Prescott went perfectly still, his face frozen in shock.
“You’re here because of your cousin,” she added.
“M-Miss Kirtland?” he stammered, once he had recovered his voice. His eyes narrowed in consternation as he scrutinized her male attire. “By Jove, is that really . . .”
The question trailed off in a harried sigh. “H-How did you guess?”
“By the way you looked at her,” answered Sophia. “How long have the two of you been in love?”
“I . . .” Prescott looked away. “Is it that obvious?”
“Not at all. I simply happened to recognize certain subtle signs,” answered Sophia. “I doubt Prince Orlov or any of his cronies have a clue.”
“Men pride themselves on being clever,” added Arianna. “But they aren’t nearly as observant as they should be. That’s because they’re often looking at the wrong things.”
The major darted a glance at Saybrook.
“Don’t expect any help from me,” said the earl dryly. “I’ve long ago learned to trust my wife’s judgment.”
“The circumstances leave much to be desired,” murmured Mrs. Schuyler. “But I must say, it’s a pleasure to discover that you two ladies are so interesting and accomplished.” She eyed Arianna’s pistol. “I take it you know how to use that?”
“I’m an excellent shot. Miss Kirtland is even better. She can beat most of the top military marksmen,” answered Arianna. “Consider yourselves fortunate that we believe in asking questions before pulling the trigger.” A pause. “But that could change in a heartbeat.”
Prescott’s revelation was plausible, but she wasn’t quite ready to abandon all her earlier suspicions. The best swindlers and scoundrels were the ones who, through a clever sleight of tongue, could make their listeners believe that black was white.
She looked back to the major. “So I suggest that you continue your explanation. Two of our friends are missing, as is the Tsar’s medallion. So we’re not inclined to trust anyone lightly.”
He nodded. “Fair enough. I don’t blame you, and I’ll do what I can to convince you that I’m telling the truth.”
“Thistime,” said Saybrook.
“Yes, this time,” agreed Prescott. “But in my defense—”
“Let us stop the needling and give the major a chance to speak,” cut in Sophia.
Arianna conceded that her friend was right. “Do go on, Major.”
“I’ve known Tatiana since we were adolescents,” began Prescott. “We reconnected a year ago when I was stationed in Prussia as a liaison officer and her family was visiting the king. We fell in love, and she accepted my proposal. But before we could speak to her family, her father became caught up in political machinations with the Orlov family. It was deemed expedient to ally the two families through marriage.”
He paused to steady his voice. “Tatiana tried to protest, but her father didn’t dare displease the Orlovs and was too craven to refuse. She was betrothed to Dmitri’s older brother—”
“Who was an evil, vicious brute,” said Arianna.
“Yes.” The major’s jaw tightened. “Even more evil and vicious than Dmitri.”
“So, you know that the current prince is abusive?” she asked.
“I’ve guessed.” A ripple of anguish darkened his eyes. “But I’ve not had a moment alone with Tatiana since I arrived and learned that her engagement had been shifted to Dmitri. So I must curry his favor, play the sycophant. and wait for my chance—both to find proof of his treason and to free Tatiana from his clutches.”
“Prescott asked me to find a way to get Tatiana away from the family—an invitation to afternoon tea, a walk in one of the Winter Palace gardens,” interjected Mrs. Schuyler. “The plan was for him to smuggle us both aboard one of the British Navy messenger ships, which frequently visit St. Petersburg with diplomatic mail, and take us back to London.”
She heaved a sigh. “But her family has become even more on edge of late, and Tatiana is being held as a virtual prisoner. She’s only permitted to leave her house in the company of Prince Orlov.”
“Tatiana tried to flee to her uncle’s dacha when she received my letter telling her that I was coming to St. Petersburg,” explained Prescott. “Now her father is absolutely terrified. He thinks the death of our cousin Yevgeny Naryshkin the other night was a warning of what happens to those who cross the Orlovs.”
Arianna considered what she had just heard. A glance at Saybrook showed he was waiting for her reaction. Sophia, too, was watching her intently.
Truth or lies?They were leaving it for her to decide.
