The Paleys (1921-1927) - An Alternate Romanov Story

Secret

Later that night, the tide did turn in their favour. Vladimir sat hunched over his desk, trying to catch up on his correspondence, but his eyes kept drifting to the clock, watching the minutes crawl by. His mind was elsewhere, the words on the page blending into meaningless lines. He couldn't stop wondering if Tata would be able to come, if she could slip away unnoticed like before. Each tick of the clock only heightened his anticipation, making it harder to focus.

When the soft knock finally came at his door, he dropped everything, his heart pounding. He opened the door quickly, finding Tata standing there, a shadow in the dim light of the hallway. Resisting the urge to pull her into his arms right there, he ushered her inside. The door clicked shut, and in an instant, the space between them disappeared. His lips met hers as fervently as they did the day before.

As they stumbled toward the bed, Vladimir's hands moved instinctively, unbuttoning her dress with the same urgency with which she undressed him. The room was filled with the rustle of fabric and the quiet, breathless sounds between them. But this time, something was different. Vladimir was more intentional, his touch lingering on her skin, as though he was committing every inch of her to memory. He traced the curve of her collarbone, the warmth of her olive skin beneath his lips, savouring every second.

He didn't rush, knowing how fleeting this could be. Who knew when they would have another moment like this? He took his time, letting the intensity build between them, making sure no detail of her escaped his attention. When they finally collapsed into bed, their bodies entwined, the world outside ceased to exist, and at that moment, nothing mattered but the two of them.

Afterwards, they lay in the quiet, Tata resting her head on Vladimir's chest, tracing lazy circles on his skin, while he ran his fingers through her hair. The room was still, save for the sound of their steady breathing.

Something had been on Vladimir's mind since the previous night. He wasn't sure if he should bring it up, doubted if it was his place, but the intimacy of the moment they were now sharing made the question slip out in a cautious whisper.

"This isn't the first time you've snuck into someone's room like this, is it?"

Tata paused, her expression shifting from playful to thoughtful. She lifted her head, studying his face in the dim light. "Are you shocked?" she asked quietly and gently.

Vladimir hesitated. He had been shocked at first. He thought he knew everything about Tata, believed she existed in the same sheltered world as his sisters, where they were surrounded by people who made sure such intimacies were almost impossible. But he didn't want her to see that in his reaction, so instead, he smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"Not shocked, just... surprised," he admitted, though his tone wasn't entirely sincere. "Maybe I'm being hypocritical, but I thought there were governesses and ladies-in-waiting, all making things like this nearly impossible. And I can't help but wonder if I'm missing something with Irina and Natalia... since you're their best friend."

Tata chuckled softly and pressed a light kiss to his chest, momentarily throwing off his thoughts. "That does sound a little hypocritical," she teased, "coming from someone who is fully enjoying the benefits of my sneaking skills."

Vladimir couldn't help but laugh quietly, but his curiosity remained.

Tata leaned back slightly, her gaze serious now. "Irina and Natalia know nothing about this part of my life," she said. "I've been careful to keep it hidden from them. They're both well-protected—your family takes care of that. My situation is... different."

She paused for a moment before continuing. "My mother isn't exactly diligent with the people she chooses to watch over me. To be honest, I think she doesn't care what I do when she's not looking." There was no bitterness in her voice, only a matter-of-fact resignation. "It's given me more freedom than Irina or Natalia would ever have."