A shrug was Grentham’s only outward reaction. “Then suit yourselves.” He smoothed a crease from his trousers. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Be assured, Milord . . .” Sophia’s voice was brittle as ice. “You may have a clear conscience on this.”
“I don’t have a conscience. I have a job to do.” The minister rose and calmly poured himself another measure of whisky.
As the lamplight flickered for an instant over his hand, Arianna noticed that the glass was in danger of cracking from his vise-like grip.
“Let us now move to the logistics—” he said on resuming his seat.
“I think that we can be ready to sail on the day after tomorrow,” said Arianna, and Saybrook gave a confirming nod.
“That won’t be necessary,” said Grentham. “I’ve arranged for a fast courier ship to depart in three days.”
“I thought speed was of the essence,” observed the earl.
“You’ll arrive soon enough.”
“Soon enough forwhat?” challenged Sophia.
“To succeed in your mission,” answered the minister.
Arianna found the deliberately vague answer a little worrisome. Apparently Saybrook did as well, for his expression turned even grimmer.
“One last caveat,” said Grentham. The whisky had brought a tinge of color back to his face. “I’ve deliberately given you and Prescott different objectives, and I’ve not shared with him the full scope of your mission. He thinks I’ve dispatched you to Russia because of your personal friendship with Tsar Alexander. I’ve told him that you’ll be looking to use that connection to get close to Mrs. Schuyler and learn whether she is an agent for the American government.”
The minister set aside his empty glass. “Be very careful not to share the fact that you are aware of the missing medallion. If he’s in league with the Orlov family, that would put youin grave danger. Even among the Russians, they have a reputation for utter ruthlessness.”
“As if we need any reminders of that,” whispered Sophia.
“Then be sure you don’t ever forget it,” he growled. When she didn’t respond, he added, “Any further questions?”
“Yes.” Saybrook tapped his fingertips together. “Why is it that I suspect you’re still not telling us everything?”
“Because,” shot back Grentham as he rose and moved to retrieve his coat, “you’re finally learning to think like me.”
“I still don’t like it.”Frowning, Constantina stirred a spoonful of sugar into her tea. “It’s too dangerous.”
The day of departure had arrived, and both the dowager and Henning had come to Berkeley Square for a farewell breakfast, though neither of them was happy about the upcoming trip.
“It’s no more dangerous than our sojourns to Brussels or Paris,” pointed out Arianna. The trunks were already loaded into the baggage coaches, ready to depart for the naval dockyards at Greenwich and the courier ship that would take them to St. Petersburg. “Any clandestine mission is fraught with peril.”
“But Russia is so far away,” protested the dowager. “If things go awry, you’ll be trapped in a hostile land, teeming with wolves.”
“And bears,” muttered Henning.
“Admit it, my dear aunt—you’re simply unhappy that you’re not up to your neck in the intrigue,” murmured Saybrook.
“Hmmph.” The dowager raised her quizzing glass and subjected the earl to a baleful stare. “As to that, given that much of the intrigue will take place in the Mother Empress’s court, I daresay I would be a great asset.” A pause. “I could have my trunks packed in several hours—”
“By which time the tide would have turned,” interrupted the earl. “And as Grentham has informed us that our ship is also conveying one of our Allied trade envoys to St. Petersburg for an important negotiation with the Tsar, we can’t afford a delay.”
“There will be plenty more adventures,” said Arianna.
“Let us hope not,” growled Henning. “The Peace Conference in Vienna is supposed to create harmony throughout Europe and put an end to petty bickering and selfish scheming.”
“Whatever fancy words the politicians inscribe on paper, they won’t change human nature,” replied Saybrook.
An uneasy silence greeted his statement.
