The Prince Who Loved Me (The Oxenburg Princes) by Karen Hawkins Page B

day but she’d never reappeared; she had disappeared like the morning mist. He could find another woman, he supposed, but he doubted he would find one as tempting.
    Tata Natasha clicked her tongue, a contrite look in her gaze. “Come, Alexsey. Do not look so troubled.”
    He didn’t trust her for one moment, and just lifted a brow in her direction.
    She scowled. “You have an affinity for the most unsuitable women. Why will you never select a woman of noble birth?”
    “I enjoy women who challenge me, who do not whine when they get damp or must sit in the dirt.”
    “And that is why you like the Romany women so much? Because they do not ‘whine’?”
    “They are very independent and have such spirit.” He twinkled down at her. “The truth is, I wish to find a woman like you, Tata Natasha. One who always surprises and never takes no for an answer.”
    Her expression softened, and she said grudgingly, “There are not many women like me, even among my people.”
    “There are more there than here.” He nodded toward the ballroom. “Beside you, these women are colorless.”
    “You are too particular in your tastes.” Her wrinkled fingers touched the heavy gold rope necklace that hung about her neck, one of many. With a practiced twist, she pulled it free. There, swinging from it like a heavy pendulum, was his grandfather’s kaltso , heavy with gold, the ruby flashing a deep red.
    Alexsey’s hands curled into fists. “The kaltso should be mine.”
    “You will get it when you’ve earned it.” Her voice cracked sharply. “You’ve romanticized our people, Alexsey. I sometimes think that will keep you from being a good voivode .”
    “Try me, old woman.Dyet wished it; you know he did.”
    “You know as well as I do that your grandfather would wish you to prove yourself . ” She clutched the ring, her fingers caging it as if it were alive. “I will recommend you to the council only when you’ve proven you’re mature of mind, settled in your ways, and capable of leading a people of vast complexity.”
    “I know the Romany, Tata Natasha. I’ve stayed in their tents, shared their food—”
    “Yes, yes. And slept with their women.” She sent him a sour look. “A great many of them, from what I’ve heard.”
    “Nonsense. You exaggerate, though I admit they are appealing. They are unfettered, free, and passionate.”
    “If you wish to be their leader, you cannot sweep through the women like a scythe through grass.”
    “Give me the kaltso and I’ll never sleep with another.”
    She fingered the ruby ring, her dark gaze searching his face.
    He didn’t flinch.
    After a moment, she snorted. “I don’t believe you.” She tucked the ring away.
    Alexsey’s jaw tightened. “You know I am what’s best for our people. Other than you, no one in our family understands the Romany the way I do.”
    “And what would you do if you became the voivode ?”
    “I’d build permanent camps.”
    “The Romany would never stay in one place.”
    “I don’t expect them to. They leave every spring and come back each fall. I would never change that, but I’d give them permanent camps on the river in Oxenburg—snug, safe wooden structures where they could live through the winter. It would keep them warm, dispel the damp that is so harmful to the old, and let them repair their caravans and tents for their spring journey. During the winters I’d provide schools for the young, and bring a doctor to consult with their healers.”
    “You think a doctor could teach something to a Romany healer? Ha!”
    “They could learn from one another if someone but gave them the chance,” he said quietly.
    She didn’t look convinced. “You would never get them to agree to such changes. They are people of the wind and have no wish to be walled in.”
    “I could if I were the named voivode , as Grandfather was.”
    Her expression softened. “Your Dyet Nikki was an exceptional lidir .”
    “I would never presume to say I could