Sighing, Arianna eased the flap open and pulled out several sheets of deckle-edged paper. “It’s from the Tsar’s private secretary,” she said after reading the top letter. “His Imperial Highness welcomes us to St. Petersburg and is inviting us for a private audience tomorrow afternoon. However, he says that to be welcomed into palace life, and invited to all the right parties and entertainments, we must be introduced to the Imperial Court through a formal presentation—an elaborate ceremony that has a number of steps—and any faux pas will result in being ostracized.”
The second sheet unfolded with a silky whisper. “It says here that Sophia and I are to present ourselves to Countess Litta, the grand mistress of the court,” she intoned, “who will give us advice on how to come through the ritual unscathed.”
“Yes, one of the letters in the box of documents that Grentham sent to the ship warned of the ceremony,” responded Saybrook. “And informed us that someone from our embassy will come and explain all the details to us.”
“The intrigue begins already,” she murmured.
Saybrook huffed a humorless laugh. “We had better get used to it. As we’ve been told, intrigue is a way of life here.”
Arianna repressed a yawn. “Yes, but it can wait until morning. Let us ask Sophia to join us for a simple supper here.” She had no stomach for a formal meal in the dining room, served by a horde of obsequious servants. “And then we can—”
Another knock.
“Not again.” She winced as he rose. “Kindly ask Eduardo to bar the door to any more messengers or visitors.”
“I regret interrupting, Milord.” It was the earl’s valet. “But Mr. Fitzroy is downstairs—”
“Show him up,” said Saybrook. “And please ask Miss Kirtland to join us.”
“Oh, and please have our cook put together a cold collation from the feast that the Russians have prepared,” added Arianna.
Saybrook’s mouth twitched. “Because heaven forfend that we begin our scheming on an empty stomach.”
Chapter11
“I do hopeyou didn’t feel compelled to make the arduous journey to this land of ice and intrigue because of me,” said Fitzroy, after finishing his greetings by giving Arianna a heartfelt hug. He darted a worried look at the earl before adding, “I may not have your expertise in clandestine activities, but I’m not a lost little lamb here.”
Arianna understood her brother’s concern. He had left for Russia while she was still in the first throes of grief. Nonetheless, she wished to quash the subject of her fragility once and for all.
“Let us put all worries and misconceptions to rest,” she replied firmly. “I am fully recovered—both in body and spirit. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.” A pause. “Because that would put all of you in danger.”
Fitzroy shifted uncomfortably. “I didn’t mean to imply—”
“Yes, you did.” A smile softened her words. “Understandably so. But none of us can afford any doubts about each other, Richard. A split-second hesitation in a crisis could spell disaster.”
“What Arianna means,” offered Saybrook, “is we all have to trust—and trust unflinchingly—that the others are capable of doing what they need to do.”
“I comprehend what you’re saying,” replied Fitzroy. “And will take it to heart.”
“Excellent. Then we need not speak of it again,” said Arianna. She took a seat on the sofa and gestured for him to join her. “Now, let us hear your report on how the mission is going.”
Fitzroy made a wry face. “I will do my best. But as nothing is ever quite as it seems within the Imperial Court, it’s hard to judge whether I’m making much progress.”
The supper trays arrived, providing much-needed sustenance as he sought to clarify the complicated relationships between the court factions and the Tsar’s inner circle.
“Ah, yes. Mrs. Schuyler. Tell us more about her,” said Arianna, after Fitzroy confirmed that the American adventuress appeared to be the Tsar’s closest confidante. “Grentham thinks she may be an agent of the American government, though he didn’t give us any reasons as to what they would be seeking.”
“Trade with the newly re-ordered Europe seems a good guess,” suggested the earl. “The United States is beginning to manufacture goods, to go along with its natural resources—like cotton. The Tsar will have influence in establishing tariffs and commerce treaties.”
“Our ambassador agrees withyou, Milord,” said Fitzroy. “Britain, of course, doesn’t like the idea at all.”
“Is there any reason to think she’s involved in the missing medallion?” asked Arianna. “It would, of course, be the ultimate bargaining chip.” She considered the matter. “Especially if she was clever enough to pretend she was giving it back to him from the goodness of her heart.”
“There are plenty of reasons to suspect she’s involved.” Her brother blew out a harried sigh. “In truth, I find it difficult to rule out anyone. Every gilded smile seems to have shadows lurking behind it.” He pressed his fingertips to his temples. “Perhaps I’ve not yet learned the art of seeing through them.”
“My sense is that it would take several lifetimes to penetrate the Russian mind,” observed Saybrook.
Sophia murmured her agreement.
