as beautiful as ever,” he murmured. “I trust Richard Monroe appreciates just how fortunate he is to have captured your fair hand?”
A warm smile curved her lips at the mention of the Englishman who had been her devoted suitor for the past twenty years. Much to the surprise of St. Petersburg, Vanya had at last agreed to Monroe’s proposal.
“I presume he does.” She touched the large strand of pearls that encircled her neck. “The wedding is less than a month away and he has not yet bolted.”
“If I were not a dedicated bachelor I would attempt to steal you away.”
Vanya allowed her gaze to roam over his jacket in a pale blue-and-silver waistcoat that he had matched with black knee breeches. She smiled, almost as if she suspected he had taken particular pains with his attire.
“Every gentleman is a dedicated bachelor until he encounters the perfect woman.”
He clicked his tongue. “I did not expect such a predictable response from such a delightfully unconventional lady.”
“I intend to be even more predictable when I warn you that I am depending upon you to protect my young and decidedly innocent guest.”
“You have no need to fear. I promise that Emma Linley-Kirov will not leave my side.”
Vanya narrowed her eyes. “That does not entirely relieve my unease.”
Dimitri frowned, pretending that he had not spent an inordinate amount of time dwelling on his encounter with the bothersome female.
“For all my sins I am no debaucher of the innocent. Especially not when that innocence is wrapped in such a prickly package.”
“Do not allow her indomitable spirit to deceive you. Emma has taken on responsibilities that would have broken a lesser woman,” Vanya chastised. “Underneath all her pretense of courage, however, she is a young maiden who is terrified for her sister.”
His expression hardened. He was unaccustomed to being lectured as if he were a school lad. Not even the most cutthroat villain dared to question him.
“I will attempt to keep that in mind.”
There was the sound of footsteps and they both turned to watch Emma step from the house.
“Ah, here she is,” Vanya murmured.
Briefly caught in the candlelight from the house, Emma’s honey curls tumbled freely about her shoulders, but Vanya had cleverly hidden the young maiden’s face with a charming hat made of gold feathers and a diamond-encrusted veil that ended just above Emma’s lush lips. It added a hint of provocative mystery that would stir a man to investigate more. With the same masterful touch, Vanya had wrapped Emma’s slender body in a long cape of black velvet trimmed with matching gold feathers.
There was not a soul who would recognize her.
“Well done, Vanya,” he murmured. “I knew I could depend upon you to be rid of the nasty wool.”
The older woman chuckled, as if she harbored a secret. “You have no notion. Good luck, my dear.”
Moving toward the house, Vanya paused to kiss Emma on the cheek before disappearing through the French doors. Dimitri traced her footsteps, halting at Emma’s side to offer an arm.
“Shall we go?”
She hesitated, and Dimitri sensed her silent battle to overcome her fear. Then, with that courage he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt was destined to lead her into trouble, she laid her hand on his arm and allowed herself to be led to the carriage Dimitri had left next to the mews.
Assisting her into the vehicle, Dimitri placed the heated bricks at her feet before settling at her side and tugging the rug over both of them. The night air was crisp enough to be uncomfortable.
He waited until the driver had set the matching black horses into a brisk trot before he reached into a drawer built beneath the leather bench and retrieved a silver flask and two small crystal glasses.
Pouring them both a measure of the potent spirits, he pressed one of the glasses into Emma’s unwilling fingers and lifted his own glass in a toast.
“Za vas.”
She cautiously sipped the expensive liquor, predictably choking as the fiery liquid slid down her throat.
“Good Lord. What is it?”
“Cognac.” Dimitri took a far more appreciative sip, savoring the nutty flavor of the well-aged spirit. “It will help keep you warm.”
She frowned, but she took another sip, perhaps hoping to ease her nerves.
“Is it a great distance to your club?” she demanded.
“No, it is quite close.” Dimitri refilled her glass, studying her brittle expression. She appeared ready to bolt. Clearly a distraction was in order. “Is this your first visit to St. Petersburg?”
“This is the first occasion I have ever left our tiny village.” A rueful smile touched her lips, her hazel eyes shrouded in mystery behind the gossamer veil. “I suppose that makes me impossibly provincial?”
“I refuse to be baited, Emma Linley-Kirov. Do you wish me to point out the more historical buildings we will pass on our journey?”
“I…” She paused, then offered a small dip of her head. “Yes, I would be very interested, thank you.”
Scooting closer to her, Dimitri glanced out the window as the carriage turned onto the Nevsky Prospekt.
Within moments the stunning Our Lady of Kazan Cathedral came into view. The domed church was an impressive sight with its sweeping colonnade that framed a small garden complete with a fountain.
“Perhaps you know Emperor Paul intended the structure to imitate Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome despite the church officials’ outrage at having a replica of a Catholic church.”
As he had hoped, Emma’s tension eased as she pressed her nose to the window, obviously eager to enjoy the spectacular view.
“My father told me that Alexander Pavlovich had commanded the church become a memorial to the defeat of Napoleon.”
“Yes,” Dimitri agreed dryly. The emperor had been quite eager to ensure that his victory over the Corsican monster was suitably commemorated throughout the city. “The great Mikhail Kutuzov is laid to rest in the cathedral and the keys from several European cities and fortresses were placed in the sacristy in honor of Russia’s victory.”
The carriage rattled onward and Dimitri pointed out the Stroganov Palace with its massive entrance arch supported by two Corinthian columns. Like much of St. Petersburg it had been designed by Rastrelli. Turning eastward they passed the Admiralty and headed toward the Palace Square. It was, of course, the crowning jewel of the city with its lavish facade painted a pale green and trimmed in white. Massive statues lined the roof and at one end an onion dome dominated the skyline. Next to the palace were the Hermitage houses that held Catherine’s vast collection of paintings as well as the theater built for Catherine by Giacomo Quarenghi.
Dimitri
