Lindenstein blinked. “Eh? What? How? Said nothing of the kind.”
“Surely you’re not so politically illiterate that you didn’t know that Britain would not look favourably upon the union between an Austrian archduke and a Russian grand duchess. Not now.” Aldingbourne’s voice suddenlyturned to steel, and he was all politician, from head to toe. “Not when Russia is determined to acquire Poland. By allying herself with Austria through a dynastic marriage, Russia will extend its sphere of influence to strengthen their claim.”
“Well, if it’s any consolation to you, I don’t look favourably upon this union, either.” He pulled his hand nervously through his hair. “And I couldn’t care less what Russia, Prussia, and, sorry to say old chap, your Britain wants, and they should all freely help themselves to a slice of the pie for all that I care.” He jumped up, made a turn about the room, then said with a lopsided-smile, “Just so that we’re crystal clear: I certainly don’t give a rat’s tail for what Austria wants, either.”He picked up his glass.
Aldingbourne regarded him through hooded eyes. “You need not play the fool with me in private. I know perfectly well that you like to pretend to know less than you actually do.”
“It is no pretense. I know absolutely nothing at all,” Klemens muttered into his glass.
“Nonsense. You are a highly talented mathematician, despite insisting on the contrary.”
Klemens shrugged. “What good does that do me?”
“This is what makes you so dangerous. You’re a wild card. Not under anyone’s control. Least of all under Metternich’s.” A smile tugged at Aldingbourne’s mouth. “Though I think I just heard Metternich bellow a frustrated shout of despair as soon as you uttered that you didn’t give a rat’s tail for what Austria wants.”
“Let him shout.” Lindenstein grinned. “But I know, Iknow. ’Tis a traitorous, blasphemous thing to say, especially from an Austrian archduke. I should’ve been born a British commoner, then none of this would have been a problem.” He grabbed the carafe and poured himself another drink. “Then I could just go ahead and fulfil my promise and marry her and?—”
“You made a promise?” The duke’s voice was sharp. “To a commoner?”
Lindenstein paused. “Why yes, of course?”
Aldingbourne's hand stilled on his glass. “Is she truly worth all that trouble?”
“Of course she is!” he exclaimed, straightening abruptly. “I’ve known her for years. She's the truest, kindest, sweetest little thing.” He dropped back into his chair. “Though she can be a hothead. Stubborn to a fault and with a temper.” He gave a low whistle. “She spits fire until the sparks fly. No one can curse as badly as she can.” A broad smile spread over his face. “Mein kleines Täubchen.She is anything but a sweet little turtledove, my ladybird.”
Aldingbourne blinked. “But, my dear friend. My dear,dearfriend.” He seemed speechless, which, considering he was Aldingbourne, was a rare thing to behold, indeed. “I seem to have missed a vital piece of information here. I believed we were talking about a first love, a youthful summer romance, a passing infatuation if you will, a bit of muslin, someone you can keep by your side, in the worst case as your mistress—but—you appear to harbour deeper affections for her?”
“Yes. I do. I love her. Deeply. Truly. Irrevocably. She’s the love of my life, and I won’t have any other. Ihave pledged myself to her and she to me.” His jaw tightened “Not that she knows who I really am,” he muttered, “But that’s a secondary problem now.”
“It appears we do have a rather grave problem,” Aldingbourne said after a weighty silence.
“You cannot imagine the half of it.” Lindenstein stared morosely into his glass. “But, see the bright side of it all.” His face brightened, and two dimples appeared when he grinned. “I’ll even invite you to the wedding. No, better, I’ll ask you to be my best man. It’ll be a secret affair, yes? I’m thinking the following: if the deed is done, quickly and quietly, nothing and no one can undo it. The Emperor’s hands will be tied, and the Russian Grand Duchess can return to the Siberian steppe from where she came.”
Aldingbourne stared at him, aghast. “I am rarely speechless, my friend.”
Lindenstein lifted his glass in a toast. “There are always firsts.”
“And she doesn’t know who you are?”
Lindenstein shook his head. “She thinks I’m the student Klemens Lindenstein. I meant to tell her truth at our last meeting, but somehow…” His voice trailed off. “It was such a nice summer evening, it was warm, the stars were out, and we were dancing a waltz and she looked like the prettiest thing that ever walked on this earth, with those huge black round eyes of hers and a head full of the most adorable curls, and sweet red lips and in short, it was altogether wonderful, and I didn’t want to kill the moment.”
“Good heavens.”
“And then,” he shrugged, “You know how it is. Thepaterrecalled me to Vienna. I had to depart abruptly before I had the chance to tell her. But—” He pulled himself up. “I will marry her.” He set his chin stubbornly. “To blazes with dynastic marriages.”
“When you do that, you look exactly like your father,” Aldingbourne muttered, rubbing his forehead with a finger. “Looking all haughty and imperial as he utters impossible orders.”
Lindenstein shuddered. “Don’t compare me to my father, I beseech you. Rather, help me with another, bigger problem.”
“Another problem?” Aldingbourne groaned. “I tremble to learn what that could be.” He reached out to pour another glass.
“Yes, and this one worries me. She seems to have disappeared.”
Aldingbourne paused in the movement of pouring the whisky into his glass. “Beg pardon?”
“She’s gone. Her father died unexpectedly, and she must be tremendously devastated. As am I, for I was truly fond of the old man. Never had a better teacher.” He looked away and swallowed. “I can’t even begin to think what she must be feeling. But she isn’t answering any of my mail and when I sent my man to enquire for her, we learned that house and land got confiscated and there was no trace of her anywhere. She is homeless. I’m beside myself with worry.”
Aldingbourne stared at his friend. “Are you saying now that on top of you being lovesick, and hell-bent onmarrying someone who is unsuitable to your status, the object of your affection has disappeared into thin air?”
