Christmas with a Czar by Emily Murdoch

4

“Ihave invited you here,” Sir Thomas said in a menacing voice, pacing up and down before them, “for a discussion about – ”

“We know why,” Anne said heavily, rolling her eyes. “A footman saw us, he told another footman, he told several ladies maids, they told their mistresses, one of them told – ”

“Thank you, Anne,” her father said sternly.

Anne glared. If only she had thought to change her gown into something a little more comfortable. The court gown was heavy, studded with pearls, and restricted her breathing. If she had known they would still be discussing this three hours later…

The grandfather clock in the corner of the room struck midnight, and each chime seemed to force its way into her head as though the hammer was hitting her. The room was hot, too hot, and they just seemed to be having the same conversation over and over again.

“I think we should sleep on this,” she said aloud. “It is late. We can discuss this again in the morning, when – ”

“I am not letting you out of my sight until this is resolved,” her father said fiercely, a finger pointing at Maxim.

Maxim looked at the finger politely but made no other move. Sir Thomas lowered his finger slowly, coughed, and continued pacing.

The heat of embarrassment rolled over Anne and she could not ignore it – but wasn’t this what she deserved? Had she not brought this upon herself, by allowing herself to be found in such a position?

The memory of Maxim’s arms around her, his lips on hers, the desire they had shared…

It was madness! What had she been thinking? Kissing a man, a man who was half naked, to boot, in his own bed chamber – and while the rest of the court was at a ball mere yards down the corridor?

She was fortunate it was only a footman, and not someone far more important who had discovered them.

It was the sort of stupid mistake that young girls in their first Season made; blinded by the bright lights of town, easily led by gentlemen who knew exactly what they were doing…

But she was not young. She had experienced plenty of Seasons, and only once allowed herself to be overtaken by her emotions.

Anne caught Maxim’s eye and her cheeks flamed. It was intoxicating, to think of the kiss – but she must not. She must control herself.

“Anne!”

She jumped, looking at her father who was glaring.

“This may not be serious to you, but it is of great import to me.”

Anne sat up a little straighter in her chair. “I know, Father,” she said wearily, “but I am tired.”

She could not help but look over at Maxim once again, and saw to her surprise that he looked not only as awake as he had done three hours ago, but utterly relaxed. Leaning back in his chair, there was no sign of tension or stress across his handsome face.

How could he stand it? Having to sit here like naughty school children, as though they had done something wrong – but then, they had done.

Anne swallowed. She had to remember that she was in the wrong here. She had allowed herself to be swept away by emotions she did not really understand, and now she was having to pay the price for that.

When she looked up again, Maxim was smiling. “Look, Sir Thomas, you must understand that this sort of occurrence is not the first time – ”

“Really?” Sir Thomas’ face became, if possible, even more thunderous as he resumed his pacing. “How many other ladies have you – ”

“ – here at court,” Maxim continued, without any increase of frustration in his voice. “And it happens to people in my position all the time. I will not cast aspersions on anyone in this royal family or others, but believe me, it is not unheard of.”

His hand reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his pocketbook. It was full of five pound notes.

Anne closed her eyes in horror, but when she opened them, the offending items were still visible.

“Put that away,” she hissed. “Maxim!”

He stared, utter confusion on his face. It was clear he had no comprehension of the offence his act had just given.

Sir Thomas sat down in a chair heavily. “My dear boy, you think that’s what this is all about? Money?”

For the first time in their conversation together, Maxim looked uncomfortable. “Sir, where I come from, it is money that is required to alleviate any hint of dishonour. It is money that resolves the upset between two families – I meant no disrespect.”

“Well, that is not how things work here, in England,” Sir Thomas snapped. “Here, ‘tis honour and honour alone that can resolve situations – and honour is the only thing that will rectify this terrible error in judgement on you both.”

It was at that moment that Anne realised what her father was suggested. “No.”

“‘Tis the only way!”

“But it was only…” Her cheeks flushed as she tried to say calmly, “Father, it was only a kiss. Just one, and if the footman had not entered the room, no one would be any the wiser.”

“If the footman had not entered the room, I dread to think would have occurred,” her father snapped.

Shame filled Anne’s heart as she dropped her gaze. She would not have permitted anyone to speak to her like that, but after everything that had happened, her father had that right.

“What are you talking about?” Maxim’s voice was calm, almost curious.

Anne took a deep breath. “My father,” she said, “is thinking of marriage.”

Maxim looked between her and her father. “Well, you are a little old, Sir Thomas, but I will think about it.”

His laughter was cut shortly abruptly by the glare from both Marshes.

“A marriage, even just one for convenience, is the only way to repair Anne’s reputation,” Sir Thomas said heavily. “The only way.”

Anne opened her mouth to argue, but then closed it again. She could think of no other solution, and it was embarrassing to think that at the age of nine and twenty, she had thrown away any chances of independent life because of a kiss.

But, what a kiss…

“Anne’s name will be ruined by breakfast time,” Sir Thomas said, a little harshly. “It will not take long for that footman to tell a few people, and they will tell a few, and before you know it all the gossips in London will know. It will be over for her.”

“And for Meredith.” Anne was surprised to find she had spoken aloud, but as she caught her father’s eye, she knew he had considered it too. “She would never make a match with such scandal in the family.”

Sir Thomas sighed. “It is not a question of if, but when. There will be a scandal, Annika, but what we need to decide is what we can do to reduce the size of the scandal.”

But they had forgotten someone.

“Excuse me,” said Maxim hotly, staring at the pair of them, “but I think you are forgetting something! I am a Czar, and I should be marrying a princess of another realm!”

Fierce irritation rose up in Anne’s stomach, despite her own frustration with her father’s suggestion. Did he not believe her to be good enough for him? A gentleman who says he deserves a throne in a country hundreds of miles away, a tale that no one believed?

“Whether you are a Czar in Russia or not, you are no one here,” said Sir Thomas cuttingly. “I mean no disrespect, sir, but here you have no title, no nobility, no wealth, no rank. If anything, you should be grateful to receive the hand of an English gentlewoman.”

“I am not a cow at the meat market, ready to be parcelled off to the highest bidder!” Anne glared at her father, and at Maxim for good measure. “You have no need to marry me, sir, and I quite understand why you do not wish to.”

* * *

Maxim opened his mouth and then closed it again. The words he had been about to say now seemed hollow, empty. And why?

Because a small part of him but one that was growing with every minute, did wish to marry Anne.

It was madness! He was a Czar, he should be approached by kings offering the hands of their daughters. Instead, he had this baronet almost beg him to take his daughter off his hands.

It did not make sense, but neither did the fact that his body had reacted so strongly when he had kissed her. And what a kiss: wild, and wonderful, and incomparable to any other kiss he had stolen over the years.

True, marriage could not have been further from his mind when he had arrived at St. James’ Court, but he had other pressures to consider. Would a marriage with an English woman be the perfect opportunity to distract the gossipers from digging into his supposed past?

His gaze lifted from his hands to Anne, who pinked slightly under his gaze. She was certainly no consolation prize. Her beauty grew each time he beheld her, and if that kiss were anything to go by, their lovemaking would be spectacular.

Maxim coughed and shifted in his seat. Was he seriously considering this? What sort of life would he be taking her into? One of lies, secrets, moving around the world, never settled, never safe, never secure?

He would not choose that for anyone, let alone a young lady who is evidently intelligent, witty, beautiful – and with a family that cares for her.

Sir Thomas was staring at him, clearly waiting for a response. Maxim swallowed. He did not need a marriage, exactly – just an engagement. It would satisfy Sir Thomas’ desperation, distract the court gossipers from investigating his true lineage, and may even give him some more chances to kiss Miss Anne Marsh…

Maxim swallowed. “I may not be good marriage material, Sir Thomas. I have a secret – ”

But Sir Thomas did not permit him to continue, scoffing, “Oh, no such great secret I assure you. Everyone knows you are not the Czar’s heir really, and I think you most foolish to continue saying it! You are here for a stipend, sir, you are here for money. Well, I can make this marriage worth your while.”

“Enough!”

Both gentlemen looked at Anne, shocked to hear such an explosive word from her lips.

“Money should not be moving in either direction when it comes to discussing my marriage!” Anne glared at Maxim who felt a little ashamed. She continued, “Father, what you are suggesting is tantamount to selling me off to the highest bidder! I should be more than a daughter to you. A precious jewel, one that you would never consider selling, but perhaps would give away to someone who not only deserved it, but knew how to appreciate it!”

Something deep inside him stirred as Maxim heard her words. Did he deserve Anne? It was evident that she was educated, witty, charming, and beautiful. What did he have to offer?

He swallowed. He was usually the one commanding a room, had always been the centre of any discussion back in Russia. It was time to take charge.

“I suggest a compromise.”

Anne and Sir Thomas turned to look at him, and for the first time in their conversation, Maxim felt a little discomforted. How would they react to his suggestion?

“I admit, an English wife would open more doors for me across Europe,” he said carefully, avoiding Anne’s eye. “Particularly one like Miss Marsh. Well raised, clearly a gentlewoman, and with such beauty…”

Despite himself, he had caught Anne’s gaze, and his voice trailed off. She was not impressed by his words.

“And so I suggest,” Maxim said hastily, looking now at her father, “that we announce the engagement in the morning, and plan the wedding for Christmas Day.”

“That is just over a week away!” Anne spluttered.

Maxim wavered aside her objection. “We are all stuck here in this St. James’ Court you all love so much, with little other company. We will have the equivalent of years to become accustomed to each other, and with the Archbishop of Canterbury here for the festivities, he can give us a special dispensation.”

“But you have forgotten,” Anne said, a little tartly, “that I have no wish to marry you!”

“But the engagement will restore your reputation,” said Maxim urgently. “That is your concern, is it not? We can say it is an engagement of long standing, that we were overcome for an instant at the joy of meeting again here, and that the wedding will be just one week away.”

“And if she does not wish to wed you?” Sir Thomas smiled weakly at his daughter. “You do not think I would actually force you to do something that distressed you, do you?”

“Miss Marsh can inform me on Christmas Eve whether she wishes to go ahead with the marriage,” Maxim said quickly. “If not, I will disappear to France the next morning – I am due to see some friends there in any event – and Miss Marsh will be a jilted, sorrowful figure. One to claim society’s pity, not scandal.”

There was a moment of silence, and then Anne said, “Father, you cannot seriously be considering – ”

“‘Tis an excellent suggestion,” Sir Thomas said heartily. “And I think I do not speak out of turn, Your Grace, when I say I think Anne will capitulate and wish to marry you in that time, giving you, as you say, a lovely English bride.”

Maxim bowed his head and could not help but smile. “I concur with you, sir.”

Anne leaned close and whispered under her breath, “What do you think you are doing?”

“Giving you an escape route from this conversation,” he returned.

She glared and then her features softened. “I may have just as many secrets as you, you know.”

Maxim shrugged. How little she knew. “I doubt it.”

Her gaze flickered to her father, who was beaming, and then returned to Maxim. “Well, then. It appears I have no choice but to acquiesce.”

Her tone was not exactly joyful, but despite this, Maxim found a flicker of joy curl around his heart. So, he would be receiving a bride for Christmas.