by Sara Judge
‘Tonight,’ he said. ‘Do not bar your door tonight, my love.’
She was shaking her head and stepping back, as Sophia brought her hands down on the keys with a thump.
‘I have had enough of this!’ she cried. ‘It is all very well for me to play for you, but where is the enjoyment for me?’
She left the piano and walked across to face Pyotr, ignoring Valerie.
‘If your sister is to travel with us there is much to arrange before our departure. May I have your attention now? Or do you intend spending the rest of this evening with the foreigner?’
‘My time is yours, Sophia,’ said Pyotr smoothly, as Valerie went to join Tassya.
The countess was glaring at him and both Andrei and Tassya appeared shocked by the strength of Sophia’s outburst.
‘Don’t take any notice,’ whispered Tassya, as Valerie sat on the chair beside her. ‘She’s only jealous because of your friendship with my brother.’
Valerie nodded, but didn’t say anything as Pyotr sought to calm The Lukaev.
‘I’m sorry you didn’t have the chance to dance, but who else has your talent for making music, Sophia? And if I was holding Valerie Marsh a little too close, it was simply to punish you, my dear, for your comments about Rasputin.
‘Do not imagine that you are the only one to feel the twinges of jealousy, beautiful Sophia.’ He reached out to take her hands as he gazed steadily into her indignant face.
‘So you would mind if I sinned with that Siberian lecher?’
‘I would mind very much if your lovely body was despoiled by that peasant. Now, come with me and let us drink wine together and plan for the exciting journey we are soon to undertake, with my sister.’
Pyotr placed her hand on his arm, smiled across at Tassya, then moved away to pull the bell-cord by the fireplace.
‘I shall ask Feodor to bring us refreshments in the library. Please excuse us, Mother.’
He bowed to the countess, who was blinking like an owl in the lamplight, unsure how the evening’s entertainment had ended.
Was Pyotr sincere in his affection for Sophia? Then what of the English girl, with whom he seemed even more enamoured? What was going on in her family?
Countess Irina wished she had not drunk so much wine, which hadn’t agreed with her. Her head was thick and fuddled, she did not feel well, and would have to rise early in the morning as usual.
‘Do as you please,’ she said abruptly, getting to her feet. ‘I am off to bed and intend getting some sleep before tomorrow.’
Andrei rose as well and bowed to the countess before turning to the two seated girls.
‘How about a drink before we make for our beds? Valerie, Tassya, will you join me whilst the others make preparations for our journey north?’
Pyotr handled that well Andrei thought with relief; he knew how his friend felt about both Sophia and Valerie Marsh and, being a quiet, easy-going man, he had dreaded a scene in the antiquated ballroom at Mavara.
But the young count had managed to avoid trouble and Andrei hoped he would be able to soothe Sophia enough to allow for a pleasant few days here on the estate, followed by a carefree journey for all five of them back to St Petersburg.
‘Not for me, thank you,’ said Valerie, as Pyotr gave orders to Feodor before escorting Sophia from the room. ‘Like the countess, I feel in need of sleep and will see you in the morning.’
She knew Tassya’s young heart had been awakened by the gentle fair-haired officer, and hoped that they would enjoy the rest of that evening together.
The following days passed swiftly but Valerie was never able to see Tassya alone and speak to her about Father Grigorii. On the last morning at Mavara, Tassya placed a little packet on the breakfast table.
‘That is for you, Valerie,’ she said. ‘As I am so excited about our train journey and won’t be able to think sensibly from now on, I want you to have this at once.’
Carefully Valerie unwrapped the present and found a delicate white lace handkerchief inside.
‘Oh, Tassya, thank you. It is the prettiest one I have ever owned.’
Tassya beamed. ‘I knew you would like it. You can give me my present when we have finished eating, Valerie.’
Then she wanted to know if she would be allowed to come across to Alexander Palace and meet Grand Duchess Olga, of whom she had heard so much.
‘I have suggested that Tassya comes over to visit us in Tsarskoe Selo and sees our apartment,’ said Andrei, who had just come in. ‘Then she will see the Imperial park. But you will have to make arrangements with the family, Valerie, if a meeting with the grand duchess can be agreed.’
Valerie nodded, her thoughts racing. It was not the meeting with Grand Duchess Olga that would be difficult. She was sure that could easily be arranged. It was the meeting with Grigorii Rasputin that was the problem.
Anna Vyrubova’s house could be used again and would make the perfect setting for Tassya’s introduction to the holy man. But how could Valerie prevent Pyotr from knowing about his sister’s meeting with the man he detested?
Chapter Eight
Tsarskoe Selo
‘Of course Tassya Silakov may come to visit us,’ said Grand Duchess Olga, when Valerie returned to Alexander Palace and told her what she planned. ‘I shall ask Anna Vyrubova to come upstairs when she leaves Mama, and you can explain to her.
‘But we must act quickly, Valerie. Soon we will travel down to the Crimea and Father Grigorii will be returning to his village for the summer months.’
The journey back to St Petersburg had gone without a hitch. And at the huge Nicholas Station, Sophia had been met by a smartly uniformed coachman. They had all watched outside in the yard as he had lifted Tassya’s chair up into the Lukaev’s spacious carriage. There was room enough for Tassya, and Sophia, and all their luggage, but the two maids, Dunya and Vera, had to sit in front with the coachman.
After waving them farewell, Valerie and Dashka with the two officers had taken a drozhky to Tsarskoselsky Station, where they had caught a train the short distance to Tsarskoe Selo.
Throughout the entire journey Pyotr had ignored Valerie.
He had tried to enter her room that night at Mavara but, on finding his entrance barred despite his whispered pleas, he had had to return to his own chamber furious and disappointed.
So he had concentrated on Sophia and his sister during the journey north, hoping that Valerie would be upset by his lack of interest and regret what he regarded as her immature and foolish behaviour.
But Valerie had other things on her mind.
Once back with her beloved family, both Olga and Tatiana had been intrigued by the thought of meeting Tassya, and of helping her through their Friend.
The younger ones were still at their lessons when Anna Vyrubovu came bustling up to the girls’ private sitting room and quickly agreed to contacting Father Grigorii.
‘I must ask permission from the Empress,’ she said, ‘and do not forget that Father Grigorii is a very busy man. But if they both agree to this meeting, and if we can find a convenient day, it will be a pleasure to welcome little Tassya to my home.’
‘Dear Anna.’ Olga rose and walked over to kiss the woman’s soft white cheek. ‘You are so good to us. No wonder Mama says she cannot manage without you.’
Anna blushed, folding plump hands across her stomach, and gazing at the grand duchess with the devoted eyes of a spaniel.
‘You are my family,’ she said, ‘and I shall always do anything I can to help you.’
She glanced at Valerie with a sweet smile.
‘Perhaps you can send a message to Tassya and tell her the day she should come here, once I have given it to you? But send someone trustworthy, Valerie. Messages and letters can be dangerous.’
She explained that the year before some letters from the Empress to Rasputin had been stolen, then given to the newspapers.
‘And because the Empress loves him as we all do, her words were misconstrued. Soon the whole of St Petersburg was
whispering about the love affair between Empress Alexandra and the man from Siberia.’ She shuddered, her full cheeks wobbling in dismay.
‘It was most distressing for all of us,’ said Olga, ‘and Papa was very angry. But Mama remained calm, as she always does, and eventually all the horrid gossip died down.’
No wonder Sophia said such unpleasant things about Father Grigorii, thought Valerie. Rumour and gossip would always spread about important people and the more they spread, the more the rumours would be embroidered.
‘That is why Our Friend uses my house for our meetings and seldom comes to the palace,’ said Anna.
‘Unless Alexis needs him,’ said Tatiana softly.
Anna nodded. ‘When the tsarevich is bleeding there is only one person who can heal him.’
‘I will send Dashka,’ said Valerie. ‘As soon as you know which days are acceptable let me know.’
The final stroke of good fortune was to hear that Pyotr and Andrei would be away for three weeks on manoevres with their regiment at Krasnoe Selo.
‘Mama says you may take the carriage to meet little Tassya at the railway station,’ said Olga, who had brought the news about Pyotr’s absence. ‘And she can spend the night here at the palace as her brother is away.’ She handed Valerie a slip of paper. ‘These are the days Our Friend can come and take tea at Anna’s.’
It was just as well she hadn’t mentioned Grigorii Rasputin’s name to Tassya at Mavara, thought Valerie, as she went to write her note. And she didn’t intend mentioning the healer’s name now.
Tassya was excited enough about coming to St Petersburg and the thought of meeting the Imperial family in their own home would only excite her further.
Valerie was going to invite Tassya to Alexander Palace for two days and announce that it was by command of the Empress. That would make Tassya hug herself with joy.
Then Father Grigorii and his amazing healing powers could be explained once she was safely there.
The visit of Tassya Silakov to Alexander Palace was a great success. The grand duchesses were enchanted with Pyotr’s pretty sister, and she was overwhelmed by all the grandeur.
‘It’s like the Lukaev’s mansion,’ she told Valerie, ‘only much finer! But the grand duchesses are so simple and unaffected they are like us.’
That afternoon the two girls were getting ready for the tea party at Anna’s house. Tassya was sharing Valerie’s bedroom where two more beds had been installed, one for her and one for Dunya.
The maid-servant had never slept on a bed before, and as she pushed her mistress’s chair around, her eyes were almost popping out of her broad Slavic face.
‘Is this Anna Vyrubova also easy to talk to?’ said Tassya. ‘And will the Imperial family be joining us for tea?’
Tassya, who was dressed in a neat brown wool dress with matching slippers, looked as curious and excited as her maid. What memories she would have to take back with her to Mavara.
‘There will only be you and I at Anna’s,’ said Valerie. ‘Although she may be expecting another visitor.’
Perhaps, if her plan worked, Tassya would be able to come north more often? If Father Grigorii could help her to walk again, the journey to St Petersburg would not be a problem, and Tassya would be able to visit her brother, and Andrei, several times a year.
Valerie wished that she could be around to watch the drama unfold. But it seemed more than likely that she would have to return to England once this year was over.
Sighing, she nodded at Dunya to wheel the chair out into the corridor where two footmen, in black velvet jackets and scarlet breeches, came to carry it down the stairs.
Fortunately it wasn’t snowing and, although there was still plenty carpeting the ground, the path had been shovelled free making their progress easy.
The last time Valerie had been this way she had bumped into Pyotr, who had guessed at her meeting with Rasputin. How glad she was that this time he was safely away from Tsarskoe Selo and unable to spoil the thrill and anticipation of the great man’s visit.
Father Grigorii was sitting in the same chair by the fire when Anna escorted her guests into the front parlour. Valerie clenched her fists tightly at her sides as she watched Anna wheel Tassya forward. Dunya had been sent off to the kitchen so there were only the four of them in the small, cosily furnished room.
But the moment Tassya stared into the darkly-bearded face of the black-robed man, she was smiling.
The holy man did not rise, but gently took one of Tassya’s hands in his, as her chair was wheeled up close to his. He spoke about his village in Siberia and the girl was fascinated by his tales, understanding him despite his thick accent, and never taking her eyes off his face,
After the tea things had been cleared away, he asked for Tassya to lie on the chaise longue that stood against the wall.
‘I want the child to be totally calm,’ he said to Anna.
Once again Valerie felt uncomfortable. She was sure Pyotr’s sister would be safe with both her and Anna Vyrubova present, but she hoped Father Grigorii wouldn’t pull back Tassya’s skirts and allow her poor legs to be in full view. Nor did she want him to touch the girl’s body.
To her relief, he did not attempt to lift Tassya from her chair, but called for Dunya and the other maid-servant to come from the kitchen.
Once she was lying flat on the chaise longue looking up at him, he stood over her one hand clasping the heavy gold cross on his chest, the other stretched out over her body some inches above her.
Slowly he began to pray, speaking so quietly that Valerie couldn’t hear him and Tassya, whose eyes were closed, looked as if she was falling asleep.
Could he do anything for her? Would his amazing powers work for little Tassya Silakov? Valerie found she was holding her breath in that hushed atmosphere.
Suddenly Rasputin’s voice rang out so loudly that it made both Valerie and Anna jump.
‘Open your eyes and look at me, Tassya Silakov!’
Tassya’s eyes flew open as the tense body of the man bent over her, speaking more quietly, but with great persuasion. He was willing her to recover.
In the lamplight Valerie saw the same sheen of perspiration on his brow and on his cheeks above his beard, which she had noticed the night he left the bedside of the tsarevich.
Then Tassya cried out, and Valerie would never forget the look of rapture on the girl’s face.
‘My toes,’ she said, her voice hoarse with emotion, ‘I can feel my toes.’
As Valerie and Anna looked down at her little brown slippers that were protruding beneath the folds of her brown wool dress, they saw slight, very slight, movement.
Back at Alexander Palace all the grand duchesses gathered in the girls’ sitting room to find out how Tassya had fared with Father Grigorii. Even Alexis joined them for a while, intrigued by the girl in the wheelchair and aware for the first time of another young person who was unable to lead a normal life.
‘Our Friend will make you better,’ he said confidently. ‘He always helps me when I am suffering.’
Tassya nodded, her blue eyes sparkling as she looked round at so many sympathetic and interested faces.
‘He has told me what movements to practise, and to go and see him again in St Petersburg.’
‘But how can you visit without Sophia knowing?’ cried Valerie. ‘She is sure to forbid it. You know she doesn’t believe in the holy man.’
Then she would tell Pyotr and he would have his sister sent back to Mavara at once.
‘I have thought it all out,’ said Tassya calmly, ‘and will be able to do it without Sophia knowing a thing.’
‘How will you do that?’ asked Olga, admiring the girl who, despite her crippled state, possessed such courage and determination.
‘The Lukaevs have said I may use one of their carriages whenever I wish,’ said Tassya, with a grin. ‘So I shall go out with Dunya on little excursions and she and the coachman won’t tell tales.’
‘For how long will you be st
aying in St Petersburg?’ asked Valerie.
She trusted Father Grigorii. She could not believe the unpleasant gossip about him coming from Mrs Lees, and Sophia, and Pyotr. But she also knew it was not correct for a man and young girl to be left alone together. And this was her plan and if anything went wrong it would be her fault.
‘You are looking worried, Valerie.’ Tatiana’s voice broke into her thoughts. ‘What is troubling you? Do you not have faith in Our Friend?’
‘Indeed I do!’ said Valerie, blood rushing to her cheeks as they all stared at her. ‘But I was wishing we were not going so far away and could see any improvements as they occur.’
‘Sophia says I can stay as long as I like,’ said Tassya. ‘So I will probably still be here when you get back from the Crimea and then you will see very noticeable improvements!’
When Pyotr and Andrei returned to Tsarskoe Selo with their regiments, all was hustle and bustle as the family prepared to travel south for Easter.
Two days before they departed, Dashka came to find Valerie who was sitting sewing with Olga and Tatiana, and inform ed her that she had a visitor.
‘Count Silakov wishes to see you, bárishna,’ she said, bobbing a curtsey, ‘and awaits you downstairs.’
Had he found out about Tassya’s meetings with Rasputin? Valerie’s heart plunged to the soles of her grey slippers. Had something dreadful happened to his sister in St Petersburg?
‘Go at once, Valerie,’ said Olga, watching the blood drain from the English girl’s face.
Valerie placed her needlework on the table beside her then stood up and smoothed down her skirts.
‘I won’t be long,’ she said, attempting a smile, before following the maid out of the room.
Downstairs in a small antechamber leading from the main hallway, Pyotr was waiting. He was about to go off duty, but had chosen this moment to call and see his Varinka.
When he had informed Andrei of his idea, his friend had frowned.
‘You will have to tread carefully with your Little England,’ he had said. ‘I believe she loves you despite the extraordinary ups and downs in your relationship, and will gladly spend the rest of her life with you here in Russia. But as your wife, Petya, not your mistress.’
