He stroked her hair slowly and rhythmically as he replied. “Many of the guards in the house dreamed of marrying one of the Romanov girls, but I never dared to think such thoughts. I just liked you very much. From the newspapers I had expected you to be haughty and conceited, but you were utterly natural and friendly and you won my heart in an instant. It meant so much to me that you had tears in your eyes when I told you of my father dying. And since we have been here, your courage has taken my breath away. I love your intelligence, your beauty, but most of all I love the strength I can feel in you.”

Maria blinked. She didn’t feel strong at all. “That is sweet of you to say, but I am worried you are only staying with me because you feel a sense of obligation, having rescued me. When we leave here, if you want, you can take me somewhere safe and leave me. You need not feel you have to stay with me because of what has happened between us tonight.” She held her breath.

“Never!” he cried with passion. “I would never leave you. Not as long as you want me, at any rate.” He paused. “But perhaps you only think you have fallen in love with me because I saved you? Once you are back in society, I will be a misfit and you will not wish to know me anymore.”

Maria wrapped her arms around him and clung to him, her face pressed against his. She could feel his eyelashes brushing her cheek. “I have watched you these last weeks and have grown to know and love your character. I pray with all my heart that we will never be parted again.”

She placed her lips on his and kissed him hard, trying to communicate the strength of her love without any further words.

Chapter 16

Ural Mountains, September 1918

WHEN MARIA OPENED HER EYES THE NEXT MORNING, she curled her body against the back of the sleeping Peter, all the delicious sensations of the previous night coming back to her. He stirred and she pulled him to face her, ready for more lovemaking.

When at last he rose to light a fire and prepare breakfast, she watched in a reverie, her skin tingling, already planning how she would tempt him to lie down with her again after they had eaten. She loved the way he touched her, the way their bodies fitted together. Was it wrong to do this when they were not wed? She couldn’t believe God would condemn them.