The Archduchess rang the bell,and it rang and rang. Pippa rose and dragged her leaden limbs to the bedroom.
Mimi opened her mouth to scold her, then closed it at once when she saw her face.
“Pippa. What happened? You look terrible.”
“Archduke Leopold was here,” she said quietly, “but he left again.”
Were her eyes still red? She had barely had time to press a handkerchief to them. Surely the Archduchess must notice how weepy and drained she looked.
“That rascal. Without as much as a word of greeting to me.” Mimi pushed herself upright in bed, several pillows propping her up, and searched Pippa’s face. She patted the space beside her. “Sit.”
Pippa obeyed.
“I heard you quarrel all the way in my bedroom.”
Pippa looked stricken. “You did? How terrible.” She covered her hot cheeks with both hands.
The Archduchess regarded her thoughtfully. “I wasn't born yesterday, you know. I knew, of course, that you must be the mysterious woman everyone keeps talking about. Otherwise, he would never have pressed me so fervently to take you in as my companion. I would not do it for just anyone.”
Pippa bowed her head. “I am terribly sorry.”
“For what? That I discovered your secret? That I overheard your lover’s quarrel? I must say, I have seldom heard him so frustrated. He must be deeply in love with you.”
Pippa shook her head. “Please let us speak of it no more. It is not meant to be.”
The Archduchess studied her for a long moment. “Very well. I shall not mention it again if it burdens you.”
She drew the curtains, straightened a pillow, and busied her trembling hands, anything to hide the bleak certainty that something precious had ended.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
When Prince Luciferthrows all principles to the wind and finds himself pressed to seek the help of the man he has sworn to avoid at all costs, then things must be desperate, indeed. With a sigh, Klemens dragged his feet up the marble staircase in the Metternich residence, his faithful adjutant Kovacz in tow, whose frown between his brows grew heavier with each step they ascended.
“Is this really necessary, Highness? You could have just summoned him to the Hofburg.”
“He’s too busy conspiring with the congress attendees. Don’t you know that he’s so elusive, it’s become legendarily difficult to have a personal meeting with him? I heard Prince Talleyrand himself complain that it has become impossible to meet the man. Though,” he added in an afterthought, “that may also be a political strategy on his side.” It galled him to have to throw all principles overboard and take this step, but he was at his wits’ end. His dislike of Metternich notwithstanding, the man had apolitical cunning and influence over his father, the Kaiser, that few others had.
“The man is as slippery as an eel,” Kovacz stated. “I don’t trust him.” He announced the Archduke. Whatever Metternich was doing now, he’d be forced to interrupt his activity, no matter how important, and greet him. For one does not let an archduke wait.
Klemens bid Kovacz wait in the antechamber as he entered the study where Metternich would receive him.
“This is a surprise.” Metternich entered through a tapestried side door, paused, and made a bow. “Has His Imperial Highness decided to join our negotiations? I would not have thought you were that politically invested. Even though I may have to revise that impression, judging from your rather surprising observations at our last soiree.” He dangled his quizzing glass from his fingers and regarded him closely. “You uttered some unexpectedly astute statements in favour of our demands. Such political support coming from you, of all people, was rather unanticipated, given your reluctance to show your colours.”
Klemens grimaced.“This is not why I’m here. I do need to discuss something with you that is private, not of a political nature.”
“I have always considered the personal to be political.” He gestured with a hand at the group of settees in the centre of the room, and they sat. “I confess I am rather curious now as to what that could be.”
“I will be direct. It is no secret that you have become one of Europe’s most influential matchmakers, particularly withdynastic marriages.”
Metternich inclined his head, a faint smile playing about his lips. “Ah yes, I confess I take some pride in that reputation. The union of Archduchess Marie Louise with the Emperor of the French was, at the time—forgive me for praising myself—a masterstroke of statecraft. It was a necessary evil. I am proud of that accomplishment. It was no triumph of the heart, I assure you, but of necessity. It bought us peace, however brief, and extricated Austria from a most perilous situation. For a while, it worked. One must take such victories where one can.”
Klemens leaned forward and looked at him intently. “And with this same purpose in mind, you are secretly manoeuvring to arrange my marriage to the Grand Duchess of Russia. Mind you, it is not really a secret, for the entire country seems to be informed of the date of the formal betrothal announcement, except for me. One cannot help but ask why you seek to forge such a union between our nations when your official stance at the congress is that of stability and balance between the powers. A union with Russia, surely, would upset such a balance.”
Metternich pulled out a handkerchief and polished his quizzing glass. “If you suggest that I am playing a double game, you are quite right. Let us call it prudence; an ace up one’s sleeve, should the official negotiations fail.”
Klemens scowled. “It is my future you are toying with, and you are using me like a political chess piece, moving it at your whim. I object to that.”
Metternich nodded. “That is entirely understandable. I would feel the same way. They call me the chessmaster of Europe, after all. And yet,” a cunning light entered his eyes, “what you call manipulation is simply, for lack of a better word, fate. You are an archduke of Austria, and it is your duty to marry to stabilise the realm. It is what you were born to do.”
