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. Countess Lovisa handedher a paper sealed with an ivory ribbon.Astasia opened the paper and saw not the expected list of songs, but a brief message:If your imperial highness could vouchsafe me a minute or two in private, I have some news of personalsignificance to impart.Astasia closed the letter before the countess could steal a glance at it. Have her shown to the Music Room, please.I will meet her there in a few minutes.News? Astasia felt a sudden conspiratorial thrill.She went into her dressing room and dabbed cold wateron her lids to try to disguise the signs that she had been weeping.Celestine de Joyeuse was standing at the window in the Music Room, one hand resting on the exquisitemarquetry of the fortepiano lid, gazing out at the park beyond.On seeing Astasia, she sank into a deepcurtsy. What a charming room.If the acoustics are as pleasing as the decorations, this should prove a delightfulmusical experience. Please rise, demoiselle, Astasia said, smiling. I am so sorry to hear of your stepdaughter s indisposition, highness.Would you prefer to postpone therecital?still hoveringAstasia was only too aware that Countess Lovisa was behind her. You can leave us now, countess, she said pointedly.The countess bowed and slowly withdrew.Astasia waited until she heard the double doors click shut.Then she hurried over to the fortepiano. You said you had something to impart to me, she said, keeping her voice low. Something of personalsignificance.The singer nodded her head. Great personal significance. So what is it, Demoiselle de Joyeuse? Astasia felt even more uneasy now.Celestine looked at her from clear, cool blue eyes. Is there nowhere more private?Astasia looked back at her uncertainly.Never allow yourself to be alone with anyone, no matter howwell you think you know them.Eugene had warned her.There are some fanatical individuals whowould not hesitate to harm you or Karila if they thought it would influence me.Celestine seemed to notice her hesitation. And you are right to be wary.You have no reason to trust me,Empress.For all you know, I could be an assassin sent by the Francian court to seek revenge on the Houseof Tielen for past defeats. She gave Astasia a radiant smile. But I assure you, when you hear the news Ibring, you will feel quite differently toward me.That, at least, is my hope.Celestine s angelic blue gaze promised startling revelations.And Astasia found herself desperate to knowwhat Celestine had to tellher. I have little skill at the keyboard, she confessed,  but if I were to attempt to accompany you, perhaps youcould tell me the news you bring between verses?Celestine shot her a shrewd little look. An ingenious idea. She lifted a book of songs from the top of thefortepiano and began to leaf through the pages. Do you know  The Waterfall ?Astasia settled herself on the seat and took a look at the music.She pulled a wry face. Too hard.All thoserunning notes in the left-hand&  This one is just right. Summer Evenings. A beautifully simple melody, a deceptively simpleaccompaniment.And in my nativetongue, which is not so familiar to the Tielens, I believe, she added with a mischievous little smile. I ve never played this one before, Astasia stared at the notes, biting her lower lip in concentration,  so nottoo fast, demoiselle, I beg you. Don t forget the key signature, whispered the singer after her first attempt faltered on a clumsydissonance.Astasia felt herself blushing. I wish I d devoted more time to practicing my sight-reading, she said,ashamed.This time, the opening phrase flowed more smoothly and Celestine began to sing. In summer& when the swallows swoop overhead& At first Astasia could only think about placing her fingers correctly on the keys.And then she thought witha sudden thrill: I m making music with this gloriously gifted singer! Empress, sang Celestine,  your brother is alive.Astasia s fingers stumbled.She stopped playing.She stared at Celestine. Andrei alive? Shall we keep the song going? suggested Celestine gently.Astasia tried to focus on the notes in front of her, but all she could see was a blur.Wrong notes and slipsproliferated.Andrei is alive.Her fingers skittered wildly over the keys until, in an agony of excitement, sheplayed a crashing chord and sprang up from the keyboard. Where is he? In Francia? She could not hold the questions back any longer. How is he? And how doyou know? He is in remarkably good health, all things considered, Celestine said.Her expression was serious now. He lost his memory after his ship went down. He was badly hurt? Astasia could not keep the distress from her voice.Even though she was Empressnow and knew she must act with composure, this was her brother they were discussing, her brother whosedeath had made her cry herself to sleep night after night. Tell me the truth! We rescued a man from the wreck of a fishing boat.It was your brother.It seems that he was washedashore nearly dead, and was nursed back to health by an old fisherman.The old man had no idea who hewas, and renamed him Tikhon. My poor Andrei. Astasia felt sick and cold.Andrei, barely alive, clinging to life on some desolatewintry shore. He must think we abandoned him. The thought was almost too hard to bear. I must seehim.Where is he?Celestine did not speak straightaway.She gazed earnestly into Astasia s face. My dear Empress, your brother finds himself in a very difficult situation.Your husband has taken thethrone that was rightly his.If he were to come forward now, what would the Emperor do? I m sure Eugene would welcome him to court, Astasia said in a rush of emotion. For my sake. Think again, imperial highness. Clear blue eyes looked at her frankly. Some dissident elements mightsee your brother as a significant rival to your husband s authority.His reappearance could causeconsiderable damage to the stability of the empire. But Andrei would never do anything to hurt me, protested Astasia. The consequences could be disastrous, said Celestine with a firmness of tone that surprised Astasia.She spoke more like a seasoned politician than a court musician. He was very reluctant to have me tellyou the news let alone your parents for fear it would place you all in an impossible situation. But my parents should know.Papa has been a broken man since the news came of his loss.AndMama  Even so, highness.Astasia began to wonder if there was some other reason for Andrei s reluctance to declare himself.WasCelestine hiding something from her? Have his injuries changed him in some way? Tell me the truth, demoiselle. His physical injuries have healed quite miraculously. So where will he go? He can t stay in a fisherman s hut. Astasia had begun to devise possible ways forAndrei to assume his rightful place at court.Suppose she hid him away at her parents country estate inErinaskoe until she could explain to Eugene& His wish, Celestine said,  is to see you once more and then to begin a new life.Far away fromMuscobar. How far? Astasia stammered.All her joy at hearing the news heJwas alive was fast seeping away.She could not understand why Andrei wanted to go so far away fromhis family. I have a letter for you. Celestine slid finger and thumb into her decolletage and discreetly extracted athin sliver of folded paper from beneath her lace fichu.Astasia opened it, feeling the paper still warm fromthe heat of the singer s body [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]