Her Russian Hero (International Romance Series) Read Online Free Page B

of
Officers.” Tania stopped in front of a terrace surrounded by a colonnade and
gestured to the white mansion protected by two black cannons. “In the old days,
it was the summer residence of the Prince of Belarus.” A proud smile
highlighted the young woman’s lovely features. Cecile listened attentively
while John seemed more interested by the pretty driver than her historical
information.
    “Later on, the Soviet Supreme
used it as a meeting hall,” Tania added.
    After they climbed out of the
vehicle, an officer met them on the terrace. “Colonel Nicolai Nicouvitch. Dobroye
outroh , good morning.” He shook hands with them. “Dr. Lornier, welcome to Minsk
and the Hall of Officers. John, good to see you again.”
    “Nice to meet you, Colonel. I’m
very impressed,” Cecile said with a chuckle. “You can’t beat this. A historical
palace to host my first business meeting in Minsk.” Cecile turned toward Tania,
still in the van. “Please pass on this suitcase.” She reached inside the van.
“John, can I count on you to hand out my company’s folders?”
    “Sure, sure.” John nodded his
approval and she relaxed. By distributing the gifts himself, John was not about
to forget the generous gesture of EnviroAnalytical Laboratory. Cecile’s boss
would be pleased.
    “Allow me.” The colonel grabbed
the heavy piece of luggage containing the folders and carried it with as much
ease as if it was an empty bag.
    Cecile couldn’t say whether it
was the cheerful welcome of the colonel, or the glorious sunshine warming her
face that lifted her spirits. In contrast to the last evening and her harsh
arrival in Minsk, the kickoff meeting promised to be hospitable, perhaps even
pleasant.
    A light breeze ruffled her hair
as she squinted at the three-story edifice and snapped her first picture of
Belarus. Ushered by Colonel Nicouvitch, she and John ascended two flights of
marble stairs. Endless corridors and successive waiting rooms led them to the
famous Red Hall.
    Combing her hair with her
fingers, Cecile halted at the door and scanned the unending gallery. “Awesome,”
she whispered, overwhelmed by the majesty of the place. The red-carpeted room
easily covered three thousand square feet. She recovered her voice and asked,
“May I take pictures here?”
    “Of course. Notice the Seal of
Belarus.” Colonel Nicouvitch pointed to a wall decorated with a mounted knight
in the center of an enormous medallion. An orange and green flag hung next to
the seal.
    With the colonel at her side,
Cecile strolled through the twenty-foot space separating two parallel tables
lined up along the length of the room. “Do you often meet in this hall?”
    “Only on important occasions. We
gathered here three months ago when our Major Generalle was put in
charge of coordinating the Belarusian-American project.” Colonel Nicouvitch
fixed a glittering gaze on the seal adorning the wall. Was he reliving the
previous meeting?
    “A momentous event for Belarus?”
    “Oh yes, Dr. Lornier. You could
have heard the applause that greeted the happy news all the way to the street.”
    Such pride suffused his voice.
She could almost picture the Major General receiving a standing ovation from
his loyal officers. The general was a hero. A real hero. Long buried memories
of another hero flooded her heart.
    A commotion at the door attracted
everyone’s attention. Several officers strutted in, a magnificent display of
male perfection.
    She was the only woman present.
Excitement and worry fluttered in her heart.
    A congenial smile on his lips,
Colonel Roussov waved at her. She hardly had time to return his greeting and
reached her chair.
    “Lady and Gentlemen, please take
your seats,” Colonel Nicouvitch ordered over the microphone. When everyone was
seated, he announced, “The Major Generalle of Belarus, Sergei Fedorin.”
    The Major General marched in, his
stance regal. His shoulders seemed to widen as he reached his place at the
center of the