The Paleys (1921-1927) - An Alternate Romanov Story

Reconnaissance

Paris, April 1923

The rain had abated, leaving the cobblestone streets of Montmartre slick and gleaming under the dim light of gas lamps. Inside a smoky, dimly lit café near the Place Pigalle, a group of Russian exiles sat huddled around a table in the corner, speaking in low, voices filled with anticipation. Grigory Zinoviev, his sharp features illuminated by the faint glow of a single candle, gazed intently at the door. He was waiting for someone – someone very important.

The café was filled with the usual late-night patrons: artists, poets, and the occasional drunk stumbling over poorly articulated manifestos. But Zinoviev and his comrades, blending into the bohemian setting, were far from typical. They spoke in whispers, and their eyes carried the weight of their harsh conditions as exiles. Beside Zinoviev sat Lev Kamenev, a frequent ally in the bitter years they had passed outside of Russia, and a handful of other revolutionaries, each nursing a cheap drink.

"We must be careful with this," Kamenev muttered as he took a sip. "Lifar may be helping us now, but he's no revolutionary. He dances for the aristocrats."

Zinoviev nodded but said nothing. His mind was elsewhere, envisioning the possibilities of their new plan for what felt like the millionth time. It had been Anna Zimina, the sister of another revolutionary, Dmitri Zimina, who had started all this. Anna and Serge Lifar had been friends for a few months, colleagues at the Ballet Russes, where both of their lives revolved around the lavish performances and the elite circles of Parisian society. But behind the scenes, Anna was growing restless. She had long been sympathetic to the revolutionary cause, having been raised in a family that despised the Russian monarchy and its excesses. Her brother had been a revolutionary for years, and his ideals had shaped her thinking. Through quiet, late-night conversations between performances, Anna had begun to speak to Serge about her frustrations with the monarchy and her belief that change was inevitable.

Serge, though far from a revolutionary by nature, had listened with an open mind. At first, Zinoviev hadn't been sure whether he was someone they could truly trust. He had seemed far too entrenched in the opulent world of the aristocracy – performing for the likes of Grand Dukes and Princes, and living under the patronage of men and women who represented everything the revolutionaries sought to overthrow.

But Anna had been persistent, and over time, Serge's curiosity had deepened. He started to see the monarchy in a different light, especially after hearing Anna's stories of Russia's suffering. She spoke of her brother's tireless work for the cause, of the hope that Russia could rise from the ashes of its past and Serge, a man who had lived his life surrounded by beauty and art, began to understand that there could only be a future for Russia if the old structures of power crumbled.

"Relax, Dmitri," Zinoviev whispered. "Anna knows what she's doing. She understands the stakes."

Dmitri nodded, but he didn't look convinced. Zinoviev had little patience for sentimentality, but he trusted Anna's judgment. She had been their eyes and ears inside the Ballet Russes, observing the patrons who fawned over the dancers, and the conversations between Serge Lifar and the aristocrats. Tonight, she would deliver valuable information alongside Lifar.

After a while, the door creaked open, and the café's dull murmur briefly died down as Serge Lifar entered, in his fitted coat and scarf. His features were striking, his hair slicked back, and he moved with the grace of a man who lived in rhythm. He was followed by Anna Zimina, her dark hair pinned neatly in place, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on her brother and Zinoviev.

Zinoviev's lips curled into a faint smile, though there was no warmth in it. He motioned them over, and the pair made their way through the crowded café, drawing curious glances. Lifar sat with effortless confidence, crossing his legs as Anna took the seat beside her brother.

"Comrades," Zinoviev began, his voice soft but commanding, "our friend Serge has graciously agreed to share some... insights into the Paley household. Tell us what you saw."

Lifar sat back in his chair and wasted no time with formalities before he started describing his experience.

"The Grand Duke and his family are in Paris less frequently now," he said, "and they are preparing to return to Russia soon, for the wedding of their eldest daughter who is marrying one of the Tsar's cousins. Grand Duke Paul seems preoccupied with family matters. There was little activity in the Boulogne-sur-Seine house for the last few years, but that changed a few months ago."

Zinoviev's fingers tapped against the table, considering this information. "In what way?"

Serge glanced at Anna before continuing. "Princess Natalia – the youngest daughter – attends a boarding school just outside of Paris. She stays there during the week, but she visits the house every weekend. It's quiet when she's there, only a handful of servants. She doesn't seem to draw much attention to herself."

Kamenev, who had been listening quietly until now, leaned forward. "A boarding school? And she returns alone?"

Serge nodded. "Usually with a driver or a teacher, but nothing more than that. I've seen her a few times in passing when I've been watching the neighbourhood, though I haven't been formally introduced. She seems... focused on her world. There is another girl living with her, who, most likely, is also an aristocrat. They go out occasionally, but always heavily chaperoned."

Zinoviev exchanged a glance with Kamenev. The opportunity was there. If the family was about to leave Paris and Natalia Paley remained behind, even for just part of the week, this opened a new avenue. She wasn't a direct connection to the Tsar, but as the daughter of Grand Duke Paul and the cousin of the reigning monarch, her ties to the imperial family were undeniable. If Serge could find a way to cultivate a closer connection with her, it could become an invaluable source of information.

"How secure is the house when the family is away?" Zinoviev asked.

"Not very," Serge replied. "There are guards, but they don't patrol too often. It's the isolation of the estate that protects it, more than any heavy security. If you know the family, getting in is easy. Once inside, it's even easier to move around without being noticed. When I last visited, I wandered through some of the private rooms on the upper floor. I wasn't stopped until Princess Natalia found me."

"And she didn't suspect anything?" Kamenev asked, a hint of scepticism in his voice.

Serge shook his head. "No. She thought I was lost, asked if I needed help, and then pointed me back to the main area of the house. She didn't seem concerned."

Zinoviev's mind raced. The presence of Princess Natalia was a new development, and it could prove useful. The Grand Duke and his family might be out of reach for now, but if Serge could continue visiting, and perhaps get closer to the Princess, he could gather insights into the family's movements, their contacts, and eventually, their connections to the Tsar himself.

"We need to be careful," Zinoviev said finally, in a low and deliberate voice. "Don't rush anything, Serge. We can't afford any mistakes. The Grand Duke is connected to the highest levels of power. We can't risk drawing suspicion too soon."

Serge nodded. "I understand. I'll be cautious. But the opportunity is there. They trust me for now. I'll keep attending their gatherings when I'm invited and find a way to get closer."

Anna spoke up in a confident tone. "Serge knows what's at stake. He won't fail."

Zinoviev glanced at her, then at Dmitri, who was watching his sister closely. They had taken a risk in bringing Serge into their circle, but so far, it seemed to be paying off. For now, at least, Serge was proving to be a valuable asset – someone who could walk through the doors they could never enter.

"We'll proceed as planned," Zinoviev said. "Keep close to the Paley family, especially the girl. If we can establish a connection through her, we'll use it. Once they return to Russia, we'll need to know everything we can about their ties to the Tsar."

The meeting wrapped up soon after, with quiet nods and murmured words of agreement. Zinoviev watched as Serge and Anna left the café together, disappearing into the streets of Paris. The revolution was still far from being achieved, but in this quiet corner of Montmartre, Zinoviev felt the stirrings of something new.

The monarchy was vulnerable, more than they had imagined. All they needed was time – and the right connections. And Serge Lifar, the unlikely dancer-turned-revolutionary, was fast becoming their key to unlocking it all.