by The Countess
Dmitri's constant visits and his attentiveness to a woman he had previously denied to be his mistress, sparked off fresh rumours in court circles. Eventually they reached him, as all gossip did in time, but he neither admitted nor denied them. In fact it amused him to be credited with such a worthy mistress - even if it was not true.
The rumour did not amuse Major Krylenko. He had disposed successfully of his wife and her lover so that nothing stood in the way of him having Alexandreya, yet it had been almost two weeks since he had even glimpsed her passing by in the courtyard below his barracks. She belonged to him, after all; he had killed for her. Heaven help her if, once in his hands, he discovered she had been the mistress of that peasant cur, Varanov.
Early one morning he presented himself before the Czar, determined to bring matters to a head.
Peter III was thirty-five, a fully-grown man possessing the mentality of a child often. He looked up at the officer from the large canopied bed where he reclined amid silken cushions, a slight, sallow-faced individual with pale eyes and a narrow petulant mouth. He was not pleased to be interrupted in the middle of a campaign. Already his soldiers were lined up ready to go into battle - it needed only his signal to attack.
Major Krylenko cast a contemptuous glance at the hundreds of toy soldiers covering the floor at his feet.
"Forgive this intrusion, Sire, but the matter is of the utmost importance."
"Well, speak up, or I'll have you shot down by my first line of defence. Do you see them there, Major? Is that not a good place for them to be, drawn up behind that hill? What a surprise for the enemy, eh? A pity my illustrious predecessor did not have my ingenuity."
"Your strategy is beyond reproach."
Vladimir encountered the gaze of the dark-haired woman sprawled across the bed beside him. Peter's mistress, smuggled into the palace to minister to him despite Catherine's attempts to have her secretly disposed of.
Women and toys, Peter showed little interest in anything else, thus making him an excellent dupe for the power-hungry nobles about him. Those who hated Catherine knew that the fate of Russia would be in their hands once they were rid of her.
"Your problem, Major. What is it?" Peter snapped irritably.
"The Countess Alexandreya Romanova. You may remember she recently lost her sister?"
"Yes, yes, what of it?" Peter had no recollection of the incident. He had been told of the deaths of two more spies, at which he had clapped his hands and cackled with laughter, a sound that had made the blood of his courtiers run cold. He never asked for names, only details, and the more ghoulish they proved to be, the richer was the reward he gave his informant.
"I desire the permission of your Imperial Majesty to take this woman as my wife."
Peter's mistress turned and whispered in his ear. A large grin split the Czar's face from ear to ear.
"If my memory serves me correctly, you had the other sister as well."
"The woman was a spy. Had she not been brought to account for her deeds, I should have killed her myself."
"To have the elder sister," the woman interposed softly.
Vladimir's face registered no emotion.
"The Countess Romanova has suffered a great loss; she was extremely close to her sister. I feel it my duty to protect her as best I can," he returned stiffly. "There is gossip at court Unking her with Colonel Varanov, and also with her sister's treasonous acts. She is innocent of both these charges - as marriage to me would prove."
Peter chuckled. The mention of Dmitri's name had been enough to earn his consent. Leaning over the edge of the bed, he completely demolished the enemy with a well-aimed cushion.
"Draw up my soldiers again," he giggled, "and you have my permission."
Unaware of the thunderbolt about to strike her, Alexan-dreya was returning to her apartments from a tour of the palace grounds. The huge palace, built during the reign of Peter the Great, was designed like a roman villa. Six cascading fountains lined the front lawns, while the rest of the buildings were surrounded by the most magnificent gardens she had ever seen. For a fleeting moment she thought of Bratz. There, she would be alone - at Peterhof there was Dmitri. She was consoled and continued on her way, her peace of mind undisturbed.
The guards Dmitri had assigned to look after her followed at a discreet distance whenever she ventured from the apartments. Alexandreya had not had a sleepless night since arriving at Peterhof.
Closing the door of the bedroom behind her, she removed her cloak and dropped it into a chair. A maid appeared to whisk it up and bring her a cup of hot chocolate. She was far happier here than she had thought possible. Catherine had given her servants befitting her rank and treated her as a guest instead of a companion. She spent at least an hour in her company each day. No reference was made to returning to Bratz and Alexandreya had put it out of her mind. There was so much more for her at Peterhof.
She was reading in her private sitting-room when a maid came in, later the same morning, to announce a gentleman caller. Alexandreya closed her book with a smile. She was expecting Dmitri, and did not think to ask for a name.
"Show him in, and then I am not to be disturbed."
It was not Dmitri who appeared, however, and came forward to take her hand in his and raise it to his lips.
"My dear Alexandreya," Vladimir Krylenko said. "You look radiant."
She was too stunned to move, or to release her hand from his imprisoning grasp.
"Major Krylenko - I am surprised. I mean, I did not expect you."
"I was not aware you were receiving other visitors yet. Are you not still in mourning for your poor, unfortunate sister?"
His fingers began to explore the back of her hand and she jerked herself free with a shudder of distaste at the clumsy caress.
"For at least another week," she said coldly. How dare he sound sorry for Natasha - she had been nothing more than an unwelcome burden to him. "I was expecting to be summoned to lunch with the Czarina. Please say briefly what you have to and go."
Vladimir cleared his throat. He had rehearsed a speech, but now he was standing before her, the words went out of his mind. Soon this lovely creature would be his. He would take great pains to train her thoroughly to his way of thinking. Natasha had been a hopeless case, no amount of beating would have changed the gutter-snipe that she was. But with Alexandreya it would be different. She had brains, and would quickly realise it was better to submit willingly than to endure unnecessary pain.
"I am waiting, Major."
Alexandreya forced herself to remain calm. The way he looked at her made her skin crawl. Why had he sought her out? Had the rumours linking her with Dmitri not deterred him, and halted the advances begun while his wife lay ill in bed from his thrashing?
Vladimir's eyes examined the slim body beneath the sombre-coloured gown, a smile on his face.
"I shall take pleasure in escorting you when the mourning period is over," he murmured.
"There is no question of that, Major Krylenko," Alexandreya answered. "Colonel Varanov offered his services some days ago and I agreed. Thank you for your concern, but I must decline."
"You will tell him you have changed your mind."
"I will do no such thing! How dare you?" Alexandreya moved towards the bell-rope to summon a servant. "Please leave before I have the guards throw you out. Once before I found it necessary to tell you that your attentions are not welcome. Apparently I did not make myself clear and therefore I repeat, I wish to be left alone."
Vladimir's smile grew. He had played cat and mouse with her long enough, now it was time to show his hand.
"You are alone in the world, my dear Alexandreya," he said casually, but in a tone of voice considerably harder than any he had previously used. "I have taken it upon myself to ensure that you are cared for by a capable person who will provide for your needs and make certain your head is not turned by some handsome womanising soldier."
The unmistakable reference to Dmitri Varano
v caused Alexandreya to pale considerably.
"The Czarina has given me her protection," she began.
"And the Czar has taken you out of it and given you into mine." Vladimir moved close to her, smiling down into her horrified eyes. Her retreat was barred by a chair, forcing her to remain where she was. She felt stifled, realising that she was about to hear something utterly distasteful. "He agrees with me a young woman of your background should be protected, and has given his permission for the marriage to take place as soon as possible."
"Marriage," Alexandreya echoed. She swayed back from him, her eyes dilating. "Are you mad? I will never marry you."
"No, my dear, you may be certain I am not mad. I shall allow you two weeks after the mourning period is over in which to prepare yourself. You must agree that is a generous amount of time, considering my impatience to have you as my wife."
CHAPTER EIGHT
Vladimir Krylenko's wife! The words stuck in Alexandreya's throat. She stared at him with a feeling of panic rising inside her such as she had never known before. He made a sudden move as if to grab her, and she fell back into the chair behind her with a cry.
"Don't touch me!"
Vladimir straightened, gaining great satisfaction from the fear on her face.
"No, I will not touch you now," he said. "There will be time enough when we are married. If you have any idea of enlisting aid from Catherine, my dear, I advise you to forget it. The Czar has given his approval and he is all powerful, not even the Czarina dare defy him. As for your impetuous Cossack - he has played straight into my hands with a very stupid mistake. I shall give you his head for a wedding present."
Alexandreya fought hard to control her reeling senses. He was horribly confident, and her previous anger was replaced by fear. What had happened to give him the power at last to destroy the man he hated for so many years?
"What do you mean?"
"Your concern is touching, but a little out of place for a man you profess to be only a friend, don't you think."
"He is my friend, and he will not stand by and watch me forced into a marriage against my will."
"He may not be around to make his objections known," Vladimir said, and smiled down into her alarmed features.
"I possess enough evidence to have him executed as a common murderer whenever I choose."
"You are lying, he is no murderer." Alexandreya leapt immediately to the defence of her lover.
"Three weeks ago he killed one of my agents, Madeleine de Veaux. I expect you have heard of her?"
"But - but she was -" Alexandreya broke off in confusion and Vladimir nodded.
"His mistress, yes, that's true. On my instructions that liaison took place. He obviously discovered that the lady was working for me and killed her. He has been known to be Catherine's personal executioner before. Madeleine was using him to gain information for me, and therefore she was too dangerous to be allowed to live. It is a pity, she was an excellent agent. No matter, her death has put Colonel Varanov's head beneath the axe."
Alexandreya closed her eyes, faint with nausea. To think of Dmitri killing Madeleine and countless others was bad enough, but the danger in which he had placed himself far more terrible. Vladimir Krylenko would show him no mercy.
"Madeleine was found just outside the city limits. Her neck was broken, apparently by a fall from her horse," Vladimir continued, relentlessly.
"Then how can you speak of murder?" Alexandreya started up, momentarily brightening.
"She did not fall. There were bruises on her wrists and arms as if she had fought against someone, Varanov perhaps, or the giant Sergei. Now there is a man capable of snapping a neck without the slightest trouble. He was seen riding through the forest some miles from the hunting-lodge leading a horse with the body of a woman across the saddle. My informant followed him to the place where Madeleine de Veaux was found and actually watched him leave her there. I think it is time I notified the. Czar of these facts."
"Three weeks ago," Alexandreya whispered. She had been at the lodge then with Dmitri and he had not left her side for a moment. Her heart suddenly stood still. For a few hours he had been absent, and she remembered falling asleep by the fire whilst waiting for him to return. It was true, he had killed Madeleine de Veaux, or ordered her death and his own life was now forfeit. She could not let it happen if it was in her to prevent it. Slowly she rose to her feet and faced Vladimir.
"I will make a bargain with you, Major."
"Are you in a position to bargain?"
"This marriage may have the approval of the Czar, but not mine," Alexandreya said coldly. She was in full control of herself again, determined that Dmitri should not die. The apprehensive, tearful girl who had faced Vladimir earlier was replaced by a woman desperately in love and willing to sacrifice her own future happiness for the life of the man she loved. He saw the change and knew that this was the woman he had admired for the past months, with the same scorn in her eyes.
"What do you have in mind?" he asked quietly. There was no harm in listening to her. He held the upper hand and could only gain further advantages from any bargain she might make. ,
"I will be honest with you, Major Krylenko, it is better we understand each other. I am in love with Dmitri Varanov and I shall never love any other man."
"But you are going to marry me. You have no choice, and if you are difficult I shall take great pleasure in taming you to my ways."
As you did Natasha, Alexandreya thought bitterly. Aloud she said:
"Which would give you the greater pleasure? To beat me into submission, or for me to accept the marriage - and you, of my own free will?"
Vladimir took a step towards her, his eyes gleaming.
"You would do this - in return for his life?"
"Yes."
His lips were thick and clumsy on hers, determined to discover whether or not she had spoken the truth. Alexandreya closed her eyes and endured the tortuous moment without resisting.
"I can afford to be generous," Vladimir said, releasing her. "I need not remind you of the consequences should you change your mind after we are married."
He meant to hold it over her head as a constant threat, Alexandreya realised, yet it did not matter; Dmitri was safe.
"Believe me, I shall do nothing to endanger his life," she said.
"And how will you explain this sudden affection for me, my dear?"
"Colonel Varanov has no reason to believe I have any affection for him, we have never spoken of my feelings. I shall persuade him that the marriage is in my best interests." Alexandreya sank down into a chair with a heavy sigh. "Please leave me now."
"Of course, we both have much to do. I must inform the Czarina of our plans. No doubt she will curb the Colonel if he becomes too troublesome."
Vladimir cast a triumphant look at her down bent head before he left, silently congratulating himself on a major victory.
"Where did you get this?"
Catherine's voice was shrill with anger. She sat behind the desk in her study, clutching a poster in her hands. Dmitri was no stranger to hatred, but even he was shaken by the naked savagery blazing in her eyes.
"They are hanging in every square in St. Petersburg, the people believe you are ill. The Czar has instructed them to pray for you as the end is near."
"I am well able to read it for myself," Catherine snapped. The paper slowly crumpled between her fingers. "So I am expected to die, am I? We will see about that. Peter has gone too far this time. Do you know of the room adjoining this one, Colonel?" She looked towards the huge tapestry hanging across the wall beside him. Behind it Dmitri knew there to be a small antechamber where Catherine entertained her lovers in complete privacy. He nodded.
"Good - from tonight either you or one of your most trusted men will sleep there. I have no wish for one of my husband's servants to slit my throat while I sleep. Double the guards, also."
"Yes, Highness. And the posters?"
"Tear them down, but if yo
u are seen, I shall deny the order."
A tight smile tugged at Dmitri's mouth.
"Perhaps we should substitute some of our own."
"I intend to use stronger methods." Catherine's rage subsided and she motioned him to be seated, after he had poured her a glass of vodka from the silver decanter on the desk. She leaned forward resting her chin in her hands. "The time has come to seek out those who are loyal to us. It seems I must act before Peter if I am to remain alive. Did you speak with Gregory Orloff as I ordered?"
"I did, and he can account for the whole of his regiment and at least half of the others. Within a week, one way or the other, you will have full support of the army."
"And the Church is already with us." Catherine smiled amusedly. "It must be the first time the Holy Fathers have ever approached anyone to suggest treason."
"They have as much reason to fear the Czar as we do."
"Do you fear him?" Catherine asked quietly. It was not like Dmitri to be worried over his own safety.
"Life has become important to me."
"Ah, yes, the Countess. You shall have her, I promise, but not yet. I do not want your head muddled with thoughts of a woman when the time comes to act. It will be soon, Dmitri, very soon, and I must be certain of everyone. Do I make myself absolutely clear?"
Dmitri nodded. There was nothing to make him suppose that any unexpected problems would beset him where Alexandreya was concerned. He saw her whenever he was free from his duties. They walked together in the garden, regardless of the gossip-mongers- or played cards in her apartments. He went less and less to the lodge of an evening, preferring either to dine with her, or to remain in his quarters and contemplate what a miracle she had wrought on him. Always she seemed pleased to see him.
He did not consider it unduly worrying when Major Krylenko was shown into the room half an hour later, suspecting he had come to complain over the conduct of the Cossacks again. The atmosphere between the two households had steadily worsened. Taunts and sneers were flung about openly, except in the presence of Peter and Catherine, then everyone sat back and listened to the ruler of Russia insulting his wife at every turn. Some were amused, others like Dmitri and the Orloffs who were extremely close to Catherine, silently noted each sneer and vowed it would be forced back down the throat of the speaker.