Sophia, who was conversing with several members of the British ambassador’s staff by the punch bowl, broke away and came to join them. “How was your audience with Mrs. Schuyler?” she murmured.
“Keep looking cheerful and come with us,” replied Arianna.
Saybrook fetched another brandy and then led them into one of the small sitting rooms off the refreshment pavilion.
“Brandy,” mused Sophia. “That bad?”
Arianna didn’t smile at the quip. “I’ll leave Mrs. Schuyler until later. There’s more pressing news . . .” She explained about Naryshkin’s death and Prescott’s presence. “I managed to get a closer look at the body—”
“I have a feeling that I’m not going to like what you’re about to tell us,” muttered Saybrook
“Naryshkin’s tongue was unnaturally swollen and discolored,” she said.
“A heart spasm—” began Sophia.
“I’ve never heard of such a thing occurring from a heart spasm,” said Saybrook.
“Nor have I.” Arianna hesitated. “However, I seem to recall reading that Russians have a long history of disposing of their enemies with poison.”
Sophia let out an involuntary gasp.
“Damnation,” replied the earl. “I wish Baz were here.”
“I’m quite certain he would say it was foul play.” She took a sip of brandy. “Prescott seemed quite willing to take Orlov’s word on his cousin’s supposed heart spasms.” A pause. “I can’t help but wonder why.”
Saybrook swirled his glass, a grim look shadowing his eyes. “You seem convinced that he’s conspiring against the Tsar.”
“I’m trying to remain open-minded.” Arianna avoided looking at Sophia. “But you didn’t overhear him at his uncle’s garden party plotting with the Russian attaché. There was a passion in his voice that seemed . . . heartfelt. While with us, his words always seem to hold a false note.”
“Perhaps . . .” began Sophia
Arianna stiffened, wondering why her friend refused to see what was plain as a pikestaff.
“Perhaps if we showed him some . . .”
“Trust?” suggested Arianna. She thought about it for a moment. “An interesting strategy, and I would consider it if I thought we had a chance of coaxing him into making a mistake and revealing his true colors. However, as Sandro has pointed out, Prescott is a skilled operative and won’t fall for such a ruse.”
Sophia flushed but didn’t back down. “I concede that he doesn’t come across well when he’s speaking to you. But he’s different with me. I have the sense that he would be more forthcoming if given half a chance.”
“That’s because your heart is too soft—” said Arianna, then instantly regretted the caustic comment when she saw the look of hurt on her friend’s face.
“I’m sorry—that was horribly unfair,” she apologized. “I fear my nerves are on edge.”
“Understandably so,” said Saybrook. “If Death doesn’t rattle our bones, then we’ve lost the very essence of our humanity.”
Arianna sighed. “I daresay we’ve all been rattled by the evening.” In one way or another. “I suggest we return home and regroup in the morning.”
Chapter14
Saybrook left before breakfast,as he had been invited to be part of a morning ride with a group of officers from the Tsar’s personal cavalry regiment. Reluctant as he was to waste time in leisure pursuits, rituals were important in Russia, and both he and Arianna agreed that refusing might cause offense.
London Society had its own restrictive rules, but the complex hierarchy and layers within layers of rank and privilege at the Imperial Court of St. Petersburg were bewildering, thought Arianna as she entered the dining room and ordered a pot of coffee. She was beginning to despair of ever finding the truth within the serpentine tangle of lies.
“I’ve already made a hash of things,” she whispered. “I’ve made Mrs. Schuyler wary, I’ve hurt my closest friend . . .”
The rich, sin-dark coffee couldn’t quite dispel the sour taste in her mouth. And the grey gloom outside the windows—the hours of sunlight were lessening with each passing day—did nothing to brighten her mood.
Sophia entered several minutes later, her face appearing drawn, as if she hadn’t slept well. Arianna murmured a greeting and then waited for her friend to sit down and pour a cup of coffee before taking the bull by the horns.
