Читать книгу His Cavalry Lady - Joanna Maitland - Страница 12

Chapter Five

Late though it was, the streets were still packed with people. They seemed to be generally good humoured, but there was no mistaking the pervasive smell of gin. Looking over his shoulder as they pushed their way through towards the Pulteney, Dominic realised that young Alexandrov looked incredibly small and vulnerable. That sabre of his—which had no doubt tasted blood in battle—would be no help here in London.

‘Oi! Who d’ye think ye’re pushin’?’ A couple of feet behind Dominic, a man with arms like prize hams had turned a furious face on Alexandrov. The ruffian was at least three parts drunk and seemed to be spoiling for a fight. He raised a huge fist to strike the Russian.

Alexandrov’s hand went to his sabre-hilt and began to draw, just as Dominic moved to put himself between them. ‘Sheath it,’ Dominic cried, keeping his eyes fixed on the drunk. If he had to, Dominic could easily knock the man down, but that would be almost as risky as Alexandrov’s damned sabre. A fist fight could quickly turn into a street brawl and then a full-scale riot. ‘This is one of the Russian Emperor’s officers.’ Dominic was almost shouting to make himself heard. ‘We’re here to cheer the Russians, aren’t we?’

The drunk was beginning to look confused. His clenched fist had slackened a little. Around him, the crowd was muttering. One or two were trying to pull the drunk away.

‘Three cheers for the Emperor Alexander,’ Dominic cried. To his relief, at least a dozen voices responded. By the third cheer, it was probably fifty. And the drunk was cheering, too. His furious face now wore a beatific smile.

Dominic breathed a sigh of relief and pushed on through the crowd until they were out of danger in a fairly quiet side street. He had to warn Alexandrov about the risks he was taking. The young fire-eater would not always have Dominic at his side to calm the mob. ‘May I suggest, Alexei Ivanovich, that you would be unwise to brave the London streets alone?’

The young man bristled visibly and started to protest.

‘I intend no slur on your honour,’ Dominic said quickly, putting a hand on Alexandrov’s shoulder and gripping it lightly. He might need protection, but he was much too proud to admit it. ‘Your bravery is beyond question. I meant only that, with the London mob, it is remarkably easy to provoke a riot.’

Alexandrov had not attempted to shrug off Dominic’s hand, but he had become rather flushed. It seemed he was just as quick to anger as he was to put his hand to his sword.

‘I do not for a moment suggest that you would do so intentionally, Alexei Ivanovich. But if you had actually drawn that sabre of yours, their mood could have changed in the blink of an eye. They’re not overfond of foreigners, you see, even foreigners who have helped to defeat Bonaparte.’

‘Helped?’ exclaimed the young man, with savage emphasis. ‘You mistake, Duke. If one compares the losses of the Russian army with your own—’

Very quick to anger, Dominic decided. ‘I do not seek to belittle you, Alexandrov, or the Russian army.’ He patted the lad’s shoulder in what he hoped was a reassuring way. It did not seem to be helping, for Alexandrov flushed even more. ‘I seek only to assist you. You do accept that, I hope?’

As soon as Dominic removed his hand, Alexandrov’s angry flush began to subside. He even made a half-hearted attempt to smile. Did he feel he was being patronised? Was that the cause of his evident ill temper?

Another burst of cheering drowned Dominic’s attempted explanation. In the distance, he could see that Emperor Alexander had appeared once more on the balcony of the Pulteney Hotel. The crowd’s reception was rapturous.

‘That does not look to me like a lack of fondness for foreigners, Duke.’

‘Agreed. But please remember, Alexei Ivanovich, that the London mob has one characteristic above all. It is fickle.’

The young man appeared to consider Dominic’s words with rather more care than before. ‘I do understand your warning, Duke. I admit I was rash. And I ask you to forgive my display of…of ill temper. It was unwarranted.’

‘Doing it too brown, my friend. You have nothing to apologize for.’ Dominic smiled with relief. He had found himself unaccountably warming to this strange young warrior with the hair-trigger temper. The last thing he wanted was to offend him, even inadvertently. ‘Look! Your Emperor is leaving the balcony. Poor man, it seems the cheering crowd will give him no peace. Is he received in this way in Russia?’

‘Yes. No. Not exactly. The Tsar is “the Little Father” to his people. The…the relationship is not the same.’

Dominic frowned, wondering. A father to his people? For a second he imagined the Prince Regent in the role. It was so absurd that he had difficulty in keeping his face straight. A sideways glance showed him that Alexandrov was set to take offence again. He was quick to see slights to his beloved Emperor, was he not? ‘Forgive me, Alexei Ivanovich. In my mind, I could not help but compare your Emperor with our Prince Regent. He has been called many things, but “a father to his people” would be the most unlikely of all.’

‘You are not very respectful, Duke.’ Alexandrov looked puzzled.

‘It is our way, Alexandrov. The English are fiercely loyal to throne and country, but unwilling to be blind to their faults. And the monarch does not have absolute power here. The scandal sheets and the cartoons lampoon the Regent, his mistresses, his extravagances… It is our way.’

Alexandrov shook his head wonderingly. It was clear that he was finding it difficult to grasp the English attitude, so different from Russian ways. Yet he was at least trying to understand which, in Dominic’s experience, was unusual. Definitely an intriguing young man.

Dominic clapped his companion on the back. ‘Worry not, my friend. Such things will not happen to your Emperor while he is here. Besides, all London is determined to celebrate. What better figurehead than your young and virile Emperor?’

Alexandrov had flushed again. He swallowed. ‘Our beloved Tsar is a great man,’ he said simply.

They had reached the entrance to the Pulteney. Dominic fancied that the crowd was now beginning to thin a little, possibly because it was so late. It would be thoroughly unreasonable to expect the Russian Emperor to appear again. As the pair passed into the foyer of the hotel, he said as much to Alexandrov, adding, ‘But that will probably not prevent them from trying. I doubt that your “Little Father” and his suite will get much sleep tonight. Or any other night.’

‘The Emperor does not seem to need much sleep, Calder,’ Alexandrov said with a touch of pride. ‘I dare say you will see for yourself in the next few days. He is a man of enormous energy.’

‘If you can keep up with him, Alexei Ivanovich, I am sure that I can also. I’m not that old, you know.’ Dominic raised an eyebrow, expecting a witty retort.

Instead, Alexandrov reddened like a schoolboy. ‘I beg your pardon, Duke.’

Dominic shook his head and grinned widely. The boy had much to learn.

Alexandrov relaxed a little. ‘What I meant was that the aides-de-camp do not go everywhere with his Imperial Majesty. We each have specific duties. I, for example, attend his Majesty when he goes riding. But I am not required to attend him to balls, and such social events.’

‘Your are fortunate. Balls can be remarkably tedious affairs, I find.’

The lad was blushing again. ‘I…I have not attended many balls, Calder. But I would not say that those I have attended were…er…tedious.’

‘Oh? How would you describe them?’

From the look on the lad’s face, Dominic fancied the appropriate word would be ‘terrifying’. Now, why would he be afraid of such an event? Surely most young men would be delighted to be in the company of pretty young ladies?

‘I am afraid that I do not dance, Duke. When Mother Russia was fighting for her very survival, it would have been dishonourable for a soldier to spend time on learning such frivolous skills. Sabre-drill was much to be preferred.’ He spat out that last statement with considerable pride.

Dominic knew better than to pursue the matter. ‘Will Major Zass go riding with you, do you think?’ Riding in the park would provide a good opportunity to make contact with the Major in an informal, friendly way. Zass might even let slip something useful.

‘He may do. He does ride when he can be spared. His Majesty insists that we all ride, for the benefit of our health. Exercise is most important, he maintains.’

‘And his Majesty is right, of course. Tell me, Alexandrov, how shall I know whether his Majesty plans to ride in the mornings? Does he decide these things the previous evening?’

‘I fear not.’

‘Ah. Then I must send a servant here each morning, to find out what his Majesty’s plans are. May I instruct the servant to ask for you?’

Alexandrov smiled. ‘Of course. I always rise early, usually at first light.’

Dominic allowed himself a theatrical groan. ‘You would not do that if you had been dancing till four in the morning.’

‘No, perhaps not. Though his Majesty does. Often.’

‘I must be getting old,’ Dominic said ruefully. ‘Now, I must not keep you from your duties, Alexei Ivanovich. My servant will wait on you tomorrow. Will six o’clock be early enough?’

Alexandrov put his head on one side. ‘Well…’ he said slowly, ‘his Majesty often sets off before seven. Would six o’clock give you enough time to prepare yourself, Calder?’ He allowed his gaze to roam over Dominic’s immaculate evening clothes. ‘I have heard that London gentlemen take many hours to dress for the day. The tying of a cravat, I am told…’ He shook his head slightly.

Dominic felt his mouth twitch. ‘That may be true of Brummell, Alexei Ivanovich, but it is not true of me,’ he said, vehemently. ‘I have not slept with my horse on the eve of battle, as you have done, but I can assure you that if my servant brings me word before half past six, I can be riding in the park by seven.’

Alexandrov grinned mischievously. ‘Always assuming, of course, that you have not been dancing till five? I take it, Duke, that you are not going to a ball after you leave here?’

‘No, I am going to— I have a number of calls to make, Alexandrov. You have still to discover exactly what your monarch plans to do tomorrow. I must do the same for mine, even though my main duty is to attend on your Emperor. No doubt we will meet in the park tomorrow. I look forward to it. Meanwhile, I will bid you good night.’ He bowed to his companion and turned for the door.

‘Calder.’

Dominic turned back. Alexandrov was smiling at him, looking very small and trim in the huge foyer of the hotel. The picture of a boy soldier. Except that he was not a boy.

‘You did not give me a chance to thank you for your hospitality this evening. And for your help with the crowd. Thank you.’ He bowed formally.

‘My pleasure, Captain. And my brothers’. By the way, don’t believe everything they tell you. I am not nearly as bad as they paint me.’

Alexandrov merely bowed again and turned towards the stairs.

Smiling to himself, Dominic left the hotel and walked into Piccadilly. He was an interesting young man, Captain Alexandrov. And an entertaining companion, especially when he gave his wit free rein. It would be a pleasure to cultivate him further, Dominic thought warmly. Then icy duty intruded, spoiling his sunny mood. Alexandrov would have to be used, to provide an entrée to Major Zass and possibly to others of the Emperor’s court. And Dominic must say as much to Castlereagh, who would now be waiting impatiently for his report.

Tomorrow, in the park, Dominic would hope to further his acquaintance with Major Zass. And to judge just how well young Alexandrov sat a horse.

Alex managed to run nonchalantly up the stairs and round the first landing. Once she was out of sight of the foyer, she stopped, gripping the baluster rail tightly for support. Her free hand was shaking.

On the landing above, a burst of laughter forced her back to the present. Her brother officers had obviously been enjoying an evening off duty. One of them might spot her at any moment. She forced herself to straighten her back and march up the stairs, with her normal jaunty gait. No one must see any difference in Captain Alexandrov’s demeanour.

Almost all of the Tsar’s suite was in the reception room on the first floor. Some of them had clearly been indulging very freely in their Emperor’s hospitality. A couple were stretched out on the sofas, snoring loudly.

‘Alexei Ivanovich, where have you been?’ cried one, lurching towards Alex as if to fling an arm round her shoulder.

She sidestepped neatly. ‘Where is Major Zass? He is expecting my report.’

‘Wha’ report?’

Her thoughtless words had penetrated the drunken fog in the man’s brain. What report, indeed! She had been tasked by the Major in private and now, stupidly, she was talking about her mission in the midst of her drunken comrades.

Concentrate, Alex! What has happened to you? You are not usually so unaware. You have plenty of experience of dealing with men such as these.

But not with men such as the Duke of Calder, said a little voice from somewhere in the recesses of her mind. Calder had upset all her equilibrium. The moment he touched her, she had—