Klemens, who’d remained standing, shifting from one foot to the other like a restless colt, returned his gaze wide-eyed. “Nothing at all, Majesty. I mean, how terribly unfortunate for the Grand Duchess to be so overcome by a passion that she would be prompted to do such a thing. Her reputation in tatters and all. Tragic, really. But, as Metternich said, maybe it was, ultimately, for the best?”
“What is this that I hear about you promising marriage to a woman and not keeping your word?” his father thundered.
Klemens stiffened. “What?”
“And I don’t mean the Grand Duchess. Well?” The Emperor glared at him.
Pippa dug her fingers into the armrest, the brocade rough beneath her gloves. She made a sound of protest, but the Emperor’s brusque hand movement to quiet her indicated that it was not yet her turn to speak.
“Did you, or did you not, make a promise ofmarriage,” the Emperor’s finger wandered from Klemens to Pippa, “to this young lady, here?”
Klemens’ gaze met Pippa’s and held it. Something softened in his expression, a vulnerability she’d rarely seen. “I certainly did.” He clasped his hands behind his back as if to support himself.
His father looked at him sternly. “And you did so all the while knowing you would be betrothed to the Grand Duchess.”
Klemens pulled himself up stiffly. “I did not. The Grand Duchess was not even in the picture then.”
“Whether she was or was not is not the issue. You did so knowing it would be your duty as an archduke to marry someone else. Someone suitable. Someone of rank.”
“Pippa is more than suitable for me, and I care not about rank.” He set his jaw, a muscle ticking beneath the skin.
But his father ignored his interjection. “You did so knowing all along that such a union would be frowned upon by every crowned head in Europe. You did so knowing that this young woman’s background would be considered by all and sundry to be unsuitable. Her father was considered to be a Jacobin sympathiser.”
“He was not!” Pippa shot up, her indignation overcoming her awe. “I swear it on my life, Your Majesty, my father believed in progress and education, but he never?—”
The Emperor lifted a finger, and she fell silent, though her cheeks remained flushedwith emotion. “Young woman, I am talking to my son now. Well, what do you have to say?”
Klemens walked over to Pippa, held out his hand and drew her up to him so that both remained standing before the Emperor, a united front against the world, while Metternich dangled his quizzing glass from his fingers in a vaguely bored manner, though his eyes missed nothing.
“You are correct in that I have promised marriage to her; that her background may be deemed unsuitable; and that expectations of my marriage would have been different. I have decided that my love for Pippa overrides all that. It will and shall overcome all that.” His voice grew stronger with each word. “As for her background, she may be a commoner, but I do not care. From this day, I claim no title but my name, Klemens Lindenstein, and no allegiance but to the woman I love. I shall relinquish my title and inheritance if that is what it takes for us to be together.”
“No, Klemens!” Pippa vehemently shook her head. “I won’t have you take such a step. I forbid it.”
“Hear, hear,” Metternich murmured.
The Emperor dropped his head into his hands with a groan. “You are intent on bringing me to an early grave.”
“No, Father, far from it. But I do not consider Pippa’s background to be something to be ashamed of at all. Her father was someone I highly esteemed, and I consider him one of the greatest intellects of our time. I learned much from him, about mathematics and the natural sciences, yes, but also about integrity and honour. He may have been liberal-minded, but he was not a radical.He certainly was not a Jacobin sympathiser. And neither is Pippa.”
“I know that.” The Emperor drummed his fingernails on his armrest.
Klemens blinked, momentarily thrown. “You do?”
The Emperor gave his son a hooded look. “It may have escaped your notice in the excitement of the Grand Duchess’ elopement, that the secret police has rounded up a nest of Jacobins that has been meeting and plotting against the government. It was a quiet but efficient operation, and thanks to Fräulein Cranwell here, we could take care of the matter before it became a catastrophe.”
“I am so glad,” Pippa clasped her hands together. “I was truly worried that I might have been mistaken.”
Klemens looked from one to the other, bewildered. “What are you talking about?”
“Explain the matter.” His father nodded at Metternich, who summarised the events with his usual precision.
“Fräulein Cranwell came across some intelligence that there had been planned a Jacobin gathering at the Minoritenkirche for Thursday next. She brought this information to His Majesty, whom she believed to be merely a gardener, and to myself. We could intervene in time and prevent further chaos from unfolding. Judging from their plans, they were plotting to set off a bomb near the Chancellery during the last ceremonies of the congress.” Metternich paused for effect, letting the gravity of the situation sink in. “Unthinkable what could have happened. By informing us about it, Fräulein Cranwell has saved the state from falling into chaos anddisrepair when all of Europe has its eyes on us. One dares not imagine what could have happened if they had gone ahead with their plans. The reverberations would have been felt from London to Saint Petersburg.” Metternich rose and bowed to her. “You are a heroine, Fräulein.”
She blushed prettily. “Nonsense. I did not even know I had done the right thing by blabbing it all out to the gardener. I mean, to His Majesty. I feared it might have been a great folly, and I had a sleepless night over it, wondering if I’d sent innocent men to their doom.”
“Young woman, not only have you proven to be a great comfort and company, but you also have an intelligent and fast-thinking mind. I should like to see more of you in the future.”
“Well, that can be accomplished.” Klemens squeezed Pippa’s hand. “I intend to marry her, Father.” He squared his chin. “And we would like your permission.”
