Dr. Yelkin had to blink several times to overcome the sensation of being dazzled by the full blast of Angelique's beauty. He caught his breath as feelings he had not experienced in years, since the death of his dearest Maria decades ago. The touch of her hand on his filled him with a warmth he had forgotten that he missed.<br/><br/>He saw her speaking, but heard no words. He was shocked at himself for becoming so dazed at the sight of her. He had seen her earlier, sick and weak in bed, and then he had been the doctor and she the patient. That had been easy. But now, they were both simply guests at a banquet for the Czar.<br/><br/>The older man looked faintly bemused as it seemed she had stopped speaking and was waiting for an answer from him.<br/><br/>Sheepishly, he smiled, feeling like a first folly youth than a man of advanced years and considerable worldliness.<br/><br/>"Ah, my dear girl," he said gently. "We are under orders from Baba to make sure you have a lovely time tonight, and I assure you that I will do my utmost to see to it that it happens."<br/><br/>He shuddered slightly and grinned. "For you have no idea what will happen to me and poor Nikolai if you do not enjoy yourself. Baba does not take to failure well."