“A pair of diamond earrings,” he grudgingly confessed.
Herrick arched a brow. A gentleman of Prussian descent, he possessed a gaunt countenance, a thick crop of silver hair and piercing brown eyes that held a cold, ruthless intelligence.
“A rather generous gift for a female you bedded for the sole purpose of searching her husband’s study.”
Dimitri shrugged. “Lana might be a shallow tart with the soul of a merchant, but she still deserves better than being bartered to a husband twice her age whose sexual perversions cause even me to shudder in disgust.”
Herrick deliberately glanced toward the neoclassical palace looming behind Dimitri.
“No doubt most of society would consider her well compensated.”
“Only because their lives are as cold and empty as the marble crypts that await their deaths.”
“A philosopher, Tipova?” Herrick demanded.
“A simple criminal.”
Herrick’s chuckle floated on the chilly October breeze. “As if I would ever be foolish enough to underestimate you. What did you discover?”
Dimitri folded his arms over his chest, his expression guarded. Since he had come to the attention of Herrick Gerhardt and the Duke of Huntley several weeks before, he had reluctantly become Alexander Pavlovich’s most secret weapon against the traitors who stirred discontent. One did not say no to the Emperor of Russia.
His presence in Pytor Burdzecki’s home, however, was personal business he did not intend to share with anyone.
“Nothing that would be of interest to Alexander Pavlovich.”
“You would be surprised at the emperor’s vast interests,” Herrick countered.
“The emperor or his most trusted advisor?”
“It is one and the same.”
“Is that why you are here?” Dimitri demanded. “To discover what I might find among Burdzecki’s papers?”
Herrick waved a dismissive hand. “Actually I am here to discover you.”
Dimitri stilled, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.
“And how, I wonder, did you know I would be here?”
“You are not the only gentleman with the ability to gather information.”
“Yes, but—” Dimitri bit off his words. “Never mind, I shall eventually uncover the traitor.” He waved a hand toward the empty flower beds and the marble fountains that had already been covered in preparation for the brutal Russian winter. “If you wished to meet with me you had only to send a message. There was no need to creep about in damp gardens.”
The smile faded from Herrick’s face, his eyes hard with the ruthless resolve that lurked just below his charm.
“You do not promptly respond to my summons.”
“I am not a toady of the empire.”
“No, but you are a loyal citizen, I trust?”
Dimitri dropped his arms, his hands curling into fists. Despite his considerable power, he never allowed himself to forget that Herrick Gerhardt need only speak the word and Dimitri would disappear into the nearest dungeon.
“Are you threatening me, Gerhardt?”
The silver head dipped in apology. “Forgive me, Tipova. You have proven your devotion to Czar Alexander more than once.”
“As if I had a choice,” Dimitri grumbled. “What do you want of me?”
“On this occasion I believe we can be of mutual benefit to one another.”
“I have no need of the royal coffers.”
“My business with you is of a personal nature and I offer something far more intriguing than money.” Stepping to the side, Herrick glanced toward the sleek black carriage that was waiting in the mews. “Will you join me?”
Dimitri paused, studying Herrick’s impassive face. Then, with a sigh, he conceded defeat. The older man would not leave him in peace until he had his way.
“Why do I sense I am going to regret this?” he muttered.
CHAPTER TWO
DIMITRI REMAINED SILENT as Herrick led him to the carriage and they settled into the soft leather seats. There was a small jerk as the driver urged the horses into motion, then they were traveling through the streets of St. Petersburg that were still crowded despite the late hour.
“Brandy?” Herrick inquired, pouring two glasses of the amber liquid and pressing one into Dimitri’s willing hand.
Taking a cautious sip, Dimitri lifted his brows in surprise. There was no mistaking the smooth ease with which the liquid fire slid down his throat.
“You must be anxious for my assistance if you are willing to share from your private cellar,” he said.
Herrick leaned back in his seat, his gaze hooded as he studied Dimitri.
“As I mentioned, I think our arrangement will be mutually beneficial.”
Dimitri could not prevent a small flare of curiosity. Herrick Gerhardt had devoted his life to Alexander Pavlovich. What private business could he possibly have?
“I am willing to listen to this…arrangement.”
“First I must bore you with a bit of family history.” Herrick swallowed his brandy and refilled his glass. “As you perhaps know I was born in Prussia to a respectable, albeit poor family. I was fortunate enough to travel to St. Petersburg to finish my education when I was just seventeen and eventually to capture the attention of Alexander Pavlovich. My elder cousin, on the other hand, chose to seek his fortunes in England where he wed and produced several children.”
“Fascinating.”
“One of my cousin’s daughters became a governess to a Russian family to teach the children English. She in turn wed a local furniture maker and had two daughters before she died.”
Dimitri tapped his finger against his glass, his brows pulled together in a frown.
“I presume this tedious story has an end?”
“As I was saying, there were two daughters, Emma and Anya Linley-Kirov,” Herrick continued, ignoring Dimitri’s growing impatience. “After their father was tragically killed by a poacher, Emma transformed her father’s workshop into a small coaching inn.”
Dimitri’s frown deepened. He adored women. All women. And it was well-known that any man who mistreated a female beneath his protection was a certain means to a brutal beating, if not death. Still, he could not deny he preferred to avoid those women with more spirit than sense.
In the end they not only brought misery to themselves, but those who cared for them.
“How very unconventional of her.”
“It was quite admirable of her,” Herrick corrected, easily sensing Dimitri’s lack of approval. “Unfortunately her considerable courage did not protect her from the nefarious gentlemen who stayed at her coaching inn for several days.”
“Nefarious?”
“When they left the inn they took Anya with them.”
Dimitri stilled, his attention fully captured. “The sister?”
“Yes.”
“How old is she?”