Free The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons Page B

chill. Having met Alexander, having walked with Alexander, having smiled at Alexander, Tatiana grimly understood that Dasha’s relationship with him was not some transient fling soon to be ended on the steps of Peterhof or in the gardens of the Admiralty. Tatiana had no doubt her sister meant it this time. “Don’t explain anything, Dasha,” said Tatiana.
    “Tania, someday you’ll understand.”
    Squinting sideways, Tatiana looked up at her sister sitting on the edge of the bed. She opened her mouth. A moment passed.
    She wanted to say, but, Dasha, Alexander crossed the street for
me.
    He got on the bus for
me,
and went to the outskirts of town for
me.
    But Tatiana couldn’t say any of that to her older sister.
    What she wanted to say to Dasha was, you’ve had plenty. You can get yourself a new one any time you want. You’re charming and bright and beautiful, and everybody likes you. But him I want for myself.
    What she wanted to say was,
but what if he likes me best?
    Tatiana said nothing. She wasn’t sure any of it was true. Especially the last part. How could he like Tatiana best? Look at Dasha with her hair and her flesh. And maybe Alexander crossed the street for Dasha, too. Maybe he went across town, across the river for Dasha at three o’clock in the bright morning when the Neva bridges were up. Tatiana had nothing to say. She closed her mouth. What a waste, what a joke it all had been.
    Dasha studied her. “Tania, Dimitri is a soldier… . I don’t know if you’re quite ready for a soldier.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “Nothing, nothing. But we might need to spruce you up a bit.”
    “Spruce me up, Dasha?” said Tatiana, her heart backing into her lungs.
    “Yes, you know, maybe a little lipstick, maybe have a little talk…” Dasha pulled Tatiana’s hair.
    “Maybe we’ll do that. Another day, though, all right?”
    In her white dress with red roses, Tatiana curled up, facing the wall.
3
    Alexander was walking fast down Ligovsky.
    They were silent for a few minutes, and then Dimitri, still not catching his breath, said, “Nice family.”
    “Very nice,” said Alexander calmly. He was not out of breath. And he did not want to talk to Dimitri about the Metanovs.
    “I remember Dasha,” Dimitri said, barely keeping up with Alexander. “I’ve seen her with you a few times at Sadko, haven’t I?”
    “Yes.”
    “Her sister is something, though, don’t you think?”
    Alexander didn’t reply.
    Dimitri continued. “Georgi Vasilievich said Tania was nearly seventeen.” His head shuddered. “Seventeen! Remember us at seventeen, Alexander?”
    Alexander kept on walking. “Too well.” He wished he could remember himself at seventeen
less
. Dimitri was talking to him. “I didn’t hear. What?”
    “I said,” Dimitri said patiently, “do you think she is a young seventeen or an old seventeen?”
    “Too young for you, Dimitri, regardless,” Alexander said coolly.
    Dimitri was silent. “She is very pretty,” he finally said.
    “Yes. Still too young for you.”
    “What do you care? You’re close to the older sister, I’m going to get to know the younger.” Dimitri chuckled. “Why not? We could make a… foursome, don’t you think? Two best friends, two sisters… there’s a symmetry—”
    “Dima,” said Alexander, “what about Elena last night? She told me she liked you. I can introduce you next week.”
    Waving him off, Dimitri said, “You actually
talked
to Elena?” He laughed. “No. I can get dozens like Elena. Besides, why not Elena, too? No. Tatiana is not like the others.” He rubbed his hands together and smiled.
    Not a muscle moved on Alexander’s face. Not a tic in his eye, not a tightening of his lips, not a furrowing of his brow. Nothing moved, except his legs, faster and faster down the street.
    Dimitri broke into a trot. “Alexander, wait. About Tania… I just want to make sure… you don’t mind, do you?”
    “Of course, not, Dima,” Alexander said