Still, he waited until she had taken a nibble of a sultana-studded cacao confection before setting his own cup down.
“Tsar Alexander finds himself in a very delicate and dangerous situation,” he began.
“That doesn’t surprise me,” said Arianna. “His behavior has been growing more and more erratic since he met that religious mystic—or rather, charlatan—Baroness von Krüdener.”
“Actually, the baroness has been cast off for a new confidante. A Mrs. Catherine Schuyler, an American Quaker from Philadelphia, whom he met at the Peace Conference in Vienna.”
“Given all the decadent partying and flagrant affairs that we witnessed during the early days of the Conference,” mused Arianna, “one would naturally suppose that she’s an adventuress rather than a pious lady of high-minded ideals.”
“That is certainly Grentham’s assumption.”
She shrugged and chose another pastry. “He’s skilled at dealing with such sordid problems. I don’t see why he bothered you about it.”
“That’s because you haven’t let me finish.”
Arianna heaved a sigh.
“The most pressing dilemma is that a special medallion has gone missing.” Saybrook quickly explained its history and significance.
“Bloody hell,” murmured Arianna. “If Alexander spent less time grabbing at every pretty woman who passes in front of his nose, he might find it easier to keep his hands on the throne.”
Saybrook stifled a chuckle.
“Be that as it may,” she continued, “you still haven’t explained what it has to do with you.”
“It doesn’t. It has to do withyou,” he answered. “Alexander has begged Grentham to send you to St. Petersburg in order to recover it for him. He fears that factions within the Imperial Court are plotting to overthrow him, and is loath to trust anyone else.”
Arianna stared down at the chocolate confection on her plate. “You may tell him I’m sorry, but I simply have no stomach for international intrigue.”Not now, she added to herself.And perhaps not ever.
She didn’t wish to admit it, but even though the physical wounds had healed, she feared that the experience had left her self-confidence damaged.
“I did,” he replied, bringing her back to the moment. But something in his expression stirred a twinge of foreboding.
“What is it that you’re not telling me?”
“Given our country’s desire to maintain stability in Russia, Grentham had to act rather quickly, and so he did dispatch an operative to St. Petersburg,” replied the earl. “It’s someone who doesn’t have your expertise in dealing with Alexander’s mercurial moods, but . . .”
“But what?”
“But he has a close connection to you, which made him an acceptable alternative to the Tsar. However, Grentham was hoping you would reconsider because . . .” Saybrook released a harried sigh. “Because he fears that Richard Fitzroy may be no match for the wolves within the Imperial Court.”
She narrowed her eyes. “He sent my half-brother toRussia?”
“Apparently, yes . . . though with Grentham, there’s always the chance that he’s lying through his teeth.” Saybrook made a face. “However, I made inquiries, and it’s true.”
“Richard is clever, and he handled a very dangerous assignment in Paris,” said Arianna. “He’s not a babe in the woods.”
“Grentham did hint that he was hoping the choice would force you to change your mind.” Saybrook’s mouth quirked up at the corners. “Though I’m not supposed to tell you that. My sense is that Richard is in no imminent danger. However, as he has no experience with the Russians and their penchant for intrigue and innuendo, I imagine that the chances of him retrieving the missing talisman are virtually nil.”
“A failed mission would serve Grentham right for being a manipulative varlet,” she muttered.
“I told him the same, though I didn’t phrase it quite as politely,” he replied. “So, to the devil with Grentham and Russia. Let us finally have a lengthy interlude of peace and quiet in which to pursue our scholarly endeavors, rather than murderous conspirators.”
“Amen to that,” murmured Arianna.
In keeping with his resolve,Saybrook left the following afternoon to attend a botanical symposium at the Royal Society. As a soft rain began to patter against the windowpanes, Arianna, too, settled at her desk to continue working on the manuscript of her book.
Only to find herthoughts had a mind of their own.
