Alexei's eyes shot to Ingrid in surprise as he barked a laugh at her reaction to meeting Lord Brogin. Again, she was displaying that glimmer of the wicked sense of humor he had seen in her room. He had a feeling that given enough time, she would fit into their family magnificently. When she placed her hand over his clenched fist, he looked down, taking a few deep breaths before forcing his hand open and turning it over underneath hers, entwining their fingers.<br/><br/>"We have many wonders you have yet to discover, Ingrid," he teased, his blue eyes lit in pride. Her first test, and she passed with flying colors. He sensed Liz standing and drew his attention away from his fiance reluctantly. His lips curled into a smirk as she spoke, realizing that the Czarina was pissed. These idiots had no idea what a hornets nest they had stirred up in Liz by trying to remove her from her family. His gaze turned greatful as she spoke about his lady, knowing that Ingrid had an ally in helping her adjust to life in the Russian court. Giving her hand a reassuring squeeze as the Czarina reclaimed her seat, he was about to thank her for her kind words, but instinctively he felt himself tense once more as he felt his sister approach. Barely keeping his contempt in check when she introduced herself, his blue eyes turned dark and stormy wondering what she was up to.<br/><br/>"You have no idea what a jewel my fiance is turning out to be, sister," Alexei replied with an erie calmness. He spared his sister a casual glance before turning his attention to the man standing at her side. Poor fool, had no idea what danger he was in. Olga might be one of the most beautiful women in Russia, but she was a black widow through and through. It would be only a matter of time before she hollowed out the young man. But what did he care? If the man was stupid enough to welcome the danger into his life, then it was his own fault he perished. Forcing his attention back to Olga, his smile grew a bit more feral, letting her know that he wasn't buying her welcoming act. "Sorry, dear sister, I was just observing your latest victim...I mean your new suitor. He does know that he needs *my* approval to take you off my hands, does he not?" He asked, his voice dripping with mock innocence. Still holding Ingrid's hand under the table, his thumb began moving in circles along hers, never breaking his gaze from that of the immediate danger....Olga Romanov.