“I am here, so I would say that he was most efficient, General.”

Ignatiev’s gaze moved to Steve. He nodded in recognition and then shifted away as they moved along.

“I got the distinct impression that the general wasn’t very happy to see you, my love,” he said when they reached the crowded ballroom. Strains of a waltz were playing, barely discernible over the noise of the crowd. Ginny’s face was pale, her mouth stretched into a taut line as he moved her toward the windows that opened onto a wide verandah.

Her shoulders lifted in a light shrug. “He wasn’t very pleasant when I last saw him, so I don’t think his opinion of me has changed greatly.”

Steve studied her for a moment. Incongruous color that had nothing to do with cosmetics brightened her cheeks. It wasn’t like Ginny to get upset because of rudeness. Damn, he had seen her face an entire room full of hostile men with a composure he wouldn’t have been able to manage under similar circumstances.

“Ignatiev often travels with Tsar Alexander, but he’s here as an envoy to assist in making travel arrangements for the prince to visit Saint Petersburg.” He paused, then added, “Lord Tynedale will be in the entourage traveling with Prince Edward.”

“Will he?” She turned luminous eyes to him, a faint smile lifting the corners of her lush mouth. “Russia is lovely in the summer months.”

It was a noncommittal reply, but what had he expected? Ginny had always been adept at hiding herself from him, as he had always been just as proficient in concealing his own thoughts from her. It was a vicious cycle at times, neither of them quite ready to relinquish old habits, to fully trust the other’s intentions. It would take time to ease the habit of licking old wounds, he thought wryly, and he was as guilty as she of harboring mistrust.

He snagged Ginny a glass of champagne punch from a passing footman’s silver tray, pushed it into her hands and said casually, “Lord Tynedale approaches.”

Ginny’s eyes widened slightly, dark pupils expanding as she lifted her champagne glass. If not for the slight quiver of her hand, he would have thought her completely unaffected by Tynedale’s presence.

It was hard-earned composure that kept the smile on her face as Ginny turned to greet Richard Avery.

“Richard, you’re looking quite well,” she said lightly when he took her free hand and bowed over it in a courtly, old-fashioned manner that was so indicative of his nature.

He straightened, dark-blue eyes so similar to Steve’s holding her gaze.

“You are more lovely than ever, though I once thought that impossible. I see that life with Esteban agrees with you most heartily.”

“Yes. It does.”

“I am so glad, Ginny.”