“A lady’s prerogative,” she murmured.
“Assuming the minister hasn’t changed his,” pointed out Saybrook.
The room was silent for a heartbeat.
“No, I haven’t,” said Grentham. “Your help would be most welcome. Tsar Alexander trusts you. And as his latest spiritual advisor is a woman, I have more faith in you than I do in any man to counter her wiles.”
“On the principle that it takes an adventuress to know one?” suggested Arianna.
For an instant, a glint of amusement lightened his eyes. “If that was my thought, it would be very ungentlemanly of me to admit it.” He raised his glass. “Bon voyage.”
“I shall be going with them,” murmured Sophia.
Grentham choked on his mouthful of whisky. “Absolutely not,” he said grimly, once he stopped sputtering.
Arianna closed her eyes for an instant, wondering how a man so experienced in guile and subterfuge could be so bloody stupid as to wave a proverbial red cape in front of a bull.
“Seeing as I’m not one of your lackeys, you have no control over what I choose to do or where I choose to travel.”
“On the contrary, Miss Kirtland,” he said softly. “You will need official documents issued by our government to enter Russia.”
Her eyes flared with anger. “You would wield your ungodly power out of spite?” she exclaimed.
“No, I would wield it out of prudence and common sense,” retorted the minister.
Sophia turned to Arianna with a look of mute appeal.
Which made her feel squeezed between a rock and a stone. Given her friend’s emotional state, she wasn’t sure a trip to St. Petersburg, where they would be immersed in an Imperial Court rife with Byzantine scheming, was a wise idea.
But to say so would be disloyal.
Saybrook saved her by responding first—though his words took her by surprise.
“Actually, I think it’s not a bad idea. Sophia is skilled with both a pistol and a rifle.” He quirked his brows in a tacit challenge to Grentham. “And I understand she’s become quite proficient with a sword. If Arianna is to spend time with Mrs. Schuyler trying to learn what the American is scheming, I would feel more comfortable if my wife had someone to watch her back.”
Grentham and Sophia glared at each other, neither looking inclined to yield.
“As for watching your back, there’s another reason I think it unwise for Miss Kirtland to accompany you. You see, I haven’t yet told you the other member of your traveling party,” said the minister.
“Prescott,” guessed Saybrook.
“Yes. It’s critical for peace in Europe that Tsar Alexander stays on the throne. So I can’t afford to put, as it were, all my eggs in one basket. Prescott speaks the language like a native and understands the Russian outlook on life better than any foreigner. I’ve assigned him the mission of thwarting the Orlov family by playing the dangerous game of double-cross.”
“I see no reason why we can’t work well together,” said Sophia.
“That’s because I haven’t finished,” snapped Grentham. “I was about to add that there’s a good chance he’snoton our side, and is double-crossing me. I’m willing to take that risk, and will analyze the information he gives with that possibility in mind.”
He shifted in his chair and recrossed his legs. “But I would prefer not to put any more people at risk than I have to in a faraway city whose layers of intrigue are unfathomable to foreigners.”
“A reasonable argument,” replied Saybrook. “The dangers are indeed unfathomable.” A pause. “But as you’re willing to throw Arianna and me into the churning waters, I think you must defer to our wishes on how best to give ourselves a fighting chance.”
Arianna felt all eyes fix on her.
Choices, choices.And if ever one was fraught with complications . . .
But however many reasonable arguments there were for refusing her friend’s demand to come along, it all came down to friendship and loyalty. She would have to trust her heart.
“Sophia has proved her mettle in difficult missions. If she wishes to undertake the risks, I would be grateful to have her company.”
