Katerina's Secret by Mary Jane Staples

prowling because he’s an agent of your enemies. If they suspect you’re here, if he was trying to get a good look at you—’
    â€˜He did not get a good look,’ she said, ‘he saw nothing of me. I concealed myself as soon as I glimpsed him. Boris Sergeyovich, you’ll permit Celeste to bring her English friend, won’t you? He’s only staying at the hotel for the winter. He’ll come, and then go. So one more friend, please, just one?’
    It was not wholly a wish for another friend, he thought. There was something else, something perhaps to do with the longing of a woman who had never known the love of a man. That was dangerous. But she had been denied ordinary communication with people for years. An Englishman with crippled lungs, a friend of the entirely charming young French girl, perhaps that need not be very dangerous.
    â€˜I must protect you, Katerina Pyotrovna, yes,’he said, ‘but can’t bring myself to starve you. It’s I who have a weak heart, not you. But you’ve never asked for the impossible, nor made my responsibilities too difficult, although sometimes I’ve suffered a little worry. Very well, invite him to call. In two days. With the girl.’
    Her expressive eyes were quite moist with gratitude.
    â€˜I’m sure it will not put me at risk,’ she said. ‘I’m sure we’re sometimes too sensitive about the dangers of recognition. There can only be a few people outside our own country who know me.’
    â€˜Our sensitivity, Katerina Pyotrovna, is something that tells us the world can be a very small one at times.’
    â€˜Yes, I agree,’ she said, ‘but I am in need of friends, friends who will be a pleasure to me, not a danger. These two friends, Celeste and the Englishman.’
    â€˜Merely a pleasure?’ he said, watching her.
    â€˜That is all,’ said Katerina Pyotrovna. But her heart and her blood were already affected, and had Dr Kandor felt her pulse at that moment, he would have found a flutter, a flutter that had nothing to do with physical weakness, but with emotion.
    A note arrived at the hotel, delivered by aservant and addressed to Mlle Celeste Michel.
    Dear Celeste,
    I am happy to tell you that Dr Kandor has diagnosed an improvement in my condition. Therefore, if you wish, you may bring Monsieur Somers to see me in two days’ time, on Thursday at two thirty. I hope your mama will be able to spare you the time. I shall not assume that Monsieur Somers has nothing else to do, of course, but if he would like to call then I shall receive both of you with pleasure.
    I am, your most affectionate friend
    Katerina Pyotrovna.

Chapter Five
    The click of billiard balls made Rosamund Knight open the door and walk in. At the table, Colonel Brecht was practising a few shots. He straightened up. Rosamund, gowned in shimmering green, was not disposed to retreat.
    â€˜Good evening, Colonel Beck,’ she said.
    The colonel coughed.
    â€˜Ah, good evening, madame. It’s – ah – Brecht, Colonel Brecht.’ He made a stiff bow.
    â€˜I’m sorry to have disturbed you,’ she said.
    â€˜No – not at all – I am waiting for Herr Somers.’
    Edward appeared then. His dinner jacket was sleek on his lean frame. He smiled at Rosamund, full-bosomed in her gown and her bare shoulders lightly powdered. She looked extremely handsome.
    â€˜Rosamund, you’re here to play billiards?’ said Edward.
    â€˜I looked in,’ she said.
    Colonel Brecht cleared his throat.
    â€˜Naturally, if you’d like a cue – ?’ It was an awkward invitation.
    â€˜You’ve arranged a game with Colonel Beck?’ she enquired of Edward.
    â€˜An after-dinner perambulation at slow speed around the table to a hundred up,’ said Edward, ‘but if you’d care to take alternate shots with me, then do join us.’ He whispered in her ear, ‘Brecht,