Irene

Chapter II

The ballroom buzzed with activity, but that didn't seem to trouble Ekaterina and Madame Belousova, who stood in the corner, shielded by a big schefflera from other people's gazes, a glass of champagne in their hands, their cheeks burning with the heat of the room. At the moment the two ladies were deep into a conversation which kept jumping from one topic to another: one minute they were discussing the newest fashions, speaking about household management a second later.

"And by the way, did you hear the latest news?" Madame Belousova asked, excitement glowing in her brown eyes

"Which ones?" Ekaterina asked eagerly once she gulped down her champagne and gave the glass to a waiter, who seemed to always see the people who needed him "Asya, tell me, for your eyes are glowing so much that I can't bear the waiting!"

'Asya' moved a step closer, and murmured into Ekaterina's ear:

"His Majesty Tsesarevitch Nicholay Alexandrovitch is engaged!"

This caused a joyful cry to escape Mrs Isakova's mouth, and she quickly pressed a gloved hand to her lips to silence herself.

"Who is his bride?" She asked once she calmed down

"Why, it is no one other than Alix of Hesse and by Rhine!"

"Goodness gracious, how behind the age I am!"

"Indeed you are, Katya."

"And is she pretty?"

"She is, but on their engagement photograph she looks so sad, poor darling. She will have to change religion to marry him."

"Nicholay Alexandrovitch has to marry already, in case he becomes tsar any time soon. There are rumours that Tsar Alexander is very ill and perhaps even dying." Ekaterina furrowed her brows, shaking her head sadly "It is so terrible when such men suddenly become helpless..."

The two women fell into silence, both looking at the passing people. Suddenly, Ekaterina asked:

"Who is that woman?"

Madame Belousova looked at the person her friend was pointing to and answered:

"Rear-Admiral Taneev's young wife, Irina Feodorovna [Irene]. You haven't been introduced to her?"

When her inquiry was met by a 'No, I wasn't', Asya called Irina up to them and said:

"Irina Feodorovna, allow me to introduce my friend, Ekaterina Astakhovna Isakova."

Irina turned her eyes to Mrs Isakova and smiled politely, curtsying.

"I have not seen you before, Ekaterina Astakhovna. Did you just marry Mr Isakov?" She asked

She thought this question good enough, counting on the fact that she didn't even know who her husband was, thus wise she was very surprised when the tall woman opposite her burst out laughing.

"Oh no, no, we are married for seven years already." Ekaterina answered when she managed to suppress the laughter "The thing is, my dear, that I gave birth to a child six years ago, and kept myself to my household duties, not attending any public events. And do you have children, Madame Taneeva?"

"No, unfortunately God didn't give us such happiness," Irina shook her head, but on seeing Ekaterina's disapproving gaze quickly added "For now."

"But you are still very young, Irina, how old are you? Twenty?"

"I just turned eighteen."

"Yes, so you've got everything in front of you."

Madame Belousova saw how on the mention of children Irina's eyes coldened, and decided to change the topic.