Shit.
“What a beautiful brooch you have, Terrin Tatyana.” His eyes narrowed. “An unusual jewel.”
Damn you, Oleg.She had no idea what the brooch was. She hadn’t had time to inspect it since Oleg had secured it to her dress, and since her head covering normally covered it, no one had remarked on it.
“I enjoy unusual decoration,” Tatyana said. “I was noting the embroidery on Lord Oleg’s kaftan earlier. Yours is equally intricate. The artisans of the Kievan Rus are very skilled.”
“Indeed they are.” They shifted back to facing each other, but Ivan’s eyes were still fixed on her shoulder. “As talented as the artist who must have made your brooch. May I ask who created such a stunning piece?”
“You may, but I cannot tell you.” Tatyana stared over his shoulder, feigning disinterest. “It was a gift to the Poshani.”
“I see. May I ask from whom? If they are still living, I may want to see a piece commissioned.”
“Hmm.” She forced her face to remain impassive. The mazurka was coming to a close. Finally. “I will have to ask. If I can discover the maker, I will be sure to tell my secretary to send a note.”
“I would appreciate the courtesy.” Despite her impassive face and disinterested tone of voice, Ivan’s eyes were gleaming in victory.
Damn, damn, damn. What had she given away? Why hadn’t Oleg warned her?
In situations like this, every detail was layered in meaning, from the colors on her hem to the styles she and Kezia chose to wear. Jewelry wasn’t only decoration—it was an unspoken message.
The orchestra gave one last flourish, and Tatyana could finally pull away from Ivan’s clutches. She clapped politely, glancing around the room and looking for Sándor.
He was already headed her way.
“Ivan Sokholov, I appreciate the dance,” Tatyana said. “May the rest of your time here in Budapest be pleasant, and please give my regards to your lord.”
“Oh, I will.” Ivan’s smirk sent a ripple of irritation down her neck. “And give my regards to your family, Tatyana le Tala.”
“Thank you.” She started toward Sándor but paused when Ivan’s words reached her ears.
“The Poshani are known for their devotion and loyalty to their own people above all others,” Ivan said. “I have always admired that.”
She glanced over her shoulder, but Ivan was already walking away.
“A problem?” Sándor asked as she slipped her arm into his.
“Ivan? He is always a problem.”
“Did he bring up Vano?”
“No, but I think he knows about… him.”
Sándor didn’t need to be told who “him” was. “How?”
“I don’t know,” Tatyana said. “But somehow he knows.”
She tooka break for the next two dances to spend a moment in the women’s dressing room to fix the rouge on her lips, take a breath, and also to finally inspect the brooch Oleg had placed on her dress.
It was a firebird of course.
The body was a large faceted ruby of deepest red, and the rest of the brooch was cast in gold. There were tiny onyx eyes and a flare of blue, red, and green enameled feathers spraying out from the body of the brooch in what could only be described as a mosaic pattern.
A mosaic firebird.How very subtle, my love.
Tatyana sighed, but she didn’t remove it. If she did, Ivan would no doubt notice and it would confirm his suspicions if they weren’t confirmed already.
“Tatyana?” Diana found her in the dressing room. “Your next…” Her eyes landed on the brooch. “That’s stunning. I didn’t buy it for you.”
