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past her.
    ”You’re disgusting, Gypsy girl! Stooping so low as to cavort in a stable house!”
    Karina whipped around and stalked back. “It’s none of your business what I do. What’s more, don’t ever call me ‘Gypsy girl’ again.”
    Lydia put her hands on her hips. “But you are, aren’t you? A girl born in Gypsy poverty and shame. It’s no wonder Constantin speaks of you with resentment.”
    “But he does speak of me,” Karina spit back. “What’s more, he’s born from the same stock.”
    Lydia’s expression darkened. “I’d advise you to scurry back to your pathetic people and leave this fine Christmas celebration to the aristocrats.”
    “Oh, I’ll be going back all right. But it won’t be because of your blackhearted jealousy,” Karina spat. “I can’t wait to return to people who genuinely care about each other.”
    “Constantin cares about me,” Lydia said in a childlike tone.
    “Really? You don’t know Constantin. He’ll never settle down with anyone. Duty and pride rule his actions and he would never marry above his social station.”
    “He’s enchanted with me,” Lydia argued.
    “ Enchanted with you?” Karina echoed.
    “Don’t sound so surprised. I’m refined and educated.”
    “Then I can’t figure out what you want with a Gypsy man born in poverty and shame.” With that, Karina left the governess with her mouth agape.

4
    T o give his erection time to collapse, Constantin watched the fire burn inside the stable’s hearth.
    When he’d lain with Karina, the feel of her in his arms had resurrected the love he always felt for her. But when Lydia had exposed the elixir, he remembered how bloody mystifying Karina was.
    Lest he forget: reckless, selfish, devious, exasperating, and undisciplined!
    Adjusting himself with a gruff motion, he swore under his breath.
    He’d known Karina all her life, but she could still shock him. Hell. That’s precisely what intrigued him about her. She was a Gypsy through and through and she lived life to the fullest. Unlike him.
    Maybe I’m becoming jaded here at Thorncliff Towers .
    Convention and formality ruled this place, but he was growing accustomed to it. He’d even sought out a friendship with Lydia Brentwood—just to have someone to talk to. Unfortunately, the woman was too high and mighty for his tastes. Karina, on the other hand, reminded him of the fire of his people and of their directness. Gypsies said what they meant and meant what they said, and they didn’t give a damn who they offended in the process.
    Karina stirred that sense of defiance he’d lost. And tonight she’d looked so beautiful. All tumbled black hair and fiery eyes, she had stoked his red-hot desire like a dark temptress.
    While Constantin limped to the manor’s kitchen, he pictured her shining amethyst dress and shimmering hairstyle. In fascinating contrast, she was feisty, unruly Karina beneath it all. The irony had made him hunger for her desperately.
    She’d wanted him the same way, just now. He felt it. But then he learned about the vial . God damn it! Who knew what dark power that liquid contained?
    Karina was a witch—and she scared Constantin to death.
    Shaking his head, he plowed through the empty kitchen and made his way up the back stairwell. It might be too late for them to act out their passion, but they needed to decide what to do about his ill grandfather.
    Maybe she can help Papa Stoica with her powers.
    Leaning on his cane, Constantin’s leg ached from the cold. He’d have to endure the pain all winter. Glowering, he paused at Karina’s door. Pressing his ear to it, he listened. Silence greeted him.
    Is she asleep? Blast it. I probably made her cry into her pillow.
    He raised his fist and knocked on the door. “It’s me,” he called. “I feel badly for what happened in the stables. But we need to discuss Papa Stoica. If you’re not too tired, I’d like to come in.”
    More silence. He waited another instant, then knocked