“Do you trust me, Alexander?” he asked.
“With my life,” the Czar admitted without hesitation.
“Then I think it best that you accept that it is in your interest not to know the precise details of Nadia’s difficulties.”
The Emperor drained the last of his brandy and set aside the glass.
“Is she in danger?”
Herrick considered a long moment. “I do not believe so.”
“And what of Leonida?” the Czar pressed. “Is she involved?”
“Unfortunately.”
“That was why she traveled to England.”
“Yes.”
Alexander Pavlovich pushed from the desk, his emotions carefully concealed as he absently crossed toward the large globe.
“I find it beyond my ability to imagine what such a journey could accomplish.”
“Nothing more than a number of sleepless nights, I assure you,” Herrick said dryly.
The Emperor frowned. “It does not surprise me that Nadia would send her daughter on a reckless adventure, nor that Leonida would find it impossible to refuse her mother’s plea for assistance, but I am rather disappointed in you, mon ami.”
“I had no notion of the scheme until Leonida disappeared from St. Petersburg. I was…” Herrick chose his words with care. Alexander Pavlovich, after all, was devoted to Nadia despite her reckless nature. No doubt it was in part her impulsive, vivacious character that was so different from his own gravity that attracted him. “Not pleased. Thankfully she has been safely returned home.”
“Yes, she has returned.” The Emperor turned his head to snare Herrick’s gaze. “But not alone.”
“I presume you are referring to the Duke of Huntley?”
“Rather odd he would choose to visit St. Petersburg the precise moment that Leonida returns from England.”
“Not odd,” Herrick muttered. “Dangerous.”
“Should I be concerned?” Alexander Pavlovich demanded with a lift of his brows.
Herrick bit back the words that would have the Duke of Huntley hauled off by Imperial Guards. His personal annoyance at the man’s relentless pursuit of Leonida was hardly worth a war with England.
“There is no doubt that the man is obsessed with Leonida, but I do not believe he would intentionally harm her,” he grudgingly conceded. “Still, he does not appear to be thinking clearly at the moment.”
“And what of Leonida? Is she equally fascinated?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Why unfortunately? It would be a fine match.”
Herrick’s brows lowered at the Emperor’s unexpected approval. “Assuming the Duke is prepared to offer marriage, she would be expected to leave St. Petersburg and live in England. The Countess would be devastated.”
Alexander Pavlovich shrugged, his expression pensive. “Perhaps it is time for Leonida to seek her own happiness rather than constantly attempting to please others.”
“You would not object to her wedding an Englishman?”
The Emperor sighed. “Both Nadia and I have been far too selfish. I only wish Leonida to be given a man who will love her as she deserves.”
Herrick swallowed his words of protest, abruptly realizing that his possessive affection for Leonida was clouding his judgment.