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

Caught

Tata was the first to recover from the silent shock wave between her, Natalia and Vladimir. Although her cheeks were still slightly flushed, her movements remained remarkably calm. She adjusted the baby in her arms, gently patting his back as if nothing had happened. Then, with a serene smile — as though she hadn't just been caught in a moment that made Natalia feel like the floor had dropped out from under her feet — Tata turned to Irina.

"Here," she said softly, handing the baby back. "He's absolutely perfect, Irina. You're doing a wonderful job."

Irina beamed, oblivious to the tension in the room.

"Thank you," Irina said, cradling the baby close.

Then, Tata turned back to Natalia.

"Shall we take a walk, Natasha? You look like you could use some fresh air."

Natalia's mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. A walk? Fresh air? After what she'd just witnessed? Her mind was still trying to make sense of what she had seen, replaying Vladimir's panicked face and Tata's almost blasé reaction. Before she could protest, Tata gently linked their arms and steered her toward the door. Still too stunned to resist, Natalia allowed herself to be led through corridors and doors until they were outside in the garden.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Tata sighed and said lightly, "You're being dramatic."

"Dramatic?!" Natalia hissed, pulling her arm free and spinning to face Tata. "That was my brother's hand on your back! My brother, Tata! Who, by the way, used to be your teacher? And you... you didn't even flinch!"

Tata folded her arms, tilting her head as if Natalia were the one behaving strangely.

"What was I supposed to do? Scream and send poor Irina into hysterics? I don't have a flair for the theatrical."

Natalia stared at her, incredulous.

"A flair for the—" She cut herself off with an exasperated groan, throwing her head back. "How long?"

Tata raised an eyebrow. "How long what?"

"Don't play dumb!" Natalia snapped. "How long has this been going on? And don't even think about saying it was nothing because I saw the look on your face when you realized what he was doing."

Tata hesitated, but before she could respond, the sound of footsteps on the gravel made them both turn. Vladimir was striding toward them as if there was a fire, and he happened to have a hose just lying around.

"Oh, great," Natalia muttered under her breath. "The man of the hour."

He stopped in front of them, looking between the two women like a man preparing for battle.

"Natasha," he said, nodding at her briefly before focusing on Natalia. "Let me explain."

Natalia crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.

"Oh, I cannot wait to hear it."

Tata stepped between them, clearly trying to keep the situation from escalating.

"There's really nothing to explain, Natasha. You're blowing this way out of proportion."

Natalia leaned to the side to glare at Vladimir.

"She says I'm being dramatic. What do you think, Bodia? Am I imagining things? Did I hallucinate your hand on her back? Or the fact that neither of you seemed remotely bothered by it?"

Vladimir opened his mouth, closed it, and then looked helplessly at Tata, who sighed.

"This is why I told you to wait," Tata told him under her breath, earning a sharp look from Natalia.