Free A Sister's Quest by Jo Ann Ferguson

face could not have been anything but desire—the same desire tormenting her as she thought of his eager kisses.
    Michelle sighed. She never would figure out this enigmatic man, and she was not sure if she wanted to. It would be best to forget about his touch and think only of the job she had been hired to do. That was impossible, she knew, as she lowered her skirts and bent to hook the buttons on her shoes.
    â€œHere. Let me help.” Alexei knelt again and swiftly closed her half boots. “Why do you wear these clumsy things? Ladies are wearing slippers now.”
    â€œFashion is not important to me.”
    â€œThat I have noticed.” When he offered his arm again, she put her hand on it gingerly.
    She was not sure if he would smile or lash out at her. He did neither. While they walked down the narrow steps to the common room, he said nothing.
    Her nose wrinkled at the odors left from too many meals. At supper, the meat and bread on her plate had resembled slops given to hogs. Her middle cramped, making her regret that she had eaten at all.
    Several men lounged about the room, but she was the only woman. The innkeeper stood behind a table that held a keg and a pyramid of pewter tankards. No candles were lit. The flames from the hearth offered the only light. No one seemed to mind, but she did not want to call attention to herself by tripping over an uneven board.
    Or more attention. Every eye was focused on her, including those of their coachman, who was laughing with several men she had never seen. She wanted to flick away their lecherous gazes and was grateful when Alexei motioned for her to sit. Her gratitude vanished when she saw the man across from her.
    â€œGood evening, Rusak,” she said softly, trying to be pleasant to this man who considered her an interloper. Whether Rusak was jealous or protective of Alexei, she could not guess. All she knew was that he despised her.
    When a mug of beer was placed in front of her, Alexei sat next to her and held up his own mug. “To our good fortune. May our good luck come quickly and frequently.” He took a hearty drink and wiped his foamy mustache with his sleeve. “Drink up, Michelle.”
    â€œI have never had beer before.”
    â€œThen ’tis time that you did.”
    She recognized the challenge in his voice. She did not look at him as she lifted the heavy tankard. Taking a deep breath, she drank. Beer splashed on the table as she choked on the acrid flavor. Alexei slapped her companionably on the back.
    â€œI am glad I am giving you a good laugh,” she said past her scratchy throat.
    â€œActually, it is good beer.”
    She pushed her mug toward him. “Then have mine.”
    â€œAll right.” He poured some in his tankard and held the rest up in Rusak’s direction. When Rusak nodded, he dumped the rest in his mug.
    Some message she could not understand passed between the two men. Alexei comprehended his friend as no one else could. They shared an alien language of glances and motions she doubted she could learn.
    When she rose, Alexei glanced up, surprised. “Are you leaving, Michelle?”
    â€œI am tired, and I am interfering with your fun.” She frowned. “Of course, you will have to find someone else to hoax once I have left. Good night, Alexei, Rusak.”
    Rusak nodded with satisfaction, but Alexei downed his beer in a single swallow and placed the mug on the table. He stood. “Get me a refill, Rusak. I shall be back.”
    â€œDon’t bother,” Michelle said. “I can walk up the stairs alone.”
    He put his arm around her waist and steered her toward the steps. “I am sure you can, Liebchen , but I do not like the way the men are watching you.”
    â€œAgain?” When she started to turn, he pushed her up the stairs ahead of him.
    â€œStill,” he corrected. “Pretty ladies like you cause trouble without trying.”
    She did not answer. When