The Trojan Icon (Ethan Gage Adventures Book 8) Read Online Free

The Trojan Icon (Ethan Gage Adventures Book 8)
Book: The Trojan Icon (Ethan Gage Adventures Book 8) Read Online Free
Author: William Dietrich
Tags: Historical fiction
Pages:
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meanwhile was all smoky eyes and swaying gait, her gown displaying as much of her shoulders and breasts as physically possible without the assemblage plunging to the floor. Male heads pivoted toward her like weathervanes. I confess I took a good long gander myself.
    The tsar’s wife was as pretty as his mistress but in a very different, doll-like way, with pursed mouth, delicate chin, and downcast eyes. She had a fine figure but a more modest gown, and her pose was demure. The mother commanded attention, the mistress compelled it, while Elizabeth wished to escape it. I felt sympathy, but then her former lover Adam was my friend.
    I was waiting to tell Alexander that the weakness of the Russian army was not its generals but its lack of sergeants. Russian soldiers are brave, but without initiative. Their noble officers are eager, but remote. Lacking is a bridge between. So I stood tall, heels lifting, hoping for a glance, but mother and son passed by without acknowledgement. A royal reception has something in common with The Last Judgment.
    Alexander’s pretty wife, however, let her shy eyes find Astiza. I beamed as the tsarina fell out of line to address my curtseying partner. “You’re the Egyptian seer, Madame?”
    Astiza’s knees went almost to the floor, and she jerked at me so I bent like a marionette.
    “A student of the Tarot, tsarina, but far from an oracle.”
    “Yet you’ve studied the ancient arts of Egypt and did alchemy in Bohemia, I’ve heard.”
    “You are well informed.” Astiza slowly straightened.
    “St. Petersburg is a very small village.” She looked at me. “I’ve heard of your ingenious husband as well. An electrician and an explorer, no?”
    I stood as close to attention as I ever get. “You flatter me, tsarina. I hope to be a friend and consultant to your husband.”
    “The tsar has more advice than is good for him. And more friends.” Her eye strayed a moment to his mistress, and then turned back to Astiza. “I sometimes wonder if Bonaparte discovered secrets in Egypt that would explain the Corsican’s rapid rise.”
    “He—we—did find a book of ancient wisdom, but Napoleon is more a creature of action than learning.”
    Now Alexander’s eye did find us, as he looked back for his wife like a straying dog. It was too late to wait for her, however, because a herd of courtiers swarmed between, Dolgoruki and Von Bonin among them. Czartoryski, meanwhile, hung back to watch Astiza converse with his former lover.
    Elizabeth kept her eyes on my wife. “I’d be curious to learn more about what you think of Napoleon and the great events of our time.” She gave me a cool glance. “Your husband’s views too, of course. But first we ladies, together.”
    “I’m flattered,” Astiza said uncertainly.
    “It would amuse me to have you tell my fortune.”
    “If it‘s truly for amusement, tsarina. I don’t want to exaggerate my ability. I was recently held prisoner for it by criminals, and barely escaped with my life. Men sometimes use knowledge for evil.”
    “So true! Which proves you have wisdom. I won’t hold you prisoner, priestess, but if you cast my fortune I’ll show you a key to your own future.” And now her gaze did swing to her old lover Czartoryski, who still looked smitten as a schoolboy. What torture is love! She aggravated his longing with a glance, and then looked once more at us. “I saw you talking to the Prussian,” Elizabeth went on. “There’s something you should know about his mission here. He’s a dangerous man.”
    “With a wicked arm,” my wife said.
    “Your husband’s resourcefulness might be just the counterweight we need.” She turned to me. “Should Monsieur Gage dare?”
    “I’m but an amateur savant.” Modesty doesn’t come naturally, but it’s something of a requirement around royals.
    The tsarina lowered her voice. “I believe Ethan must commit a daring deed to save Mother Russia. A noble crime.”
    “Must I?” Blazes, what now?
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