without a word he drove on, heading for the Wienerwald, and not stopping till they had reached his house, right in the heart of it. The car came to a halt, with a screech of rubber on gravel. Flinging open his door he climbed out, wrenched the back door open and pulled her from the car.
“What are you doing?” she asked tremulously.
“Did you really think I’d let you run away from me again?” he rasped harshly.
Any further protest she might have made was cut off by his mouth on hers. She resisted, remained rigid for as long as she was able, but the battle was lost from the start. With a stifled sob, she threw her arms round his neck and held him close.
“See,” he murmured huskily. “You belong with me. Come, liebchen. You and I have to talk.”
He unlocked the door. There was no-one to let them in—Meggi was still at the reception. Once inside, he guided her to his den. He switched on the lights and while he lit the fire laid in the hearth, she went over to the dynastic chart.
“You’ve added more lines,” she commented.
“That’s right, I have.” He came to stand beside her. “Here, in the centre, you have the Hapsburgs. Over there, the von Steinbergs, and on the other side, slightly closer to the royal house, you have the Rosenbergs: your great-great-grandfather, great-grandfather, and,” he said and pointed with a ruler, “your grandmother, Analiese, then your father, Andrew von Rosenberg/Hastings, and finally, yourself, liebchen.”
“You’ve added our names!”
Tears sprang up behind her eyes. She looked again, dashing away the tears. Beside Analiese’s name she saw (= Gustav von Steinberg).
“They weren’t actually married,” she said unsteadily.
“In their hearts they were. I’ve had a long talk with Gustav, and also with Mathilde. Were it not for her, they would have married, and you would have grown up here, in Vienna, where you belong—and where I hope you’ll decide to stay.”
“I’ve already told Opa I can’t,” she explained, “and I wouldn’t want to get under Gabi’s and Andreas’s feet, when they’ve just got married.”
“You wouldn’t need to. I want you here with me, in my home.”
“Wouldn’t Meggi be shocked?”
“Shocked? She’s been telling me for years it’s time I married some nice, little fraulein, and raised lots of little von Steinbergs.” He drew her into his arms.
“Will you marry me, Kristal?” he asked with unaccustomed humility. “I know I don’t deserve you, but I do love you. I even hoped—”
“I love you, too,” she assured him, removing the troubled uncertainty from his brow. “And yes, I’d love to marry you.”
“My love,” he said, his eyes scorching into her soul.
Then their lips met in a long, searing kiss…