‘If you marry you’ll have to move. Her people won’t accept you any more than ours.’
He was too busy reading his note to listen to her.
‘All the girls send their good wishes. Yulia promised to light a candle in the church and pray for peace between you and your father.’
He finished reading the note and tucked it into his shirt pocket over his heart. ‘Has Yulia any influence with God?’
‘I doubt it, she likes playing naughty games with the boys too much. I talked to Aunt Catherine before she went to bed. Do you think she’ll persuade your father to allow you to keep working for Mr Hughes’s company?’
‘I hope so.’
‘If she doesn’t?’
‘She’s offered to send me to university in Berlin or Vienna. It’s generous of her but I don’t want to study abroad when I could learn so much more from Mr Hughes and Mr Edwards here.’
‘This place would be horrid without you. Yulia said Misha had written to his mother to tell her he’s travelling with Mr Hughes.’
‘I saw him.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘Because this is the first time I’ve seen you since I returned from Taganrog.’
‘You could have sent a note with one of the maids.’ She stared at him. ‘You quarrelled with him, didn’t you?’
‘How do you know?’
‘The look on your face. How could you? He’s been away for three years …’
‘You should have heard what he said about the Jews.’
‘Misha’s an officer in a Cossack regiment. What did you expect?’
‘Him to say nothing against the people he grew up with.’ Alexei reached for the telescope’s dust cover.
‘Did he look well?’
‘And more handsome than when he left. Taller, broader, with a moustache. He’s learned to dazzle the ladies with his captain’s uniform. You should have seen the girls flocking round him in Taganrog. He was preening like a lapdog at a tea party.’
‘He was always happiest surrounded by women.’
‘Which annoyed you because you were in love with him.’
‘It was a schoolgirl crush. I was thirteen.’
‘It didn’t stop you crying enough tears to fill a vodka pail when he left.’
‘I’ve grown up.’
‘I hope so, for your sake.’
‘This argument between you and Misha was serious?’
‘You know my views on anti-Semitism.’
‘Misha was one of your closest friends. The world isn’t going to accept the Jews just because you’ve fallen in love with one, Alexei.’
He stepped down from the narrow platform that housed the telescope and sat on the top stair. ‘I despair of the stupidity of hating someone because of the way they look or because their beliefs are different.’
‘Spoken like a disciple of Father Grigor and Pavlo Razin.’ She sat beside him. ‘We both fell in love three years ago. I grew out of my childish passion, don’t you think it’s time you relinquished yours?’
‘It’s a not a childhood passion. And don’t ever say anything like that in front of my father or grandmother.’
‘Aunt Catherine isn’t stupid.’
‘You haven’t told her?’
‘I haven’t said a word. But unlike your father I don’t think she’s swallowed the story that you’re in love with Praskovia. One day, she and your father will see through the lies you’ve been spinning. If their suspicions settle on the real love of your life there’ll be fireworks enough to set the steppe aflame.’
‘If they don’t believe I’m in love with Praskovia I could always pretend to be in love with you.’
‘You know what your father thinks of me. I’m illegitimate which makes me unholy, barely one step up from a servant, as well as connected to you by blood.’
‘A second or third cousin once or twice removed.’
‘Cousins breed idiots.’
‘Not distant cousins.’
‘The threat of marriage to me might be enough make your father change his mind about Praskovia and see her as a daughter-in-law with better breeding potential. What would you do, Alexei, if your father ordered you to marry the girl you’ve been pretending to be in love with for the past two years?’
‘I won’t be old enough to marry until I’m twenty-one. A lot can happen in in a couple of years.’
‘For me too.’
‘Grandmother will never allow you to become a governess.’ He rose from the step.
‘I can’t live off Aunt Catherine all my life.’
‘You’re not living off her, you’re her companion.’
‘You and I both know she doesn’t need one. I’m her charity.’
‘You’re well educated.’
‘Which makes me a suitable governess. Aunt Catherine has been wonderful. I’m happy here but I’ve seen the way governesses are treated. Exiled to no man’s land between stairs, eating their meals off trays, because they’re not allowed in the drawing or dining room to sit with the family, and are unwelcome in the servants’ quarters. But it’s either that or marriage to some boring, low ranking, little official who’s prepared to overlook my illegitimacy in return for “career advancement” favours from your family.’
‘There’s a third alternative. Work. There are a lot of things you could do now the town is on the verge of being built.’
‘Join Madam Koshka.’
‘That’s not funny.’
‘Honestly, Alexei, from the expression on your face, you’d think you’d never heard the word whore.’
‘It’s not one a girl of good family should know.’
‘There are times when you sound like your father.’
‘Take that back.’
‘Not when it’s true. I’ve seen Koshka’s girls going in and out of the hotel. They’re well-dressed and fed and appear happy enough.’
‘Think what they have to do every night.’
‘Spread their favours among several grateful men as opposed to one grumpy husband.’
‘You’ve been talking to Lyudmila again.’
‘She should know. She’s buried four husbands.’
‘I spoke to Mr Hughes on the journey. He plans to open both an English and Russian school. You could teach the little ones English, or Russian to the English children, or music and drawing to both. You have the talent.’
‘You think Mr Hughes would employ me?’
‘I’ll ask him.’
‘No. He’ll be living in this house. I’ll ask him myself. Thank you for suggesting it, Alexei. Did you only just think of it?’
‘The threat of marriage to a “boring little official” prompted it. Time we went downstairs.’
‘Yulia, Ruth, and Miriam said they were going to the hospital tomorrow to see if they can train as nurses.’
‘I suggested they try to Ruth. You know how hard life is in the shtetl. The hospital might be an idea for you too, if you can’t get work in one of the schools straight away. Dr and Mrs Edwards said they wanted to recruit local girls to train as nurses, and men as porters. They’ll also need a secretary to keep notes on the patients.’
‘That could be interesting.’
‘So you see, already Mr Hughes is creating opportunities for everyone. Women as well as men.’ He brushed the dust from the back of his trousers.
‘You have to face your father in the morning.’
He frowned. ‘I have to stop him hauling me home like a sack of potatoes every time he finds me talking to someone he doesn’t like.’
‘How do you propose doing that?’
‘Put poison mushrooms in his soup.’
‘Don’t joke about such a thing, Alexei. You’d feel terrible if something happened to him.’
‘You’re right, no one should wish their father ill; but that won’t stop me from wanting him the Mongolian side of the steppe.’ He led the way down the stairs that led to the kitchens and outside yard.
‘Alexei …’ sh
e lowered her voice. ‘If you should get caught meeting one another …’
‘Fortune favours the bold.’
‘As shouted by Turnus before he was destroyed by the Trojans. I studied the Aeneid alongside you and your sisters before you went to school – remember?’
He kissed her cheek, opened the yard door, and disappeared into the night.
Glyn Edwards’ house, Hughesovka
Before dawn, September 1870
Glyn groped to consciousness. His head hurt before he opened his eyes and his shoulder muscles ached unbearably. He looked around the gloomy unfamiliar alcove before remembering he was at journey’s end. He recalled the events of the previous day – and night – including his second visit to Koshka.
The throb in his head made sense. Energetic, loveless sex followed by too much brandy was a certain recipe for hangover. He reached for his pocket watch. It was too dark to see the face. He folded back the bedclothes, opened the drapes that separated the sleeping area from his study, and shivered. He grabbed his robe and slipped it on.
‘Enter,’ he shouted in response to a knock. It was followed by a second knock and he remembered Praskovia turning the key the night before. He opened the door. Praskovia struggled in with a loaded tray. She closed the door with her hip.
‘Good morning, sir. I trust you slept well.’ She set the tray of tea, vodka, and glass on the table in the study area, lifted a large enamel jug of hot water from the tray, and carried it to the washstand.
‘Praskovia?’
‘Sir?’ She placed the jug on the marble top.
‘About last night. You’re right it makes sense to have separate bathing times. I’ll ask everyone in the house not to use the banya between 10.00 p.m. and midnight. You can allot those two hours among your family and the other servants when you hire them.’
‘This is your house, master. It is for you to make the rules.’
‘If I work late it may suit me, Richard, and my brother to use the banya after midnight.’
‘I’ll tell the servants they can only use the banya between ten and midnight. Would you like me to pour your tea and vodka?’
‘Tea please. I’m not used to spirits first thing. You won’t be inconvenienced by time restrictions on the banya?’
‘As I said, master. This is your house. It is for you to make the rules. Breakfast will be served in twenty minutes. Will that be all?’
He wondered if he’d dreamed he’d seen her naked or if the vision had merely been wishful thinking.
‘Can I bring you anything else, sir?’ she reiterated.
‘No, thank you. I’ll be in the dining room shortly.’
She left the room by the door to the hall. He went to the washstand, poured hot water into the bowl and his shaving mug, slid his cut-throat razor from its case, tested the blade against his thumb, dipped his brush into the mug, and lathered it.
He conjured an image of Praskovia naked. Would it have come so readily to mind if he hadn’t seen her? Restless, aroused, resolving to drink less and keep a clear head in future, he started shaving. If he was going to do any useful work, he’d have to concentrate on more mundane things than his housekeeper. Naked or clothed.
Abandoned monastery on the banks of the Kalmius River
September 1870
Alexei lay in the centre of a copse of low growing trees and shrubs. He’d tethered his horse inside the broken walls, removed the saddle and blanket, and was dozing on an improvised bed he’d made of both.
He woke with a start. The stars were fading. The sky had lightened from deep rich navy to a lighter washed out tone. Dawn was about to break
Shivering, he sat up and rubbed his arms. He hadn’t dreamed the sound. A dove’s coo. He waited until it died away before sounding an answering cry. A few minutes later Ruth Kharber tiptoed through the remains of a doorway.
He clambered to his feet. ‘I thought you’d never come.’
‘Have you been here all night?’
‘It’s good to spend a night outdoors once in a while.’
‘Ssh, not so loud. It’s not good to sleep out when the ground’s damp. You’ll catch pneumonia.’
‘I missed you every step of the way to Taganrog, all the time I was there, and every step back.’ He folded his arms around her.
‘I’m sorry. I couldn’t get away sooner. It’s been difficult since Nathan returned. He sleeps in my uncle’s workshop downstairs, stays up half the night reading and even when he does sleep he wakes at the slightest sound.’
‘He hasn’t tried to stop you from seeing me.’
‘No, but when we’re alone he foretells tragedy for us. Every time he suspects I’m leaving the house to meet you, he looks disapprovingly at me.’ She glanced over her shoulder. ‘Rivka and Miriam are behind me. We’re taking the laundry down to the river. I told them I wanted to visit my parent’s grave. I dare not stay more than a few minutes or they’ll look for me in the cemetery.’
‘A few minutes are better than none.’ He kissed her.
‘Sonya said you’ve quarrelled with your father again and might have to leave.’
‘If I do, it will only be for two or three years. I promise you, we’ll be together one day.’
‘So you keep saying. It’s impossible, Alexei. A count, and a Jewess …’
‘I’m not a count.’
‘You will be.’
‘Not if it means losing you.’
They froze when they heard the sound of laughter.
‘Nothing’s impossible, Ruth. Remember that. You’re going to the hospital to ask for a job?’
‘Yes, but I doubt I’ll get one …’
He silenced her with a last kiss. ‘You will, and then there’ll be more opportunities for us to meet. Head straight for the river, it’s not the quickest route to the cemetery but tell the girls you wanted to see dawn break over the water. I’ll ride north and circle round.’ He picked up the blanket and saddle and tacked up Agripin. Ruth waited until he’d mounted.
‘Go please,’ he whispered. ‘We can’t be seen together. Tonight?’
‘I’ll try.’ She reached for his hand. He held it.
She didn’t release him until he spurred Agripin on. The warmth stayed in her fingers. She closed her fist. She knew from experience it would stay with her all day.
Chapter Five
Dower House, Beletsky Estate
September 1870
Nicholas Beletsky stalked into Catherine Ignatova’s dining room to find John and four strange men sitting at the table with his mother-in-law and her lawyer, Dmitri. Nonplussed, he remained in the doorway.
‘Good morning, Nicholas.’ Amused by her son-in-law’s uncharacteristic diffidence, Catherine took control of the conversation. ‘As you see, Mr Hughes has arrived with the equipment and workers he needs to finish his plant. Mr Dmitri, you’ve met my son-in-law, Nicholas Beletsky. Gentlemen,’ she turned to Mr Hughes’s managers, ‘may I introduce my son-in-law …’ she monopolised the introductions, preventing Nicholas from edging a word in. ‘Please, join us for breakfast, Nicholas.’ She indicated a vacant chair halfway down the table.
Furious with his mother-in-law for surprising him with her guests, ignoring etiquette and introducing people of a lower caste to him as opposed to vice-versa, Nicholas snubbed her invitation.
‘I came, as arranged, to talk to my son.’
‘Regrettably, Alexei went riding before dawn. Young men and their energy,’ Catherine shrugged. ‘Forgive his absence, gentlemen. As you no doubt know from your own families, youth has no compunction in soliciting the indulgence of its elders.’ Catherine was aware Alexei had been out all night, but she wasn’t about to give Nicholas the satisfaction of another reason to be angry with his son.
‘Good morning, Aunt Catherine, Mr Hughes, gentlemen, Uncle Nicholas.’ Sonya curtsied to Nicholas, her aunt, and the men who rose at her entrance before taking her place at the opposite end of the table to Catherine. ‘Thank you.’ She took the plate of rolls a
footman handed her.
‘If you won’t join us, Nicholas, perhaps you’ll take tea in the library?’ Catherine was aware that Nicholas’s silence had stifled conversation.
‘As I have to wait for Alexei, I may as well have coffee here.’ Nicholas nodded to John and took the chair he’d spurned earlier.
Catherine sensed Nicholas had recalled that not all the leases he’d negotiated with the Welshman had been signed. ‘How is Olga this morning?’
‘I’ve no idea. She rarely rises before noon these days.’
‘My daughter is in poor health,’ Catherine explained.
‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ John sympathised. ‘We have an excellent doctor and nurse travelling with us. In fact they arrived last night and are staying with Glyn Edwards in the house you prepared for our use. Dr Peter Edwards is Glyn’s brother; Peter’s wife, Sarah, a nurse. They’ll take over the management of the hospital when it opens.’
‘Could I impose on Dr Edwards and his wife to call on my daughter, Mr Hughes?’
‘I’m certain they’d be delighted to be of service, Madam.’
‘Not necessary,’ Nicholas interposed. ‘Dr Meyer makes monthly visits. He’s taken care of Olga through all her confinements. When he saw her two weeks ago he pronounced her healthy.’
‘Dr Meyer isn’t due to visit for another two weeks.’ Catherine took three sugar lumps and placed them in the saucer of her tea cup.
‘He said there was no need for concern.’
‘You said Olga rarely rises before noon. That isn’t normal, Nicholas. It will take Dr Meyer several days to reach here from Taganrog, especially after the recent rain, whereas Dr Edwards can visit Olga today.’
‘Dr Edwards will be tired after his journey.’
‘Knowing Dr Edwards, I’ve no doubt he’s inspecting the hospital this minute.’ John helped himself to grapes.
‘I don’t want to annoy Meyer by seeking a second opinion.’
Nicholas’s blunt refusal gave rise to a constrained silence. To Catherine’s surprise, it was Sonya who broke it.
‘I thought I’d go along to the hospital this morning, Aunt Catherine, introduce myself to the doctor and his wife, and see if I can be of use as an interpreter or secretary.’
‘How very public-spirited of you.’ There was acid in Nicholas’s voice.
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