“You should be in prison,” Tatiana said coldly.
“My, that was certainly abrupt and most impolite. Not at all like you.” Valentina shook her head. “Prison would not agree with me.”
“Yet prison is where I shall make certain you end the rest of your days.”
“I will not pack my bags just yet.” Valentina snapped her fan closed. “Where do you think you are? You have no authority here. I doubt these English are even remotely aware of events in Avalonia. However, do not think I have not taken precautions. It would be the height of foolishness not to, particularly with our cousin, the viscount, and his charming wife here. Did you know I have met her? It has been quite a chore avoiding her this evening, yet I have managed it. Have you met them?”
Tatiana nodded.
“Beaumont is quite attractive and every bit as annoying as the rest of you. I can lay my current situation, in part, at his feet.”
“It is not his fault you failed in your attempt to seize power.”
“My, my.” Valentina winced. “It does sound so harsh when you say it that way.”
“Forgive me.” Sarcasm dripped from Tatiana’s words. “I do so hate to sound harsh about such things as treachery or deceit or treason.”
“Yes, well…” Valentina waved the comment away as if it were of no significance. “These things happen when one is fighting for a cause.”
“The only cause you have ever fought for is yourself.”
“And is there a better cause? My welfare goes hand in hand with my country’s. It is an attitude you fail to understand.” Valentina shook her head in a disparaging manner. “You are so sanctimonious and noble, but it is that very misplaced sentimentality that will spell the end of Avalonia. It is a weakness that cannot be afforded. Neither your father nor your brothers nor, I would imagine, you have any idea how to take a country in the precarious position of Avalonia’s into the future. How to ensure its survival and prosperity.”
“And you do?”
“I know when you speak of the great rulers of history, those who led powerful countries and created vast empires, the word nice is rarely ever used.”
“Then obviously you are suited to rule,” Tatiana snapped.
Valentina raised a brow. “My, the little princess has at last developed a bite. I wondered why they sent you to find the Heavens.”
“No one sent me.” Tatiana drew a deep breath. She knew better than to argue with Valentina. “You stole the letter from my room.”
“Stole is not entirely accurate. In point of fact, that letter belongs as much to me as to you. It was, after all, written to our grandmother.” Valentina shrugged. “I simply arranged to have it delivered to me. It has told me nothing I did not already know, but if you found it useful, I suspect so shall I.”
“And you sabotaged Lord Matthew’s balloon.” Tatiana narrowed her eyes. “Or should I say you arranged the sabotage.”
“One does what one can. I was really rather surprised to see you here at all. You and his lordship must be extremely lucky. I was certain you would end up in France somewhere or the channel or, better yet, dead. A shame, of course, but unavoidable.” She studied the younger woman curiously. “Who is he, this Lord Matthew of yours? He is quite handsome.”
“He has nothing to do with any of this.”
“I doubt that. I’d wager he has a great deal to do with all of this.” She smiled slowly. “I must say, you are full of surprises. You have always been such a dear, sweet, unassuming thing. The perfect little princess. I would never imagine you to be traveling around England pretending to be the wife of a lord and hiding your true identity. I wonder what all these charming people would think if they knew you were deceiving them.”
“I am not deceiving them. I have simply not seen fit to reveal facts that scarcely matter.” Tatiana raised her chin slightly. “Regardless, I suspect my identity would be of far less interest to them than yours. Particularly to Viscount Beaumont.”
“Perhaps. But by the time you return to the ballroom I shall have, reluctantly, taken my leave. My only real purpose tonight was to greet the relation I have not seen for ever so long and see what I might possibly do to impede her progress.
“Besides, you can scarcely reveal me without revealing yourself. For whatever reason, you do not wish to do that. And I have followed your lead as well. I too am using a name I have no particular claim to.”
Valentina tossed back her head and flipped open her fan. “Allow me to introduce the Contessa de Bernadotte.”
A primal, urgent and almost uncontrollable urge to tear the other woman’s throat out gripped Tatiana. For an endless moment, she struggled against it. She drew a steadying breath.
“Phillipe always did prefer his cheese and his wine well aged.” Tatiana kept her expression cool, her voice level. “I had no idea that preference extended to women as well.”
Shock widened Valentina’s eyes, then she laughed. “Well said, Cousin. I am impressed. You have indeed changed. But then, I suppose an unfaithful husband of, to be blunt, legendary exploits will do that to a woman. Even a princess.”
“One is either strengthened by the fire or consumed by it.” For the first time since their encounter began, confidence filled Tatiana and she smiled. “I was not consumed.”
Valentina hesitated, her gaze assessing. “Not yet.”
Tatiana wanted to laugh with the odd satisfaction of being equal to this woman. “Not ever.”
“Perhaps I have misjudged you. What a pity, to have discovered it at this late date. We could have been powerful allies.”
“Never.” Tatiana shook her head. “But we could have been family.”
“Family?” Valentina shuddered in an exaggerated manner. “Like these Effingtons? I should scarce survive the sheer boredom of it. However, husbands are an entirely different matter.” She eyed Tatiana thoughtfully. “I wonder if your Lord Matthew is as… oh, what is the word? Proficient, I think, as Phillipe was.”
“In truth, dearest Valentina, he is much, much better.” Tatiana turned on her heel and started toward the doors.
Valentina grabbed her arm and jerked her around. “I shall find the Heavens, and when I do”—her voice was low, threatening, evil—“I will return them to Avalonia and claim the crown for myself. After all, she who returns the heritage of the country will be a hero to her people and will have earned the right to rule. There is much to be said for tradition, dear cousin.” She smiled, and the starlight reflected wickedly in her eyes. “And I will not allow you or your Lord Matthew to stop me.”
“No, Cousin.” Tatiana shook off her arm. “I will not allow you to stop me.” She strode toward the doors, not bothering to look back, half expecting Valentina to call out or even shoot her. She pushed open the doors, trying to ignore the trembling of her hand and the quivering in the pit of her stomach. She spotted Matthew almost at once and made her way through the crowd toward him. Out of the
corner of her eye, she noted a few odd looks, a speculative glance or two. Surely no one had heard her encounter with Valentina. If they had, someone, Matthew or possibly Beaumont, would have interceded. It was probably nothing more than an overactive imagination and some strange lingering effect of the confrontation with her cousin.
Or the realization that the stakes had just been raised to staggering proportions. The meeting with Valentina realized her worst fears. Until now, she could fool herself into believing that her cousin’s presence in England was a coincidence. It was imperative that Tatiana find the Heavens, if they could be found at all. Valentina could well claim the throne if she recovered the jewels. Indeed, simply by making their absence public in Avalonia she could undermine the rule of Tatiana’s father and her brother’s succession to the throne.
She reached Matthew’s side and took his arm. “Matthew—”
“Tatiana.” His voice was firm. “Allow me to introduce my brother, Lord Stephen.” The man beside him stepped forward, and Tatiana tried not to gape. One would never confuse him for Matthew at this distance, but the similarity in appearance between the men was startling.
“My lady.” Lord Stephen caught her hand and raised it to his lips. “I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to meet you. My family has been consumed by curiosity over what kind of temptress had managed to snare him.” Stephen smiled Matthew’s smile. “Now I can see she is exquisite.”
“Your manner is as polished as your brother’s, my lord.” She cast him a genuine smile and reclaimed her hand. “I can see the resemblance between you is not limited to appearance.”
Stephen laughed, then sobered and glanced at his brother. “Are you… ?”
“Indeed I am.” Matthew cleared his throat in that way he had when he was reluctant to tell her something. “Her Grace would like to speak to us in the parlor. It seems we are the subject of gossip.”
“Gossip?” Tatiana held her breath. “What kind of gossip?”
Matthew’s gaze met hers, his smile wry. “Apparently there is a rumor spreading through the room that you and I are not… married.”
“That you and Matthew are simply posing as man and wife,” Stephen added. Relief washed through her and she laughed.
Stephen’s brows pulled together. “My dear, this charge is not at all humorous.”
“Oh, I don’t know, Stephen,” Matt said mildly. “There is a certain element of ironic amusement to it.”
“I am sorry, my lord. You are right; this is nothing to laugh about.” She shook her head and tried to adopt a more serious tone. “It is simply not what I expected. Shall we go see Her Grace, then?” She smiled up at Matthew.
“Indeed we shall.” He held out his arm. She took it and he leaned close, his voice low. “You aren’t the least bit worried, are you?”
“Not about this. I have a great deal to tell you. Besides, we have already survived your balloon.” She couldn’t stifle a grin. “Scandal is the very least of my concerns.”
It was as close as Matt ever wanted to get to a tribunal or court of inquiry. The dowager sat regally on a sofa, flanked by her daughter-in-law, the duchess, on one side and Lady Helmsley on the other. The duke himself leaned against the mantel with an expression of amused curiosity. His son, the Marquess of Helmsley, Thomas, stood nearby. Matt and Tatiana stood before the ladies, Stephen a step behind in a silent, but appreciated, position of support. He braced himself for what was ahead, even as an odd sense of relief filled him that, at last, the pretense would be over.
“My dear Lady Matthew,” the duchess began. “An unpleasant rumor has come to our attention. It is being said that you and Lord Matthew are, well—”
“Now is not the time for subtleties, Katherine.” The dowager waved her silent. She pinned Tatiana with a firm gaze. “While we consider ourselves broad-minded about the relations between adults, we do not appreciate deception in our own home.”
Tatiana didn’t so much as flinch. She was serene and composed and every inch a princess. Matthew marveled that no one could see it but him.
The dowager studied her for a long moment, then smiled. “You are this man’s wife, are you not?”
“Indeed I am, Your Grace.” A slight smile tilted Tatiana’s lips. Matt’s stomach clenched. She had promised to confess everything, and this was not exactly what he’d had in mind. The dowager nodded. “I assume the facts of this marriage are not generally known, am I correct?”
“You are.” Tatiana’s tone was as composed as if she were discussing something as undisputed as the rising of the sun. “We were wed in Paris last year. I have the documents to prove it, if that is required.”
Matt stared at her in shock. “Tatiana,” he said, without thinking. “She didn’t ask if we wed but if you were my wife.”
“My hearing is excellent, my lord.” Tatiana cast him an innocent gaze.
“You swore there would be no more misstatements.” His voice rose and he forgot they were not alone.
“Isn’t there something else you wish to say?”
Tatiana thought for a moment, then shook her head. “Not on this particular matter.”
He gritted his teeth and bent closer to her, aware every gaze in the room was intent upon them, but no longer caring. “What about the annulment? The dissolution of the marriage?”
She sighed. “Matthew, I told you I was your wife and would always be your wife.”
He stared at her in confusion.
“What?”
The dowager cleared her throat. “And I suspect, Matthew, she has the papers to prove it.”
Tatiana cast the dowager a brilliant smile and the elderly woman grinned back. Matt shook his head. “I don’t understand any of this.”
“Understanding will come, my boy,” Her Grace said coolly. “Now, then, there are a few other matters I should like to discuss. Ladies,” she addressed the women sitting beside her, “I shall trust you to lay this nasty rumor to rest.”
The women exchanged glances, then stood with obvious reluctance.
“I assure you, you will miss nothing of significance by leaving.” The dowager chuckled. “And should anything of great interest transpire, I will inform you both.”
“Thomas, Lord Stephen, ladies.” The duke stepped to the door and waited.
“I always knew they were married,” the duchess said sotto voce to her daughter-in-law as they passed from the room. “You could tell by looking at them.”
“Yes, but wouldn’t it have been delightful”—Lady Helmsley cast a wicked grin at Matt from the doorway—“if they weren’t?”
“I’m still not sure why we needed to be here,” the marquess muttered to his father. “We haven’t said a word.”
“Only our presence was required, my boy, not our opinion,” the duke said wryly. “Scandal is not official unless it is acknowledged by the gentlemen in attendance with the loftiest titles. It is an odd rule of life you would do well to accept, as it is perpetuated by the wives”—he cast the dowager an affectionate grin—“and mothers of those with the loftiest titles who are truly in control of this world.”
“Indeed we are,” the dowager said with a chuckle, and the duke closed the door firmly in his wake. Her Grace directed her attention back to Matt and Tatiana. “As much as I am certain I would find the explanation of what has transpired between the two of you fascinating, it is no doubt none of my concern.” She gestured for Tatiana to sit in a chair to her right. “Not that that would particularly stop me, but at the moment there are other issues of concern. Don’t you agree, Lady Matthew?”
Tatiana settled in the chair and considered the question. After a long moment she met the dowager’s gaze. “Yes.”
“I thought you would.” Her Grace folded her hands together primly in her lap. “Now, then, it’s past time for you to tell me exactly what you are looking for”—she smiled pleasantly—“Your Highness.”
Chapter 17
“Do you know everything, Your Grace?” Tatiana said with a smile.
“Not everything, Your Highness. But I have the means to discover what I don’t know. In addition, I have a son who is a duke with excellent connections. What I do not know, he does or can find out.”
“I do apologize if my deception has offended you in any way,” Tatiana said slowly. “That was not my intention.”
“I never imagined it was.” The dowager studied her carefully. “You look far too much like your aunt for it to be a coincidence. Therefore, I made certain assumptions, and my son managed to confirm them for me.” She leaned toward the younger woman. “If one is going to meddle, it helps to have powerful relations.”
Tatiana smiled. “So I have always believed.”
“Why are you asking about Sophia’s travels?” The older woman’s eyes sparkled with interest. “I am fairly confident you have very little interest in writing a history of your family.”
Tatiana paused.
“Your Highness, I would not have sent the others from the room if I were not committed to keeping your secret. My son is the only one who knows who you are.” The dowager’s voice was firm, her manner honorable. “I am astute enough about the affairs of the world to know there was a good reason for a princess to conceal her identity.”
“She didn’t trust you,” Matthew said coolly. “She doesn’t particularly trust anyone.”
“Sometimes, Matthew, that is extremely wise.” She turned toward Tatiana. “You do not know me, my dear, therefore it seems rather foolish for me to simply ask for your trust and expect to receive it. However, do consider that your aunt trusted me. And, as immodest as it sounds, she did not regret it.”
“No, I do not think she would.” Tatiana drew a deep breath. “Did Sophia ever speak to you about the Heavens of Avalonia?”
“Do keep in mind the annoying problem I have with my memory, but to the best of my recollection, it does not sound familiar.” Her Grace shook her head. “What are the Heavens of Avalonia?”
“Jewels, Your Grace,” Matthew said. “Large and priceless. An opal, a ruby and four flawless diamonds originally set in a wide, gold cuff. I’m certain you would remember if you had seen, or been told, of them.”
“I should think so.” Her Grace’s eyes widened. “Flawless, you said? Oh, my, yes. That I would remember. One never forgets jewels, particularly if they are large or perfect.”
“Their value is far greater than any monetary amount. They are a symbol to my people of the right to rule Avalonia. Of Avalonia’s very right to exist. It was not until recently that we learned they had been replaced by nearly perfect copies. It appears they vanished at the same time Sophia left the country.”
“I see.”
“Their guardianship is a charge of my position as hereditary princess. But I must confess, until now, recovering them was very much a personal quest.”
“And now?”
“Now,” Matthew said, “someone, more than likely a cousin of hers who wants to claim the throne for herself, is also on the trail of the jewels. We suspect she was responsible for the wrecking of Tatiana’s room and the tampering with my balloon.”
“Actually, Matthew”—Tatiana met his gaze—“it is no longer mere suspicion. It was Valentina. She was here tonight.”
“What?” He started toward the door.
“Do not bother. She has gone by now. I met her on the terrace. She said she had impeded my progress and I now understand what she meant.”
“She started the rumor about you and your husband?” the dowager said. “But why?”
Tatiana shrugged. “Perhaps to force me to reveal my title. I thought—admittedly a mistake—that it would be easier to inquire about Sophia and the Heavens as a simple scholar. I see now that Matthew’s insistence that I am dealing with honorable people and should therefore be honest with them has merit.”
“Complimentary as always, Your Highness,” he said under his breath. She ignored him. “However, it is more likely, as she was unaware that Matthew and I are truly married, that she assumed if our deception was uncovered we would no longer be welcomed here or at the home of the next lady on the list.”
“But she has no idea that lady is my grandmother, does she?” Matthew asked.
“
I
had no idea,” Tatiana said pointedly. “The woman mentioned in Sophia’s letter was a Lady Cranston, not Stanwick.”
“My grandmother was married more than once,” Matthew said. “Her first husband was Lord Cranston. Her second was my grandfather.”
“Sophia stayed at Weston Manor because Beatrice resided there for a considerable time before her marriage.” Her Grace chuckled with the memory. “Another interesting scandal long since forgotten.”
“Oh?” Matthew said.
The older woman paid him no heed. “This is all fascinating, Your Highness, and explains a great deal. You are certainly welcome to look throughout the house for your jewels, a room-to-room search if you wish—if, of course, you have not already done so.” Laughter sparked in the old lady’s eye. Matthew raised a brow. Tatiana smiled weakly.
“I am fairly certain, though, after this length of time, if they have not yet been found, they are in all likelihood not here. I can recall no stories through the years of anyone finding jewels, nor can I recall abrupt, unexpected and unexplained wealth among relations or guests or servants.”
“I am beginning to think Sophia would not have been so foolish as to hide them where she could not watch over them.” Tatiana blew a long breath. “When Matthew and I began this, I confess the search for
the Heavens was not well planned. I simply hoped that all would work out. In truth, the purpose of my quest was deeply personal and the jewels were little more than a convenience.” She slanted a quick glance at Matthew.
Tatiana rose to her feet and paced before the sofa. “Since learning of Valentina’s presence in England, I have spent much of my time studying the letter Princess Sophia wrote to her mother. I was doing so the morning before it was stolen.
“She mentions your help and the assistance of the other ladies. It is apparent she trusted the three of you greatly.” Tatiana cast the dowager an appreciative smile. “She also writes of duty and heritage and honor. Sophia wrote that heritage is the tie that binds the past to the future. I paid no heed to those words at first, but now I wonder if her writing may be an oblique reference to the Heavens. I know it was a very long time ago, but have you any idea what she meant?”
“None whatsoever. Although there could well be another explanation, Your Highness.” Her Grace’s voice was gentle. “Sophia was quite private about her concerns. There was an air of determination about her even as she seemed burdened with an awful sorrow. Understandable, given all she’d been through. Her words may well be more reflective of the upheaval in her life than anything else.”
Tatiana heaved a heartfelt sigh. “I am beginning to fear the jewels are lost forever.”
“It is not nearly time to give up yet, child. It is entirely possible Beatrice knows more than I. Sophia did stay with her for more than a month, I believe. It was during that visit she met and married Lord Worthington.”
“And then moved to Worthington Castle, essentially exiling herself from the rest of the world.” Tatiana spoke more to herself than the others. “But Alexei searched there and found nothing. He is convinced the jewels are not there.”
“You have not spoken to Lord Beaumont about this, have you?” the dowager asked. Tatiana started with surprise. “No, of course not.”
“He is your cousin and Sophia’s grandson.” Her Grace paused to press her point. “He could be a great deal of help.”
“Possibly, but”—Tatiana shook her head in as firm a manner as possible—“I do not wish to involve anyone else at this point. In my brother’s last letter he wrote that he is confident the viscount had never heard of the Heavens until Alexei told him.” She sat down on the edge of the sofa and met the dowager’s gaze. “I cannot help but think that the fewer people who are aware of my search, the better the chances for success. Just revealing the loss of the Heavens would give Valentina an advantage in Avalonia I fear to consider. It is a weapon already in her hands, but I am confident she will not use it, nor will she give up looking for the Heavens, until I do. Or until the jewels are found.”
“Then you have little time to lose. You should leave for Weston Manor at once.” The dowager rose to her feet. Tatiana followed suit. “Given your brother’s presence at your side tonight, my lord, I gather you have gotten over your reluctance to return home?”
“Indeed I have, ma’am.” Matthew grinned. “And I am most appreciative of your assistance in that regard.”
Her Grace snorted. “Come, now, my boy. Call it what it is. Meddling, plain and simple.” She cast him a smug smile. “And most successful. Now, if you will excuse me, I shall return to my guests.”
Matthew quickly stepped to the door and opened it for the elderly lady.
“I shall leave the two of you alone.” Her Grace paused in the doorway and leveled a firm gaze at Tatiana. “I suspect you have much to discuss.”
“As for you…” She leaned toward Matthew and lowered her voice. “Sometimes, my boy, love is indeed enough.” The dowager turned and swept from the room.
“What did she mean?” Tatiana said.
Matthew closed the door slowly and deliberately, as if he needed time to pull his thoughts together. It did not bode well.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice was level and cool. She hadn’t the slightest idea what he was thinking.
She stifled the immediate urge to pretend she had no idea what he was referring to as well. “I did.”
He scoffed. “When?”
“Well…” She bit her bottom lip and thought for a moment. “Any number of times, I just can’t recollect exactly, at the moment.”
He raised a brow. “Odd, how they seem to have slipped your mind.”
“Now I remember.” She nodded firmly. “When I discovered your deception regarding your grandmother—”
“My deception?”
“I distinctly remember saying then that I was your wife and would always be your wife.”
“I thought you were being sentimental.”
“Sentimental?” She planted her hands on her hips and stared. “If I remember the circumstances of that conversation correctly, the pervasive sentiment was not undying love and affection.”
“Yes, well…” He waved away her comment and stepped toward her. “You should have told me long before then.”
“I’ve called you my lord husband. Several times, I believe.”
“I considered it nothing more than sarcasm.”
“Well, it certainly is now.” She blew a frustrated breath. “I tried to tell you, Matthew. The day you brought up the annulment, I attempted to say something then, but you did not want to discuss it.”
His eyes narrowed. “I did not want to discuss the annulment of our marriage, not the fact that you did