As promised here's the next chapter. Don't forget to review. Thank you.

Chapter Six: Depleted

Nicholas struggled to contain his glee as he sipped his brandy. His daughter, his precious daughter had returned home. He had been surprised to be summoned by his doorman. The poor old man had been far too excited to speak, fumbling with hand gestures to point towards the downstairs. He had quickly put on a robe and descended to investigate the matter. The moment he reached the bottom of the stairs, he'd literally been struck senseless. Standing in the foyer had been his Antoinette alongside her daughter, who was a diminutive copy of her lovely mother.

"Antoinette." he whispered.

"Monsieur," He'd nearly winced at the formality of her tone. "Forgive me for being here at this late hour and unannounced, but I must speak with you urgently."

"Antoinette, why are you here?" He'd taken her slender hands in his before bestowing an ardent kiss upon them. He'd felt her tense under his touch.

Their awkward reunion had underlined how cautious he had to be with Antoinette. She was obviously uncomfortable with his attentions, firmly keeping him at arm's length. He would tread the waters carefully around her, and gradually ease any doubts that may persist in her mind. His daughter and his Antoinette were both under his roof. His emotions were far too elevated for him to rest. He had acceded to Antoinette's desire to retire for the evening. The weariness of her journey reflected on her lovely face. No matter how much he craved to rush to her side, he refused to yield to his instincts. There would be time for them to speak. He knew he had to approach her with rigid restraint; otherwise all his hopes and desires would deteriorate before he had the opportunity to voice them. He closed his eyes as he allowed the brandy to pacify his elated heart.

Despite his joy, he could not ignore the persisting questions that nagged at him. He had not wish to question Tatiana as to her sudden appearance. He was not under any illusions her return home was sanctioned by Vladimir. Her attire had not escaped his attention either. He was concerned as to what had transpired to sway his daughter to travel in such a manner. It wasn't difficult to speculate she had traveled in such a manner as to avoid detection. He refused to speculate further until they discussed her return in the morning. He was certain she would provide an acceptable explanation to his questions and arm him with information to defend her actions if need be. He doubted her return would go unnoticed, especially given her prolonged absence.

Setting his glass aside he began to remove his robe. Despite his fatigue, he knew it sleep would evade him for some time. How could he possibly sleep when the woman he loved was only a few doors down the hall?

"Please wake up, Ana...I know you are tired but it's important." Meg pleaded. Tatiana groaned into her pillow. Just a few more minutes, her fatigued mind argued. She opened an eye to see Meg alert and leaning over her.

"Can't it wait?" she asked pulling the covers over her head.

"Your father wishes you to join us for lunch since you missed breakfast." Meg pulled the covers off.

"Fine," Tatiana huffed as she leaned up on one elbow while she tried to read the time. "What time is it?"

"You have to get up, it nearly eleven." Meg pulled back the curtains allowing the blinding sunlight to penetrate her shadowed room. "We will be having lunch in an hour which would give us enough time to get you ready."

Tatiana watched as Meg rushed toward her luggage and tried to pull something for her to wear. Throughout their journey she had been dressed in men's clothing. Madame Giry insisting the camouflaged appearance would shield her from anyone actively seeking to find her. The gentle older woman had been correct. She had traveled anonymously until their arrival. She frowned as she thought about the unpleasant situation she had encountered. It was a matter she had brushed aside too exhausted to care, however now she found herself intrigued by the stranger who dared to confront her.

"You must have been exhausted," Meg commented as she looked over a shirt and shook her head in disapproval before setting it aside, "I have been up since dawn."

"I was, we don't all have your ebullient attitude." She teased.

Meg Giry had been positively radiant with excitement throughout their journey. Tatiana had noted how similar they were in age, yet different their outlook and personalities. With a twinge of lament she noted there was a time not too long ago when they would not have been so different. Despite their differences she had become rather fond of Meg. Her blond hair was styled in a very simplistic, partially down and partially pulled back by a ribbon. Must girls stopped wearing their down when they reached the age of sixteen, yet Meg continued to do so, apparently ignorant or uncaring of the unwritten decorum.

"I cannot believe this is the same place you called 'Our little house by the sea'!"

"Well to me it was a little house compared to our home is Saint Petersburg," she admitted as she leisurely stretched her limps, "father prefers this property to the rest."

"How many do you have?" Meg asked star-eyed as she laid out a corset and undergarments.

"My father owns ten properties in Russia and a few scattered in Europe."

"How can you own so much?" Meg asked bewildered.

"Generations of accumulation and a thinning family line." She remarked with a touch of melancholy.

"But you are going to inherit it all." Meg said in awe. "I never dreamed a person could own so much."

"Yes but at what price?"

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing, ignore me," Tatiana shrugged as she looked at her scarce wardrobe. "I may have to borrow a dress."

"You are welcome to my clothing, but they may not be long enough to be deemed appropriate."

Tatiana knew it was true as she was several inches taller than her petite companion. It was not the first time her unconventional height had proved cumbersome.

"You are right." she went to the corner of her room and pulled on a cream cord that hanged from the wall.

"What are you doing?"

"Summoning a servant," she frowned as she looked around the room, "they'll be able to find me something suitable."

She walked into her dressing room and despite its immaculate state it lacked many of her personal belongings. Another subtle reminder of how life at home had continued on without her.

"You are home," Meg said shyly as she entered the dressing room, "but you do not seem content."

"It's difficult to explain but do not doubt I am relieved to be home," she turned to look at Meg, "yet despite my rejoice, there are some lingering sentiments which I find difficult to evade."

"You should not be afraid," Meg placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, "you cannot be harmed here. I'm sure your father will be able to help you resolve all your problems."

"I wish I could share your optimism," Tatiana gave Meg a weary smile, "I'm afraid I've grown frightfully skeptical."

"I know I'm ignorant in many aspects. I have never been married and have hardly suffered as you have, but I believe a little hope can go a long way." Meg offered sheepishly. "You are unlike any other woman I've ever met. You are brave in ways I could never be."

"I'm not brave," Tatiana laughed lightly, "stubborn and irrational at times, but never brave."

"But Ana, you faced him!" Tatiana titled her head in slight confusion. "How did you manage to take him down last night?" she asked shyly.

"Oh him," Realization flashed across her features as she shrugged her shoulders. "I kicked him between the knees."

"You what? Were you not afraid him?"

"He's just another man."

"Ana, he isn't just another man, he's-" a knock interrupted.

"Come it." Tatiana called out as she and Meg walked back into the bedroom.

"You called Madame?" a pretty little maid asked as she eagerly approached.

"Yes. I'm afraid I need clothing."

"The Prince had your clothing stored, we can have them ready for you within a few hours.

"Very well," Tatiana smiled at the young girl. "Please have my personal belongings returned to my room at once." The maid nodded in affirmation before politely excusing herself.

"At least you will be able to dress in your old clothing." Meg smiled.

"Meg," Tatiana frowned slightly as she looked around the room, "Where is your mother?"

"She is in the garden speaking with your father."

"Alone?"

"Yes."

"This should be interesting." She mumbled as an elegant eyebrow slightly rose.

"Why?"

"Meg do not tell me you never heard of our parents previous liaison?" she asked in a cautious tone.

"Liaison?"

"Little Meg Giry, you really do need to pay more attention to your surrounding sometimes." Tatiana teased lightly.

Meg said nothing as she walked towards the large window overlooking the garden. Noting her silence, Tatiana could not help but wonder if Meg was prepared to accept her mother may have a personal life outside of being a mother.

Meg lingered only long enough to assist her in dressing. The maids had been effective in preparing her casual yet comfortable attire for the day. She recognized the beige dress with red trimmings. As Meg helped her dress, she realized no major alterations would be required. The dress had been bought for her before her marriage; her figure had not been altered in that time. Her changes were not physical, she thought with some grimace as Meg assisted her with her hair. She had never cared for the richly complicated hairstyles favored by most women. She elected to style her hair candidly in a bun with a braid wrapped around it. She had no need to be pretentious, nor did she care to be. For the first time in years, she was free to decide on her personal appearance. She smiled as she stared at her reflection. She was no longer a Countess or Princess, but just a woman. A woman with the freedom to choose, she sighed contently.

"I'm going to go freshen up," Meg smiled over her shoulder, "I'll see you downstairs."

"I'll be down shortly." Tatiana watched as Meg left her alone for the first time since she had awakened. There were many thoughts racing through her troubled mind. Explanations were due, yet she dreaded the pending conversation with her father. There were many things she knew she would need to discuss. Troubling confessions which would bring scandal and shame should they ever be revealed. She could not feign to be unaffected by them. Her secrets had been her own for so long, her torment her own; the concept of discussing them in the open deeply shamed her. She had only shared tidbits of information with Madame Giry, and even then, it had been ambiguous and brief. She inhaled deeply as she reached for a perfume bottle. She added some perfume to her neck and wrist, elated to find her old favored fragrance amongst the personal items returned to her dressing table. Content with her appearance she gave herself an affirmative nod as she resolved to speak with her father candidly. The truth however painful was always best.

She walked out of her room determined to find her father, even if it meant tearing him from Madame Giry's side. Just as she was about to pass the first door a gloved hand reached out and pulled her into the room. A small indignant cry escaped her as the closed behind her. She turned to see a man staring at her fiercely with the keenest green eyes she had ever seen. So captivated was she, it was several moments before she realized there was a white porcelain mask concealing half of his face.

Madame Giry walked in silence with Nicholas as she admired his beautiful garden. From the exotic plants and flowers, to the classical status scattered throughout, it was utterly charming. She had been too exhausted the previous night to admire the home Nicholas had often vibrantly described in his letters. It was surreal to be walking along his side. Despite their mutual silence, she could not ignore her fretful nervous which undermined her cool demeanor. The stopped before a fountain of a cherub pointing to the sky as he rode a swan. It reminded of her a similar status she had once seen in a museum in Paris.

"I hope you are comfortable Antoinette." Nicholas whispered as he took her hand in his. It was impossible to ignore the sensual undertone to his voice, or the subtle manner in which his fingers moved over hers. She felt herself turning redder than a tomato as his lips lifted into an amused smirk.

"Why do silent? Am I disturbing you?" he asked innocently as he lightly brushed his lips over her knuckles.

"No, Nicky it's just...it does not seem possible to be truly here." She was behaving a like a school girl! She silently reproached herself for her fumbling words. How could one man breach her prudent resolve? Not any man, just this one…a voice within whispered.

"I have missed you Antoinette." he breathed against her skin as he kissed the back of her palm, "more than you can ever possibly know."

Their eyes locked in a heated gaze neither attempted to break. She could have sworn she saw a flood of wanton emotions that mirrored her own. Her hand came up to cup his cheek slightly. He closed his eyes in apparent bliss before tilting his head slightly to press his lips against her palm. His eyes opened, to look at her with a silent plea. Unable to resist the lure, she slowly nodded her head in silent affirmation. She closed her eyes as his lips descended upon hers. A feeble gasp escaped her lips as their lips at last made contact. Years of repressed longing engulfed them both as they kissed without restraint. Their lips met again and again, in a wild passionate dance neither had forgotten. Her arms went around his neck as his arms went around her small waist bringing her slim form closer to him.

The intensity of their embrace was purely primitive as both caressed one another in a manner that would be considered obscene by the standards of their time, but she did not care. Her hands traveled down his shoulders over his arms, delighting in the sensations she had long abstained from. As their kiss deepened it evoked a strenuous groan from Nicholas. Suddenly all laws of prudency returned to her hazed mind as she abruptly broke their kiss. She turned away from Nicholas, hiding her mortified expression.

"Antoinette, forgive me." Nicholas pleaded, "I got carried away." he turned her around so she could look him in the eyes. "I have loved and wanted you for years." She blushed even redder at his earnest words.

"Nicky, you shouldn't say such things. It is not proper." She hissed. He laughed gently as he leaned in, nuzzling his nose in her neck.

"Antoinette, Antoinette what am I to do with you and your modesty?" he kissed her forehead.

"Monsieur are...oh, my... impossible." Her mind was clouded with a long neglected passion which impaired her ability to speak.

"For being honest? Don't you think we deserve to have some happiness in this life?" he whispered into her ear causing her toes to curl.

She didn't answer she was afraid of where their conversation was going.

"Nicky, this is not the time to speak of such things." She gently pushed him away. His lust filled eyes morphed into genuine hurt.

She turned to leave but was stopped at the sound of his deflated voice.

"Antoinette what are you afraid of?" She lowered her head and bit her lip before turning around to face him.

"Of us Nicky," She looked at him with deep but hesitant longing before walking back towards the house.

A/N: Next chapter will be next week, maybe sooner, no promises.