Splendor (48 page)

Where was Marie-Elena? Carolyn's fists were clenched. She had left yesterday evening, dressed as if she planned on attending a ball, and had not returned.

She heard racing footsteps and turned from where she paced in the foyer, desperate for the princess's return, and saw Taichili hurrying down the wide, dark wooden stairs. The governess's expression fell. "She hasn't come home yet?" Her tone was no longer brisk and pointed. It was aghast.

"She has not," Carolyn said grimly. "I think we are the last ones left in the city."

Taichili wet her lips.

Katya was currendy with Raffaldi, in the midst of a lesson. What if Marie-Elena did not return? Carolyn could certainly make excuses for the princess, but her senses were screaming at her that they must leave the city—immediately. To remain was insane. And Carolyn's first responsibility was to her charge. Not to anyone else.

"This, is appalling," Carolyn said tersely to Taichili.

Taichili hesitated. "Maybe something has happened to her."

Carolyn gave her a glowering look. "I can imagine what has happened to her, Taichili. She has rendezvoused with the very dashing Vorontsky, and the two have found it impossible to get out of bed!"

Taichili gasped, but seemed to agree, for she did not even cast a single reproving glance Carolyn's way. "What are we going to do?"

Carolyn thought of Nicholas. He trusted her to care for his daughter, and in spite of what had happened between them, she could never let him down. "We are leaving. Now. Tell the staff we depart in two hours for Tver."

"Without the princess?"

Carolyn inhaled, aware of how monumental her decision was. "Yes. Without the princess. She will have to make her way to Tver herself."

"We carmot leave without Maman," Katya said shrilly from above them.

Carolyn whirled and saw Katya standing on the landing above, pale and distressed. "I thought you were having your lessons, darling," she said cheerfully.

"It is time for astronomy, and I came to get you." Katya glared, coming down the stairs. ' 'We cannot leave without Maman."

"Katya, I am sorry. I know how worried you are about your mother, but she is an adult, and capable of taking care of herself. Everyone has been ordered to leave the city. All of our neighbors are gone. Napoleon may very well ride into Moscow at any moment. We must go."

"No," Katya said. "I am not going without Maman."

Carolyn started, and Taichili stepped forward. "Your mother will meet us at Tver, Katya. And what is happening here? You used to be such a well-mannered girl. Curtsy and apologize to Miss Browne."

Katya stared belligerently, and suddenly darted past them, racing across the foyer and out the front door. Carolyn exchanged a concerned look with Taichili, and both

women hurried after her. They exited the palace just in time to see her flying through the entry tower and out onto the public street. Carolyn then realized that Katya's intentions were genuine. That Katya was running away.

"Katya!" she screamed.

But the child's speed increased as she ran down the street, darting around a comer. Horrified, Carolyn snapped, "Get help!" And she lifted her skirts and ran after the child, across the cobbled courtyard, through the tower's vaulted arch, and out into the street. She rushed down it and around the same comer Katya had tumed and stopped short. Panting, and out of breath. Katya was nowhere to be seen.

It was a few hours later; mid-aftemoon. Carolyn's white muslin dress, sprigged with yellow and green, was gray. She sank down on the front steps of the palace, tears filling her eyes. Her limbs were shaking.

In the courtyard, the five wagons were loaded with all of their possessions, including Marie-Elena's. They were ready to leave. They had been ready to leave since half past nine that morning. But Katya was still missing. Carolyn told herself that she must not cry—but she was exhausted and never had she been more worried in her life. More worried—and more frightened.

What if Katya was lost? What if something had happened to her? What if the French had entered the city—and stumbled across her? Perhaps she was hiding from the soldiers!

Taichili suddenly sank onto the top step beside her, handing her a shawl. "You will catch an ague," she said. The govemess was clad in a wool coat with a fur collar and fur cuffs. Then she said, "Most of the servants are leaving, on foot, and I cannot stop them."

Carolyn accepted the shawl, but she did not feel the cold. The servants were fleeing and she and Taichili were alone in the courtyard with the loaded wagons. The horses slept in the traces. Occasionally one would snort or flick its tail. Beyond the courtyard, the street was deserted, still, silent. "We cannot leave without her," Carolyn said heavily.

Thinking in despair, How? How could she run away now? When every minute counted? When the French might be descending upon the city as they sat there?

"Of course not," Taichih agreed.

Raffaldi appeared from the house. "Ladies, we must go. We cannot stay in the city another moment. Good God, we are the only ones left! What-if the French come? And there are rumors that they are coming, ladies."

Carolyn looked up at him in real shock. "We cannot leave without Katya, signore."

Raffaldi stared. "I am as upset as you that the child has run away. But I have no wish to die. Good day, ladies." He stepped past them and down the stairs. Carolyn watched him climb into one of the wagons and lift the reins; she was absolutely dumbfounded. Taichili also stared as the Italian tutor drove horse and wagon through the iron gates and down the street. A moment later he was gone.

"Traitor," Carolyn said hoarsely.

Taichili laid a hand on her knee. "Perhaps we should let the rest of the staff go, as well. We could keep two horses here, and when we find Katya, we will catch up to them."

Carolyn stared. "Taichili, I cannot ride."

Taichili looked at her.

Carolyn stood. "But I suppose I can learn. Let's tell the remaining staff they can—and must—go."

But before Carolyn could move, a carriage came hurtling down the street, a riderless horse tied to it, and into the courtyard. Carolyn saw khaki and gray and thought, Nicholas! But as the dust settled it was Sasha Vorontsky who held the reins in the driver's seat, and Marie-Elena was huddled up in a fiir-lined cape beside him.

Carolyn itched to strangle the other woman. No, she itched to strangle them both. Sasha leapt down, then helped Marie-Elena climb out more sedately. Marie-Elena brushed the dust from her skirts, and sashayed forward. "We must leave immediately. Napoleon's army is advancing."

Carolyn inhaled, fought for self-control. "Princess. Your daughter is missing. She has run away."

Marie-Elena paused in mid-stride, about to enter the house. "Katya is missing?"

Sasha's face was grave. He spoke to Carolyn. "Madame, the child must be found instantly. There is no time to waste."

Carolyn held his gaze. "Excellency, I wish you to know that I was personally hired by Prince Sverayov to care for his daughter. I gave him my word that I would do so to the best of my ability. We came to Moscow against his express orders—because of the princess's countermand. I have spent six hours in the streets of this city, looking for Katya. I will gladly spend another six searching for her now. But we could use your help," She stared.

He also stared. "So you are the famous Miss Browne."

Carolyn glanced at Marie-Elena briefly. "Yes, I am Carolyn Browne. You can cover more territory on your horse than I can on foot. And no, sir, I cannot ride."

He nodded. "Marie-Elena, make sure the household is ready to go at a moment's notice."

"The household is ready." Carolyn could not help either herself or her acerbic tone. "What is left of it. We have been ready for two full days."

Vorontsky looked at her with a small smile. "Touche, madame, touche." He strode to the back of the carriage and untied his horse, swinging into the saddle. «

Marie-Elena cried out. "Where are you going?" She was J shrill.

Sasha rode over to the steps. "I am going to find Katya, Marie. Where do you think I am going?"

Marie-Elena burst into tears, tears which Carolyn thought were real. "How could she run away now? I will beat her when she returns, I will! Napoleon is coming. You said so yourself. Our stupid army is fleeing once again. Cowards! They are all cowards, every single one of them!" Marie-Elena sobbed.

Sasha's face was tight, his jaw flexed. He looked at Carolyn. "Let us plan to meet back here every second hour.

splendor ^tQl

It is my guess that she is hiding close by. If you happen to find her, leave and I will catch up."

Carolyn nodded. "I think she must be close by, too. Perhaps we should let the staff go. Excellency. And when we find Katya we can meet them at Tver. There is no need for everyone to stay."

"A capital idea. But if you do not ride?" He let the question hang.

"I suppose I am going to learn," Carolyn said for the second time that day.

"Marie-Elena," Sasha barked. "Order the last of the staff to depart. Detach that last horse and put him in the stable. The wagon will not go." A groom materialized, taking one of the horses from its traces.

Marie-Elena was staring at him with growing excitement. "I will go with them," she suddenly said, her expression eager. "For there is no reason for me to stay here now. And when you find Katya, you shall all rendezvous with us at Tver."

Carolyn was numb. She clenched her fists, angry and hurting all at once. Then she stole a glance at Marie-Elena's lover. His expression was one of sheer disbelief.

"You would abandon your daughter, Marie?" he asked quietly.

She stiffened. "How am I abandoning her? You are going to find her, you and Miss Browne. It is perfect. She herself said there is no need for everyone to wait here. On horseback the two of you can catch up to us, for we shall progress at a much slower pace in the wagons. Kerinsky!" she called. "Summon everyone! We are leaving for Tver this instant!"

Seven servants suddenly came rushing from the house. It was a whirlwind, the staff climbing onto the wagons, Marie-Elena being helped back into the carriage. Carolyn felt ill. Worse, as she watched Sasha staring at Marie-Elena, now cozily ensconced in the carriage, she felt for him, in spite of his betrayal of Nicholas. His expression was not

merely bleak. It suggested that he too was feeling an illness that went to his very soul.

And abruptly, without another word, he wheeled his bay charger and trotted out of the courtyard.

"Sasha!" Marie-Elena called. "Until Tver!" - He did not answer. He did not look back.

Marie-Elena's smile faded. But she tapped her coachman on the shoulder and her carriage moved forward, the three remaining wagons beginning to follow.

Carolyn did not move. She clutched her skirts. Taichili came to stand beside her. They watched the small caravan leave the courtyard, rumbling slowly down the street. By now, Sasha was out of sight.

Carolyn trembled. Too late, it occurred to her that they were not only alone in the deserted city, they did not even possess a weapon. "Shall we?" she asked. Her tone was a whisper.

Taichili nodded, and the two women set off to find the missing child.

^ Thirty-one ^

UNDER the light of a full moon, Nicholas galloped into the courtyard of his Moscow home. He sawed on the reins, his horse rearing in protest. Nicholas did not notice, his gaze sweeping past a wagon which had been left in the courtyard, settling on the palace. It was dark and silent, as if deserted and abandoned the way the city had been deserted and abandoned. His heart pounding, he swung from the charger, strides hard, and pounded up the front steps. The door had been left unbolted and it swung open. He still did not hear a single sound. His pulse raced far more swiftly than before.

"Carolyn! Katya! Kerinsky!" But as he stood in the dark, shadowy foyer, he was certain the house was empty, not asleep, and he was swamped with reUef. They had fled Moscow, as well they should. Thank God. He turned to leave.

But someone was standing on the threshold, a man, and immediately Nicholas cocked and pointed his pistol. "Who goes there?" he demanded.

"Niki," a painfully familiar voice said.

His heart turned over hard, with pain and disbelief. Nicholas released the trigger and walked forward, until he and his cousin stood outside in the moonlight. He stared at his dark face. Hating him ... loving him.

'T am very glad to see you," Sasha said intensely.

Nicholas's mouth curled. "I cannot say the same." He had spent many nights debating whether to challenge Sasha to a duel. But why should one of them die over Marie-Elena? Still, his pride and his male nature warred with common sense. What Sasha, his cousin and dear friend since childhood, had done was unforgivable. Nicholas shoved past him, reaching for the reins of his mount. He was afraid of what he might do if he continued to linger there with him.

From behind, Sasha gripped his arm, forestalling him. "Niki. Stop."

Nicholas turned slowly. "Do not press your luck. And if you think to throw excuses at me, or confessions, I am not in the mood. Napoleon's army is on the march, and I have a command to return to."

"I neither wish to excuse my behavior, or confess. Although, at a later date, I wish to beg your understanding, if not your forgiveness." Sasha's gaze was penetrating.

Nicholas started to turn away. Never, he thought. Never.

"You cannot leave," Sasha said, his tone odd. "Nicholas. Wait."

Nicholas swung into the saddle. "And will you dare to stop me?"

"Katya is missing."

Nicholas's heart slammed to a stop—he had to have misheard.

Quickly, Sasha said, "This morning she ran away from the house. Your wife and staff only left for Tver this afternoon. I have been searching high and low for her all day, with no luck whatsoever. And Miss Browne and Taichili are also searching for her, on foot, though."

Nicholas recovered from shock and fear with great difficulty. His daughter was missing. His little girl. Defenseless, innocent, only six years of age. "Oh, my God," he breathed.