“Deplorable penmanship,” she sniffed. “Let’s see. Dearest Mimi, It grieves me sorely that I cannot join you at supper tonight. I am not at all pleased to hear you will host the Tsar, who is much too free with his attentions. He is a great flirt, so beware of the man. I miss your company more than I can say and remain, as ever,
Yours, etcetera etcetera.”
The signature she could not decipher since it was badly scrawled.
Pippa snorted. “Mimi? A love note to one of his many mistresses, no doubt. Sounds like he’s a jealous lover.”
Then she stared at the paper. “How odd. He writes just like Klemens. Same cramped scrawl?—”
A sound came from the antechamber.
“Yes, Your Grace, the room is most definitelyavailable, Your Grace, even though His Imperial Highness isn’t currently present!” It was the footman from earlier, shouting.
Pippa nearly dropped the paper.
He was warning her that someone was about to enter the study, and she had to get out of there as quickly as possible. But where?
Her gaze flew wildly to the tapestry door on the other side of the room. Her escape. That door, no doubt, led to a servant corridor. She took one, two steps, then a deep voice at the door said in impeccable German, though with a strong English accent, “Make sure we’re not disturbed.”
And the footman shouted, “Yesss your Grrace!!”
Pippa did not think twice.
She dove right behind the curtain, dragging the broom and the shovel with her.
She heard the door open, then after a while close again with a soft click.
Pippa held her breath.
“This is probably the only room in the entire palace not riddled with spies. You are aware that Metternich listens from the ceiling? That vent above the conference chamber hides a false roof. Clerks crouch up there, scribbling down every word.” It was the same deep voice, except he was now speaking English. Pippa pressed her hand over her mouth to keep her breath quiet.
“He does?” replied a tenor voice. She heard a snapping and clicking as if someone had opened and closed a snuff box. A sniff. “How infernal of him.” Another sniff. “Infernal. Butcreative.”
“He plays a double game. You know that he’s been setting up secret meetings already, conducting preliminary negotiations, so to speak? The Tsar and Frederick William aren’t even here yet. I received such an invitation only yesterday, which is why I wanted to consult with you first.”
“I don’t trust the man. I don’t think there is anything to gain by those meetings. He is attempting to forge alliances before the congress even begins officially. But this game can be played by us as well. And I say we ought to play it, shamelessly. Which brings us to His Imperial Highness.”
“What about him?”
“I thought he was to join us here. Wasn’t this the entire point? Using personal ties for a greater purpose?”
“The Archduke?” the deep voice replied, amused. “You underestimate him, Castlereagh, if you think he’ll allow himself to be used.”
“Yet I am certainly not mistaken in thinking the man is more political than he appears to be.” Footsteps sounded muffled on the carpet. “I daresay he plays the fool for the sake of his father, or Metternich.” A pause. “Or both. You know him better than any of us. Can you pull him to our side?”
“He won’t let himself be manipulated. He is far too shrewd. And I care for him too well to allow it.”
“Are you certain we can trust him? How long have you known him?”
“Since we were boys. We met on the Grand Tour before the wars.” A pause. “I would trust him with my life, as he does me.”
The man made an impatient huff. “All the better reason to use him. It is too good an advantage to waste.”
“That I refuse.” The deep voice was suddenly cold. “I will never jeopardise that trust.”
“Come, come, Aldingbourne. I never meant anything drastic by it. For his trust you need to keep, come what may. I merely meant that you could—carefully—sound him out to see whether he can be drawn to our side.”
“He carries no political weight. You know that Metternich holds the reins in that regard, as much as he holds the emperor firmly in his hand. As for the Archduke, he is to marry the Russian Grand Duchess. It is a public secret. If Metternich says it is to be done, it will be done.”
