by Gayle Buck
Prince Kirov could only shake his head over the rigid rules of etiquette that formed Lord O’Connell’s personality and character. He, for one, saw nothing at all improper in Megan’s success. And to place the blame for any perceived wildness in Megan at his door was ludicrous in the extreme, he thought. Megan was certainly much more the product of her upbringing than of any influence that her short sojourn in St. Petersburg might have brought to bear!
Prince Kirov left his residence still exercised by his reflections. He shortly came to realize that the English milord’s mind was virtually alien to his experience. Much as he was reluctant to admit it even to himself, Prince Kirov needed help to crack the shell of this particular nut.
Sir Frederick happened to be at the party. Prince Kirov at once realized that here was just the gentleman who might be depended upon to give him the insight that he desired. He sought him out, saying, “I have a diplomatic problem, Sir Frederick. I hope that you will be able to help me.”
Sir Frederick was instantly curious. “I should be most happy to lay my experience open to you, your highness.”
Prince Kirov gestured to a card table in an alcove and the two gentlemen repaired to it. They were trailed by Fedor, who took up a wary stance a few feet away, out of earshot but near enough to his master to obey his summons.
Once seated, the prince seemed at a momentary loss. He sat frowning into space before turning to Sir Frederick. “You may know that I am a suitor for Miss O’Connell’s hand.”
Sir Frederick nodded. A flicker of amusement touched his face. “I believe all the world knows that you have aspirations in that direction.”
Prince Kirov smiled, a sudden wolfish expression. “I have not made a secret of it. It is good that Miss O’Connell’s admirers know this.”
“What is the problem, then, your highness? Does not Miss O’Connell favor your suit?” asked Sir Frederick boldly.
Prince Kirov stiffened. His eyes flashed. “Miss O’Connell has indeed honored me with her favor, Sir Frederick. That is not where the trouble lies. It is with Lord and Lady O’Connell. I had hoped that you might shed some light on the workings of the English mind, for I am at a loss to understand the action that they have taken against me. Do I not love their daughter? Am I not an eligible parti? Am I not wealthier than most men? Is not my birth superior to their own?”
Sir Frederick eyed the Russian with fascination. “What precisely have Lord and Lady O’Connell done, your highness?”
“They have denied me the house and I am told by Mrs. Tyler that Miss O’Connell has been ordered not to think of me any longer as a principal suitor,” said Prince Kirov heavily.
There was a moment of incredulous silence. “You astonish me, your highness,” said Sir Frederick with perfect truth. “I cannot perceive how your suit could be so repugnant to them if Miss O’Connell herself is amenable.” He shot a swift look at the Russian. “Unless, of course,Miss O’Connell is not as willing as you believe?”
“I have told you! Miss O’Connell is in love with me. She would accept my suit in a trice if it were not for this ridiculous ban against me,” said Prince Kirov. He audibly ground his teeth. “I do not deal in dishonor, Sir Frederick. You know enough about me to know that is true. I say that Miss O’Connell is in love with me and that the desire of my heart is to make her my wife. You may believe that it is so.”
“Yes, I know well your sense of honor. Prince Kirov,” said Sir Frederick.
Prince Kirov felt a release of tension inside him that surprised him. He had not realized how much he wanted Sir Frederick to believe him. “Then you will help me.” It was not a question but a statement.
Sir Frederick laughed. “Yes; at least, I shall try. What do you wish me to do? Do you want me to act as your intermediary with Lord and Lady O’Connell? The position of marriage broker is a bit outside my realm of experience, but I suspect that it is not much different than other types of negotiations.”
Prince Kirov thought over Sir Frederick’s offer. It was an attractive one, but he realized that it held no guarantee of success. He preferred to rely upon his own resources. “Perhaps. We shall see. At the moment, I request only that you explain to me how I might bring myself back into Lord and Lady O’Connell’s good graces.”
“My good man! You ask the moon. I cannot very well read their minds,” said Sir Frederick, taken aback.
Prince Kirov flashed a grin. “Ah, but you can! You are English. You know how your countrymen must reason, just as I know how a Russian must reason. You have been in diplomatic circles and must know a score of tricks, besides. You shall tell me what I must do.” He settled back in his chair and confidently savored his wine while Sir Frederick stared across the parquet table at him.
“The devil. You are right,” said Sir Frederick finally, ruefully. “I, better than anyone, should be able to aid you. Very well. Let me think for a moment.”
Prince Kirov gestured graciously. “Of course, Sir Frederick. I am a patient man.”
Sir Frederick cracked a disbelieving laugh at that, but he merely shook his head at the prince’s look of inquiry. “I’ll not muddy the waters with my opinion of that, your highness.”
“I am Kirov. What more is there to say?” asked Prince Kirov.
Sir Frederick did not reply to what he felt certain was a rhetorical question. Instead he bent his mind to the prince’s problem. After several frowning minutes, he glanced again at the prince. “Are you certain that Miss O’Connell’s affections are engaged?”
“You have my word of honor that it is so,” said Prince Kirov quietly.
Sir Frederick was impressed that the prince did not respond with his usual arrogance but instead with dignity. “Very well, then. I shall help you to her hand. My advice to you is to make your suit indispensable to Lord and Lady O’Connell.”
Prince Kirov stared at his companion. His well-marked brows lowered. “I do not understand. How am I to do this?”
“Think, your highness! You have told me yourself all of your excellent points. But none of these are vitally important in and of themselves to the O’Connell’s. In one form or another, a score of other gentlemen can fit those same requirements,” said Sir Frederick.
“There is no one better than I!” declared Prince Kirov. At his ringing tone, his silent and ever-present companion started toward the table. The dwarfs hand had slipped to the knife only partially hidden beneath his coat front.
“Perhaps, but not in the eyes of your prospective in-laws,” retorted Sir Frederick. “And you had best call off Fedor, for I do not go unarmed myself.”
“You are right,” said Prince Kirov. He waved the dwarf back. “Though I suspect that Fedor might give a very good account of himself. Now, Sir Frederick, I place myself in your hands. How do you suggest that I accomplish my purpose?”
Sir Frederick frowned thoughtfully. “From all accounts, and judging from my own observations. Lady O’Connell is a rather vain, self-indulgent woman. She is undoubtedly motivated by self-interest.”
“That much is true. Her ladyship is not moved by an appeal to her softer nature,” said Prince Kirov. “In fact, I do not believe that she has one. This very afternoon I sought out Lady O’Connell, knowing that she takes tea with Mrs. Hadcombe, and walked her to her carriage. When I declared myself in love with Miss O’Connell and requested her clemency, Lady O’Connell refused. She called for her servants to give me the go-by!”
There was such outrage in the prince’s expression and voice that Sir Frederick could hardly stop himself from laughing. That would not have done at all and so with all the command of his years as a diplomat. Sir Frederick replied gravely, “An unpleasant experience indeed, your highness. But let us turn our thoughts to what we know of Lady O’Connell’s character. What will turn her about? What is it that she prizes? What is so important to her that she will give you permission to extend suit to her daughter in exchange for it?”
“Pah! You make it sound like a
horse trade,” said Prince Kirov, grimacing.
“And so it is,” said Sir Frederick, lounging at his ease with his hands thrust into his coat pockets. ‘That is negotiation in its most primitive form, your highness. Ferret out what your opponent wants to acquire and hold it for ransom until he gives up what you want.”
There were a few moments of silence while Prince Kirov frowned over what Sir Frederick had told him. “I think I see my way becoming clear,” he said slowly.
Sir Frederick sat up, immediately curious. “Do you, indeed! What do you intend to do?”
Prince Kirov laughed. “I shall tell you one day, perhaps. But now I must go speak with Mrs. O’Connell. I hope to enlist her to my cause.” He rose to his feet and Sir Frederick also stood up. Prince Kirov held out his hand to the other man. “You have been a friend to me, Sir Frederick. One day I trust that I shall be of similar valuable service to you.”
Sir Frederick clasped the prince’s hand warmly. “Dash it, Kirov, I have always liked you. Good luck to you, man.”
Prince Kirov bowed and moved away. The dwarf followed him, casting an unsmiling glance back at Sir Frederick. Sir Frederick waved at him in a friendly way. Fedor’s impassive face creased in the slightest of smiles.
Sir Frederick watched the prince bear down in a leisurely fashion on Mrs. O’Connell. The lady looked up at Prince Kirov, listening to something he was saying. She nodded, then excused herself to her friends and went off on the prince’s arm. Their heads were bent together while they conversed. Sir Frederick lifted his wineglass in a silent toast.
* * *
Chapter 21
Lady O’Connell was surprised to receive a note from her daughter-in-law. She was even more surprised by its content, which begged her to call on Mrs. O’Connell that same morning. The note hinted at a reconciliation. “Well! This is something indeed,” exclaimed Lady O’Connell, vastly pleased.
Her ladyship ordered out her carriage and during the entire ride she entertained herself with a pleasant scene. Her repentant daughter-in-law would apologize for all of the slights and cuts that she had directed toward Lady O’Connell that Season, at which time she would magnanimously forgive Sophronia and advise her to return to Ireland. Naturally Sophronia would instantly take her advice, close the house, and retreat back into her dutiful role as the colorless wife of her ladyship’s eldest son. Then Lady O’Connell would ascend once more into the social heavens.
Buoyed by this imagination, Lady O’Connell was at her most gracious when she was ushered into her daughter-in-law’s drawing room. Mrs. O’Connell received her cordially, if somewhat ironically. However, Lady O’Connell was too caught up in visions of her own spinning to notice. She pulled off her gloves, signaling that she meant to make a lengthy visit.
“I was quite happy to receive your communication this morning, Sophronia,” said Lady O’Connell. With a smile, she added, “I am certain that we shall have a very comfortable little coze. We used to be rather good friends, after all.”
Mrs. O’Connell blinked, but she returned the smile. “Were we, my lady? No doubt you are right. Will you take tea and perhaps a biscuit?”
Lady O’Connell gave a nod. Obviously her daughter-in-law was anxious to establish a polite atmosphere. She was nothing loathe, for it would make the coming victory all the sweeter. How wonderful it would be to send Lionel’s wife back to him. “Have you heard anything from Lionel?” she asked brightly.
Mrs. O’Connell cast an amused glance at her mother-in-law. “As a matter of fact, I have. He has written to me several times since he left London. I am considering a visit home to Ireland shortly, for he tells me that we have several things to discuss between us.”
Lady O’Connell felt herself to be approaching the pinnacle of her pleasant daydream. “How nice, to be sure,” she said, lifting her teacup to her lips.
The door of the drawing room opened and the butler entered. Mrs. O’Connell responded to his apology for the interruption and his request for a private word by turning to her guest with a smile. “I do hope you will not mind, my lady? It will take but a moment.”
Lady O’Connell was displeased, but she nodded. “That is quite all right, Sophronia. I shall await your return.”
Mrs. O’Connell left the drawing room and the butler closed the door behind her. It was not more than two minutes by the clock on the mantel before the door opened again. Lady O’Connell was just setting aside her teacup and she looked up. Her face creased in a satisfied smile. “Well! That was indeed quick, Sophronia.”
“Lady O’Connell, there is someone here whom I think that you should see,” said Mrs. O’Connell. She moved out of the doorway to make room for a gentleman to enter. Then she exited and began to close the door.
Recognizing the gentleman, Lady O’Connell surged to her feet. “Sophronia! This is an outrage!”
Mrs. O’Connell merely smiled and finished closing the door.
Since Prince Kirov stood between her and the door, Lady O’Connell felt that she had no easy way of escaping an uncomfortable scene. Vowing vengeance upon her daughter-in-law, Lady O’Connell turned to the waiting prince.
“Prince Kirov”—she acknowledged in freezing accents— “obviously you have managed to get around Mrs. O’Connell. She has always wanted for sense! However, I warn you that I am an altogether different matter. I will not be so easy to get around. If you have come to try to persuade me to accept your suit for Megan, then—”
“My dear Lady O’Connell, I promise you that I shall not utter one word on that matter,” said Prince Kirov with a smile. He gestured at the settee. “Pray be seated, my lady. I merely request your indulgence for a few moments, for I have asked for this interview to solicit your advice.”
Lady O’Connell was thrown off guard. “Oh!” Eyeing him with uncertainty and a large degree of suspicion, she said, “Well, if you truly do not wish to talk about Megan, then I suppose that I may listen to whatever you might have to say.” She sank back down on the settee.
“May I?” inquired Prince Kirov. Without waiting for her acquiescence, he seated himself on the settee. A leather case had been tucked under his arm and he set it down onto his knees. “This is what I wish to solicit your opinion about, my lady. I shall have it unlocked directly.”
Lady O’Connell had not noticed the case until that moment. Instantly she recognized it for a jewel case. Her curiosity ignited, she watched while the prince took a small key out of his waistcoat pocket and fitted it into the brass locks.
He grunted in satisfaction when he had turned the key in both locks. Prince Kirov opened the top of the case. “This, my lady, is something that no one else has yet been privileged to view,” he said solemnly. “It is a gift for a very special occasion.” He turned the case around for her inspection. On a bed of pale blue velvet was nestled a magnificent set of jewels.
Lady O’Connell looked at the gold necklace, the matching bracelets, the earrings, the tiara. The sunlight winked a shower of sparks from the dazzling array of diamonds and rubies. Her ladyship’s eyes glistened. “My dear Prince Kirov! Such an extraordinarily fine gift. It is quite priceless. No woman would be able to resist.”
“Indeed, my lady? But you do not speak of yourself, of course. You are not moved by such a paltry offering, I know,” said Prince Kirov, turning the case around to look at the set for himself. He pointed at a star-shaped brooch. ‘That alone costs more than most men see in all of their lives. What a pity that I cannot bestow this set upon you, my lady.”
Lady O’Connell raised her eyes and asked sharply, “Bestow it upon me? That is what you said, was it not?”
Prince Kirov heaved a sigh and shook his head. “Indeed, yes, my lady. It is an old custom in my family to give a lavish gift of jewels to one’s mother-in-law. When I had hopes of making a successful bid for Miss O’Connell’s hand, I at once commissioned that this set be created with your ladyship in mind. It arrived from St. Petersburg the very day that I learned that I was no
longer to aspire to Miss O’Connell’s hand.”
Lady O’Connell made inarticulate sounds that might have been thought unladylike. Prince Kirov politely ignored them. “My suit has not prospered and so I must regretfully look elsewhere for a bride. I have only shown this set to you today so that you may give me an unbiased opinion. Do you think that Lady Bancroft will be flattered by diamonds and rubies, my lady?”
“Lady Bancroft?” repeated Lady O’Connell stupidly. She was still reeling at the thought of actually losing the opportunity of owning such a magnificent set of jewelry. Possessing that set would make her the envy of all her friends. She would be the envy of everyone she knew. She would be the envy of the entire world.
As Prince Kirov turned the case back so that he could look at the contents more fully, it was all Lady O’Connell could do not to snatch it out of his hands.
“Yes, my lady. Do you think that this set would compliment Lady Bancroft’s style? Her ladyship’s daughter is a handsome young lady and good-natured. I have thought that an alliance with—”
“An alliance with the Bancroft chit? And this lovely set to be given to Alicia Bancroft, to be worn by her!” exclaimed Lady O’Connell, her fingers curling.
“That is what I had in mind, yes,” said Prince Kirov gravely.
“Never! Never will I countenance it!” declared Lady O’Connell. “You cannot marry the Bancroft chit, your highness!”
“Forgive me, my lady. But I must remind you that my intentions are no longer of your concern,” said Prince Kirov gently. “I merely desired your opinion about whether this set would compliment Lady Bancroft and—”
Lady O’Connell struggled to find adequate words to express the emotions that she was feeling. Finally she managed a credibly restrained, polite reply. “My dear prince, Alicia Bancroft would look atrocious in diamonds and rubies. My advice to you is to forget the matter altogether.”