Polonaise by Jane Aiken Hodge

Author:Jane Aiken Hodge
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2013-06-15T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Three rather grumpy young men set off from Talleyrand’s house next morning. Jan had the predicted sore head, and was in no mood for paying calls, and Glynde longed to be across the river, condoling with the Princess on her husband’s death. He had not been best pleased to learn that Genet was to accompany them, though it was true that this made their entree much easier, with Genet suavely lying for all three of them. He appeared to be on the best of terms with the French ladies who had followed their Emperor into the wilds, and Glynde was sometimes hard put to it to follow their rapid, idiomatic French. But, more and more, he was aware of something odd, something not quite right in the tone of the inevitable exclamations over Prince Ovinski’s death. And why did Prince Murat’s name seem to crop up so often among the breathless little sentences?

After the fifth call, Glynde could stand no more, and turned to Genet. ‘Many thanks for your company, sir, but I think it is time my friend and I crossed the river and paid our respects to the Princess Ovinska.’

‘I was going to suggest the same thing myself,’ said Genet. ‘I am charged with Monsieur Talleyrand’s condolences, and shall look for your good offices on the other side.’

‘In fair exchange.’ But Glynde, who had counted on leaving Genet behind, was hard put to it to control his irritation. They found the river-crossing busier than ever, and had to wait some time for a boat, which did not improve anybody’s temper. The reason was obvious when they reached the Russian side. Everyone was in the throes of packing up. ‘The Tsar leaves today,’ explained an officer acquaintance of Glynde’s. ‘The rest of us as soon as we can get horses.’

‘Does Dr. Wylie go with the Tsar?’

‘Well, of course. He has the Empress Mother’s instructions never to leave him. You’re not ill, I hope?’

‘Lord, no. I was just thinking about Princess Ovinska.’ But his mind was quickly registering that Mackenzie would go with Wylie. He must lose no time.

Luckily for him, they found most of the ladies of the court assembled in Princess Ovinska’s exiguous parlour making their official calls of condolence before they set off for Petersburg, and she, as he learned from Jenny Peverel, for Vinsk. ‘The Prince is to be buried there,’ Jenny explained. ‘It was his wish. The embalmers are at work now. I shall be glad when it’s over.’ She was looking exhausted and plainer than ever, her hair severely braided round her head, the scar standing out in her pale face. ‘I think the Princess is ready for you now. It must be brief, I am afraid. She intends to speak to everyone.’ She led him towards the big chair where the Princess sat enthroned. She was talking fast and seriously with Paul Genet, he noticed with surprise.

‘Paul,’ Jenny touched his arm. ‘Here is Mr. Rendel to speak to the Princess.’

Paul? Glynde looked at the young Frenchman speculatively.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.