“Alas, I have so very few true and trusted friends,” he added in a whisper as he raised her hand to bestow a kiss.
“Never fear, Your Imperial Majesty,” she murmured. “We are here to help.”
For an instant, the lines of worry softened around his eyes and the lamplight caught the glitter of tears.
Then he quickly straightened and gave an imperious gesture for the two military attachés to gather the papers from his blotter. “Take all that away and come back later. And be advised that I don’t wish to be disturbed while I am entertaining my friends.” To the majordomo, he ordered, “Bring in the samovar and a selection of pastries.”
The man bowed and hurried through one of the side doors.
“I fear our Russian sweets can’t hold a candle to your chocolate confections—”
Arianna held out the fancy pasteboard box she had brought with her from London. “I know how much you enjoy chocolate, Your Imperial Majesty. So allow me to present you with a small gift.”
Tsar Alexander opened the lid and, closing his eyes, inhaled deeply. A beatific expression came over his face.
“Ambrosial,” he said in a faraway voice.
The clatter of the cart bearing a towering silver samovar and tea set brought him back to the moment.
“Come, sit!” said the Tsar, indicating an arrangement of tufted armchairs and a facing sofa.
Cups and saucers were passed around, along with a platter of honey-drenched sweets. Once everyone had been served, a casual flick of the royal hand dismissed the two liveried servants who were manning the cart. It rolled awaywith a muted rattle of crystal and porcelain.
“Thank the saints and the Holy Mother.” The Tsar blew off the plume of steam rising from his sugared tea as the door clicked shut, leaving the four of them alone. “Now that you are here, I finally feel safe.”
Arianna let the echo of his words fade away before replying. “We shall do our best to avert any threat, Your Imperial Majesty. So without further ado, let us begin with the missing medallion.”
The Tsar sighed and placed a hand over his eyes. “It’s such a painful subject—must we talk about it?” His tone now reminded her of a petulant little boy. “All I know is that it’s gone, and you must get it back for me.”
She drew in a measured breath. All autocrats were used to absolute power—and few of them wielded it wisely. “That’s what we have come to do, Your Majesty. But to be successful, we need to get some information from you.”
“To begin with, where was the medallion kept?” interjected Saybrook. “Here in the Winter Palace, or somewhere else?”
“There is a special personal Jewel Room located in the wing of the palace that holds my private residence. All access to the wing is guarded day and night by a handpicked regiment from the Preobrazhensky Guards.”
“And the room itself?” pressed the earl. “Is it guarded day and night?”
“No,” answered Tsar Alexander, somewhat defensively. “But the door is reinforced with steel plates and secured by three German puzzle locks, which are impregnable.”
“How many people have the keys, Your Imperial Majesty?” It was Sophia who broached the question.
“Only myself.” A pause as he fiddled with the gold braid on his cuff. “My private secretary is aware of where I keep it. But his loyalty is unquestioned.”
Arianna exchanged a quick look with Saybrook.
“However painful, sir, I’m afraid that we must question everyone’s loyalty,” she responded. “The fact is, someone within your inner circle has betrayed you.”
Tsar Alexander went pale as death.
“But we mean to discover the miscreant,” Arianna assured him. It was imperative—for any number of reasons—that he didn’t suffer an emotional collapse and lose the ability to perform his duties.
“And, of course, to recover the medallion.”
“Perhaps we should begin by having you show us the Jewel Room, so that we may examine it and see if we can spot how the thief might have gained entry,” suggested Saybrook.
“But let us be careful about raising any suspicions,” cautioned Arianna. “You must pretend that you’re giving us a tour of your private residence, and wish to show us some of the Imperial treasures.”
The Tsar managed a hopeful smile. “Come with me.”
