Shein, furious at the answer, – who is the manufacturer? Who decided to go to Moscow?
– So we went for food. We were very hungry, poor…
– Don’t lie! Don’t you dare! I’ll beat you all up!
The clerks of the Robbery Department began to conduct a search here, began to flog the riflemen, but did not find out anything. Everything was incomprehensible, and the generalissimo was furious. They brought out the most spirited ones and hanged them as a warning. The rest were sent under guard to monasteries, to undergo strict penance, to atone for their sins. That was the end of it.
Peter in Vienna. Secret meetings
Lying in a carriage and sleeping was a very unusual thing for Peter. He had heard of something like this, but he had never seen it. On the ship, on his favorite brig, it didn’t rock like that, but you could get used to it. He almost fell over in his sleep a couple of times, and began to use belts. So the Tsar of Russia shook in a dormeuse to Vienna.
The entrance was rather mundane, as if turnips had been brought to the city from the vegetable gardens. No procession, no flowers, no enthusiastic burghers. The cavalcade rode to the outskirts of the city, where a small palace had been handed over to the Russians.
– They are receiving us badly, Franz, – said Peter, – as if we were not the sovereign of a great country, but one of the princes, or even worse.
– Oh, what are you saying, Your Majesty, – muttered Lefort, taking out his snuffbox with an elegant gesture.
The elegant Swiss was handsome, had the manners of a prince of the blood, and looked great. Peter only sighed heavily, trying to restrain himself.
– The note was passed on, – Peter began to read, – the Tsar will come at night, through a secret gate. He wants to talk face to face.
– European politics, Peter, no need to worry. Everything is very subtle, on half-hints, – Lefort reassured, – the Tsar is cunning, does not want to promise anything.
– There was not even an official meeting. My portrait is now kept in London, by the Elector of Prussia, as if for identification. But we will see what it is, – and Peter blushed with anger.
***
Several days passed. Preparations for the ball were underway in the palace for the guests. Musicians arrived in several carriages. Vans brought tables, dishes, wine. The footmen of the court began to bring everything into a divine appearance.
Guests whom Peter had not invited began to arrive for dinner. But he stood at the front door, greeting the nobles, dressed in silk and velvet, and their wives, shining in luxurious dresses and bare shoulders. In the hall, behind him, the orchestra played a minuet. The music raised the mood of the guest king, and even more so – the abundance of beautiful ladies. One of them, dressed in silver brocade, smiled at him so sweetly, and bowed so enticingly that the former pirate simply thawed in his soul. He held the lady by her thin fingers, and did not want to let go of the luxurious captive.
– I am very glad to see you, – Peter finally said in a muffled voice.
– Thank you, your grace, – the lady answered, lowering her eyes, – Charlotte Visbur, – she gave her name.
The lady turned out to be very smart, and stood slightly behind the giant. But, nevertheless, it seemed that she was the mistress of the house, and Peter liked it even more.
Well, to the guests, the Russian Tsar seemed almost a giant, a northern Cyclops, meeting them at his cave, fortunately, not very scary. And next to him stood a beautiful nymph, reviving this almost demonic ensemble.
Finally, the obligatory ritual was completed, and Peter touched Charlotte’s hand and led her into the hall. Menshikov, like a faithful squire, followed behind.
The majordomo slapped his cane on the floor, the musicians began to bring out a melody for the dance. Peter and Charlotte walked in front of the dancers.
– How should I address you, your grace, – the lady asked, smiling slightly.
– Herr Peter, – the giant answered, grinning into his moustache.
Incidentally, to the surprise of Madame Visbourg, this Muscovite was skilled in plaisir, that is, he moved very gracefully, and did not step on her elegant brocade slippers with his shoes.
Then everyone was called to the table. In a word, having broken the hopes of the Austrian nobles for Russian exoticism, the treat on the dishes was prepared according to French recipes. The footmen skillfully and quickly distributed the dishes to those present. And behind Peter stood, probably, the tallest of them.
The first toast, of course, was for Caesar Leopold, and the second – for his Russian guests, although the title of the tsar was not mentioned. Peter’s face darkened with anger, but he restrained himself. The cunning Lefort made signs, trying to restrain his rage. And the graceful Charlotte calmed the pirate’s violent temper with her presence.
– Min hertz, – he heard Menshikov whisper behind him, – you are asked… Important guests…
– Right now, Aleksashka. Charlotte, I have to step aside… I will definitely return…
They quickly walked along the corridor, past the guard of the Tsar’s guards. And, in a small office, at a simple table sat a gentleman, his face hidden by a half-mask. Judging by the brocade waistcoat, decorated with an order ribbon, the man was very noble.
– This way, min hertz. Don’t worry, I’ll stand behind the door, I have a couple of pistols…
Peter grinned, closed the door and sat down opposite the mysterious guest. He was silent for a while, expecting the stranger to speak first. And so it happened.
– I am glad to have my guest, the Tsar of Moscow…
– The Tsar of All Rus’, – Peter corrected. – I have to hide my face, there are many ill-wishers of your presence in Vienna. The city is full of rumors from Russia, in Moscow they say that there is an impostor on the throne…
– The ambassadors confirmed my identity…
– Yes, without a doubt, my brother, – Leopold seemed to correct himself, – but in Russia there is a rebellion, and some kind of disorder…
– A bunch of malcontents, a common thing in any state…
– Of course, of course, my brother Peter. And we are in an alliance against Turkey, and I hope that the agreement is strong?
– Without a doubt, my brother Leopold.
– But I heard that you met with William of Orange, and he, of course, spoke to you about the need for a war with Sweden. He wants to deprive France of an ally…
– Ingria and Karelia, the old Russian lands will have to be reconquered.
– Still, a war with Turkey is a necessity, albeit a difficult one for both Austria and Russia. I would like to strengthen our agreement by creating a marriage union between your son Alexei and my relative Louise, Princess of Württemberg.
– Without a doubt, I will be glad of this. When both reach the right age, my brother! – and Peter gave a forced and forced laugh.
The pirate was not stupid. They made it clear to him here that they knew he was not the real Peter, but were ready to tolerate this until Alexei came of age. And they were ready to stand up for the rights of the underage prince to the throne. Moreover, they respect nobility strictly, so much so that they consider him their equal, wanting to marry the princess to Alexei Petrovich.
– However, I heard that you are going to make peace with the Turks. Since we are in an honest alliance, I ask you to take care of the city of Kerch for Russia.
– My